I Miss City Life. =(
Don't get me wrong, I love Phoenix. It is a great (fledgling) city. There is great potential here. Downtown is practically blossoming before my eyes.
But.
I miss living in the chaotic order of a real city. The bustling of constant movement and the reassuring peace brought by the hectic throb of its inhabitants. I miss being able to take the metro places or even just walking down the street to my favorite restaurants or bars to meet friends for a bite to eat or a few drinks. Phoenix does not nor may it ever have this. It may not be written in the stars for this desert metropolis.
Let me fill you in. Some of you may already know this. Phoenix has some of the most beautiful weather in the country. The problem is it is only between October and April. The few remaining months of the year can leave you running from your air conditioned house to your air conditioned car, just to drive half a mile to the store. The summer heat is definitely an acquired taste. It took me two whole years to finally get acclimated. I do not mind the heat, but even the most seasoned resident cannot stand it for more than 10 minutes. How can anyone be comfortable strolling down the street to maybe meet friends or go on a date when you are a big sweaty mess once you arrive? True, they are building a light rail throughout the valley. But personally, I do not think it will meet the needs of a city trying to become something of a New York or even a San Francisco. Only one line is planned (more are,at least, under study), and I feel a light rail is going to see fewer riders than had they chosen to install a subway. It is just a tad frustrating.
Furthermore, I am still unsure about this surge in downtown residential construction. Granted, there are more high rise condos popping up everywhere, but the pricing of said condos are completely out of whack. Come on, who is going to pay $600k+ for a tiny-ass condo that is barely a 1 bedroom. Some of my worries have even come to fruition with numerous foreclosures of the first round of condos to become available, and they were not even the pricey ones.
I don't know. I guess I am just a city boy at heart, and having just visited New York City (the City of all Cities) certainly does not help. I just wish Phoenix, in all its wondrous infancy, grows up and not further out (like Los Angeles) without tearing itself apart.
Think Thin, People!
*sigh*
But.
I miss living in the chaotic order of a real city. The bustling of constant movement and the reassuring peace brought by the hectic throb of its inhabitants. I miss being able to take the metro places or even just walking down the street to my favorite restaurants or bars to meet friends for a bite to eat or a few drinks. Phoenix does not nor may it ever have this. It may not be written in the stars for this desert metropolis.
Let me fill you in. Some of you may already know this. Phoenix has some of the most beautiful weather in the country. The problem is it is only between October and April. The few remaining months of the year can leave you running from your air conditioned house to your air conditioned car, just to drive half a mile to the store. The summer heat is definitely an acquired taste. It took me two whole years to finally get acclimated. I do not mind the heat, but even the most seasoned resident cannot stand it for more than 10 minutes. How can anyone be comfortable strolling down the street to maybe meet friends or go on a date when you are a big sweaty mess once you arrive? True, they are building a light rail throughout the valley. But personally, I do not think it will meet the needs of a city trying to become something of a New York or even a San Francisco. Only one line is planned (more are,at least, under study), and I feel a light rail is going to see fewer riders than had they chosen to install a subway. It is just a tad frustrating.
Furthermore, I am still unsure about this surge in downtown residential construction. Granted, there are more high rise condos popping up everywhere, but the pricing of said condos are completely out of whack. Come on, who is going to pay $600k+ for a tiny-ass condo that is barely a 1 bedroom. Some of my worries have even come to fruition with numerous foreclosures of the first round of condos to become available, and they were not even the pricey ones.
I don't know. I guess I am just a city boy at heart, and having just visited New York City (the City of all Cities) certainly does not help. I just wish Phoenix, in all its wondrous infancy, grows up and not further out (like Los Angeles) without tearing itself apart.
Think Thin, People!
*sigh*
Labels: Enlightenment, Life, Phoenix
