Moving to a new city
A picture of downtown Tempe.
The weekend is over and the dreaded move has come to an end. I am getting the lay of the land and getting acquainted with the city. Tempe‚ Arizona is a college town and home of ASU university. It is a far cry from Scottsdale‚ which is my old stopping grounds. However‚ I favor it.
The Westin Kierland Resort and Spa. This hotel is right across the street from my old neighborhood.
Picture from kierlandandresort.com
In Scottsdale‚ everything is packaged in a nice and neat‚ pretty bow. The landscaping is gorgeous and kept up to perfection. There are a plethora of beautiful resorts‚ and tons of classy shopping malls. Starbucks is located on every corner. I used to work at a trendy restaurant in Scottsdale. Everyone is dressed to the nines‚ looking fabulous and chic. Women are decked out in beautiful clothes and jewels. Men have on beautiful watches and the latest men’s fashions.
Tempe is a whole other ball game. The culture is booming in Tempe. College students from all over the world attend ASU. It is a melting pot of people from all ages and different backgrounds. People are riding their bicycles everywhere and use it as their main form of transportation. There is every type of food one can imagine. Cuisine on the list is‚ Thai food‚ Mexican‚Chinese‚ chain restaurants‚ and the food options are endless. Some of the coffee shops have an eclectic and industrial feel.
Picture from wikipedia.org
I met my neighbors this weekend and they are of Spanish decent and kind. They only speak Spanish and it challenges me to learn their language. Plus‚ they are always cooking up a storm and their food smells like heaven.
My recent Scottsdale apartment complex would never let an ice cream truck roam around on the weekends. An ice cream truck came by everyday this weekend. It is like having a dessert delivered right to the door. The last time I laid eyes on a ice cream truck‚ is in childhood.
The new place is located on a busy street and overlooks the traffic. The Scottsdale apartment is right over a beautiful gulf course. However‚ I enjoy hearing the hustle and bustle. I feel alive. The neighborhood children laugh and play outside‚ and I can hear their comforting voices as I unpack my boxes. However‚ some people May think Tempe is too much to handle. For me‚ it feels right at home.
Have you ever moved to a new city‚ and did you like it or hate it?
As of now (20) people have had something to say...
Shelley -
March 24, 2014 at 7:40 pm
what a great attitude about your new life!
Michael Miller -
March 24, 2014 at 8:43 pm
I have moved to a new city on several occasions. Sometimes it was just me not knowing anyone. It can be a little scary and then again it can be exciting and always filled with challenges and opportunity.
Embrace each days challenges for they will make you better. And if you look for opportunity you will find it.
Lenie -
March 24, 2014 at 11:01 pm
Hi Crystal
The big move I made was as a young woman from a small town to a large city and I thought it was the most wonderful thing I had ever done. I can hear the excitement in your post and know that to you life is an adventure too. Good for you. Have a great time absorbing all the new.
Lenie
crystal -
March 25, 2014 at 11:18 pm
Hi Lenie‚
I could imagine what a culture shock that was. If you love a big city‚ then you are probably adventurous like me. =) I appreciate the kind thoughts.
Susan Cooper -
March 25, 2014 at 4:59 pm
We have moved numerous times. In fact‚ I am engaged in a move at this very moment. I love the new experiences‚ new places and all the potentials for new discoveries. What I don’t like is the physical move itself. I wish you great fun and success with your new location. I know you’ll have a blast… once you’re settled.
crystal -
March 25, 2014 at 11:12 pm
Hi Susan‚
Good luck on your move! I would get some muscle to help you schlep all your stuff to your new place. Thanks for the kind words and I hope you have a smooth move. =)
Jeri -
March 25, 2014 at 9:56 pm
I moved across the country almost three years ago. It was a huge shift as I also changed my career path as well. We ended up moving back as well. I’m sure we’ll move gain in the next year because of my husband’s job. The next move is bound to be smoother. I would love to live in the southwest‚ but will probably end up in rainy Seattle.
crystal -
March 25, 2014 at 10:58 pm
Jeri‚ I am glad you will have a smoother time moving the next time around. I have friends who have moved there from Arizona in the last year. They say they love it there. My friends had grown tired of the sunny days year round. It is nice here but we get skimped on the rain because of the desert. =)
crystal -
March 25, 2014 at 11:02 pm
Meredith‚ thanks for the luck! I try to have a good attitude and you only live once‚ right. =)
crystal -
March 25, 2014 at 11:08 pm
Hi Andy! I appreciate it and thanks for the encouraging words. =)
crystal -
March 25, 2014 at 11:14 pm
Hi Paul‚
Thanks for the lovely compliments. One can not beat it! They also have 24 hour delivery here to. Amazing! =)
crystal -
March 25, 2014 at 11:16 pm
Jay‚
The moving part of it blows. I wish I could get in a time machine and fast forward two months. My apartment would be set up and everything moved. One can wish. =)Thanks.
crystal -
March 26, 2014 at 8:20 pm
Beth‚ I love Prescott! It is nicer up there in the summer then down here in the valley. I have been there to visit. =)
crystal -
March 28, 2014 at 11:36 pm
Thanks for your encouraging words. I have always wanted to visit India! Bucket list and someday! =)
Christina -
March 29, 2014 at 2:38 am
Right out of college‚ which was over a decade ago‚ I took an AmeriCorps position. In less than a week‚ I packed up two suitcases and flew to New Jersey for training. It would be a few weeks before I knew which city I was assigned. That was so out of character for me. Here’s to much happiness in your new city.
crystal -
March 29, 2014 at 2:53 pm
Christina‚ thanks for the awesome luck! That sounds exciting going to a new city for two weeks! I love adventure! =)
Niekka McDonald -
March 29, 2014 at 5:32 pm
Glad you are all settled in and enjoying your new city. I have been to Tempe many times as well as Scottsdale. I also have friends in Phoenix. Being from Cali AZ along with NV were states we would visit a lot because he could get there pretty quick. I made my big move to TX almost 10 yrs ago. Now I’m ready to move again.
crystal -
March 29, 2014 at 11:24 pm
Neikka‚ what part of Texas do you live in? I will be visiting friends in Houston in the near future! I love bbq! I hope your next move is a place your dream destination. =)
andleeb -
March 30, 2014 at 7:29 am
I have moved a lot of time in my life and I am happy that you are finally done and sometimes I experience same like I am fond of trying different food…. It has been 4 months that I shifted in my new place and I was having nice smell of food from neighbor ‚ so I interacted with with them and now I am learning Jordanian food.
I hope you will learn Spanish quickly to know the recipes.
And about that Ice cream truck … it’s Like Heaven….
I really liked your attitude towards new place and stuff..
Good Luck.
crystal -
March 31, 2014 at 1:54 am
Hi and thanks for your thoughtful words. I got to talk to a couple of the neighbor boys next store today and pet their dog. I think the boy was annoyed with me for not knowing much Spanish. lol I will have to practice. I took it in high school and never practiced it. Good luck to you to!=)