Arizona: Home is where the heat is.

[Furiously]

You fallout heathens... -10 on respect meter.

[Yegolev]

You two are just reinforcing the notion that Women Don't Play Games.

[voodoolily]

Is it supposed to be red potion? I know what that's for!

[Strazos]

No god damnit, it's not #9...

BIS bastards...

[Ezdaar]

So somewhat back on topic...

I'm moving out soon and I was wondering if any of you Arizonians had recommendations for a good ISP. It looks like there is Cox for cable or Qwest for DSL. I've always had cable before but don't terribly like Cox so I was thinking of going to DSL. I think Speakeasy has service at my new place so I'll likely go with them but wanted to hear opinions of other ISPs in the area.

Thanks.

[Signe]

Moving out of what?

[Shockeye]

Cox cable has been pretty good to me for high speed internet. I had many more problems when I was using DSL a few years ago.

[naum]

I'm moving out soon and I was wondering if any of you Arizonians had recommendations for a good ISP. It looks like there is Cox for cable or Qwest for DSL. I've always had cable before but don't terribly like Cox so I was thinking of going to DSL. I think Speakeasy has service at my new place so I'll likely go with them but wanted to hear opinions of other ISPs in the area.

Cox (cable modem) or Qwest DSL though Qwest coverage is quite deficient, I believe 2/3 to 3/4 of the broadband market belongs to Cox. And actually, Cox, hasn't been bad — I've had service with them since August, 2001 and for the most part, it's been very reliable. It does cost more, however, I think I'm paying $50 a month.

You will still see Sprint broadband across the Valley (a diamond shaped dish elevated on a longer pole than is necessary for DirecTV), but I don't think they are actively selling this anymore, and even if they were, I would recommend against it, not suited for gaming, with latency issues (though good DL speed). It's reliability is very poor, especially during the months of July, August and September when winds kick up and affect connectivity.

[WayAbvPar]

Do everything in your power to avoid dealing with Qwest. Their 'customer service' folks are beyond retarded. They must get a bonus for every customer who hangs up in disgust.

[Ezdaar]

Moving out of what?

Moving out of beautiful La Jolla, California. Really though I meant moving out as in "I am moving out to Tempe" but I'm sure you knew that :)

[Signe]

Moving out of what?

Moving out of beautiful La Jolla, California. Really though I meant moving out as in "I am moving out to Tempe" but I'm sure you knew that :)

No, I really didn't know where you were moving from.  I can't imagine why you would want to leave beautiful La Jolla, California for Any place in Arizona!  Arizona isn't really compatible with human life.



versus

[Ezdaar]

Moving out of what?

Moving out of beautiful La Jolla, California. Really though I meant moving out as in "I am moving out to Tempe" but I'm sure you knew that :)

No, I really didn't know where you were moving from.  I can't imagine why you would want to leave beautiful La Jolla, California for Any place in Arizona!  Arizona isn't really compatible with human life.

Sorry thought you were being snarky. I'm moving since that's where they pay me the money to do the mathematics.

[schild]

La Jolla, oh how I love thee. My grandparents have a house at La Costa in Carlsbad. I just love me some Southern California.

[Daydreamer]

Aye, I went to UCSD and I LOVE La Jolla.  Rent is insane but otherwise its a beautiful beautiful place.  What about you Ezdaar, were you also a UCSD student?

[Zephyr]

Aye, I went to UCSD and I LOVE La Jolla.  Rent is insane but otherwise its a beautiful beautiful place.  What about you Ezdaar, were you also a UCSD student?

Rent is insane?  When I had the urge to move out there after getting an interview with the SD County Engineering Dept., I almost cried out how much cheaper it was than my apt. in NJ.  Then my SO decided to go after her master's, and those plans crumbled.  :P

Seriously, some of the ads I looked at were listed as being a few blocks from the beach and around $1k a month with only a $300 deposit.  Deposits around here are almost always 1.5x the first months rent, and good luck finding something at $1k a month that isn't crime infested or a winter beach rental.  Someone mentioned that sewage from Tijuana drifts up that way and could be why it seemed so cheap?

[Murgos]

First, 2.5k a month is cheap for a crap-tastic 2br/1b apt in Hoboken.

Second, La Jolla is amazing.

[Ezdaar]

Yeah UCSD alum here, though I've lived in San Diego my whole life except for a short stint in Sydney (the Australian one). Going to ASU now to work on a Ph.D.

[Signe]

San Diego is the best of California, I think.  New Jersey smells nasty and, yes, the rents are through the roof... especially anywhere in or around Princeton.  Even the bits in PA like Yardley.  It's also easier to find spacious rentals the more west you go.  It's very difficult to find more than 2 beds/2 baths in NJ and I like a bit of space around me.

[voodoolily]

We pay less than $1200/mo for a spacious 2-bedroom house with hardwoods throughout and a fireplace, attic and basement, private back yard, and big front porch in a very trendy district. Nyah nyah nyah!    We also don't have sales tax. But Oregon's income taxes are insane.

[Strazos]

But Oregon's income taxes are insane.

But that doesn't mean a whole lot to you right now, right? Heh.

[Signe]

This was the view out back of the place we lived in England before we moved to the US.  (although it's not from our patio and it's from a different angle) 

The side view looked out onto Porchester Castle:


Three beds, fully furnished with very cool stuff (except for the B&O TV and stereo we didn't bother using. Ick.), 2 1/2 baths (one ensuite master),good sized balcony and a patio,  boardwalk with lovely restaurants and pubs, 11m berth for the boat we didn't have, UCI Cinema in the marina (5 min. walk)... all for about $400 less than Princeton, NJ.  Is it any wonder I get homesick?  I am never so calm as when I can look out onto water, too.

[voodoolily]

But Oregon's income taxes are insane.

But that doesn't mean a whole lot to you right now, right? Heh.

My unemployment bennies still get taxed, and I'll hafta pay more at the end of the year.   

[voodoolily]

Within a ten-block radius we have: 2 independent movie theaters, numerous bars, an English pub (with adjacent beer store that sells over 200 domestic, micro and imports as well as prawn crisps), a hot dog/brat joint, Korean, Japanese, Vietnamese, Mexican, Thai, Chinese, French, Indian, pizza and fine dining restaurants, three bookstores, 2 video stores, 3 record stores, 4 or 5 clothing stores, an Aveda Dosha salon/spa, a music venue, a chocolatier, a Tibetan gift shop, 2 head shops, an Asian grocery store, an Indian grocery store, a gourmet grocery store, a liquor store and about a million other things. I love Hawthorne! 

[Strazos]

Within a 1-mile radius, I have:

Houses.

[Signe]

Me too, Straz... well, mostly apartments.  And fields of corn.  We should go live with V-Lily.

[stray]

Suburban wasteland here too. Contrary to popular opinion, there are no cows in Texas (except the human kind).

[Viin]

Just wanted to point out that it's really freakin' hot in Denver this week.

[CmdrSlack]

Just because this is the Southwestern thread...here's some T-shirt that Urban Outfitters is selling that is, naturally, causing some people to pitch a fit:

[Llava]

Just wanted to point out that it's really freakin' hot in Denver this week.

Yeah, I guess that's pretty hot.

For Denver.

[Pococurante]

Suburban wasteland here too. Contrary to popular opinion, there are no cows in Texas (except the human kind).

Pshaw, cityboy.  From my purview I see longhorns, drilling rigs, llamas/exotic goats/baby donkeys, and the neighbor's daughter who thinks her bedroom window is a mirror.

I wake up each morning to this:

[WayAbvPar]

neighbor's daughter who thinks her bedroom window is a mirror.

And yet we get a picture of a sunrise? ? ?

[Pococurante]

/smug

[Ookii]

Sorry to actually get back on subject, but what can you Phoenicians tell me about "Greasewood Flats" in Scottsdale?

From websites:

"Greasewood Flats isn't fancy; in fact, it's downright ramshackle, but the burgers are delicious and the crowds friendly. There's a dance floor with live music from Thursday through Sunday. In winter, wear jeans and a jacket here, since everything is outside; to keep warm, folks congregate around fires burning in halved 42-gallon oil drums.
-Fodor's"

"Yea, it's a hole the wall, but it's a pretty cool one. Just north of Scottsdale, AZ. It's reminicent of an old cowboy saloon, right down to the wooden sidewalk. I like it because it's hard to find, and i'm very rarely the worst dressed guy there. Inside the bar they can fit about ten people. (standing) Which is why they have a very strict single file bar line rule. If you ask, they will supply a marker so you can leave your mark, on the walls, ceiling, floor or on the guy next to you. (assuming he's passed out and smaller than you) telling the bartender not to stand up in a canoe, is an exceptable tip. just don't do it twice! My ear still hurts from last fall. Outside is a large grouping of picnic tables, with a lot of 50 gal. drums cut in half and filled with fire wood. They supply the wood, it's good wood and it's free. Which makes it great wood! on the weekends they usually have live entertainment, including but not limited to the occasional dumb ass getting thrown out. The whole area is surrounded by old wagons filled with old bottles. But if your not into live music, beer drinking or camp fires in the desert, then why don't you stay home? (just kidding) they also have horse shoe pits, and there is even a secret trail leading to a secret fire pit, but don't tell anyone. They also have some farm animals, i'm not sure why. There are a lot of cool people and a lot of great looking bikes. hope to see you out west soon, da boda yas. later days, BH"

[schild]

THe phrases 50 gallon, 42 gallon, and cowboy scare the hell out of me. Where do you find this stuff?

[Llava]

Never heard of the place.  Personally, if I want a goofy, folksy type place to grab a meal I like going to "Crazy Ed's Satisfied Frog."  That's up in Cave Creek.  They're the inventors of Chili Beer if you're the type to experiment with such stuff.