Talk to me about Arizona

[Jmphotog]

Well gents so I've been a little MIA from the forum because the wife and I are seriously thinking about moving to Arizona.. We've been back and forth on discussions from moving costs, jobs for her, research on school.. And everything in between. I'm flying out there at the end of February for a job interview and the misses and I will prob fly out together to walk around a visit cities in May.

So why am I creating this thread?

Well for people in Arizona if you can help me with good cities to live in. I would need to live around Scottsdale, I wouldn't mind driving(45 mins out I guess is cool). Also how do you guys find houses or apartments for rent out there? I can't find nothing on Craigslist or websites.. All I'm finding is apartment complex's. I'm trying to find out how much rent is out there or how much to expect.. Preferably not to go with a broker so I can avoid the fee... But if I have to then so be it.

ALSO the good B&M's out there with a good crowd, selection, and lounge type area; hopefully a pool table.. I like to sit and smoke and socialize so hopefully they have some spots with that kind of vibe.

Pretty much any input you have about Arizona is appreciated. What to know, what to look out for, what to expect

Thanks in advanced gents

 

[Jesse]

I've never lived there but I've had to travel there many times for work. From what I gather Scottsdale is the richy area, also known as Snobsdale so finding a place to stay might be pricy. Tempe isnt to far and seams to be where all the bars are at as it's a college town. Mesa also isn't far and from what I remember is a nice city to live in.

That's about all I can remember, hope that helps and good luck.

 

[cgraunke]

Not sure if you're a shooter, but one of the preeminent firearms training schools in the country, Gunsite Academy, is out near Prescott.

 

[jkittle99]

My dad always used to tell me that Arizona had the highest serial killer rate per capita.... no joke. But how can you argue with 300+ days of sun a year? I say do it!

 

[SurpriseMVP]

Wow where to start? I'm originally from Chicago. I will never look back and have no huge desire to ever move from here. I've lived on all sides of the valley. It takes a summer to kinda get used to the heat. If temps drop into the 70's I'm in a coat and hat. Scottsdale will cost you more all the way around from rent, to insurance. Picking a place to live depends on how much you don't mind driving. One person mentioned Mesa. I lived there for a while, not bad if you dooms mind being the youngest person by 40 years in your neighborhood. As far as housing goes get a realtor. You pay nothing. The person leasing you the property pays all realtor fees. Steer clear of Craig's list houses for rent. The people that rent those are very low budget. Something goes wrong, good luck getting it fixed correctly or at all. Imagine the Ac goes out when it's 110. Very bad situation. Lots of lounges all over the valley. Tobacco tax is relatively low compared to other states. I don't smoke NC so rarely go to a b&m. Plenty of friendly smoking establishments to meet up with guys. I'm sure you have many other questions and please feel free to message me. Hard to cover all the bases in a single post

 

[dontWIZonme]

I went to high school in east Mesa and it was definitely a good school. Affordable housing as my father had filed bankruptcy and could still afford the house. It wasn't a bad area. It's supposedly one of the highest concentrations of Mormons outside Utah. I say that in that there was minimal crime, and with the snow birds coming from the Midwest in the "winter" months there is the older scene. Golf courses are predominant and they have developments built around them. As for the school: I had quite a few buddies get good athletic scholarships to great schools. Great gun laws, and there's always something to do.

 

[broadleaf]

I use to live near chandler, that was a wonderful area I don't know how much it's changed recently but it's close and great family area in general. Prescott is good as well. Fountain Hills is a beautiful town northeast of Scottsdale. But that one would require a little commute. Those would be my three if your trying to live bear Scottsdale. Living in Scottsdale is an option but there will be a price raise on what you spend on a place.

 

[Clint]

The Sedona/Red Rock Crossing area is absolutely gorgeous, although I hear it has become VERY touristy over the years.

 

[broadleaf]

The Sedona/Red Rock Crossing area is absolutely gorgeous, although I hear it has become VERY touristy over the years.

Yeah definitely got touristy. Good way to put it. Pinetop is a great vacation spot and less travelled to then Sedona but completely different environment, just had to mention it because I love going there. . Sedona is a beautiful place though.

 

[rdomfoto]

Arizona has:

• three different species of vampire bats
• 18 known species of venomous snakes
• both species of the only known poisonous lizards
• six species of poisonous spiders (yes, all spiders are poisonous but these six can inflict great damage to people)
• 56 species of scorpions (all of whom like hiding in your shoes)
• the Giant Desert Centipede (fucker is 8" in length and bites humans)
• Jumping Cholla (a freaking cactus that "throws" it's needle-covered pods at you)

So I say go for it! LOLOLOLOL

 

[MoldMan]

Gilbert, Tempe, Chandler are good places to live. As mentioned Scottsdale can be pricey. We have quite a few rocking B&Ms. Cigar prices look good. Let us know when you
visit in May and we can set up a herf.


Forgot to mention, we have Fox Cigar Bar.

 

[Jmphotog]

Arizona has:

• three different species of vampire bats
• 18 known species of venomous snakes
• both species of the only known poisonous lizards
• six species of poisonous spiders (yes, all spiders are poisonous but these six can inflict great damage to people)
• 56 species of scorpions (all of whom like hiding in your shoes)
• the Giant Desert Centipede (fucker is 8" in length and bites humans)
• Jumping Cholla (a freaking cactus that "throws" it's needle-covered pods at you)

So I say go for it! LOLOLOLOL

WOW thanks Rob for this FUN facts! hahahah

Decidied to look up the cholla on youtube and found this haha


But 56 scorpions ... fuckkkkkkkk

 

[Jmphotog]

Not sure if you're a shooter, but one of the preeminent firearms training schools in the country, Gunsite Academy, is out near Prescott.

Not so much here in NYC because of the strict laws around it.. but if I do move out there that'll probably change.. thanks for the heads up.. I'll def check it out Clint!


Thanks all for the responses.. I'll be PM'ing some of you for some more info you don't mind!

 

[MoldMan]

Depends what sub division you live in. I've been in Gilbert for 11 years and I've yet to see a scorpion. Two streets over could be a different story.

 

[broadleaf]

WOW thanks Rob for this FUN facts! hahahah

Decidied to look up the cholla on youtube and found this haha


But 56 scorpions ... fuckkkkkkkk

I'm in tucson and haven't seen a scorpion in 3 years. Maybe if I was lookin for one I would find one haha. But rattlesnakes I'm a big camper/rock climber and I have seen plenty of rattlesnakes. The scorpions are just pests. With that list I figure I should have ran in to one but nothing so far haha.

 

[rdomfoto]

Depends what sub division you live in. I've been in Gilbert for 11 years and I've yet to see a scorpion. Two streets over could be a different story.

It's the word "could" that I find troubling. If I knew for sure, I'd stay away totally.

 

[jonesry09]

Arizona has:

• three different species of vampire bats
• 18 known species of venomous snakes
• both species of the only known poisonous lizards
• six species of poisonous spiders (yes, all spiders are poisonous but these six can inflict great damage to people)
• 56 species of scorpions (all of whom like hiding in your shoes)
• the Giant Desert Centipede (fucker is 8" in length and bites humans)
• Jumping Cholla (a freaking cactus that "throws" it's needle-covered pods at you)

So I say go for it! LOLOLOLOL

Sounds like paradise for Joel (Smoqman)!!!

 

[dontWIZonme]

Arizona has:

• three different species of vampire bats
• 18 known species of venomous snakes
• both species of the only known poisonous lizards
• six species of poisonous spiders (yes, all spiders are poisonous but these six can inflict great damage to people)
• 56 species of scorpions (all of whom like hiding in your shoes)
• the Giant Desert Centipede (fucker is 8" in length and bites humans)
• Jumping Cholla (a freaking cactus that "throws" it's needle-covered pods at you)

So I say go for it! LOLOLOLOL

You forgot Javelinas. Those blind little piglets don't like humans. They're very easy to freak out. Not poisonous, but they're pesky little fuckers.

 

[cgraunke]

Arizona has:

• three different species of vampire bats
• 18 known species of venomous snakes
• both species of the only known poisonous lizards
• six species of poisonous spiders (yes, all spiders are poisonous but these six can inflict great damage to people)
• 56 species of scorpions (all of whom like hiding in your shoes)
• the Giant Desert Centipede (fucker is 8" in length and bites humans)
• Jumping Cholla (a freaking cactus that "throws" it's needle-covered pods at you)

So I say go for it! LOLOLOLOL

Helps keep the riff-raff to a minimum!

 

[MoldMan]

It's the word "could" that I find troubling. If I knew for sure, I'd stay away totally.

The small ones are the ones to be afraid of. I worked with a fellow who had to check his shoes every morning. Had the little bugger's climbing out of the plumbing.