Phoenix Overall
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7/24/2006
Look, like any place Phoenix has its pluses and minuses. For some, Phoenix may be a great and enjoyable place, but for me, I am ready to leave.
First the pluses: (a.) winter weather – easily the best thing about Phoenix. Coming here from the East Coast, I loved the fact that I could wear shorts during February. Also, a great place to play golf during the winter, although the greens fees do get pretty high; (b.) outdoor accessibility – Again, coming from the East Coast, I liked the fact that Phoenix was surrounded by mountains and the proximity to places like the Grand Canyon. There are some great camping locations very close and the climate can change surprisingly fast heading north. This is especially important during the summer (more about that later); (c.) women – being a single guy in graduate school, I am amazed by the amount of beautiful women out here. Maybe it has something to do with the amount of Californians here or maybe it’s something in the water, but visually the women are stunning in Phoenix.
Now the minuses: (a.) summer weather – you have heard it before, but I would simply like to add that the oft repeated comment, “But it’s a dry heat” is rubbish. This place is hot during the summer and the heat is simply unbearable because of its consistency and duration. The East Coast is humid and muggy during the summer, but it rarely gets over 95 degrees for an extended period of time. Here, flipping to the Weather Channel and seeing week, after week of 100+ temps is simply horrible; (b.) culture: three words, “there is none.” Phoenix is not a city; it is a huge suburb around nothing. Everything is so spread out, getting a neighborhood feel is impossible. Adding to that is that fact that Phoenix challenges Houston and Dallas for the king of chain restaurants. Even Mexican food seems to be dominated by a bunch of bland chains. Finally, although the women are beautiful, the average educational achievement of most in Arizona ranks down with Mississippi and West Virginia. Good luck finding educated, entertaining people. Most Arizonians are more interested in buying another crotch rocket motorcycle or getting another sleeve of tattoos. Quite trying to copy Kevin Federline people; (c.) economy: sure the economy is growing, but the quality of employment in Arizona is terrible. Part of the reason is the lack of corporate headquarters for major corporations. Look at cities of similar size and you will find many more large companies. Thus, the pay h
John | Tempe, AZ