15 yrs here: I’ll tell you good & bad;
-
9/15/2006
15 yrs here: I’ll tell you good & bad;
Con1) It’s too hot.
Pro1a) Big surprise. Yes, it’s hot from May to September. June, July & August (monsoon) are the worst. But, the weather is great from Sept-April, some perfect months in the mix. All year long, imagine no days of fog, rain, snow, sleet, hail. Imagine 300+ sunny days/year. It’s so sunny here that people grab their video cameras whenever the clouds turn black & the wind picks up. It really makes you appreciate rain when you see it. If you have seasonal/winter depression, this is the place to live. Plus, I hate to use the cliché, but it really is a dry heat. I lived in the Midwest until I was 22, & trust me, there’s a huge difference in comfort levels without all of that sweat rolling down your back/face & mosquitoes & flies swarming around you.
Pro1b) Keep in mind that it’s one of a few states in the US where you can literally drive 1 hr into temp’s 10-30 degrees lower. Prescott is approx 1 hr, & I’ve driven thru snow in the mountains there when it’s 70 degrees down in Phx. 1½ hours & you can spend a weekend in a cabin in Oak Creek canyon surrounded by pine trees & 6 inches of snow. Now that’s living! If you like to snowboarding/skiing, go farther north 2 hrs to Flagstaff. Word to the wise; everyone in Phx loves this convenience too, so leave early on Fridays.
Pro1c) Sedona! It’s too beautiful for words. You’d have to see it for yourself.
Con2) Traffic/commute is terrible. Phx is text-book “urban sprawl.” Bldngs don’t go up; they go out, & out & out. The farther you are away from work, the worse the traffic gets because the roads (in all directions) can never catch up to the growing population.
Pro2a) If you get a job close to where you live, problem solved. If you buy into a new development (west-west, northwest, east-east), you could have a huge 2-story house w/upgrades & a pool for chicken feed. Better yet, you can sell that brand new house in 5 yrs & make a killing, guaranteed. If you’re looking to buy a new house here, try Buckeye, Avondale, Litchfield & Surprise. But, beware; commute time in the am AND pm is at least 30 min’s, usually longer, so invest in a satellite radio for your car &/or meditation tapes because Road Rage is very predominant here (go figure).
Con3) Unemployment.
Pro3a) Where?? There is no such thing in this city. If you have experience in anything & a good work ethic, you’re home free. There are new businesses looking for new employees all the time. But your best
Lya | Surprise, AZ