Living in Texas or Arizona

P

pso

Joined
Oct 29, 1998
Messages
494
Perhaps some forumites from these states can help me out.

I am interested to know what Austin Texas, Phoenix and Tucson Arizona are like. I am considering relocating to one of these cities. Factors that I am interested in are cost of living (mainly housing rent/buy), crime rate (and most prevalent types of crime), likelyhood of racial discrimination, and (last but not least) knife/gun laws. These are the sort of things that the city web sites and travel books usually don't tell you about.

Thanks in advance.

Phil

 
I live in Mesa,AZ, a suburb of Phoenix. Gun and knife laws here are about as open as you can find. It is legal to carry an unconcealed gun, and you can apply for a permit to carry concealed. I am not sure about the knife laws, I have always carried a knife with me and always have one in my vehicle and I have never had a problem, even when I have been pulled over. Cost of living is about average. Housing has been going up in the recent years, insurance, food, and gas prices are not so bad. I lived in Dallas, TX for a while. Costs less to live in Texas, no state taxes taken out of your check, housing is considerably less. You do have to put up with Humid!!! summers. I came back to AZ because I missed my family and Mountains! Texas is flat! having visited your beautiful Island I don't see why you would want to leave.
 
Well, I just got back from a visit to the Mad Dog Clan, and we (my daughter and grandaughter, and my son) flew into Phoenix. Two things impressed me from the air. The air pollution (which is not that good in the SF Bay area either, unless you get away from the city), and the sheer number of swimming pools. They were visible in the tens of thousands. If you need a job, I am sure that pool maintainance positions are readily available.

Cost of living? Houses in the Prescott area go for about one half to one third of what they sell for in the SF Bay area. Food is about the same. Wine is more expensive in AZ.
People in AZ are very friendly (except for His Rabidness, the curmudgeon), much as in CA.

Racial prejudice? If someone takes exception to your accent, just tell them you are from California. Everyone expects Californians to be rather peculiar, and this should satisfy the inquirer.
wink.gif
Walt
 
Hi,

Can't help you with AZ but can with TX.

I personally love TX and Austin is a good city in TX. Central, not huge but big enough, within driving distance of lots of places, etc.

Knife laws: TX: Title 10 Chapter 46

The following knives are illegal to carry:

Those with blade over 5 1/2" long
Daggers
Dirks
Poniards
Stilletos
Switchblades (it is illegal to even possess a switchblade except as an antique or curio)
Bowie knife (except when hunting etc.)
Swords
Spears

For most blades that most people normally carry, you are good to go. Just obey the law and use common sense. I always advise everyone to check out the law themselves.

As far as I know, no other state allows carry of a blade as long as 5 1/2". But just because you can, doesn't mean you should.

Good luck.


Originally posted by pso:
Perhaps some forumites from these states can help me out.

I am interested to know what Austin Texas, Phoenix and Tucson Arizona are like. I am considering relocating to one of these cities. Factors that I am interested in are cost of living (mainly housing rent/buy), crime rate (and most prevalent types of crime), likelyhood of racial discrimination, and (last but not least) knife/gun laws. These are the sort of things that the city web sites and travel books usually don't tell you about.

Thanks in advance.

Phil
Click to expand...

 
I live in southeastern AZ and grew up in Phoenix and lived in Texas for 10 years. I am partial to Phoenix or Tucson.

I think that your interests will largely decide which area. Phoenix and Tucson have virtually no night life-compared to Austin. But, they also don't have 80-90% humidity like Austin. Cost of living in all three areas is virtually the same depending upon which parts of each city you live in.

People in Texas are among the most friendly anywhere. Arizonans are almost all from somewhere else and now it is pretty much "eastern California".

Gun and knife laws in Arizona are pretty much like the late 1800's except more liberal. You can pack a gun almost anywhere in plain sight like the old west. Texas has some strange laws that you have to pay attention to like when you can transport a firearm and if you are carrying across county lines. But, they are better than California's carry laws.

Being biased, I welcome you to our state- Arizona. Pick Tucson-less traffic and less people. Kind of a big college town! I liked living in Texas, but my heart is in Arizona.

Daniel
 
Between Tucson and Phoenix area:

* Being EE you'll find many more job opportunities in Phoenix.

* Tucson is much prettier (mountains) than Phoenix.

* Tucson is also a bit cooler than Phoenix.

* Night life ... I guess it depends. Tucson chamber orchestra is awesome. Some time ago (when I was less busy) I was going to the Jazz cafe hosting few REALLY GOOD jazz fusion bands. You'll find some blues going on too. Of course, it is not nearly close to what you'd have in New York or New Orleans, but hey, can't have everything.
smile.gif


Gun laws: covered above
biggrin.gif
.

Heat does bother me a little. But I've been to Houston a couple of times during the summer and all the time I felt like I just had wet my pants, it was so humid
biggrin.gif
.

Good luck!

Kris

Any more knife nuts from Arizona out there?
smile.gif


[This message has been edited by jeegeet (edited 05-10-2000).]
 
Austin, what a city! It's a great cultural melting pot. It is a college town, University of Texas, and it reflects it in its diversity. I don't know the exact crime rate, but I'd believe it's far less than Dallas/Fort Worth, where I live. It is the musical seat of Texas, where all of the best Texas bands got their start (not the least of which Stevie Ray Vaughn and Double Trouble).
Like said above, 5 1/2" is the knife carry length. I've never had any problems in general related to knives.

The cost of living is reasonable, it's full of poor college students so if you have a real job you're sitting pretty. But then I don't know the economy in Arizona.

Hope this helps!

Brandon


PS: Lot's of cute college girls, if you're into that kind of thing
smile.gif
. And you know what they say about Texas Women!



------------------
I've got the schizophrenic blues
No I don't
Yes I do...
 
My brother and his wife just moved to Phoenix and he has told us he will never leave! We all have to go over there for Christmas. Phoenix is the currently the fastest growing metropolitan area in the U.S. He's been there for a few weeks and he said that he and his wife still have not gotten tired of driving out into the hills just for the scenery. By the way, they bought their first house there in about three weeks and he moved there without a job. Got one in a week (accountant).
 
Hi,

I live in the Mesa, Tempe, Chandler area (where many other AZites live) and have taught CCW (concealed carry weapons) as well as sold, traded firearms and knives for a few years. The laws are fairly straightforward here.

1. Open carry for guns and knives
2. Concealed carry for guns and larger knives (4"+) with CCW
3. Instant background checks for guns – no waiting period)
4. No restrictions on what you purchase, class 3 or NFA weapons require the usual stuff
5. Lots of instruction available everywhere for self defense, shooting, knives, etc
6. You can buy 20 OTF or auto knives in a shopping mall and carry them with you if you want (it seems that a knife is a knife is a knife is a knife…according to most LEOs and legislators) oh yeah…
7. Gun shows a plenty. You can find anything here and (after the instant check if applicable) take it home in minutes.
8. Jobs a plenty. Just about anything- see resources like www.azcentral.com for information. LOTS of computer jobs, I mean LOTS. These start at about $11/hour and most include paid training! I mean get paid to learn one of the most growing fields (if not the most) in the world.
9. Good schools and oh yeah, the place is easy to navigate as far as getting around town.

Hope this helps,

MikeT
 
Anybody know how hard it would be for a teacher to find a job in AZ? I'd love to live out there (I'm in the best part of Illinois right now, which ain't saying much) but my new wife needs convincing. We're both teachers.
 
Austin is very cool. Laid back with lots of atmosphere. Great nightlife-restaurants, bars, music. Tons of diversity. Decent scenery out in the hill country. Good economy. Many, many beautiful women. Not a bad place to live at all.

Jack
 
The cost of living in Austin has skyrocketed over the last 3 or 4 years. It used to be a college town, and still is to an extent. The thing Austin is getting to be known for now is the computer and semiconductor industry. The economy in Austin is very strong and has driven real estate prices through the roof. I remember when the economy collapsed in the mid 80's. You couldn't give a house away. Now, people are willing to pay almost any price, with most homes selling over asking prices. If you have a background in computers, Austin is the place to be. Also if you are into acting, Austin would make a nice alternative to Cali, as there are many movies shot in the Hill Country.
Austin is eclectic to say the least. There is a saying that Austin isn't Texas and Texas isn't Austin. Austin is a very liberal city, largely due to the University of Texas. The rest of Texas (as one might imagine) is mostly conservative.
The knife laws are correct as listed above with on addition. Any knife that is opened by gravity or centrifugal force (butterfly knives) are prohibited. But to offset this, we do have concealed handgun permits available.
There is a great club scene, lots of live music and good micro breweries. We are also not far from Dallas, San Antonio, and Houston if you ever feel the need to get out of Austin.
Hope this helps.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top