Trying not to move back
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9/9/2012
I'm an Arizona native, most of my childhood was spent in Chandler and my college and working years spent in Tempe and Scottsdale. I got fed up with everything and moved to Europe, currently I am in Prague. With the economic crisis hitting Europe quite hard at this moment I am forced to make a decision to either try to tough it out here in Prague or go back to Phoenix. Its a really tough decision to make because even though I don't make a killing here, I would make about 3 times as much money in Phoenix doing the same job. However, like some of the people have been saying, I have a big problem with the lack of culture here and that it seems that Phoenix is a magnet for a-holes from all across the country. to me it seems that people come to Phoenix to 're-invent' themselves and they try to be as arrogant and just plain mean.
For those thinking to move to Phoenix, keep a few things in mind. If you are a sports fanatic (watching and participating) Phoenix is a pretty good place for you (even though the teams are average at best). You can see a live sports match at least once a week as there is hockey, basketball, baseball and college and pro football. In terms of doing sport, hiking is great (except during the high points of summer), there are water sports available, skiing is not too far away, though I always would just take a week off work and go to Colorado. Rock climbing is supposed to be very good in AZ, though I don't practice it myself.
In terms of culture, its real crap. Though if you like music, every single big act will come through Phoenix, and actually Phoenix is in a pretty good position for California musicians and bands that prefer to do shorter tours. But there is no art, no sophisticated culture, restaurants are mostly chains and if you are looking to go to a bar or dancing all night you had better make sure that you either have plenty of cash to pay $100 cab rides or make sure you have a DD with you.
Houses are relatively cheap now and its still pretty easy to get a mortgage if you at least have a stable job. But on the other hand, the houses all look the same and in the older traditional parts of phoenix, like Arcadia are losing their charm, with housing development companies buying up older quaint houses, tearing them down, and building monstrosities for those who couldn't make it in Hollywood but would like to have a house that compensates their vanity.
There are some nice areas to live that have something like a vibe, but they are smaller areas. These are the places close to downtown tempe and downtown Scottsdale. Tempe seems to be more of a relaxed, student and young professional area. I would say its pretty cool and mixed and there's plenty to do close to ASU and its not far from downtown Scottsdale. There is also somewhat of an urban feel to it, and again the only other place where you can see that is in Downtown Scottsdale. If I have to go back to Phoenix, Tempe is definitely where I would live. Scottsdale is full of hipsters and jersey shore idiots with all the same hair style, completely roided up, drinking horrible beer at horrible prices and basically getting completely out of control. Women WILL ask you what kind of car you drive and how much money you make within the first 3 minutes of talking to them. But if you like shopping, its heaven and there are some decent restaurants there.
The other negative thing is another thing people have mentioned before. The people. Most people are genuinely ok, but you really have to be careful choosing friends, I wouldn't recommend becoming good friends with people at work because there are a lot of back-stabbing bastards out there who will try to out ass kiss you with the boss. I never really noticed how bad it was until I left. It looks like Phoenix just gets the rejects from other big cities (including pissed off Californians who can't afford to live there anymore so they come to Phx). I'd recommend meeting with a group of people who share your interest.
Also we have an ignorant, arrogant and brainless governor and sheriff.
So-
advantages: year round weather and nature
disadvantages: almost everything else
The only thing that makes me want to go back is my family
Paul | Chandler, AZ