I have to submit my comment regarding living in Arizona. I laugh at a lot of these comments, but also nod my head in agreement as well. Let's start with, Yes, Phoenix is HOT. Blistering hot at times. If you don't like heat, Arizona is not the place for you. If you want a change of season's you will need to travel North for about 2 hours often. Individuals of a more mature status will not enjoy living in Phoenix. On a positive note, every other household as an in-ground pool. Everyone also runs their A/C. You learn what time of day to be outside and what time of day to stay in. Hydration is a must, but when is it not? In response to another comment regarding a reliable vehicle...shouldn't you always? Your car will still need heat and A/C. If your car doesn't have one or the other than it is best to stay in whatever state doesn't require you to have these. Let's talk about culture. I have lived in CA, TN, GA, AZ and now TX. In that order. The two worst states I have lived in are GA and TX. I don't remember much of CA as I was a young child and moved to Memphis, TN at the age of 7. I still have family in CA, but don't visit often. I find that Memphis can be a very pregedious city and am glad that I moved away. GA gave me the same impression, although the night life in Atlanta was awesome. Arizona was hard to get use to. It is very different. Lots of desert. Palm trees and cactus planted right next to each other (palm trees are suppose to be next to the ocean). Many different personalities. If you are a private, non social person, don't move to Phoenix. If you don't talk openly with your children and shield them from all the evil in the world, the pace of life in Phoenix is not for you. Now, if you are friendly, open with your children, adventurous, and can with stand heat this is the perfect place to live. After living in TX for almost 8 years now I constantly dream of moving back to Phoenix. My kids are actually suffering in the TX school system. I have two children, both with learning disabilities, and the schools here are not equipped to handle special needs children. If your child can not thrive on their own it is the schools goal to pass them along as quickly as they can. The weather in TX may be a bit cooler, but not by much. It's harder to put jeans on when you feel like you just step out of a shower at 7AM due to the humidity. There's also water restrictions here. You may want green grass, but you won't always get it depending on the drought. Expect higher utility bills as well. Yes, you heard me right. Most electric and water companies here are privately owned, therefore, they can charge you delivery fees, maintenance fees, etc. Not to mention, they are only open 8-4:30 Monday-Friday. Let's talk about people in TX. Rude. Stuck up. Beracuda. Sorry. Most people in TX were born, raised and married here. If you didn't go to their school, college or hung out in the same group, you are an outsider. If you don't know someone in the oil business or haven't been to the Bush Ranch you are not important. Dallas is overcrowded with crazy drivers. Houston is nice if you want to shop, eat and go to the "beach". Austin is great for the night life and eccentric people. San Antonio is horrid. There is no night life, traffic is a nightmare, you can't get anywhere without it taking an hour or more, medical care is insufficent and whoever designed the freeway system was under the influence. A lot of people say San Antonio is one of the largest growing cities. Stay here for two weeks. You will change your mind. Salaries are lower here (unless you are in the oil business). People don't want to get to know you (unless you donate a significant amount of money to their church). Property taxes are through the roof. They may not have as high of a sales tax or they may not have state tax, but be prepared to pay no less than $3000 a year on a house less than $130,000. I have an aunt, who's house is paid for, on an acre of property and she pays $8000 a year and doesn't even live in the city. You still need a reliable vehicle to live here. Must have heating and A/C, no matter which city in TX you live in. I will tell you this. I was raised in a southern state. I was raised to respect my elders. I am teaching my children right from wrong and am open with them regarding everything. In response to another review regarding teen pregnancy, it happens in TX too. There are pregnant teens everywhere. It all goes back to how you raise your children and how involved you are in their lives. Phoenix is slow in the recovery of our economy. If you are looking to make it rich and thrive right off the bat don't move to Phoenix at this time. If you plan on moving to Dallas, Houston or Austin plan on lots of traffic, lots of people and higher property taxes and cost of living. If you plan on moving to San Antonio, don't. The city is old, run down, dirty, poorly planned and unfriendly. You would think after 8 years I would have something positive to say. No such luck. I know that within the next year we will be moving, probably back to Phoenix, before my kids start high school.
Jill | New Braunfels, TX | Report Abuse