What is living in Phoenix, AZ like?

[John Larkin]

There's a potential business opportunity for me in Phoenix. I've never lived out West. I hear stories about higher crime there. Obviously some folks live their lives there daily and don't feel the need to run away so how bad can it be? I'm also curious about the cost of living, areas of town to live in/avoid, home prices in the 1700-2000 sq. ft. range, taxes, weather, etc. I'll be talking to a former resident today but would appreciate hearing from any members here who have anything to share (Do you have a yard or a rock garden? How expensive are the utilities? Is the heat really tolerable or oven-like?) Yes, I would be taking the GN with me, maybe the Poncho too.

 

[krom]

I have been here for 11 years, 2000 sq ft house in the burbs with a triple garage can be had for under 200. House tax would be 1400.

It is very hot for 3.5 months of the year, June through mid September. I would suggest moving during winter so the heat shock would not be as tramatic.

If you stay out of the Barrio you will be safe.

I work with a person from Indy and he told me he would never go back.

There is a $50 Turbo Buick tax that is paid to all Az owners, payable first Buick Club Day at the track

 

[webleyaz]

Here in Tucson it's a couple of degrees cooler. It'll take you about two summers to get used to the temp. The lack of rainy days makes for plenty of Buick days. Fabulous Las Vegas is a short drive away, too. Traffic in Phoenix can get ugly but I imagine that's true of any big city. Phoenix is fairly spread out so traffic probably does not get as bad as other cities with its population. This is the fastest growing region in the nation. Arizona taxes seem to favor retirees. It's too early for me to think any more.

 

[cruzn57]

life in AZ

I think you'll love it here!
good weather, laid back attitude ( by most, not all)
Phoenix has traffic issues, ( lots of traffic) but so does all big cities, you'd be close to a couple race tracks, (YEA!)
weather....... hot in the summer, (hasn't reached 100 yet this year) it'll get up to 105 or so, but you will aclimate quickly, its a dry heat, so it doesn't bother as much as other climates,
you do get summer rains, but are gone soon.
I'd say go for it! ask if I can help in any way! ( I'm in Kingman, its 3500ft elevation, much cooler, less traffic, kinda like the sticks!)
good luck!
cruzn57

 

[Whitettype86]

John,

Like everbody else you would love it here unless your set for life in Indy. I'm from Oklahoma and have been here for 14yrs and still have a peice of my heart still in Oklahoma if u know what I mean.
I'd never make the kind of money back there as I do now in Arizona. The good thing is it never snows unless u go north or south of phoenix. We get an average a 6-7in a rain a year. So its always Sunny All around racing
1700-2000sqft homes go from 160 to 250s depends on the area u want to live and how far u like to drive to work.
Utilities are only high from June to Sept due to Ac and Also depends where u like to keep the termostat at

 

[azgn]

I have been here for 20 years and only have two complaints: too hot in the summer and too many people moviing here

Phoenix is now the 5th biggest city in the country and we continue to grow at about +8,000 people per month net in migration......

we have the usual big city problems (traffic, crime, etc) but not as bad as other cities our size (although we are #1 in auto theft because of our proximity to Mexico)

we have 8 months of glorious weather and 4 months of uncomfortable (very hot) weather.....but, you don't have to shovel sunshine and just about every home has a pool!

In the summer, you can drive 150 miles and be in 7,000' mountains to cool off in AZ or drive 360 miles and go jump in the ocean in San Diego (San Diego's population doubles in the summer because of us "Zonies")

housing is relatively inexpensive, although if you live in certain parts of town it can be as expensive as you want...I believe the overall cost of living in Phoenix is about at the US average

two race tracks within 50 miles of any place within the metro area (which is huge.....about 30 miles by 30 miles I would guess)

Generally, AZ is business friendly, union unfriendly, Republican controlled legislature, and conservative. Relatively low taxes, but rising slowly but surely.

Right now we have the highest priced gas in the country because we continue to use MTBE and nobody else does......(our highest pump octane is oxygenated 91....)

It is not the best place in the country to live, but it is certainly in the top 10

 

[clean86]

Love it! e-mail me and I willsend you pics of an AZ yard!

Good fishing

Lots of racing

You get to see Woody{AZGN] Make some sick passes with not a less than most.

It is hot,,, turn your oven up to 112, when the light tells you it's ready open it fast and stick your face down by it, THAT'S AN AZ SUMMER.

Lots of great GN guy's

I'm in line for the Tax

gamblejer@cox.net

 

[Little6pack]

I am putting in an E-mail clip from a good friend who just moved there.
--------------------------------------------------------------
I love it! It is just starting to hit 100 but the eves are still in the 60's. I am finding a lot to do, exploring the Southwest. I found a nearly new townhouse to rent, pool, spa, gym, etc., for $1000/month. It is a 3 story with 2 car garage on the 1st level. I have no regrets.

Jeff

 

[AsphaltAnihil8r]

PLEASE STOP You are making me want to move there.........Sounds like you guys have a gold mine over there ,and n ow you just let the cat out of the bag.....

 

[clean86]

It's nice but summer SUCKS!! The rest of the year is great. The streets have been known to melt under your tires.

Try the oven thing it is just like summer here,, A dry heat.

It is nice being able to only own ET streets and never having to worry about rain. But you do have to water a lot, if you don't everything dies.

 

[NJTurbo]

Man i hate NJ

Warm Weather, It is May and the weather in NJ still Sucks.....

 

[TurboDave]

Anybody want to address the smog checks??

 

[Jack Evers]

My Arizona backyard. Pool is for my four Labrador Retrievers.

http://a2.cpimg.com/image/78/90/18971512-f3e0-02000180-.jpg

 

[azgn]

smog checks are IM-240 (dyno type) and very tough...every two years

if you have a car that won't pass, it'll need to be registered outside Maricopa county and take your chances

 

[TurboDave]

Originally posted by azgn
smog checks are IM-240 (dyno type) and very tough...every two years

if you have a car that won't pass, it'll need to be registered outside Maricopa county and take your chances

 

[Little6pack]

Originally posted by Jack Evers
My Arizona backyard. Pool is for my four Labrador Retrievers.

http://a2.cpimg.com/image/78/90/18971512-f3e0-02000180-.jpg

WHERE are the Nice Females by the pool?


Hey how is the Female to male ratio down there?
Would a single guy have a good chance of snagging babes?
Not that I am single -- Just wondering?

 

[clean86]

That would depend on the person. If you still have all your chompers you should be good.

 

[AsphaltAnihil8r]

Originally posted by clean86
That would depend on the person. If you still have all your chompers you should be good.

Funny,,I was sipping an Amstel as I read that

 

[clean86]

Thx I try.

 

[NJTurbo]

Originally posted by Jack Evers
My Arizona backyard. Pool is for my four Labrador Retrievers.

http://a2.cpimg.com/image/78/90/18971512-f3e0-02000180-.jpg

No Thongs...