I'm an AZ resident... and, sure, we've taken a beating in the National press as of late, much of it deserved. That said, if you like to play outside, this place

I'm an AZ resident... and, sure, we've taken a beating in the National press as of late, much of it deserved. That said, if you like to play outside, this place is awesome: tons of amazing trails to roam, a vast array of places to explore. More of more, PHX is becoming a fun place to live, full of culture and interesting places to eat. It ain't the coolest town in the world, but it's very affordable, extremely easy living. All the streets are straight lines, all laid on on a grid... you'll never get lost. Beyond that, this is The West. When I lived on the East Coast, I always felt the weight of ancestral class issues brought to bear on every interaction -- especially, with the self-styled "Upper Class." Out here, it's all good... you can go anywhere in jeans, people are generally very nice, regardless of your appearance. The jerks who have come to dominate our politics are not necessarily a refection of the population. I'm not saying we don't have our problems: it was 106 today and I'm a little tired of summer... but once you find yourself a pool and a beer and settle in, the heat ain't so bad.