Reviews & Comments
Chico, CA
saddened -
7/24/2009It breaks my heart to read the negative comments about Chico. I lived in Chico from 1997 - 2000 and got my bachelor's and teaching credential there. I loved every minute of my college experience in Chico and go back to visit often. I realize that it has changed which is unfortunate. Chico has so much to offer the outdoorsy kind of people. I remember going to the Bear Hole or just walking the One Mile Park. I don't remember a lot of crime, but I do remember the cops shutting down the downtown area on Halloween because it just got too out of control. Chico's Halloween was known all over CA and people that would usually come to visit were asked not to by the news, cops, and newspapers.
I do agree that there is a lot of farming in the area because it's in the country. I had headaches quite often from the crop burning. I worked at an elementary school as an aide while in college and I remember that it would have been hard for me to get a teaching position because no one ever wanted to leave. (which is a good sign about a city)
Hopefully Chico will go back to what it used to be. It's a shame that it's changed so much in 10 years. It's a beautiful city and one of my favorite places in the U.S.
Litchfield Park, AZ
Frustrated Teachers! -
6/5/2009I've been teaching in AZ for 5 years. I came from CA where I taught for 4 years. I have never been so unhappy teaching than I have been in AZ. There is so much pressure on teachers that we're exhausted. We are asked to put in way more hours and no union to back us up. We are frowned down upon when we say "no" to going to trainings in the summer or on weekends and for no extra pay.
I understand that AZ's education is terrible compared to other states, but that's not because we don't have qualified teachers. We are overly trained and on top of the newest research based programs that are the most helpful in teaching students.
I would just like to be left alone to enjoy teaching my students. I believe that the students are suffering because teachers are so overworked and underpaid. Some of the stuff we're asked to do does not even directly effect our students learning. It was never like this for me in CA, and I got paid way more.
Oh, and the ratio that's stated above for teacher to student is total crap! I have never had 17 students in my class since I've taught here. I have had 24 - 28 students each year, even in our Kinder classes. And now, with education taking a hit from the economy, we have had to lay off teachers which therefore will increase our class sizes.
Goodyear, AZ
Bad Allergies -
6/5/2009I've lived in Arizona (Phoenix and Goodyear) for the last 5 years. My allergies have gotten so bad throughout the past couple years of being here. My eyes are so red that people often think I'm high or crying! The dust really affects many people and unfortunately I'm one of the victims! As soon as I get to a more humid, less dusty area, my eyes clear up and are totally white! No amount of allergy medicine or eye drops have helped. I can even go to Southern California, where I was born and raised, and be perfectly allergy free, despite all the air pollution they have there. I have also been diagnosed with Valley Fever, a fungus that grows in your lungs from the dust and pollutants here.
On top of the bad allergies, AZ is terribly hot and miserable. I don't care that it's a dry heat, hot is hot! And, to me, it's not worth the mild winters.
There is also a lot of crime and graffiti here, even in our small community in Goodyear. I see graffiti even on new walls and buildings. I stopped watching the news because of all the horrible crime.
Needless to say, I haven't been very happy here in AZ and am looking to relocate to a place with a better climate, and less crime.