Q's for the Arizona natives:)

Hoozdo, ADN · May 15, 2006

When you say Mesa, nothing comes to mind. When you say Arizona, you are expanding your possibilities! How about the Grand Canyon? Sedona is closer and is awesome and you can couple that visit with a trip to Oak Creek Canyon.

Bring your shorts! We are hitting the low 100s now.

GrnHonu99, RN · May 15, 2006

When you say Mesa, nothing comes to mind. When you say Arizona, you are expanding your possibilities! How about the Grand Canyon? Sedona is closer and is awesome and you can couple that visit with a trip to Oak Creek Canyon.
Bring your shorts! We are hitting the low 100s now.

So ive heard!! Itll be a huge diff. from here in Ohio. Allll week weve been under 70 and rainy!! Im just staying in Mesa with a friend. We will be traveling all over Phoenix to really get an idea what it will be like to live there. I hope we get a chance to go to the Grand Canyon. Any good shopping areas around?? What about some outstanding restaurants?:):)

yellowlablover · May 15, 2006

So ive heard!! Itll be a huge diff. from here in Ohio. Allll week weve been under 70 and rainy!! Im just staying in Mesa with a friend. We will be traveling all over Phoenix to really get an idea what it will be like to live there. I hope we get a chance to go to the Grand Canyon. Any good shopping areas around?? What about some outstanding restaurants?:):)[/q-uote]
:welcome:
Not to be too much of a wet blanket, but Mesa isn't exactly a 'hot' spot in the Phoenix metro area. A couple of good vets there is about all I can say about that city. However, there are wonderful restaurants in Scottsdale, Tempe, Phoenix. If you have time to catch a Diamondback's game, that would be fun! You can see our huge 'BOB' now named Chase Ballpark with a retractable roof! You can get tickets pretty cheap these days.
Shopping is great at Scottsdale Fashion Square or old town Scottsdale. There are so many places to eat, great Mexican food restaurants, steakhouses, and much more. Just try not to eat at a 'chain' restaurant. If you are looking for specific type of food, ask us and we can recommend inexpensive places, as well as the high end places.
Montezuma's castle is cool but a bit of a hike from Phoenix. If you can get to Sedona, you will love it and/or Flagstaff. It helps give you a perspective on Arizona that it is not all sand and cactus but a varied terrain.
Enjoy!
DC

GrnHonu99, RN · May 15, 2006

So ive heard!! Itll be a huge diff. from here in Ohio. Allll week weve been under 70 and rainy!! Im just staying in Mesa with a friend. We will be traveling all over Phoenix to really get an idea what it will be like to live there. I hope we get a chance to go to the Grand Canyon. Any good shopping areas around?? What about some outstanding restaurants?:):)[/q-uote]
:welcome:
Not to be too much of a wet blanket, but Mesa isn't exactly a 'hot' spot in the Phoenix metro area. A couple of good vets there is about all I can say about that city. However, there are wonderful restaurants in Scottsdale, Tempe, Phoenix. If you have time to catch a Diamondback's game, that would be fun! You can see our huge 'BOB' now named Chase Ballpark with a retractable roof! You can get tickets pretty cheap these days.
Shopping is great at Scottsdale Fashion Square or old town Scottsdale. There are so many places to eat, great Mexican food restaurants, steakhouses, and much more. Just try not to eat at a 'chain' restaurant. If you are looking for specific type of food, ask us and we can recommend inexpensive places, as well as the high end places.
Montezuma's castle is cool but a bit of a hike from Phoenix. If you can get to Sedona, you will love it and/or Flagstaff. It helps give you a perspective on Arizona that it is not all sand and cactus but a varied terrain.
Enjoy!
DC
Thanks!!!
I have heard from my fiencee what a cool ball park you have there:) We plan on living more central phoenix when we move so that is what we are interested in seeing. I hope we have time to make it up to Sedonna, i heard from my patient the other day that it is beautiful! I can't wait, im still crossing my fingers we get our plane tickets!!

boomerfriend · May 15, 2006

I agree with Yellowlablover (?)...stated all the places I was going to...

Diamondbacks game would be a definite must. If you're wanting to explore the downtown area, there's the Biltmore area with many shops and gorgeous homes to drive by. Encanto area is the first post WWII housing in Phoenix and is very unique. You can also try the Tee Pee Tap Room for Mexican food....that's where the President ate when he was in town :beercuphe

cardiacRN2006, ADN, RN · May 15, 2006

Hello!!
I will be relocating to AZ soon and I accepted a job at St. Joe's Med. Center. You may have seen this in some of my other posts...Anyway..hopefully if all goes well I will be visiting Phoenix this week!!!!!!!!!!! I will be staying in Mesa and I was wondering what I absoluetly have to see while im there!:) Restaurants, awesome places, etc. All suggestions are welcome:):)

Hey, where's your puppy? Didn't you have a weiner dog as your avatar???

MsBruiser · May 15, 2006

If you need any advice regarding Central Phoenix neighborhoods, restaurants - just PM me. My wife and I live in that area - and know all the "spots."

We also "did our time" in Ohio - 3.5 years in Worthington, OH in the Columbus metro region!

jgwe4e · May 15, 2006

If you're staying in Mesa, the Boyce Thompson Arboretum in Superior is worth the drive. A VERY early morning trip the Superstitions, maybe to Lost Dutchman State Park, or the Peralta trail would be nice. If you do anything in the desert, make sure you take lots of water, a hat, and sunscreen.

boomerfriend · May 16, 2006

If you're staying in Mesa, the Boyce Thompson Arboretum in Superior is worth the drive. A VERY early morning trip the Superstitions, maybe to Lost Dutchman State Park, or the Peralta trail would be nice. If you do anything in the desert, make sure you take lots of water, a hat, and sunscreen.

.....and do it all at the crack of dawn! We're hitting in the low 100's now :devil:

GrnHonu99, RN · May 16, 2006

Hey, where's your puppy? Didn't you have a weiner dog as your avatar???

I did! My premium membership expired last week I think. It doesnt look like we are going to make it this week to Phoenix but i'll keep all these suggestions in mind!!

Oh does anyone know any websites where I might find rentals that are privately owned?? I dont know if I want to live in another apartment complex and I figure if we are going to pay 8-900 for an apt. there have to be small houses or condos in that range?? Thanks!

RainDreamer, BSN, RN · May 16, 2006

I agree with the others ..... not much comes to mind for things to do in Mesa.

I think you said your fiancee will be going to ASU, right? Definitely go down to Mill Ave and check it out one night .... always lots going on there. Maybe check out Tempe Towne Lake, usually something to do down there too.

As far as restaurants, I'd recommend pretty much any Mexican restaurant (non-chain) that you see around. There's so many good ones I wouldn't even know where to start as far as suggestions.

The weather right now isn't too bad at all, so you should be here at a good time, it's just a bit warm. It won't get too bad until about July. Looking on yahoo weather, it shows that it's 100 degrees, with a "feels like" temp of 96. I just got in from outside and it's actually not bad, even a little overcast.