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Post by tenacious on May 19, 2016 22:32:13 GMT
I am from California, have lived the past 10 years in Utah, and just recently have been considering a possible relocation. AZ (Gilbert) has come up as a possibility, and honestly, I have never even considered it. I don't like heat, and I like mountains and green, but, life moves in mysterious ways, and there is a possible opportunity there for us.
Am looking for pros and cons of AZ, and specifically Gilbert. I have been there a handful of times. I like the restaurants and the shopping. Interestingly, my BFF already lives there, but, of course she will talk it up! I need the straight scoop, especially from those who have not grown up there. Our kids are 14, 12, and 10.
TIA!
Erin
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gottapeanow
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,780
Jun 25, 2014 20:56:09 GMT
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Post by gottapeanow on May 19, 2016 22:44:28 GMT
I am a native, so take my views for what they are worth. I love it here. Gilbert is a nice part of the valley although I live on the west side of town. Phoenix is the fifth-largest city in the nation. Driving from one end of town to the other can take 90 minutes or more. Crazy. Schools are good in Gilbert as well. Summer. Is. Hot. No sugar coating it - the heat is just hitting right now and will last through Sept. You learn to deal with it. In the summer, that means time indoors, at the mall or at the movies between 1 and 7. However, be forewarned - it can easily still be 100 degrees at 10 or 11 p.m. Easily. If you have a pool, you can't really swim in the middle of the day - it's too hot. People love swimming in the evening and at night. Lisa
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Post by tenacious on May 19, 2016 22:58:36 GMT
Yea, my girlfriend pretty much moves her family into my house for the month of July...which is why I don't go down there very often. I am over shoveling snow in the winters though, so, that is a plus! Scorpions also terrify me. Erin
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Post by colleen on May 19, 2016 23:04:26 GMT
My brother and his family live in Ahwatukee and seem really enjoy it. One thing that really impresses me is that if the kids get a certain score on the state standardized test they get free tuition to any state college. He has two kids at U of A and two more in high school, so that makes a big difference!
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azredhead
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,755
Jun 25, 2014 22:49:18 GMT
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Post by azredhead on May 19, 2016 23:10:03 GMT
Someone just posted this a little bit ago I can find the other thread if you want? It had lots of good info too. I'm from both areas. I grew up here but spent part of our married life and teenage years between Utah/Salt Lake Valley and here. but this was always home to me. Dh grew up here. I don't mind the heat in fact I am one of the odd ones that prefer it! So that's a pro or a con if you wanna get away from the winters. Gilbert is a good area and good schools. It's growing a lot too. We're in East Mesa. Not far from Gilbert. More where the orange groves are. There aren't many left. It takes DH about 40-60 min to drive downtown for work everyday. It's just starting to warm up here now but it's been pretty nice. It's swimming weather! We get the monsoons and dust storms but if I had to pick I'd take those over any other kind of weather like snow or tornadoes etc.. Scorpions and bugs or critters aren't really a problem here, but they are out in some of the new communties the further out you are. You are in the desert.It just depends on the area.
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smginaz Suzy
Pearl Clutcher
Je suis desole.
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Jun 26, 2014 17:27:30 GMT
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Post by smginaz Suzy on May 19, 2016 23:15:55 GMT
I live in 'Tukee too. Passed a coyote on the way home late night the other night coming home. Not sure if that is a pro or a con, so I will let you decide. I love it. Love the community, the weather, the ease in getting to the mountains or the shore in a reasonable amount of time. On the other hand, I travel frequently for work to SoCal and Denver, so it is much easier to get through the summers when you spend half of it in those places.
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Post by tenacious on May 20, 2016 0:20:32 GMT
Someone just posted this a little bit ago I can find the other thread if you want? It had lots of good info too. I'm from both areas. I grew up here but spent part of our married life and teenage years between Utah/Salt Lake Valley and here. but this was always home to me. Dh grew up here. I don't mind the heat in fact I am one of the odd ones that prefer it! So that's a pro or a con if you wanna get away from the winters. Gilbert is a good area and good schools. It's growing a lot too. We're in East Mesa. Not far from Gilbert. More where the orange groves are. There aren't many left. It takes DH about 40-60 min to drive downtown for work everyday. It's just starting to warm up here now but it's been pretty nice. It's swimming weather! We get the monsoons and dust storms but if I had to pick I'd take those over any other kind of weather like snow or tornadoes etc.. Scorpions and bugs or critters aren't really a problem here, but they are out in some of the new communties the further out you are. You are in the desert.It just depends on the area. I would love a link to the other thread. Sorry about the repost. 1 week ago AZ wasn't even on my radar! :-P Thank you!
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azredhead
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,755
Jun 25, 2014 22:49:18 GMT
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Post by azredhead on May 20, 2016 0:27:03 GMT
oh no it's ok it was just some one who was also making the move let me see if I can find it.. here it is Arizona Thread
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mimima
Drama Llama
Stay Gold, Ponyboy
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Jun 25, 2014 19:25:50 GMT
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Post by mimima on May 20, 2016 0:27:33 GMT
Scorpions don't bother me, but I could not take the heat.
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Post by Dreamsofnyssa on May 20, 2016 1:04:22 GMT
Scorpions also terrify me. Erin Honestly, you will probably not encounter that many scorpions. In all my 46 years of living in the middle of the desert I have probably only seen 10 (definitely no more than 15) in the wild with maybe 5 of those being alive inside the house.
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azredhead
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,755
Jun 25, 2014 22:49:18 GMT
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Post by azredhead on May 20, 2016 1:05:17 GMT
added the link in my previous post but I'm sure the peas will help add more info too! Good luck with whatever you decide!
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Post by bc2ca on May 20, 2016 1:07:38 GMT
I'm not in AZ, but DH's cousin moved from CA to UT to AZ. They didn't want to leave CA and only had a year in UT but have settled nicely into AZ, finding they like the weather even with the hot summers better than dealing with cold winters. They also have loved the lower cost of housing. I don't know if it is much different from UT, but they couldn't afford to buy in CA and actually found a house with a finished basement in Chandler. The basement gives them a cooler living space in the hotter months, but I think they they are rare.
The biggest shock for them was school going back into session the third week of July giving the kids a super short summer the year they moved because their UT school didn't finish until early June. A bonus though was getting a week off school in the fall and heading to Disneyland at a quiet time of year.
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Post by robinm on May 20, 2016 4:13:15 GMT
I'm in Tukee too. Only have seen scorpions at work in Tempe. There are tons of things to do year round. The heat can be hard to deal with but only for a month. When the monsoon starts things get interesting- we love watching the storms roll in. Gilbert is a nice area- pretty central to lots of activities. We also get Scrapbook Expo in September and Creating Keepsakes convention in the spring! Let's not forget the professional sports teams- AZ Dbacks and the Cardinals! It's easy to make friends here too!
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MissChris
Full Member
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Jul 14, 2014 0:46:04 GMT
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Post by MissChris on May 20, 2016 4:30:32 GMT
Wow--I had no idea there were so many peas here in the valley! I live in East Mesa, but work in Ahwatukee and typically see 1 to 2 scorpions every summer, both at home and at work. I'm terrified of spiders and would much rather see a scorpion in my house than a spider.
Right now I'm sitting on my patio, and all of the windows and doors are open, which to me is definitely a positive. I love this time of year, but it won't last very long. Last weekend we were over 100 degrees, and soon we'll be well into the 100's with lows around 99. That's definitely a negative. I really like the Gilbert area and may move there myself within the next year or so. There are some great restaurants and stores and it's pretty central located. AZ has a lot more to do than people think. We go camping up North during the summer to cool off, and then head South during the winter. There's pretty much something to do just about every weekend.
For what it's worth, I'm originally from Oregon and love clouds, rain, mountains, trees, grass, and lots of green. I got married almost 24 years ago, moved to AZ, and here I've been ever since. I think every place has its pros and cons; you just learn to live with the negatives and really enjoy the positives.
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Post by chaosisapony on May 20, 2016 4:33:15 GMT
My best friend just moved from California to Tucson last month. Her husband is stationed at Davis Monthan AFB and they had some kind of briefing about the area on his first day there. Apparently all he took away was "Leave the tarantulas alone, they eat the cockroaches." Between that, all the bats, scorpions, and the heat they are ready to move home already.
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Post by Leone on May 20, 2016 13:10:25 GMT
I just moved to Florida after 25 years in Gilbert. Its really a nice place to live. I especially recommend The Islands as its a lovely neighborhood. There are lots of opportunities to socialize because the womens club there is very dynamic. Its also close to downtown Chandler with some very fun restaurants. Cool weather in the mountains is only 2 1/2 hours away in Flagstaff/Munds Park. Biggest drawback is that Phoenix is turning into LA...traffic is getting worse every day. We moved because of that and we were ready for new adventures. AZ is really a good state to live in compared to CA or Washington...I've lived in both. Still fun scrapbooking going on in the Southeast valley.
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Deleted
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Jul 1, 2024 4:04:22 GMT
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Post by Deleted on May 20, 2016 13:13:00 GMT
I was the only who originally started that thread. We're considering moving to Peoria, but Gilbert sounds nice too. We have about a year before we make the move, but we're pretty excited about it all. Now we just to sell our house in NC which just went on the market yesterday. This is our 5th time listing it and hopefully this time it will stick so we can be free of this place!
Good luck to you!
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Post by tenacious on May 20, 2016 16:54:26 GMT
I was the only who originally started that thread. We're considering moving to Peoria, but Gilbert sounds nice too. We have about a year before we make the move, but we're pretty excited about it all. Now we just to sell our house in NC which just went on the market yesterday. This is our 5th time listing it and hopefully this time it will stick so we can be free of this place! Good luck to you! Best of luck on the sale of your house! I read the other thread and there was some good info. :-) Can anyone tell me about outdoor activities? I am a weekly hiker, currently I can walk out my door and be on beautiful outdoor trails, and while I don't expect to be so lucky in our next destination, I am wondering what are the options for getting in hiking or challenging walks into your daily life, not just weekend warrior stuff. Thanks for all the input! Erin
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azredhead
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,755
Jun 25, 2014 22:49:18 GMT
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Post by azredhead on May 20, 2016 17:14:36 GMT
yes theres lots of outdoor activities here and TONS of places to hike. Here in the valley and further out or up north. Lots try to do Cholla at Camelback or Ursery Pass. Here's a link for some of those alltrails.com but they are always advising people to be prepared as they often rescue hikers off camelback as some don't realize the heat or the enviorment. But if you do it a lot you can be prepared.
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Post by crimsoncat05 on May 20, 2016 17:20:18 GMT
check out this thread: living in AZ pros / conseta: oops! someone beat me thru it- I should read the entire thread first!!
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Post by crimsoncat05 on May 20, 2016 17:33:46 GMT
I am a native, so take my views for what they are worth. I love it here. Gilbert is a nice part of the valley although I live on the west side of town. Phoenix is the fifth-largest city in the nation. Driving from one end of town to the other can take 90 minutes or more. Crazy.
Schools are good in Gilbert as well. Summer. Is. Hot. No sugar coating it - the heat is just hitting right now and will last through Sept. You learn to deal with it. In the summer, that means time indoors, at the mall or at the movies between 1 and 7. However, be forewarned - it can easily still be 100 degrees at 10 or 11 p.m. Easily. If you have a pool, you can't really swim in the middle of the day - it's too hot. People love swimming in the evening and at night. Lisa ^^^ that! I've lived in the Phx area for about 11 years now and have gotten used to the heat-- but around the end of September I'm so over it and it's still a month or two before it really gets nice again. (it's like waiting for spring in Illinois...) And the traffic is CRAZY. Be prepared for that, when it comes to looking for a place to live / work, etc. I drive 35 miles one way to work on the I-10 (4 lanes of traffic each direction) and depending on the time of day it can take me anywhere from 45 min - 1 1/4 hour, and that's only if there ISN'T an accident. Afternoon rush hour traffic levels start ramping up at around 2 - 2:30 pm and it doesn't wind down again until probably close to 7 pm. Just something to be aware of. Don't get me wrong, we do like living here, lol!! We live in Maricopa, a town about 35 miles southwest of Phoenix-- we drive thru miles of Indian reservation to get to the Valley-proper, and it's gorgeous-- sunrise or sunset over the mountains, sometimes seeing the wild horses that live on the Reservation, etc. Occasionally we hear the coyotes in the golf course that goes thru our subdivision. But the crazy traffic and summer heat is starting to wear on us a bit as we get older.
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peabay
Prolific Pea
Posts: 9,678
Jun 25, 2014 19:50:41 GMT
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Post by peabay on May 20, 2016 18:20:23 GMT
Um, scorpions? They outweigh any possible positive.
(shudder)
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Post by SwissArmyBeth on May 20, 2016 19:10:39 GMT
Anyone who is contemplating moving here needs to visit mid to late June. That is the time when it's hotter than hot with no fun monsoon activity yet. If you can get through that, then you'll be ok. I love walking through here, right in Gilbert: Riparian Preserve I've been here 19 years and seen ONE scorpion. When looking for a house, definitely do test drives to future work locations so you know realistically what the commute will entail. Sometimes, living even a mile in a different direction will shave off ten minutes.
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Post by Dreamsofnyssa on May 20, 2016 19:11:53 GMT
Um, scorpions? They outweigh any possible positive. (shudder) All you need is a shoe.
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Post by Linda on May 20, 2016 19:13:32 GMT
I lived in Tucson, some years ago (gosh, 20 - wow) and loved it. I went from AZ to FL and all things considered, I preferred AZ - it's hotter but less humid so more tolerable. I've seen more scorpions in Fl than I did in AZ (and the total is still less than a half dozen in 25 years between the two).
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Post by crimsoncat05 on May 20, 2016 21:18:45 GMT
I haven't seen a scorpion yet, alive or dead, in 11 years. <knock on wood.>
--or a tarantula, thank goodness! <whew!> Have seen a couple DEAD black widows, though.
And the 'dry heat' phrase really IS true-- it doesn't feel as hot as the true temp actually is. I'll take dry heat over humidity any day!
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Post by tenacious on May 20, 2016 22:10:05 GMT
I haven't seen a scorpion yet, alive or dead, in 11 years. <knock on wood.> --or a tarantula, thank goodness! <whew!> Have seen a couple DEAD black widows, though. And the 'dry heat' phrase really IS true-- it doesn't feel as hot as the true temp actually is. I'll take dry heat over humidity any day! Black widows?!? No one told me about those!! :-( Ugh. We have had several tarantulas in our backyard, and those scare me less than black widows. Okay, I am allowing myself a moment of spider/scorpion anxiety, then I am bucking up. *whoooooo* Glad to know about the trails. I just can't imagine not be being able to get my hiking in during the week. It is the only thing that keeps me sane!! Thanks! Erin ETA-the potential job is in Gilbert, so, hopefully he wouldn't have to deal with much commuter traffic.
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Post by crimsoncat05 on May 20, 2016 22:16:32 GMT
--sorry to scare you-- I hate spiders too!!
Get a good pest control service and you'll be fine!! Plus, if there aren't any crickets, there's no food for the scorpions. The best pest control services spray around the house perimeter, take care of any cobwebs, and put bait (pet-safe) inside the house (under sinks, cabinets, etc) and spray around the window frames, as well. The black widows were when our house and neighborhood was first being built and it was an empty construction site; we haven't seen any scary spiders (small ones occasionally, but that's it) since we've gotten the regular pest control services.
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Doxiemom
Junior Member
Posts: 76
Jul 1, 2014 20:12:11 GMT
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Post by Doxiemom on May 24, 2016 1:57:39 GMT
I visit there as I have family in that area. It is nice and much less crowded than Southern California. But it is HOT, very, very HOT.
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Post by refugeepea on May 24, 2016 2:03:09 GMT
I haven't seen a scorpion yet, alive or dead, in 11 years. <knock on wood.> --or a tarantula, thank goodness! <whew!> Have seen a couple DEAD black widows, though. And the 'dry heat' phrase really IS true-- it doesn't feel as hot as the true temp actually is. I'll take dry heat over humidity any day! Black widows?!? No one told me about those!! :-( Ugh. We have had several tarantulas in our backyard, and those scare me less than black widows. Okay, I am allowing myself a moment of spider/scorpion anxiety, then I am bucking up. *whoooooo* Glad to know about the trails. I just can't imagine not be being able to get my hiking in during the week. It is the only thing that keeps me sane!! Thanks! Erin ETA-the potential job is in Gilbert, so, hopefully he wouldn't have to deal with much commuter traffic. I hate to freak you out, but we had black widow issues in Utah. I live North of you, so maybe there's less where you live.
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