We actually just moved to East Mesa from Reston, VA. I know that Show Low is much more of a small town but I have personally never been there. East Mesa was not a huge culture shock, necessarily. The people work to live rather than live to work the way they do in NOVA. If your kid cries in a store, you aren't going to get the dirty looks that you are used to in Fairfax County. They are relatively nice people but do have a different mentality. There are many here who think that the University of Phoenix and other for-profits are adequate universities (hilarious). Still, there are others with decent educations but it is nothing like the high concentration of advanced degrees in Fairfax County. Where we are, we expected the cost of living to be much lower than it really is. There is quite a bit of creative taxation here as the state seems to be inept at balancing its budget. We paid over $300 just to register our car for one year. Sales tax is near 10%. We just had our first baby and there is a mandated newborn screening that costs $65.... just a lot of irritating things like that. Comparatively speaking, traffic is a DREAM and the space can't be beat! We always feel like we are on vacation with the palm trees and pools everywhere. Good luck with your move! I would recommend the east valley to help reduce culture shock, if possible. Good luck!
Tiffany | Mesa, AZ | Report Abuse