HELP! Might move to Phoenix (AZ)

[Marcymox]

Re: HELP! Might move to Phoenix (AZ)

hi- I'm new here, so I guess I'll just jump in and start posting!

I'm from AZ- ask me anything!!

the bad first-
Yes it's hot here- the electric bills are high- I won't lie. Our elec. company raised the rates. 200.00 or more in the summer
BUT- we don't have to pay high heating costs- all evens out I suppose?? I didn't even turn on my furnace last year. just used a couple extra blankets.

people in AZ have babies- and they are all just fine they use spf 50 in delicate infant skin, babies wear cotton rompers, cute hats and are kept out from the heat of the day.

The houses here are nice, tile roofs, desert landscaping, cactus, palo verde trees. When we first moved here we would see javalinas and roadrunners. now that the houses are all built up it's usually quail and bunnies. Lots of pools, and lots of local public pools if you don't have one of your own. 1.00 to get in.

The whole city is built on a square grid- so i'ts very east to find your way around. - you learn the lay of the land very quickly. Avenues are on the west side of town, streets are on the east side of town- divided by central avenue. Numbered strees run north south, Named streets run east west. 2 major freeways, I 17 goes north/south, I10 is east west with several "loop" freeways going all around.

we have lots of shopping here, tons of nice malls, zillions of places to eat, several waterparks, new major league football staduim, science and art museums, space center, Imax, zoos, botanical gardens and lots of southewest and indian themed places to go. - you won't be bored.

Someone else suggested checking out realtor.com- just type in a zip code like.. 85029, or 85038 and see what an "average" phoenix house looks like and what the costs are. I like to sort that site so I can view only the houses with pictures.

what else would you like to know?? moving stinks but it's not awful here.

[tgavin71]

Re: HELP! Might move to Phoenix (AZ)

Quite frankly I don't think Phoenix is the problem. I think it is moving out of your comfort zone full stop. What does your DH expect to get out of the experience? Could he move there and then the rest of you in a few months? That way if he doesn't like it your whole life wont change.

[Amorphous02]

Re: HELP! Might move to Phoenix (AZ)

Great feed back , tgavin , Marcymox. Thank you so much.I said as much to hubby: u go!
I wont.
I am scared of the scorpions. We are never satisfied with the baby proofing. add to the mix exploring fingers and scorpions.
so He did start looking at Chicago. Everything is in a flux. Keeping my fingers crossed!

[Marcymox]

Re: HELP! Might move to Phoenix (AZ)

Oh gosh- the scorpion thing it's not THAT big of deal- really!! okay, lets see I've lived here almost my entire life, and I've seen exactly one scorpion. - and it was outside, not in my house or in my shoes. It's like florida, people think that when they move there, they will see alligators wandering the city streets or something.

You do have to be careful of critters, like scorpions, but it's just mostly crickets and a few ants. The people who have those houses out on 5 acre desert lots have more to worry about when it comes to scorpions and snakes, ect.

like I said- people have babies here. just like they do in your town. They all are perfectly a-ok.

[Jaynen]

Re: HELP! Might move to Phoenix (AZ)

My grandmother has lived in the greater Phoenix area for about 20 years. I went out there every single summer from about '86 to 1998. It is some of the most beautiful weather this country has to offer as far as the rest of the year; and the summer is bearable (hence, my return year after year). I actually, just got back from my trip out there the tail end of July; the hottest day was 118, but like I said it's bearable and when it's not go inside. Everywhere that's worth going has an A/C; if the place doesn't have an A/C stop going, even if it's your cousins house. You will definitely fall in love with early evening and even late night swimming; it doesn't get much cooler than about 85 at night. I would tint my windows, and get sunshades for your car (ESPECIALLY IF IT'S LEATHER LIKE MINE); my car was 159 inside the day it hit 118, now that will hurt your baby, so NEVER LEAVE HIM/HER in the car! Again though, a lot of places have covered parking so that may not be too much of an issue.

As far as your housing, have you already found a place? When I was out there I was negotiating a deal with a developer and got some pretty good pricing for my investors. No downpayment, no closing costs, and all that other good stuff; so let me know if you are still looking for a place. They have a few developments going (Chandler, Tempe, Scottsdale, and some other place that I can't pronounce let alone spell, something-tukie i think).