Hahaha, God bless you, Mendy from Ogden, I understand where you're coming from...but I will offer a different opinion. Myself and my family also came from Utah five years ago, but we've enjoyed the surplus culture, variety of areas and people, and overall genuine community. It's surprising to find a born-n-raised local, as many residents are transplants. Folks from such a variety of backgrounds it makes for a colorful melting pot. The infrastructure and outlaying sprawl are practically new, but much of central Phoenix is home to fascinating 60's architecture--love it or hate it. Phoenix supports a variety of everything; the valley is speckled left and right with animal & nature preserves, museums, fairs, shopping districts, late-night bars, traveling shows, events, conventions, restaurants, small businesses, private schools, libraries, colleges, and little cultural gems. What's important to mention is that the Phoenix valley is subdivided into many towns and suburbs, each with their own personality. The social climates range from small-town, to Little Mexico, to Hollywood wannabe. It's simple enough to find your own niche community here, as the options are nearly endless. And yes, people have tattoos, go to bars, are supportive of the LGBT community, and drink coffee (the horror!!!). Even Mormons participate in city life! Yes, the LDS population (5-12% concentration, depending) is fantastic down here, much less snooty and passive-aggressive than Utah Mormons. In contrast, the general ignorance, racism, sexism, and intolerance in Utah is suffocating. Wake up call, Utah: when the best place in town to eat is Olive Garden and trendiest place to shop is Old Navy, you're not exactly overflowing with culture...
MandaPan | Phoenix, AZ | Report Abuse

I agree with you 100%!!! I moved to Tucson a year ago, thinking it would be a nice place to retire. I am only 57 years old but I am disabled, so I bought a handicapped accessible house here, paid cash for it, MY ENTIRE LIFE SAVINGS. In a nutshell, it was the biggest mistake I ever made in my life. The Main reasons for my regrets are the following: poverty, ignorance, alcoholism, drugs, corruption in government and especially in the police department, racism, the extreme dry heat, culture??? Please define culture for me. You have to budget in water, meaning potable, drinkable water, that preferably doesn't smell like something "strange". If you are wealthy and can afford to buy water from somewhere else, and if you can afford to escape from June through September, you might be happy here. If not, stay where you are. It has to be better than this.
Carolyn | Tucson, AZ | Report Abuse

Bigger fool theory. Do not move to AZ for the following reasons: Desert is running out of water: You don't want to own real estate when this state officially runs out of water. the housing prices are already declining while they are still rising in most of California and its northern state Colorado. I already have the feeling that the smart money is leaving. Poor economy - Outside of construction and housing this hot oasis does not have much to offer. The only news you will hear is about a new restaurant coming to down and they open and close a dime a dozen in phoenix. Not diverse - Millenniums rather live with roommates in a cosmo city like Diego or San Fran then to move to Phoenix. All one has to do is visit downtown Phx to see its absolutely DEAD. for over 30 yers politicians have been trying to boost the area and has failed everytime. the concrete jungle makes it hotter than it already should be. Also alot of old people with little money is moving to Phoenix. Based on their limited income they are in no way shape or form to encourage the city to grow. Sports- while the desert has four professional sports teams, three out of four ranks worst in attendance. For one retirees don't have the disposable income to support it. Two the city is so spread out there is no sense of community. three people are from other places and they rather support their own home team than a town with no character. Hockey will be gone in four years and the way the Suns are going they may start threatening to leave as well. Weather- Phx is number two behind LA as far as pollution. this is the ONLY place I know where one cannot drive a black car. Many have tried but most have failed. It is so hot that you cannot be out in the sun for more than 5 minutes before your skin start to burn. Because of the growth the summers are getting hotter and hotter and is unbearable. By the time it cools off it is late November and then it starts getting hot the middle of March. that leaves about 2.5 months of good weather. Don't let them fool you. IT is nowhere close to eight months of good weather. No where close! In summary don't move to Phoenix unless you want to feel like you are in hell, get dirty lungs and be in a place where the real estate values plummets as people leave for greener pastors.
Marcus | Glendale, AZ | Report Abuse

It's come a long way and actually is quite enjoyable. I actually have spent some time in AZ as well as Los Angeles, the Midwest, and the South ( Texas). I can honestly say that AZ is the best of them all. When I was a kid I visited PHX and thought it was just a trashy desert. However I spent some time there last year and fell in love with it. This is me comparing my experience to Southern California and beach living, high end Midwest living , and a Texas mansion. People think , but don't know. What all people want are great jobs, low costs of living, and great scenery. AZ ( PHX and Tucson) has the last of that in terms of modern cities. Yet what clouds judgement are overgrowths in certain areas. When I grew up in LA I though it was the worst thing in the world. I went to school by the beach and all of my school trips were to national or state parks. Yet what clouded my judgement was overgrowth. The "too much of everything " became too much. This includes people, cost, and vanity. So I wanted to get as far away as possible and moved to the Midwest for college. The area was not bad, it was the people and culture. When you all are considering small towns and big homes you need to understand why costs are so low. It's because demand is low. Why is demand low? It's because people have moved away and others don't want to move there. Why? Most likely because of politics and government. These two things influence everything else. So I got to the Midwest and guess what I learned about " cronyism and nepotism ". This is the standard in the Midwest. Too much of it and guess what? You have small town politics. Even more and you have corruption. This is how all small Midwest towns are. It's because there's very little demand and very little competition as a result of such. The south? The same plus the typical bigotry and racism. So in all if you live in an area where you can spend a few hours either driving to a national park, a beach, or your job then stay put! Trust me, I've experienced it all. Just move to a new community or city, but don't leave the state.
Greg | Omaha, NE | Report Abuse

I agree with you about the trashy part. Everyone tries to fit in so desperately. Some people actually try to raise kids here which is a terrible idea.
Dx | Scottsdale, AZ | Report Abuse

Most people that I've met here are transplants from the Midwest. Maybe the problem is that they're new to the area and trying to fit in as much as you are but you don't realize it. If you give them attitude and aren't friendly to them, then they won't be friendly to you either. Same as everywhere else. I have never had a problem with the people here because I am nice to them and am not so judgemental. I have no tattoos but people with them aren't likely theives. Such a typical UT attitude. I think you might be the one with the problem being an a$$hole.
Mark | Phoenix, AZ | Report Abuse