Maybe moving from Mpls to Phoenix  

You should
Go in July!!!

Only 'cause
if i do this thing, I have a house to empty and sell here in Minneapolis, and I'd like the whole process to happen in the nice weather. If I wait until July, then i might be moving in December!

Phx
I live in Phoenix and I love it. The heat doesnt bother me and I think it's a small price to pay for the beautiful winters. The city life is probably not as cultivated as Mpls., though. I love the desert. It's absolultely beautiful and the trails and mountains are walking distance from my house even though I live in the city. A lot of people dont like Phoenix for several reasons. The heat is one obvious reason and the fact that the city is one big suburbia. However, this is changing. We have a new light rail system and the downtown has developed somewhat, even with the economy. Also, the traffic is terrible and the crime is bad. I do know one transplant from Mpls. who wanted to return, and my grandparents moved here from Mpls. (in the 50's) and always missed it and wanted to return. I live in the Biltmore area, and avoid the freeways. I can get to work/downtown in 10 mins and the airport in 10 mins. If you want a mid-century modern home, there are quite a few neighborhoods. The nicest, but more pricey areas, include Paradise Valley, Arcadia, and the Biltmore area. Home prices have been severely affected here, as I am sure you heard, so it's a great time to buy. North Scottsdale is nice, but has a lot of newer Tuscan style homes. Flagstaff is relatively close (2 hours) and a great escape from the heat. Prescott is even closer. I'm 3.5 hours from Palm Springs, where I regularly go to visit my parents. Las Vegas is a 30-45 min. flight away. I am very happy here. I almost took a job in Portland, and I must say the cities do not compare (Portland is an incredible city!), but one factor I considered in staying here is that I love the sun. Also, we have relatively low state income taxes compared to CA and OR. In fact, this is driving my uncle's decision to move his office from SF to Phx. If you love to mtn. bike or hike, this is a great part of the country to live. A web site to check out is modernphoenix.net. azcentral.com is the Az Republic paper online to check out the news, happenings, etc. Anyway, if you decide to come, welcome!

Rocky, thanxalot
Great information. I was in town January 10-14 and was only in NE corner of Phoenix and Scottsdale (and 1 side trip to Moon Valley), but if I move down there, after some research, I figure between Camelback Road and Thomas Road and from Scottsdale to perhaps W15th. St....not too far west is about the area i think would be appropriate for me, as I don't drive and would want to be close to shopping, etc. (As stated, I'm coming down in mid-May to look more carefully....)
I'd love a mid-century house, but so many in my price range have been updated to look like cookie-cutter suburbean house inside. Sure, I'd like modern appliances, and good, working air conditioning and windows that will keep out the heat, but still a house with some character.
I'm not at all sure about desert landscaping, tho. On one hand, it looks appropriate, but having some grass to maintain would also remind me of home and gracious summers, etc.
I don't want a pool but I'd absolutely need a large, spacious family room that will house all of my books, records, CDs, electronics and other clutter, leaving me with a fairly formal living room and dining room. (Remember that any collector of stuff who's considering moving to an area with no basements will need a place to put all of their stuff in a way that doesn't look too much like a warehouse. Another possible option is to find a house with an extra bedroom that can turned into a library storage room!
I'd want an inside laundry and perhaps, a single car garage (more storage!).
I'm sure I can find what i'm looking for, but I'm still confused about the crime issue. Without a car, I would be on foot, on bike, and on public transportation. By crime, do you mean constant concerns about burgularies? robberies? even in Encanto, Willo, Biltmore and Coronado?
(If you want to email me directly, I'm at barrymn1@msn.com)

Rockybird
I wish you'd email me privately. I'm close to closing on a house in Central Phoenix.
barrymn1@msn.com