Phoenix

The state capital of Arizona and the 5th or 6th single-largest city in the country (depending on what census year used). Phoenix is not really a “city”, but a myriad of identical suburbs throughout Maricopa County; there’s no diversity, no distinct neighborhoods that you would have in older more crowded and diverse Coastal cites and Chicago, very poor public transportation, and you almost have to drive everywhere. I’ve lived here for four years and don’t know what’s so great about it. What’s so great about 100-plus degree weather for months at a time? And the only things to do are golfing and hiking, which can only be done during the winter months. And don’t get me started on the people. I don’t find them to be friendly and relational, like in the South. Most people I’ve met have dull personalities and don’t act like they want to get to know you as a person. The people are hostile on the road and act like they own it. If your car breaks down, instead of helping you they drive by and give you the finger as if you caused a mere one-second delay on the road. In all honestly, the people just downright suck. They are basically southern California wannabees. There’s also too much air pollution. Too much crime. And there’s very few good jobs for the cost of living. The school system is awful and the state of Arizona ranks 50th in education. It is the ugliest most sprawled out city ever built, with miles of identical housing developements and strip malls. I find it to be a bad place to settle down and have a family. Sorry, you native Phoenicians, but all of this is true. However, the Phoenix area has a number of really cool restaurants (primarily in Scottsdale). There’s more to dislike about Phoenix than to like about it, in my opinion.