Support NeoGAF

[biggyfries]

Hey, all. Got the notice from my employer that my current position in Omaha will be closing in December, and that we need to relocate if we want to keep our jobs. So, I've decided on Phoenix. I will be down there for my job by Jan 6.

Anything I should know? Any tips? Anything you should've done differently when you moved down there?

Here's what I have researched so far...

Driver's license & car registration
Area to live
House v. Apartment
Dont ever fuck with Saguaros
Oven mitts take the place of driving gloves.
Scorpions? Fuuuuck me.
Rattlers, too? Whatdafuck?
In-n-Out is close to work
QuikTrip is close to work
Trader Joe's is close


Am I missing anything? I'm not familiar with the desert climate at all, so I have no idea what the wildlife is like. And, the protection needed to stay alive from said wildlife.

Any good doctors? Will need a GP/family doc, a therapist (psychotherapist preferably), a psychiatrist, a mechanic, and maybe something else I'm forgetting.

And, how is medical marijuana treated there? Is it strict? I'm coming from a state where it is illegal, but it seems I would qualify for it. Just didn't know that if I got it, my job/career choices might be narrowed because of it.

Any help would be appreciated. Once I get down there, I would like to have a meetup with GAFers.

 

[nabe_shogun]

Just don't live west of downtown. The west side sucks. And you really don't have to worry too much about poisonous wildlife unless you live near the edge of town.

What area is your job in?

 

[Elandyll]

Lived in Peoria (west greater Phoenix) for 12 years, never saw a snake or scorpion.
Now if you like hiking...

This will save your life in summer (May through October)

Edit:
West side is fine now, specially with all the development around the stadium.

The south side though...

Scottsdale does suck (worked there for a few years)

 

[nabe_shogun]

Lived in Peoria (west greater Phoenix) for 12 years, never saw a snake or scorpion.
Now if you like hiking...

This will save your life in summer (May through October)

Edit:
West side is fine now, specially with all the development around the stadium.

The south side though...

Scottsdale does suck (worked there for a few years)

True, if you're far enough west its ok. I still prefer the mesa/gilbert/chandler area though.

And yeah, sunshade for your car is essential. It also saves your car's interior from being destroyed by the sun, like your paint will be if you park outside all the time.

 

[HariKari]

Your experience will differ based on what part of the valley you'll be in.

Arizona GAF is here

 

[Neptonic]

East Valley is the beast valley

and by that I mean it's alright

Wildlife in the city is really just like lizards and doves, nothing too crazy. Maybe the occasional roadrunner or rabbit. As long as your house wasn't built on land where an orange grove once was you shouldn't have any scorpion issues.

 

[Andrew Korenchkin]

Go to Scottsdale.

 

[Rhomega Beta]

Oven mitts are fine, but you can also use work gloves. They're more form-fitting and you can use your fingers.

 

[Ridli]

No need to drive with oven mitts. Keep a towel in the car. Sunshade and a towel draped over your steering wheel (for when you don’t park directly facing the sun) while parked should be fine.

Also, SanTan brewing and Four Peaks brewing, find you something you like.

 

[Swass]

I love the Ahwatukee / Chandler area if you can afford it. That being said, I'm leaving this state, 16 years and still cannot adjust to the heat and miss seasons..

Driver's license & car registration: Driver's license is good until you are 65 with no renewal needed.
Area to live: Ahwatukee / Chandler / Gilbert
House v. Apartment: Housing is affordable, would only live in an apartment if your stay might be temporary
Dont ever fuck with Saguaros: They look cool
Oven mitts take the place of driving gloves: Never used gloves or mits
Scorpions? Fuuuuck me: Never had problems with scorpions in the 16 years I lived here, though there is a map of where they are the worst: https://responsiblepestcontrol.net/phoenix-az-valley-scorpion-map-2016/
Rattlers, too? Whatdafuck: never encountered one

Get used to very little weather, and when there is weather it is usually a sand storm. Get ready to dust your house often.. the dust here is terrible. Get use to not having seasons. It is extreme heat in the summer which gets you climatized to that temperature.. only for it to drop to the 60s in November and you freeze. We do get the occasional winter that stays in the 80s though and that's when you will enjoy living here. Traffic here is bad especially around the freeway junctions. Public transportation is pretty much non existent. And even though we are a mixing pot of people from all over, I have found people here to be less friendly / neighborly than other states I've lived.

Edit: Oops i answered questions you already researched, should have better read your post:

I have no suggestions on doctors, I do like Stacy Zittel as a dentist though.

I don't personally use medical marijuana but everybody I know who wants it seems to easily get it, just need a doctor to sign off on it. Sadly recreational was just voted down last November.

 

[Kickz]

Scorpions and Rattlers ahoy!

 

[Poor GRIMES]

The food really sucks for the most part

 

[biggyfries]

Thanks, everyone! I am in the telecommunications field. Currently doing fiber/transport stuff. Thought I might transfer to Phoenix, not only for a change, but maybe a better shot at doing something better, or completely different.

Ah yes, the car sun shade. Thank for that. And, I never thought of the towel on the steering wheel. Should I use a beach towel and cover the whole console area? Seats are fabric, so I'm good on that. Lol.

I did see something about the public transportation lacking, but anything will be better than my current home.

Hopefully my Honda Fit can make the trip!