opinions about living in Phoenix (or around there)

hello all.. so, those of you who know anything about Phoenix or live in the Phoenix area, do you like it?  is there a good support group around?  just looking to test the waters.  at first, i was contemplating moving to a southern state (either NC, or GA) for a slower pace of life and frankly, anything has got to be more friendly than the area in live in which is close to Philly.  i'm definitely not saying the people here are crappy and such... it's just i'm looking to improve the quality of my life surroundings.  my best friend lives in cali and i definitely don't want to move there.  so, she told me arizona is the newest happening thing and lots of people from cali are moving to arizona.  i figured, let's put it to the test on the OH board.  my OH friends in PA are marvelous and i could have never, ever asked for a better crew of friends.. and that's what i'm hoping to develop as well if i were to take the moving risk.  i've never moved before!  i'm single and have worked for home offices of major insurance companies (non-health, and not selling insurance).. so i wonder also if there are financial companies there that i could get established with.  woah all these questions!   so here's your chance to put your two, three, four cents in.. any advice, location advice, small town recommendations close to Phoenix would be great.  thanks a bunch.. Magnolia

Hi Magnolia  It all depends on what you like, there are some great companies out here, United healthcare to chase bank - what kind of Finance are you in ?? we have Countyrwide home loans , al major banks,  As far as night life- we got that to  Support groups  - depends what part of the state you go to, But yep we have some very good ones .   

Magnolia, I live 1/2 a block from metropolitan Phoenix, in Glendale.  The valley here is huge and composed of a bunch of suburbs as well as metro Phoenix. The cost of housing is a little less in the outlying areas.  There are several websites to do cost of living comparisons if that's one of your decision factors. I've never lacked for something to do here.  All manner of sports teams, concerts, clubs, casinos, you name it.  You'd be hard pressed to be bored here.  There are lakes nearby and 1 out of every 7 homes has a pool.  The Winters are outstanding and the one day of Spring and one day of Fall are gorgeous.  Having said that, summer is hellish.  I think it was about 115 today, but hey, it's a dry heat.  That dry heat thing really does make a difference.  I have to admit that I really don't mind summer that much.  The house, office and car are air conditioned.  I never spend more than two minutes at a time in the heat.   Two hours North is beautful pine country and a great summer getaway.  The beaches of San Diego are an 8 hour drive West and the beaches of Mexico are a few hours South.  Las Vegas is four or five hours North and that's a great weekend getaway with all the fun and debauchery you can stand. I usually recommend that people come out for a visit - in the Winter - before deciding to move.   If you come in the summer, you'll think that all of our brains must have fried in the sun for us to continue to live in this heat. Oh yeah.... the sunsets.  You just can't beat the sunsets. Connie

Hi Magnolia, I can tell you that I moved to Arizona 25 years ago...and I have lived in different cities here...Phoenix, Tempe, Paradise Valley and being a Chicago native it took some getting used to.  I love Arizona and I can't imagine living anywhere else...BUT...you gotta love the HEAT.  I mean scorching, blistering, fire breathing, molten HEAT!!!  Its easy to get spoiled if you move here in late fall or early winter because the weather is so beautiful....but starting in mid-June the temperatures start to climb and before you know it...117 degrees on the 4th of July! The bigger cities have many of the same issues that Chicago, New York and LA have with crime and pollution...but there is also a different kind of community here.  People are mostly very friendly and there are plenty of jobs.  Lots of areas of the state are set up for recreation and not a long drive at all. My family all live in the Chicago area and I plan to go and see them in September.  When they ask me how I stand the heat in Arizona, I tell them, "It may be hot, but at least I don't have to shovel it!" Take care and God bless.  Hope you come out for a visit to our state. Robin

It's funny that your considering moving here and all my husband keeps telling me is we need to move there.  He's from PA and all he talks about is how hot it is here and too busy of a lifestyle.  He wants a  slower pace back east preferrably Ohio he says now.  I was born and raised in Arizona so I know no different.  I do agree since living in Chandler most of my life that it's become crazy busy with people and the school are over crowded.  Traffic is busy but I guess you have those issues other places.  The summers are hot but if you have a pool or you can go to one then it's better.  You give me info on PA and I'll give you info on Arizona.  I'm scared to death at the thought of moving but I do see the green back east and wish we had a little of that here.  Even when you go up north here it's not the same green that you see back where you live.   You can come visit and stay with my family for a week and I'll come visit you.  My kids would hound you for questions because they're not sure about moving either.   Renee'

Hey Mag - Was waiting to see some responces to your post before writing, I am a New Yorker and lived on Long Island all my life before relocating to Cottonwood, AZ (Up North).  It FOR SURE takes some getting used to, if you are a single person you would definitely want to go to the Phoenix area, nothing up North for singles, but it is VERY different.  I am now here almost 5 years and never thought I would last this long, but now I must say I think I have become accustomed to the never ending SUNNY days, yes the heat months are rough JUNE-SEPT, but kinda like Northeast Winter months NOV-MARCH, so its just like a trade off. Always keep in mind, SOUTHWEST AIRLINES  $99. flight back east, I go 1-3 times a year for a visit and now look forward to coming back to SUNSHINE, and YOU CAN ALWAYS MOVE BACK!! Good Luck in your decsion, its NOT an easy one! Candi