Move from Chicago suburb to Phoenix or Austin?
 

I just came back from a trip to Austin and loved it. Now I'm going to Phoenix for a vacation. I'm checking these two cities out to see which one I would like to move to (from my Chicago suburb). I would really like to hear from anyone who lives near Austin or Phoenix, especially if you're from Chicago. I'd love to hear comparisons. <BR> <BR>I don't have the means to stay in either place for very long, so I was hoping I could get a better insight from the locals. Please tell me what it's like to actually LIVE there, as far as the heat in summer, traffic, people, neighborhoods, etc. I already have all the statistics, but I want to know what kind of a feel these places have. Please help! Thank you!

Years ago, when my wife and I thought about retiring from our life in the Chicago area, we checked out both Austin and its environs as well as Phoenix, Tucson, and northern AZ. Austin then was a much smaller city, and we also looked into San Marcos and other places in the Texas Hill Country. <BR>We wanted to get away from humidity, asthma-irritating allergies, and clouds of mosquitoes. Austin offered a nice community then, low taxation (compared with Illinois and Chicago), cultural amentities because of the U. of Texas. <BR>AZ, on the other hand, offered a splendid dry climate for my wife's asthma, reasonable taxes, a certain laid-back way of life in the sun. Summers in PHX were out of the question, Tucson was cooler but not much, so we headed north--and have lived happily ever after. Free of traffic, free of mosquitoes, with crystal-clear days and nights. And we watch the Cubs on Channel 9, just like in Chicago. We see them at Spring Training, and at Bank One Ballpark in PHX when them come to play our Diamondbacks (who are in lst place, too)! The nice thing about AZ, your Chicago friends will all want to come visit you!

Al - Thanks so much for your posting! The summers in Phoenix are a concern of mine, as well. I've also heard Austin has sweltering summers with the high humidity. How far north did you end up? Are you close enough to a major city? I'm just wondering about the job opportunities. Thanks!

Check out a recent thread entitled "Tucson vs. Phoenix." <BR> <BR>You don't say how old you are or if you are moving with a family. The job market is booming in the Phoenix area. I see a lot of single people in their 30's in Scottsdale. There is quite a nightlife, apparently. I am a little older and prefer tennis and fitness clubs to nightclubs, and I'm perfectly happy here. Tempe is a university town (city). Other adjoining cities are Glendale, Chandler, Mesa, Peoria. We're one big sprawling city. I believe the Austin area is much smaller. <BR> <BR>The heat in summer is horrendous, but the humidity is low, so it's not as bad as, say, New Orleans in June. Also, if you work days, jump in and out of air-conditioned cars, stores, and buildings, it's tolerable. Commuting traffic can be awful. Make sure you live near where you work. Some freeways are better than others. I think the communte along 101 is not too bad, for instance.

I'm in my 30s, married, with young kids, so I'm looking for a family lifestyle. How are the schools in the neighboring towns? I'd like to be around a lot of shopping (especially indoor malls) and maybe a park district with classes for children. Is there a specific area I should look at, or are there a lot places all over that would be good for families? I don't want to be in a really congested area, if possible.

Ashley: what's your spouse's take on the two at this point? <BR>I've lived in PHX but not Austin. <BR>You probably know all the basic pros and cons to each. From a resident's viewpoint, the one thing I'd say about PHX is that there's not much of a sense of community pride and history like in Chicago (where I grew up). The best contrast I can offer is New England. When you visit New England the sense of history and 'permanence' and pride and community is almost palpable. And that really appeals to me and my wife both (but we hate the winters). PHX is the opposite. Virtually everyone is a transplant. Everything's new and usually cheaply built (homes) and there's so much transience, people moving in and out, that it all feels so temporary. Schools vary a lot. Some better ones in Scottsdale. <BR>The one thing I always caution prospective residents about: if you're looking for PHX to make your life better, it's not going to. Better weather does not equal more happiness. Less hassle, yes. But I see lots of people move to PHX because they're unhappy with work or home life in other places and they think the change in latitude will change their attitude, as JB would say. It really doesn't work that way. And the stresses of moving only add to it all. <BR>Now for people retiring like Al, it's another story entirely. Seeking a comfortable place to retire is almost the opposite of seeking an optimal place to work and raise a family. The issues are quite different since commuting and schools and time pressures and other life stresses tend not to be problems any more. As such, it's understandable that the country's great retirement communities often have a very different flavor than great cities to work in. <BR>From what I know of Austin, I think it's a great place. Locals are unhappy that it's grown so much and lost a lot of its smaller town charm. But there's lots to do, and a very 'young' and vibrant feel to the place. And it doesn't have that provincial 'Texas feel' like Dallas, where those born outside of TX often feel like they're on the outside looking in.

I live in Austin and visit Phoenix every couple of months. I would pick Austin over Phoenix any day. Phoenix is miserably hot during the summer. Austin is also hot but much more bearable than Phoenix. Everything looks the same to me in Phoenix - lots of strip centers. I think Austin is a bit more unique - there are plenty of lakes, hills, great neighborhoods, etc. in Austin. The bedroom communities of Round Rock and Plugerville have excellent school systems and are growing communities. If you enjoy live music, it's definitely the place to be.

We checked both places out and decided to avoid Austin and surrounding places. Why? Because they were full of Texans.

Hey punk, come down heer to Texas an says that an I'll keek yer beehine an feed yoo too my hawgz. <BR>Texas rules. <BR>We ain't eeven really a part of the USA. <BR>Weeer special.

Thanks for all the great information! My husband has been to both places and he doesn't really prefer one over the other. He might be able to get a job transfer to Austin, but his company doesn't have an office in Phoenix. I was leaning more toward Austin, but the lack of humidity and mosquitoes in Phoenix really appeals to me. I've heard people complain about the heat in both places, but how much worse is the heat and humidity in Austin than in Chicago?

It can get pretty darn hot in Austin during summertime. As to how it compares to the heat in Phoenix, well, I've never been and so can't legitimately compare the "feel". You could go to the weather website, www.wunderground.com, and review historical information on the two cities. But that doesn't necessarily give you a sense of 'how it feels'. <BR> <BR>Temperature-wise, it definitely is hotter in Austin than in Chicago --- generally speaking, temps will be in the 90's EVERY day during July & August. However, people throughout Texas go from their air-conditioned houses to air-conditioned cars to air-conditioned offices --- so we've got a handle on this heat thing.

I live in Houston and spent 3 months in Phoenix with my husband for business - that was enough to convince me that I could NEVER live there, as much as I liked the city. It's a beautiful place - but from June through September it's unbearable, especially if you have kids who like doing outdoor activities. I've been to Austin many times and it's a great city, not too big, very family oriented, a LOT less traffic and congestion than Chicago. We have the humidity in Houston, but in Austin it's warm in summer, but much more comfortable because the humidity is lower. I don't care what anyone says about Phoenix - yes it's dry heat, but even Houston is better in summer than Phoenix. I'd go for Austin if I were you!

I have spent time in Chicago, Austin, and Pheonix. If I had to choose, I would actually pick Chicago. Depends on where you are in the suburbs - the northern suburbs of Chicago are as special as any place in the country. Austin is nice, but growing fast and you will get stuck in the 'burbs there too. Pheonix I have never liked. <BR> <BR>disclaimer - I live in Minneapolis so have no vested interest. Minneapolis is great, but I am guessing you want to get AWAY from winters :)

I've lived in the Phoenix area almost all of my life, only visited Austin, couldn't stand the humidity or bugs. My husband is a NY transplant and swears we will never leave. The great thing about Phoenix is that even when the summers get unbearable, you are only 1.5 hour drive away from the mountains and cooler weather. I don't think that going anywhere from Austin (except on a plane) will get you the same result. <BR>I would personally stick to the East Valley. Schools are better and neighborhoods tend to be more established (my entirely biased opinion). A great growing area is Ocotillo in Chandler. Good schools, parks with lakes, new upscale mall opening in November, and lots of new technology manufacturing in the area (Intel, Motorola, etc.) You will also avoid the "eveyone commuting to downtown" traffic pattern if you work and live in that area.

ITS TOO HOT!! <BR> <BR>I got out of "dodge" last year... moved to Atlanta. (not happy here either) <BR> <BR>The summers are about 5 - 6 months... yes, it will hit triple digits by mid-may and then you truly boil from June to September. October is still triple digits and you really won't go "ahhh" until Holloween. Dispute it if you want, its the truth. Sad thing is that kids, even though on summer vacation, are never out because its TOO HOT. I also recall that a kid drowns in the family pool almost every week. I never figured out why? Can't nobody swim? You'll also find that vast exodus of people bail out during the summer holidays (memorial, july 4th, labor) and go to San Diego... beautiful. <BR>

What a wuss. <BR>Anyplace can be horrible if you have a 'nothing's going to please me' attitude. <BR>Go spend a few months in eastern Europe or China then come back to the US and try to find something to whine about.

Would recommend Sedona or Flagstaff in Northern Arizona. I live in Sedona and love it here. Flagstaff is a small university city: home of Northern Arizona University. Some snow in both, but four very nice seasons. Plenty of culture and the arts, and very frienly residents. Also, very little crime or other urban ills. Visit first to check out jobs, etc.

I have alot of friends moving back to Houston from Austin, Austin which was once a booming town is no more, dot.com failures and dells laying off people left and right,contruction on the roads traffic is bad. Besides it to far inland for me. Althought it has great lakes, scenery. if i had to pick a place in Texas i'd prolly pick San Antonio. Phoenix i love the heat , so i'd move there in heartbeat..Good luck and happy trials. Just dont move to HOuston :-)

Please oh please tell me your not going to make your decision by what you are reading here? Remember these are all opinions...such a personal thing.

i live in Austin and had the luxury of taking a small trip to Phoenix a month ago. There is no question about which city is better to live in. Austin. i moved to Austin 8 months ago. Yes, there is some humidity but it makes the heat bearable and your skin more dewy and youthful. i felt like i was in an insufferable oven during my PHX stay. The heat was absolutely unbearable and did not even let up in the evening. PHX is what i would picture Mars to look like. Red and barren. The Camelback Mtns look like giant dirt hills. In contrast, Austin is beautifully green, hilly, and lush. Some views of the the city even have a mediterranean feel about it. You get the best of both worlds here. If you're interested, email me and i can send you pictures.