Reviews & Comments
Phoenix, AZ
Rebuttal to last post -
2/20/2007to "everything the other guy said is true"...
People in Phoenix do tend to lack a good education, but so does the average American city or suburb. America is not a well educated country (but look at how many foreigners attend our universities!) However, there are plenty of people in metro Phoenix with college degrees. As with any boomtown, those that are attracted to the 'fast buck' are the desperate souls who generally lack education. Las Vegas has the exact same problem to a more magnified degree than better established and more economically diverse Phoenix.
Real estate did shoot up from 2003 to 2006 and is now overpriced. Well, c'mon, how many other cities are now in a freefall real estate market? Can this truly be blamed on Phoenix? Las Vegas and San Diego should expect 8% depreciation in 2007 according to reports. Look at South Florida as another example. Our nation's economy has been nothing BUT real estate because putting your money anywhere else since 2001 has netted little profit. You can't blame that on Phoenix either.
ASU is not a prestigious university. The development of a quality college takes more years than Phoenix has been a large city. Are there any prestigious colleges in San Diego or Las Vegas? Certainly nothing on par with the Ivy League, as can be expected for booming cities of the last 50 years. I agree that the lack of a medical school in this metro area of not 6 but 4 million people is troubling. Since I haven't needed medical attention here, I can't comment on the state of health care.
I agree that the West Side is particularly unpleasant both physically (substandard housing and seedy businesses) and geographically (flat, no parks). I would say that "central to 67th" is an exaggeration as the housing from 15th Ave. past Central to 16th St. could best be described as an old money enclave.
I also have no qualms with your assessment of the business and political climate here. As with practically every city for which there are opinions on this website, one finds that local politicos are anything but ideal. Business interests trump personal concerns and liberties from sea to shining sea, or, perhaps, we are only now beginning to realize this. In short, it is not just a problem in Phoenix.
I strongly disagree about the summer weather. Chicago hit 100 with lows in the 80s back in the mid-1980s and literally thousands died. Phoenix hits 122 in 1990 and no one died. The heat only kills those without
Denver, CO
Denver, Land of Extremes -
2/5/2007The previous poster indicated that Denver has more park acreage than any other city. Actually, Phoenix rules in that regard, though most wouldn't know it since they don't consider the desert a 'park'. Phoenix has a city park larger than the island of Manhattan and, in another park, I once walked 9 miles without seeing another person.
I disagree that Denver has hot summers free of humidity. The humid Gulf air doesn't really reach Denver all that often, but it can be humid and uncomfortable. Living in Phoenix, I know hot and dry and, Denver, you're summer humidity bothered me. Summer nights are ideal, though.
My time in Denver showed me that it is quite dirty in places and the streets are rather complicated, especially central Denver with its diagonal downtown grid. I can't imagine driving when it snows or hails! Most of Denver seemed dated (old) and very midwestern in style. That's not a crime, but it's not what I expected for a city in the West. What Denver needs is a sense of style all to itself, not a conglomeration of everything else.
I noticed people do have more energy than in other cities and that's a good thing. Denver isn't sleepy. How can you sleep knowing that tomorrow could be either 80 degrees or -10 degrees? "Mild climate" is misleading considering the extreme swings in weather conditions Denver experiences in all seasons but summer. The biggest snowstorms have come in September and March.
The reason I don't live in Denver is that there is now a huge metropolis forming along the Front Range running from Fort Collins to Colorado Springs. And, it's not growing well at all. Can you say traffic hell? Bad drivers, too long of a commute, too many rules and regulations trying to protect what's left. Better planning is essential for Denver's/Colorado's future.
Phoenix, AZ
Pollution misunderstood by reviewers -
1/18/2007Phoenix's pollution problem isn't SMOG, it's DUST and PARTICULATES. Phoenix doesn't have smog because it's too dry. The 'brown cloud' is dust kicked up by human activity (cars, industries, etc). The longer Phoenix is dry in its dry spells, the more dust is kicked up. The valley geography doesn't help matters, it keeps the air stable. Inversions in the winter (warm air on top of cooler air) are when the pollution is the worst.
Is Phoenix dry? Yes, but so is Colorado and the mountain west for the most part. Actually, on a relative scale, most of Colorado is drier (colder air holds even less moisture). Will your skin dry up? Probably unless you use some kind of moisturizer. If you live in the Midwest in the winter, you know how dry that can get. It's not that bad here.
Like all cities, Phoenix has some problems. But it is far better here than in many other areas of the US. If you're unskilled and looking for a job, PLEASE choose some other place! There are enough ignorant unskilled homeless people here--we don't need more. Southern California has plenty of them too as does the mecca of unskilled labor: Las Vegas. Stay home and learn something!
Phoenix, AZ
Errors in Phoenix Climate Data on this Website -
12/13/2006Phoenix gets ZERO snow per year. The last two times it snowed were 1939 and 1985 officially. This site claims 7.3 inches--WRONG.
Phoenix gets anywhere from 4 to 12 inches per year in precipitation but averages about 8 inches. This site claims 12.5 inches--WRONG.
Phoenix's average July high is 106. This site claims 91 (we wish!)--WRONG.
Phoenix's average January low is 44. This site claims 27--WRONG. We haven't been officially below freezing in years.
Phoenix, AZ
Phoenix Climate Facts -
12/13/2006Let's examine Phoenix's heat. The hottest days in each calendar month since records began in the late 1880s are: Jan 88, Feb 92, Mar 100, Apr 105, May 114, Jun 122, Jul 121, Aug 118, Sep 116, Oct 107, Nov 96, Dec 87. Of course, don't expect to see this every year! In each of 2005 and 2006 we had 105 days with highs of 100 or more and 65 more days at 90-99. Because of the urban heat island effect, summer morning lows have increased from the mid-70s to the mid-80s over the last 30 years. We had around 75 days each year where the low was 80 or more. In 2006, there were 11 days where the temp failed to get below 90!
If you get depressed by clouds and darkness, Phoenix is your cure. The sun shines practically all the time (and you get nice moonlight because of the clear skies). Clouds and rain are so infrequent, you won't remember the previous occurrence. Summer sun sets around 7:40PM on the longest day. Winter sun sets around 5:20PM on the shortest day.
I'm in my mid-40s and I bike year round. I bike 2-3 times a week even in summer. Riding in 110 degree heat is doable when you go fast enough for the breeze to keep you cool, which it does. Besides, it keeps you thin!
Let me know if you want more information.
Austin, TX
for Mike from 7/5/2006 -
12/13/2006This website clearly shows that Austin is Democratic, not Republican. It's also clear from your remarks that you are ignorant and want Austin to stay that way. Sorry to disappoint you.
Gary, IN
One of the Lowest Places to Live -
12/13/2006I grew up here in the 60s and it was a pleasant community. Of course, I lived on the right side of the tracks (actually the interstate). We felt safe trick or treating and the neighborhood had a variety of ethnicities. My entire family was here. Going downtown was always a thrill even though there had been decline for a number of years (before I was born). With the underprivileged blacks and the decline of the steel mills employment, the town changed dramatically. With jobs leaving, businesses closing and houses standing empty, crime and poverty were all that remained. Whites fled to surrounding towns and when the blacks followed, the whites moved even further away. There is absolutely no reason to live here now. Why 99,000 still bother amazes me unless they are trapped. The town offers nothing to its residents but ugly brick buildings, boarded up neighborhoods, and the dying dreams of those who once enjoyed living in a thriving economy and a safe small city that had Chicago in its backyard. Today, there is no place that occupies the bottom like Gary does--of course there are some pretty unfortunate places in Pennsylvania and Ohio, but I only have experience in Gary.
Kearney, NE
Do you like trains? -
12/13/2006If you do, then Kearney is the place for you. I've stayed overnight twice and was amazed at the number of trains roaring through the center of town. Based on the buildings I saw, it appears that the economy has seen better days. I saw too many storefronts boarded up and closed. Somewhat friendly people. Midwest in character throughout. The only thing that stood out for me were the constant trains passing through town.
Seattle, WA
Response to Heather -
12/12/2006I lived in Seattle for 2 years (1991-1993, visited 2000) and 8 years in San Diego (1996-2004). Seattle is still expensive. Housing is maybe 20% less than San Diego, but all other items are similar (and no state income tax). I felt Seattle was perfect except for the weather. SD gets 9" of rain a year compared to Seattle's 38" with rare winter snow. The snow doesn't last, however, similar to CO's Front Range. Ask: Do you like 47 sunny days a year? Portland is similar, Olympia is worse (more than 50" of rain). The only argument I have in favor of Seattle is that the culture is alive, the city is walkable, surrounded by water with a view to mountains both east and west. Politically, it's very liberal with a hot nightlife for all kinds of people. San Diego is too conservative and doesn't have a sense of "CITY" like Seattle does. But, honestly, I couldn't stand the Seattle climate and latitude. In December, the sun rises around 8AM and sets at 4:15 or so--the street lights pop on around 3PM because it's so dark. Summer days are very long (5AM to 9PM) but it's still too cloudy to see the sun! I live in Phoenix now and I like it but I think I'd prefer Colorado--am attracted to Fort Collins, Grand Junction, and the smaller towns of SW Colorado. It seems you want to be near the water where it's wetter than San Diego but not as expensive. Seattle indeed fits that description. You might like Port Angeles with the Olympic NP as your backyard.
Phoenix, AZ
20 Years of Experience -
10/27/2006With 20 years of experience, here's the scoop: 1)Weather is "California" from mid-Oct to mid-May, otherwise very dry heat, >80 at night. No snow, little rain, lots of sun. Winter outdoors, summer indoors. Hike, bike, climb, swim all you want. 2)The desert is surprisingly green up close but brown from a distance. If you want shade trees, live in the older areas like Central Phoenix. Suburbs are too recently developed and are desolate, including Scottsdale. Drive 2 hours to pine forests, snow, skiing, fishing, etc. 3)Traffic is bad like all other major cities but streets are laid out in rational grid with timed stoplights. Go 41MPH on the major streets and you'll get there in no time (except rush hours). 4)Arts & Culture are lacking due to overwhelming growth. It takes time for this to develop, and that's what's happening now. 5)Easy to find work, but 'right to work' state, so no employee rights. Higher-paying jobs develop slowly, just like Arts & Culture do. Business opportunities abound. 6)Higher crime due to poverty, with many unskilled laborers flocking here to 'get rich'. There are many impoverished areas (south side, west side). 7)Housing was relatively cheap until '04-05. Now, it's in line with what it should be considering the assets Phoenix offers, but if you buy, buy for the long term because appreciation will be slow. Good apartments are getting hard to find as too many have gone condo. 8)Air pollution is a problem in dry winters, when rain would help diminish dust. Geography is the source and there's no solution. 9)Politically conservative (due to uneducated ignorance IMHO). 10)Phoenix is HUGE so find your small corner of it and enjoy! Overall: Not heaven, but better than most.