Living and flying in Phoenix

[Blue]

I'm getting ready to take a civilian job in Chandler AZ, a suburb of Phoenix. I’m 28, single, and should be making some pretty good bucks.


A couple of questions:
What’s a good fun place to live? Preferably with lots of single women.
What’s a good place to fly GA aircraft out of?
Where’s a good place to fly gliders?
What’s it like living in Phoenix?

 

[Resume Writer]

I'm getting ready to take a civilian job in Chandler AZ, a suburb of Phoenix. I’m 28, single, and should be making some pretty good bucks.


A couple of questions:
What’s a good fun place to live? Preferably with lots of single women.
What’s a good place to fly GA aircraft out of?
Where’s a good place to fly gliders?
What’s it like living in Phoenix?

As far as the single women, it depends on if you want to date college girls. If that is your goal, live in Tempe near the ASU. However, if you want to get your sleep, do not live near ASU. I currently live in Chandler, about 5 miles north of Chandler Airport.

As for a decent airport for GA, Chandler Airport and Falcon Field in Mesa are pretty good. Someone else would have to comment more on that.

I used to do the glider flights out in Maricopa, Arizona. Cannot remember the name of the operation. There is also Turf Soaring School, but it is WAY up on the northwest side of town.

I love living in PHX. I have been here all of my life; in fact I am a third generation Arizona native which is REALLY rare. (My grandmother was born here before Arizona became a state!!) I like that I can go two hours north and see snow without having to live in it. It is hot in the summer, but just make sure you have air conditioning in your car and house.

Good luck to you and let me know if you need recommendations for doctors, dentists, good places to eat, etc.

Kathy

 

[mudkow60]

Phoenix is awsome, in my opinion. I am trying to find some flying jobs on the west side of the country, so I can come home more often.

I got my PPL at Scottsdale airport. There are a few airports around, and girls are everywhere in the city.

 

[88_MALIBU]

PaaHonix has nothing on North Dakota...

 

[Saabslime]

If you can swing it, live up near scottsdale road and chapparal (sp?). There are some brand new apartments in that area with TONS of single women (not the "girls" you'll find in Tempe). Lots of nightlife, restaurants, shopping, etc. A little more $ than other areas but you can't beat the location for what it sounds like you're looking for.

 

[bobbysamd]

PHX eats and AME

You might try Bill Johnson's Big Apple Restaurant. The one on East Van Buren served up decent food sixteen years ago, anyway.

You'll have to keep up a medical, of course, for flying. Dr. John McCarville had a reputation for being a fair AME when I lived in Arizona, and I'm sure his reputation is unchanged.

Have fun!

 

[Bluto]

For restaurants don't miss Oregano's on Camelback. Can't wait to get back there.

 

[CorpLearDriver]

As for a decent airport for GA, Chandler Airport and Falcon Field in Mesa are pretty good. Someone else would have to comment more on that.

I used to do the glider flights out in Maricopa, Arizona. Cannot remember the name of the operation. There is also Turf Soaring School, but it is WAY up on the northwest side of town.

The operation at Maricopa (Estrella) is Arizona Soaring, Inc.
http://www.azsoaring.com/

I use to fly there when I was a Lear driver out of Sky Harbor and lived in Gilbert. Arizona is most definately my favorite state in the Union.

 

[sqwkvfr]

You wanna live in the east valley...obviously if you're gonna be in Chandler. Find a place within a couple of miles of where you're gonna work....commuting in this town is a nightmare.

I recently moved to Chandler from the west valley and I can't describe how good it feels to be back over here...I live about 4 miles SOUTH of Chandler Airport near Lindsay and Riggs.

If you're looking for the absolute best place to rent aircraft, go to Angel Air at Stellar Airpark near Chandler and McClintock....their aircraft are some of the newest in the valley and their rental rates are some of the cheapest. They have a nice facility and Stellar is a non-towered, reasonably quiet airport. PM me if you'd like more info on this...I'll be glad to take you in and show you around and maybe even take a flight around town.

Since this is a big-time BBQ lovers board, I'll clue you into there for starters...Joe's BBQ on Gilbert (somewhere near ray in the downntown area) is some of the best you'll ever have. I recommend a half-slab, a side, and a cup of their homemade root-beer....it'll fill you up. For fast food, I've got some personal preferences for mexican food down in this area, but there are Sonics, el Pollo Loco's, Baja Fresh's, Rubio's all over the place. There's an In 'n Out Burger near the 101 and Chandler BLVD (about a mile east of Stellar airpark on the north side of the road)

If you're gonna rent, shop around...apartment rent has gone DOWN in the last year because of so many people buying houses, and you should be able to get an apartment at a very reasonable price.

If you're looking to buy a house, so be it...real estate values are going through the roof and if you pick up sothing worth around 120K, it'll be worth 150K or better in a couple of years...IF things keep going the way they are.

Don't worry about lving close to the chicks....they're all over the place.

The "Valley of the Sun" kicks @ss..you'll never want to leave.

If you don't mind my asking, where are you gonna be working???

 

[psysicx]

How does one deal with baking in the sun for six months?

 

[sqwkvfr]

How does one deal with baking in the sun for six months?

Well, shortly after WWII there was this little invention that came along called air conditioning.

Regardless, you get used to the heat....it's really not as bad as some people think...and I've never, EVER had to scrape it off of my windshield or shovel it out of my driveway.

 

[psysicx]

That is a good point. I have family in Phoenix and they live in the ghetto. Not until recently did I realize that there are nice areas.

 

[qmaster3]

Well, shortly after WWII there was this little invention that came along called air conditioning.

Regardless, you get used to the heat....it's really not as bad as some people think...

LOL on the A/C.

Is it the dry heat my family from Bisbee keeps telling me about?

 

[Indapool]

28 and single??...THE LAST THING YOU WANT TO DO IS TO LIVE IN THE EAST VALLEY

You want to live in Tempe or Scottsdale..where the silicone content is high and the tan lines are non-existent.

No offense to the gentleman with the BBQ and the homemade root-beer but the east valley is great..if your an old married guy...or dead.

SDL is great but the women are high dollar, high maintenence, what kind of car do you drive?, pain in the @$$ types. And it AINT cheap to live there.

Tempe..ASU, centrally located, easy access to all the GA airports including PHX, just D@mn happy to be living here wanna see my boobs kinda girls

Or you could live in the East Valley with the traffic, the snowbirds, no bars, no nightlife, old married guys like me

 

[sqwkvfr]

28 and single??...THE LAST THING YOU WANT TO DO IS TO LIVE IN THE EAST VALLEY

You want to live in Tempe or Scottsdale..where the silicone content is high and the tan lines are non-existent.

No offense to the gentleman with the BBQ and the homemade root-beer but the east valley is great..if your an old married guy...or dead.

SDL is great but the women are high dollar, high maintenence, what kind of car do you drive?, pain in the @$$ types. And it AINT cheap to live there.

Tempe..ASU, centrally located, easy access to all the GA airports including PHX, just D@mn happy to be living here wanna see my boobs kinda girls

Or you could live in the East Valley with the traffic, the snowbirds, no bars, no nightlife, old married guys like me

"East Valley" doesn't mean Apache Junction!!....Both Tempe and Scottsdale are considered east valley cities.

I don't understand the "you wanna live in Scottsdale" line's congruence with the "SDL is great but the women are high dollar, high maintenence, what kind of car do you drive?, pain in the @$$ types. And it AINT cheap to live there" statement.

I'm all for Tempe, but the housing near the campus is $hit and crimeridden and south Tempe is very expensive.

Chandler borders Tempe...so if you find a good place in Chandler, you'll be within a short drive of the Tempe night life and a 15-20 minute drive from the Scottsdale clubs.

Commuting between Chandler and Scottsdale is a nightmare.

Like I said...don't worry about finding chicks....they're all over the place.

 

[sqwkvfr]

LOL on the A/C.

Is it the dry heat my family from Bisbee keeps telling me about?

That's kind of an interesting piece of Phoenix history..before air conditioning became available to the masses, PHX was actually a small town.

Now, there are 3.5 million people in the metro area.

 

[Indapool]

Tempe= East valley ok
Scottsdale = East Valley um, no

It's OK that you don't understand the statement
Who said anything about commuting between Chandler and Scottsdale?
What are there six or seven different airports in the valley?
It's got to be Chandler?
If your 28 and single and living in Chandler you might as well live in East Mesa. I know lots of people over there that make home-made root beer too.

 

[sqwkvfr]

Who said anything about commuting between Chandler and Scottsdale?

You mentioned living in Scottdsdale...our boy here is gonna be working in Chandler.

By the way, with reference to Scottsdale NOT being in the "east valley"...you've certainly heard of the "East Valley Tribune," right?

Here's what they have to say on the subject:

The Tribune proudly serves the thriving cities and communities of metropolitan Phoenix comprising the East Valley.
In the northeast Valley: Scottsdale, Carefree, Cave Creek, Fountain Hills.
In the Southeast Valley: Mesa, Tempe, Chandler, Gilbert, Ahwatukee Foothills, Apache Junction, Higley, Mesa, Queen Creek, Sun Lakes.

 

[Resume Writer]

You mentioned living in Scottdsdale...our boy here is gonna be working in Chandler.

By the way, with reference to Scottsdale NOT being in the "east valley"...you've certainly heard of the "East Valley Tribune," right?

Here's what they have to say on the subject:

I love the East Valley Tribune! I have been quoted about 7 times in their employment section since January, with the newest article I am quoted in coming out April 3, 2005. (tomorrow)

The employment writer, Michelle Reese, is a pleasure to work with and she even included one of our very own "flightinfo" pilots in a career spotlight article.

It is so nice to have a professional relationship with her, as she contacts me all the time for quotes, story content and people to profile for various career spotlight articles. I tried for years to submit ideas to the Arizona Republic with no luck. The East Valley Tribune tries to focus on local companies as sources, unlike the Arizona Republic that just uses articles from people that are not familiar with the Arizona economy.

Kathy

 

[Resume Writer]

Since this is a big-time BBQ lovers board, I'll clue you into there for starters...Joe's BBQ on Gilbert (somewhere near ray in the downntown area) is some of the best you'll ever have. I recommend a half-slab, a side, and a cup of their homemade root-beer....it'll fill you up.

Joe's is on Gilbert Road and Elliot, NE Corner, right in downtown Gilbert. It is the BEST BBQ!

If you like Mexican food, try Rositas - two locations: in Mesa at Dobson/Guadalupe (SW Corner) or in Tempe at University/Hardy (NE Corner)

If you're looking to buy a house, so be it...real estate values are going through the roof and if you pick up sothing worth around 120K, it'll be worth 150K or better in a couple of years...IF things keep going the way they are.

You cannot touch a good house for $120k unless it is in a "questionable" neighborhood. You might be able to get a condo for that. My house just appraised for $204k in Chandler and it is only 1336 square feet! One of my neighbors is selling their house for $235k and it is a 1984, wood-sided, shingle roof home with about 1600 square feet. (I will be VERY surprised if they get that) Even the housing prices in Queen Creek (way out in SE Valley) are between $180k-$250k. All the people selling houses in California and moving here are driving the prices up.

I am going to lay money that our original poster got a position with Intel.

Kathy

 

[sqwkvfr]

I tried for years to submit ideas to the Arizona Republic with no luck.

The Republic is filled with arrogant, self-centered people who are more interested making a name for themselves and climbing the corporate ladder of Gannet Publishing than providing a service to the community that supports their existance.

They'll "rue the day" that they crossed "Resume Writer!"

I also really enjoy the Tribune...their coverage is less biased on national issues and much more localized....just like you said.

 

[sqwkvfr]

My house just appraised for $204k in Chandler and it is only 1336 square feet!

OMG..what are your crossroads??

 

[Blue]

Good info, thanks y'all.

I haven't actually got the job out there yet, but so far everything sounds promising. I won't say the company name here for fear of jinxing it

Sounds like Tempe or Scottsdale is the place to live for me (Although, I have heard of Scottsdale referred to as Snotts-dale, due to the attitude of the folks that live there). I'm a pretty down-to-earth kinda guy, but I guess I could learn to be stuck-up.

What's commuting like between places like Scottsdale and Chandler? On the map, it looks to be pretty easy, a straight drive on 101. Is the traffic that bad? Note, the last "big" city I lived in was Salt Lake City, where everything was within a 15 minute or so drive. Just hop on I-15 to go wherever you wanted.

 

[sqwkvfr]

On the map, it looks to be pretty easy, a straight drive on 101.

The 101 between Chandler Blvd and say, Frank Lloyd Wright is a nightmare.

My mom makes the trip from FLW and 101 to this area (near Lindsay and Riggs) and it's taken her up to 2 hours to get home.

There is a good traffic-clogging crash on that road probably once every 2-3 days.

Take a look at your map there...you see that little stretch of the 101 between the 202 and US 60? It's taken me up to twenty minutes to get through the southbound offramp from the eastbound 202 to the US60 during rush hours.

 

[CorpLearDriver]

The 101 between Chandler Blvd and say, Frank Lloyd Wright is a nightmare.

My mom makes the trip from FLW and 101 to this area (near Lindsay and Riggs) and it's taken her up to 2 hours to get home.

There is a good traffic-clogging crash on that road probably once every 2-3 days.

Take a look at your map there...you see that little stretch of the 101 between the 202 and US 60? It's taken me up to twenty minutes to get through the southbound offramp from the eastbound 202 to the US60 during rush hours.

Every time I return to PHX, I am amazed at how the traffic situation has changed. They have been trying to build the infrastructure fast, but the population influx is thus far, beating the pants off them. I first moved there in 1995 and got an apartment at McClintock and Ray road. Then I bought a house in 1996 on the very outskirts of Gilbert to the East. Now that house is in the middle of one of the heaviest growth areas. I sold it in 2003 for $129,000. Probably worth $20,000 more now.

Since I started work very early (4:30 AM) and returned home later at night (9:30 PM) I missed all the traffic on the 25 mile drive between Gilbert and Sky Harbor. But I saw much of it on the weekend. Normally though, on the weekends, I was driving out of town rather than into it. Amazing hour that place has grown.

 

[Swass]

For restaurants don't miss Oregano's on Camelback. Can't wait to get back there.

Dude, you can say that again. I have a collection of their T-shirts as well.



MMMMMMMMMMMMMMmmmmmmmmmm good pizza.

 

[sqwkvfr]

They have been trying to build the infrastructure fast, but the population influx is thus far, beating the pants off them.

That's true, but their priorities are also f-ed up. They absolutely HAVE to do something about the Broadway curve and the 202 being the ONLY connections between east ann west. (the 101 way up north doesn't count.)

I'll tell you man, whoever designed that Broadway curve needs to be drug out in the street and shot.

 

[CorpLearDriver]

That's true, but their priorities are also f-ed up. They absolutely HAVE to do something about the Broadway curve and the 202 being the ONLY connections between east ann west. (the 101 way up north doesn't count.)

I'll tell you man, whoever designed that Broadway curve needs to be drug out in the street and shot.

This is true. I could say the same of a lot of cities I have lived in. I don't know what the anwer to the Broadway curve would be except to mow down a large industrial park and resort and a few houses to straighten it out and redesign the interchange. That'll be 20 years in the future.

Tucson will have a similar problem at the I-10 & 19 interchange in just a short time. They have been redesigning and rebuilding it for the last few years. I still don't think it will handle the influx well.

I am originally from Los Angeles (born in Hollywood, grew up in the East San Gabriel Valley) and someone once asked if I would ever consider returning there to live. I spent 35 years there and wouldn't even consider it unless they game me money up front to buy an airplane to commute to work in. I'm not spending 2 to 3 hours of my day sitting in traffic. Anyway, nobody's asking me so that point is moot.

 

[PA31Ho]

You should try Filaberto's (spell check). They have a killer Arizona Burrito.

 

[Bluto]

Dude, you can say that again. I have a collection of their T-shirts as well.
MMMMMMMMMMMMMMmmmmmmmmmm good pizza.

Yeah, the pizza's good. I always get the "Big Rig". Can't wait for my PHX overnights!