toddt's Blog

Hey man,
I grew up in Winter Springs. The only thing I do not miss is the humidity and the bugs. I miss the Unions, I miss how things work on the east coast (correctly not all "close enough"), and I miss all that there is to do. Az is a right to work state which means the wages are a drag, no specifics with job descriptions, and an all around "lower plate" hassle. Phoenix is 99% utilitarian, meaning theres nothing to do, really in the way of getting in the car and doing something cool. Everything is designed for work. Plus we have a wack job sheriff that has no regard for people in his custody or free peoples rights in general. I would go back to Winter Springs if I could.

It depends on which Walmart you go into. The stores in Scottsdale, you can speek english!! The stores in Chandler, it would be best if you spoke both English and Spanish!!

One other thing that bother me most is, when you call your childs school, you bank, your Utility Co., your Cable co. or most any other Business you have to "press 1" for English!!

It's funny that Rygg and I feel so differently about Sheriff Joe.

What time of year were you planning to move to AZ?
And to which part? North, South or somewhere in the middle?

Now that you mention I can communicate in English in Scottsdale it makes Scottsdale very appealing. The companies I worked for the last 4 years or so were headquartered in Scottsdale so I have spent some time there and really like it.

Rygg- What is it that Sheriff Joe has or has not done that has you upset with him?

What is Peoria like? I have seen some nice house online for what seems to be a good price BUT I read about higher crime rates. By the way I am married and have a 15, 14 and 4 year old so good school districts and family friendly places are important to me.

I think you should look into Fountain Hills or North Scootsdale. They both have higher city taxes but, the schools get more money per student than most other places in the valley!!

My kids are 18 and 13. We live in Chandler so we recieved a boundry exception for my 13yr. old to go to a Mesa school. Chandler schools suck!!

I've lived here all my life. I loved it here until everybody from somewhere else showed up and ruined it.
Snobbsdale is a town full of posers, $30,000.00 millionaires.

toddt,
I live in Peoria, and have for a little over six years. I grew up and spent my early adult years in west Phx. West Phx is MUCH worse than most of Peoria as far as crime, graffiti, gangs, spanish speakers, uninsured drivers, etc. The more northern areas of Peoria (north of Cactus)are better, but there are a few decent places south of Cactus. I shop at the Walmart at 91 Ave & Union Hills. They all speak English there. Where as the Walmarts in west Phx they speak more broken English. I don't know how the schools are now, but when I moved here a few years ago, the Peoria schools were the best public schools in the greater Phx area. My grandparents lived in Plant City Fla, and I visited a lot, but haven't been there in 20 years or more. There are a lot less bugs and humidity here. But we don't have those beautiful white sand beaches that Fla has. But San Diego and Rocky point (both inferior to Fla) are not far away. Summer is HOT here, but most days have a lot less humidity, so it is less miserable. Winters are great, just like Fla. It rains a lot less in AZ than Fla.
Someone said something about not much to do here in AZ. There is lots to do. Tell me what you and your family are into, and I will let you know if we have it. We have several lakes close to the greater Phx area. Forests and winter snow a couple hours away. Lots of nice hiking trails. Grand Canyon isn't real far away as well as a lot of indian ruins and such.
The politicians in AZ are real losers, so there is always something to complain about.

I am very much a transplant here LOL

I love the weather, I love the sun, I love how clean Phoenix area is compared with some I have visited, the desert really has its own beauty, the Illegals suck but our resident sheriff is dealing with those. We live in the West Valley and like it alot, we lived in Peoria when first arrived to Phx 8 yrs ago, the school district was one of the best in the area (not sure now), my daughter is 16 and goes to an excellent high school in Surprise, brilliant school!! Valley Vista HS in the Dysart District (cannot fault that school), my 14 and 5 yr old are in another school in the district and so far so good. If you plan to work in Phx I do recommend living in East Valley its an easier commute, but Peoria is close to the 101 which goes all the way to Chandler now. Definately visit before you move. I didnt but was pleasantly surprised.

If you see this...

The BEST schools in the state are in Ahwatukee and Chandler.

And, AZ has more stuff to do than most states and you can do most of them year round as the weather is fabulous. THe location is great as Mexico is just a drive away as is Vegas, Durango, LA, San Diego and Disneyland. And, if you care to fly, prices are relatively cheap and there are not many delays thanks to the perfect weather. If I could find a 'blue' state with all the benefits of AZ, that's where I'd live. For now, we are just trying to make our millions so that we can retire in the forest somewhere in AZ.

ONE THING I LOVE IS THE CULTURE,AND IMMIGRANTS.
ONE THING I DISLIKE RED-NECKS!!!!!!