Reviews & Comments
Scottsdale, AZ
Scottsdale, Phoenix's Upscale Suburb -
3/26/2006Of the cities in the Valley of the Sun, Scottsdale has the most going for it. It has an established identity, though that is now harder to find. The city is larger in area than Chicago and it's hard to keep that identity intact. South Scottsdale, near Tempe, is really indistinguishable from Tempe. It's very middle class. Downtown Scottsdale is charming with art galleries, pedestrian-friendly shopping areas and parks. North of downtown is where the brunt of the resort and golf communities lie as well as the most established "Scottsdale" neighborhoods are. The familiar grid of the Valley's streets give way to meandering roads and lusher vegetation. North of this area (north of Shea Blvd. approximately) Scottsdale's expansive growth is evident. Here the city loses its identity with confusing streets, disconnected neighborhoods, etc. Extreme far north Scottsdale is the haven of the very wealthy, those who've left the desert intact and whose homes line prestigious golf courses. But this area is so far away from the center of town, it might as well be another place altogether. Still, a very good community to live in, one where people are proud to call it home.
Gilbert, AZ
Gilbert, a Phoenix Suburb -
3/26/2006I've lived in the Phoenix area for 20 years and I've never set foot in Gilbert. So, why would I write a response? Because Gilbert isn't a place to go to. Gilbert wasn't even on the map until recently. It's nothing but former farms and agricultural land. As Phoenix expands to and beyond the horizons, suburbs like this that serve no purpose but to create sprawl are created. If you want anything that Phoenix offers and want to live in or near Gilbert, expect an hour drive just to get into town. Otherwise, plan on living in an endless flat sea of suburbia along with a million others. Safe? Probably. New? You betcha. Fun? Is your backyard fun?, because that's all you'll encounter, along with a few scorpions. Jobs? Yes, but they're suburban "mall" jobs. If you're looking to make money your commute to Tempe, Scottsdale and Phoenix will be stressful, making you question why you moved so far away from the action.
Tucson, AZ
Arizona's Second City by a Mile -
2/21/2006Tucson is the liberal alternative to staid, conservative Phoenix. This is a good thing, IMO. But Tucson has major problems.
First, Transportation. Tucson's roads are terrible. The city is difficult to get around in. With one freeway, you're stuck using major streets and a parade of stoplights. Phoenix may have more traffic volume, but it is much easier to traverse and it has a stellar airport. Second, crime is ridiculous. I haven't felt safe whenever I've visited. I don't what know what to attribute this to. Poverty, perhaps? The vast majority of this city is impoverished, with decrepit buildings and dust-covered ranches with ugly yards. The mountains to the north are a nice backdrop but I don't think Tucson is more green than Phoenix. Someone from San Francisco said the air here was clean, but I think they're commenting on how sunny it is compared to the relative cloudiness of the Bay Area. Indeed, air pollution here is evident. Besides, what city has cleaner air than San Francisco?
Population growth here is nothing compared to Phoenix which says something. If Tucson really was the better city, why is it growing so much more slowly? Because: low--paying jobs, corrupt and inefficient city government and planning, poor water quality, and geographic isolation, just to name a few reasons.
Tucson is really just a border town, even though the border is 100 miles away. As desert cities, go, Phoenix is better, Albuquerque is worse. Until it entertains an identity and gets its act together, Tucson is just a motel stopover to somewhere else.
Phoenix, AZ
Response to Stephen -
2/17/2006Sorry to hear that you now dislike Phoenix after 12 years. Your main complaint appears to be the cost of housing, which, I admit, after 40% appreciation in the last year, it has become expensive vs. incomes. While Phoenix has always had home prices less than the national median, this run-up is rather odd. Apparently, those people that couldn't get into the Las Vegas and Southern California markets decided to try here and ruin it for the vast majority of residents. Rents on the other hand haven't seen such an increase so if you come here to rent, it won't be too bad. Around 600-800 for one bedrooms, 700-950 for two bedrooms. Also true is the fact that Phoenix isn't 'green'. I take somewhat of an exception to this because as deserts go, Phoenix is quite green. Climb any mountain in town and see how green it really is. Las Vegas in my opinion is MUCH worse--it's entirely brown. At least Phoenix's meager precipitation can sustain some plant growth. Phoenix has more municipal park land than any other city in the world--one park is larger than Manhattan! But, it isn't 'green' by Eastern standards. I have found people to be rather friendly but long-term friendships require some effort. Here, we live the reverse of everyone else: stay in for the summer, go out for the winter.
Jackson, WY
What mountains? -
2/15/2006I was so surprised when I visited last year that from the town of Jackson you cannot see any of the Tetons! The town is a touristy area that caters to the wealthy, who, by the way, have THEIR homes on the mountainsides where there IS a view to the Tetons. Expensive place to visit probably because there is no other place to stay near the National Park. My experience was filled with snooty waiters and the unspoken expectation that I should have more money if I want to be in Jackson. I can't resist: Jackson WY, what a hole!
St. George, UT
Unsightly growth in a beautiful setting -
2/15/2006St. George has become a retirement mecca. Growth has been substantial in the last 10 years. From I-15, you won't be able to get a sense of the place, and if you take any exit, you'll still not know where the place begins or ends. The rapid growth has created unsightly residential areas that are out of place with the attractive natural environment that surrounds the town. This is probably the worst planned growth I've seen. Climate is slightly cooler than Las Vegas, and it holds the distinction of having the highest temperature in Utah: 118 degrees. If Las Vegas' activities are exciting to you, plan on a 1-hour plus drive through some of the most boring landscape imaginable (with the extreme exception of the gorgeous Virgin River Canyon in AZ a few miles out of town). Otherwise, plan on a lifestyle not too dissimilar from a retiree (you'll have plenty of company).
Miami, FL
Wow, what anger there is -
2/15/2006These comments on Miami are astounding to me. When last I looked, Miami sat near the bottom of Florida's east coast, in a country called the United States of America. It seems to me that the population of Latin America has arrogantly assumed that this piece of real estate is theirs. I don't recall any "Miami Purchase" being reported in the news. Diversity is often touted as a good thing, but as in so many parts of this country and planet, diverse groups can't manage to get along. Perhaps, if we spoke the language of the natives (in this case, it's ENGLISH) we'd get along? I don't live anywhere near the city of Miami, though I have visited many times. It tires me to see grocery stores where I live with signs in two languages. I am bilingual by choice and education, and I think the only people that should learn a second language are the people who move into the US. So, to Latin Americans and other immigrants in the USA, I say "Learn English", because you contribute little to our continued existence as a country by your misplaced arrogance.
Houston, TX
Houston rates lower than its elevation -
2/13/2006Lived there 1970-78, visited a few times since. Houston was big then, much bigger now. I remember when the Shell Oil building was the tallest, now you can't even find it!
Bad points:
1) Unbearable humidity in all seasons. Winters are much better in FL, CA, and AZ. I froze many times when I lived there and walked to school. Unbelievably heavy rainfall, much more than cities further inland.
2) Terrible crime. I never felt safe in Houston. Are there any safe walkable neighborhoods? Avoid the East side in particular, anything near the Ship Channel and the east suburbs.
3) Terrible environment. How many smells are there in Houston? All those oil refineries dump the most foul, toxic garbage into the air, I'm amazed children aren't born with 3 arms (so the third hand can cover the mouth and nose). The bayou 'swamp gas' is really sickening.
4) Bugs, all kinds. It doesn't matter how clean you live, they'll come. I woke up to find a roach tickling my nose! Have you ever killed a pregnant roach? Yuck! This is reason enough to never live in Houston.
5) Generally boring with little or no excitement. No theme parks. City is too big to enjoy exploring and landscape is extremely flat. You'd expect much more from a city of 2 million souls.
6) Yes, other reviewers are correct: there are alot of rednecks in Houston. Education levels are low. When I moved there, people referred to me as a Yankee, a term I thought had died after the Civil War.
In general, for those who are considering living there, Houston is one of the worst cities to live in the country. Sorry to those who tout its virtues, I literally can find none.
Aspen, CO
Money with an Altitude -
2/13/2006I have only spent a short time in Aspen, so I can't comment on what it's like to live there, but here are my impressions. The residential areas in the center of town are the most outstanding I've ever seen. Every home is truly someone's castle and looks like every one of the million dollars the owner put into it. For this altitude, I was amazed at the care taken in the landscaping. Streets have clean sidewalks and friendly people walking by. In the higher elevations surrounding the city, the houses are more spectacular, but what's the point out there other than a spectacular view? Outside the center of town, the grid of streets quickly gives way to random roadways. The skiing facilities and access to them dominate the surrounding areas. The 'suburbs' (for lack of a better word) on the way to I-70 are rather undesirable and the drive can be harrowing. Speaking of harrowing, I entered town from the east on a two-lane road that was a white knuckle drive--not because of the elevation, but because you cannot for a second be distracted, lest you run off the narrow road and into someone's parked car. Like Santa Fe, it is apparent that "the help" don't live in the same city as the homeowners, which is sad. Ideally, any town drowning in wealth should accommodate those that support that wealth. Aspen is truly a haven for the wealthy elite with no room for anyone else. I would venture that one-upsmanship is the daily sport around here, even BEFORE skiing!
Yuma, AZ
I Don't Have a Sense of Yuma -
2/13/2006Yuma is America's hottest city. From my perspective, it's only a place to fill up the tank on the drive between San Diego and Phoenix. Then, just keep on driving. Sales taxes exceed 10% and unemployment is frequently more than 30%. The city extends to the horizon with large empty areas and takes 20 minutes to escape from (at 65 mph!). Because of only 3" of annual rainfall, there are few places to find shade and everything is not just dusty, it's dirty. Yards (if you can call them that) consist of dead-looking desert vegetation and people's junk, exposed to the sun 350 days a year. Sounds like heaven, doesn't it! Expect to be sunburned, lonely, and unemployed. If you're a retiree (and there are many here), you might find a nice home in which to spend your final years in a fake neighborhood of identical ranch homes. But ask yourself "Why Yuma?" before you commit. If you've never visited, think of the most desolate place you can imagine and then populate it with older white folks and desperate Mexicans. It's true, I have no sense of humor--er, Yuma.
Valparaiso, IN
Midwest Town with Great Restaurants -
2/13/2006Fine dining abounds in Valparaiso, about an hour's drive from downtown Chicago. People trying to escape the urban decay that is Northwest Indiana have created a smart, small city in Valparaiso, one that is too far away from Chicago (in my opinion) to be considered a commuter's suburb. The population is stable, the neighborhoods are safe and the farms of Indiana are a short drive to the south and east. Other than a harsh winter climate, made worse by lake effect snow squalls, my only complaint is that it can take 20 minutes to cross town. There are simply no roads that you can take to zip across the city. When Valparaiso gets a major retail store like LS Ayres (currently about 15 miles to the west in the area's main mall area in Hobart/Merrillville), it'll be a highly desirable place to live with all the amenities one would want in Midwest living.
Las Vegas, NV
Think long and hard before you consider Las Vegas -
2/13/2006I've done business in Las Vegas and visited since the mid-80s. I have only felt safe and secure inside some of the nicest casinos. Crime in Las Vegas can actually be felt by your physical body. If you want desert living, you can do better EVERYWHERE else. This city is full of desperate, angry souls with sun-leathered skin. Anyone who thinks this is "Good Living" has been spending too much time having their picture taken (think: flash bulbs). Away from the casinos and The Strip, you'll find dangerous neighborhoods, gangs, walled subdivisions, construction zones and treeless landscapes.
Play all you want and enjoy the pool, the sun, the dry desert heat. But don't think that the joy you feel in a weekend trip here will ever materialize after you move here. I try to dissuade anyone from moving here because it has nothing to sustain LIFE.
San Diego, CA
Almost Perfect -
2/12/2006Except for the fact that San Diego is on the edge of the US, it's perfect. It would be nice to drive in all directions, but you can't go west or south which gets kind of boring when it comes to weekend getaways. The weather is outstanding year round. Crime is not an issue--only East San Diego and the South Bay areas caused me any concern. I lived in Hillcrest, just north of downtown from 1996-2005. I cashed out when my condo's value tripled. The appreciation cannot and will not continue. I anticipate a strong price correction in the next two years. Rent for now, buy after the market crashes. Housing and gasoline are the two main economic gripes I had. On the other hand, food is cheap and you don't need electricity for heating or air conditioning, so while I was there, my expenses were low.
Like most cities, some areas are better than others. Inland San Diego is a sea of poorer neighborhoods. The coastal communities stretching to the north are suburbs with beaches and no real unifying features. Expensive like Orange County, but there is no "there" there. And, anyone who lives north of Miramar airbase isn't a San Diegan in my opinion. The portions of San Diego northward along I-15 are inescapably suburban with AWFUL traffic (worst I've ever encountered, even after living in LA, Seattle, Chicago, Phoenix, etc.) Everything south of Petco Park in downtown San Diego is Mexico, pure and simple. Slightly cheaper housing (except for new areas in Chula Vista) but what's the benefit if the traffic is awful too?
Generally, the Central area of San Diego from Point Loma to Pacific Beach to North Park cannot be beat. Amenities, restaurants, and outdoor activites are beyond compare. Friends can be found, private paradises can be made.
Mesa, AZ
Mesa is a Phoenix suburb -
2/12/2006For those considering moving to Mesa, please be advised that it is a flat, non-descript suburb of Phoenix. The area has grown tremendously and is spreading to the south and east, further away from Phoenix. Gilbert, Chandler, Queen Creek, and other suburbs are virtually identical. (Note: I don't know about the schools, taxes, crime, etc.) Mesa is ultra-conservative and has little diversity. For a city with over 450,000 people, it has no core, no downtown, no center. There's probably only 10 buildings greater than 3 stories tall in the whole town! All of the familiar complaints of suburbanites can be found here. People seem to be complaining about life in the suburbs and it's no different in Arizona. If you want CITY amenities, you can't live in the suburbs! Mesa has virtually no tree-lined streets because it's only been around for 50 years and before it was a "city" (a term I use loosely), it was irrigated farmland. If you're white, conservative and have no need to drive anywhere but to the grocery store, church, and home, THIS is your paradise (even though summers you'd swear you're in hell).
Phoenix, AZ
Better than most, but not without problems -
2/6/2006Moved to PHX area in 85, moved away in 91, back again in 05. Area is easy to get around in with streets laid out on large grid. Weather is comfortable and pleasant from mid-October to mid-May. Summer heat is not uncomfortable in and of itself; rather, it's the duration that drives people 'crazy'. Yes, there are about 3 months where the temperature simply will not drop below 80. But, you could always drive up to the mountains, or go to San Diego, LA, or Grand Canyon. After 20 years of unstoppable growth, it's true: traffic is worse (the streets aren't any bigger!). But that's to be expected when you build a city like this.
Phoenix really needed a visionary (like me!) back in the 60s, before the growth was overwhelming. Imagine a desert city with tall buildings, dense walkable neighborhoods, and green parks filtering the developed areas. Tall buildings create both wind and shade, making the immediate surroundings cooler in the daytime. You get above 3 stories here and the views are phenomenal! Instead, Phoenix is 90% single-story ranches with no view, spread too far apart to create a social fabric, indeed 'a sense of place'.
All in all, it could be better, but there are neighborhoods with quiet, tree-lined streets where an average Joe can make his paradise. That's better than most cities out there.