10 THINGS...

THE WILD WEST

We moved our family here from Orange County, CA, in June of 2021, under pressure, in a hurry, so our boys could attend in-person school. I thought I was prepared. Turns out, I wasn’t.

When we left California, we knew we’d have to change everything about our already-settled lives… We started completely over here. In midlife. And, it was harder than I ever expected it would be. Four years later, we are still rebuilding.

However, we are so grateful that we landed in a place surrounded by great people, kindness, sunshine, and true grit (Arizonians are tough cookies!). Even though we initially felt like we landed on Mars, Arizona has always welcomed us home.

Today I’m sharing 10 things I’ve learned since moving here to Buckeye and the Wild West Valley—some practical, some ridiculous, all true—and all things that contribute to making living here so special…

1. THE PEOPLE

I have to start with THE PEOPLE, because that’s what we noticed first. Everyone was just so nice and welcoming! Not one person was rude or mean to us when they found out we were from California (which I mention only because I see other people saying that online).

We moved here not knowing anyone. That was very strange. It was hard not having people know us. We felt invisible for a long time. That’s when I really understood that Cheer’s theme song and “wanting to go where everybody knows your name.”

Thank goodness for the people we met through the Verrado Viper’s football program. Especially, Dawn Tibbs, who took us under her wing from Day 1 and made us feel so welcome. And, the other awesome people we met through those early days of football. We had many fun nights working the concession stand and watching the games from the bleachers.

I’m talking to you Robert Snowden, Kelli Gieszler, Jay-R & Tennille Hiller, and Teri Novobilski Gilday. Thank you for your friendship! ❤️ 

2. THE SUN

The sun will burn a hole in your soul. It will also fade your outdoor furniture, burn your eyebrows off your face through a tinted window, and turn the ground into molten lava. By late summer, the heat coming off your fake lawn will be so hot that at 3 AM you can step outside and have your very own sauna!

3. THE SUNSETS

For as much as you’ll curse the sun in the daytime, all will be forgiven when she takes your breath away at sundown. There is just nothing like an Arizona sunset!

Best place to catch it: Sundance Park in Buckeye

4. THE PARKING

Never have I ever seen so many people with a need to back into parking spaces. Seriously, what is up with that? I laugh every time I see it!

Lots to avoid: The Fry’s parking lot on Watson Road.

5. THE HUSTLE

One of the things I noticed right away when I moved here is the entrepreneurial hustle! The lack of employment options in our area leads people to have to throw up a shingle and go at it alone. Having no alternative, this barren desert forces you to rise like a Phoenix.

Because of that, I can guarantee you that at least one of your friends or neighbors has owned, or currently owns, a food truck and/or sells their goods either online or at a local farmers market, and/or has some really cool job that they created for themselves. Like my neighbor around the corner, who runs his business, Kool Tech, LLC, out of this kool little van.

6. MAKING FRIENDS

Luckily, like I said, we initially met a few people through football. But making friends in midlife is hard, especially when moving to a new city and state. Unless you’ve ever done it yourself, it comes with a level of isolation that is actually quite shocking. I wasn’t expecting it. At all! And, I’m a social person and talk to everyone so I can only imagine how hard it would be for an introvert.

I ended up accidentally meeting some of my best friends at the dog park. And, this past year, I met another wonderful group of people through my involvement with Buckeye Civic Institute. I joined because I thought it would be good knowledge to have for The Buzz. What I found instead, was myself. In fact, is was that experience that finally really grounded me and brought me back to life here in Arizona.

How to meet people: Get out and do things! Be sure you’re checking The Buzz “Fun Finder” event listings—there is so much going on! This is great way to get connected to the community and I can almost offer you a money back guarantee that you will meet some very cool people!

7. THE WATER

In the summer, there are only 2 water temperatures: hot & hotter. It’s highly unusual for cold water to ever come out of the hot tap (in summer). Hot water also comes out of the cold tap (in summer).

Also, hydrate, hydrate, hydrate. I’m serious. Take a water bottle with you EVERYWHERE. Gas station run? Bring water. Target trip? Water. Picking your kid up from school? Water. You never know when you’ll hit a traffic jam or an emergency road closure—and hydration is not optional in the desert.

Tip: I like this water bottle because you can add ice and it’s insulated and stays cold, even in a hot car.*

8. THE HOLIDAYS

People here go bananas for the holidays. Halloween is just like I remember it in the 80’s… Incredible house decorations and kids running around everywhere, dragging giant bags of candy behind them. The only difference? People hand out candy from their driveways (not by knocking on doors). Why is that? Maybe because it’s so dark?

As for Christmas, I have crowned Billy & Ragan Lewis the official King & Queen of Christmas. I wrote about them in Issue No. 15. You can read all about their magical wonderland here. And, don’t worry, when their decorations go up (they decorate for every holiday), you can bet I’ll be sharing about it in The Buzz!

9. THE DRIVERS

The only rules of the road in Arizona are there are none—Arizona drivers make their own. I filmed this on the I-10 East one afternoon when the freeway was stopped for an accident. People got impatient, so they decided to make their own offramp. This went on for a good 5-10 minutes, until an officer finally pulled up. I only recorded a few seconds of it. I still laugh when I watch it.

10. IT’S THE DESERT. IT’S DUSTY

It’s so dusty! Inside. Outside. In your vents. On your computer screen. Your car? It will never be clean. (Unless you’re like my neighbor, Uncle Tony, who knows the secret to keeping his looking brand new!)

And, forget about wearing all white canvas tennis shoes ever again. I tried. Even paid extra to have Scotchgard applied. I’ve only worn them a handful of times and they look like I went skipping down a dirt road. Which I didn’t.

BONUS: I ❤️ FRESH AIR

By far, the hardest thing for me to get used to was being inside, with the air on and the windows closed during the summer months. So, whenever I get a chance, and it’s under 105, this is how I drive. Windows down. Air conditioning blasting. Wind in my hair. Anyone else?

Disclaimer: I know the air isn’t ‘fresh’ and our air quality is often terrible. That doesn’t stop me.

Until next week…. I love you Arizona! I can’t imagine ever living anywhere else!

I WANT TO KNOW…

What have you learned about living in Arizona?

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Publication Disclaimer: Everything included here is accurate to the best of my knowledge at the time of publication. It is always best to double-check links to be sure event information hasn’t changed if you plan on attending something.

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