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Southern Charm Versus Desert Oasis

Both having lived in Phoenix‚ Arizona and now living in Nashville‚ Tn they are both beautiful cities in their own way. Of course there are differences between them. When I drive around Nashville and Franklin I think of the beautiful green rolling hills.

When I would joyride around Phoenix Arizona I would see the palm trees‚ desert landscapes‚ the stucco white and tan houses that all looked alike. The mountains  in the background and their pretty different colors. The way houses and buildings are built are polar opposites. Nashville houses are made out of brick with big beautiful green front yards‚ big trees that look a hundred years old.

Another thing I noticed that is different is the food. Nashville’s awesome southern food will put you in a food coma.

Arizona has a mix of awesome authentic Mexican food with a bunch of healthy restaurants for the health conscious.

 Now that the holidays are approaching the weather will be changing in both cities‚ the architecture and the way people decorate their homes will be opposite‚ and the food that will be made for Thanksgiving and Christmas can be different.

In Nashville the leaves are changing‚ the weather is getting colder‚ and it is getting foggy out in the morning.

Right now in Phoenix‚ Arizona it is 85 degrees and sunny‚ its t-shirt and short weather‚ and you could lay out and get a sun tan. One year it was 75 degrees on Thanksgiving. We sat outside for dinner and played football in the yard.

My first Thanksgiving in Nashville I remember being bundled up and freezing. It did actually feel like the holidays which they never did when I lived in Arizona. We had warm soup and hot coffee for our dinner. In Arizona I remember drinking iced drinks and not having soup.

A lot of homes in Nashville are made of brick with fenced in yards‚ big lots‚ big beautiful old trees with cute little porches. There’s cute colonial houses and property that are plantation style.  You can buy a home for a reasonable price with enough land to feel like you are not up against your neighbor.

In Scottsdale‚Arizona the bulk of homes come with a pool because in the summer it gets up to 120 degrees. The landscape is desert decor with rocks‚ cactus‚ desert plants‚ and majority of homes do not have grass. In some subdivisions the homes all look the same. There is a beauty to the desert even when you feel like your burning up because it is smoking hot outside.

The one thing I love about Nashville is the houses are different and have character. One house May be painted grey and the next house over will be brown and resemble nothing like the the house next to it.

If you are into Mexican food like I am and you get a chance to visit Phoenix‚ AZ your in luck because on almost every corner there is a Filabertos or some kind of Mexican restaurant.  I grew up on eating Filabertos in high school and their rolled tacos are out of this world. Plus they are in-expensive and they have a wonderful horchata rice drink.

The last five years I had been living in Arizona tons of healthy restaurants began to pop up. One of my favorite places is called Grabba Green. They are known for their amazing smoothies and quinoa bowls. Arizona has become more health concision and there a lot of different healthy restaurants to choose from.

I also noticed there are a lot more Trader Joe’s and Whole Foods in Arizona then there are in Nashville. When I think of Nashville and the type of food I think of hot chicken‚ biscuits and gravy‚ BBQ pulled pork‚ turn up greens‚ fried corn‚ mac n cheese‚ and you can fry anything like fried green tomatoes and it will taste good. I did gain about fifteen pounds when I first moved here and had to lose it. The food is so good but not the best for your waist line.

If you are ever in Nashville make sure you drive around take in the beautiful rolling green hills trees‚ farms and farm animals‚ the beautiful changing leaves around this time of year‚ and the beautiful plantation houses out in the country. Also check out the awesome southern food by going to a famous place called the Loveless Cafe which serves delicious biscuits and gravy. If you ever make a pit stop to Arizona try the Mexican food and your life will be changed. If you are a healthy eater their nutritional food actually tastes good and not like you are eating rabbit food. Make sure to enjoy the sun and go swimming. Do not forget to check out the breath taking mountains and the desert landscapes.