Anyone Phoenicians commute in their 60s/62s?

[grrlscout89FJ62]

So, GF is pitchin to me an idea to move down to the Valley.

My first reaction - HELL NO - the heat, the crowds, the traffic, the landscape, the crime - no way.

However, the more I think about it, the more of a possibility it's becoming. We'd both be able to get much higher paying jobs, find a much more active social scene, and other fun stuff that a big city brings.

But man, I hate commuting. Before I moved out here, I did that in DC for 8 years, on the Beltway. It SUCKED. But at least for some jobs, there was easy public transport. Not the case in PHX.

Due to the nature of our professions, chances are, she's going to be working near Glendale, and I'll probably be working in or around Scottsdale or Tempe. She really rooting to live on the West side. Of course, I want the East side. Since she's the primary investor, she'll probably win this one.

This means I'll more than likely be driving clear across town to work. Naturally, GF's solution is, "just get rid of that POS and get a commuter car!" No way! I can't sacrifice the Cruiser.

But can it survive PHX as a DD? Do any of you guys do it?

It doesn't bode well that I bought my 62 from a guy who couldn't deal with driving from Anthem into PHX every day.

 

[RHINO]

only problem commuting the cruiser is gas, why not get a honda or something car AND keep the cruiser? i daily drove my pig for years, seems like it runs better when i drive it everyday.
the way i get by living in this place is by making it as small as possible, what i mean by that is i live in an area that almost all i need is within walking distance, the only time i drive is to and from work when i need a vehicle to haul stuff and when i am going somewhere farther away, like a specific store or whatever. otherwise i walk most of the time, shopping, grocery, movie, bookstore and everything important for living is close.
oh and if you go by a per capita statistic type thing, you are much safer in the city than rural.

 

[-Spike-]

if you go by a per capita statistic type thing, you are much safer in the city than rural.

That's kind of a funny statement, basically every one hundredth person in the city is likely to commit a crime against you, but it's every 50th person in the rural area that's likely to do you harm. Unfortunately, you're gonna meet that hundredth person before your morning coffee break, and it may take days to meet up with that 50th rural psycho. If you are a people person, I suppose you'd get more out of your life in that two hours in the city. If that's all I had to go by, I'd be out in the boonies somewhere.

-Spike

 

[Living in the Past]

I use to drive my 89 FJ62 as a daily driver for about seven years in Phoenix. I had no problems, the A/C worked great and it's nice having a automatic in traffic. It's semi-retired and lives at my cabin now. I had fewer problem when I drove it every day. I drive a 100 series now which just replaced a V8 tundra. The tundra's mileage was a little better than the either cruiser but none of them is good. I carpool, only live ten miles from work and work four days a week. That's how I justify driving a gas hog. I'm still spending less for gas commuting than most people.

I second Rhino about making this place as small as possible. I don't walk to alot of places but I do try to shop close and combine trips. I would try a live as close as you can to your work. If you can do that then a cruiser is alot more feasible.

If you live in the west valley and work in the east valley plan on spending alot of time driving into the sun if you work a day shift. I looked at houses in the Goodyear area years ago. I work downtown Phoenix and would have to drive into the sun both ways. One of the reason we decided not to move to that area.

John

 

[BMAN]

.......If you live in the west valley and work in the east valley plan on spending alot of time driving into the sun if you work a day shift. I looked at houses in the Goodyear area years ago. I work downtown Phoenix and would have to drive into the sun both ways. One of the reason we decided not to move to that area.

John

A great point that I've never really thought of being that I live in the far east valley and commute to just south of the airport.

 

[hj60]

I commuted from 19th Ave/T-bird to West Mesa for a year in my 60. Only issue was gas.
Now I live 6 mi from work and commute in the 80. Dunno if I'll be able to go back.

 

[azaussie]

I third Rhino's comment - the only way I get by living in Phoenix is to live close work, shops, movies etc. I commute in my FJ62 everyday but it is only 4 mile round trip (6 if I have to drop the kids off at school).

 

[CodyRx7]

If the gf is gonna work in the west, and youre gonna work in the east.......get a house directly in the middle!

 

[just-john]

reaction

Your first reaction of Hell No was the right one.Trust me ok so you make more money
bet you'll spend more with that active social life talk.Cruisers work well in the city 10mph in my 60. But the view out the window aint the same.

 

[grrlscout89FJ62]

Thanks y'all!

The "middle" I would be OK with -- I like those renovated bungalows in the old part of town. But we can't find a fenced in yard and a pool there. Apparently a pool is a requirement. And we got the kiddo to think about too .. who *definitely* needs some good schooling.

We spent last night checking out housing prices and neighborhoods, and are gravitating toward Surprise and Peoria, as far as the bang-for-the-buck you get housing-wise.

I think I'm just going to TRY and find a job on the west side or downtown. I did apply for one in Glendale yesterday. Though there's one in Scottsdale that would be *ideal*.

At the very least, I'm gonna need an AC tune-up.

 

[Cantinero]

I live in Glendale and my 62 is my daily commuter, 30 miles round trip to the north valley for work. I'm a native Arizonan and have lived in Glendale most of my life (42yrs) and wouldn't trade it. There is a ton of new growth in the west valley especially with the new stadium, arena, and sports complexes, in addition to all the restaurants and night spots that go hand in hand with that sort of thing. Plus, being on the westside I am 3 1/2 hours from my door step to the door step of my favorite cantina in Rocky Point. Oh and don't forget the real cool westside hand gesture sign you get to flash.

 

[re_guderian]

At the very least, I'm gonna need an AC tune-up.

Even with an AC tuneup, it takes a while to cool down the interior of a 60. I used mine as my DD for 6 years, ~30 miles/day. At today's gas prices, thats ~$8/day just for gas. And if you're driving east in the AM, West in the PM, make sure your windshield isn't all pitted. I would hate to commute that direction into the sun.

 

[grrlscout89FJ62]

I live in Glendale and my 62 is my daily commuter

Cool! GF's Aunt & Uncle live in Glendale and we visit often. They have had their house for like 20 years, and say that back in the day, it used to be a really nice neighborhood, but now it's going downhill fast, and their property value is ridiculously low now.

<---- Are you a son of a son of a sailor too? OK well I'd be a daughter, but you get the idea. I've been listening to that song on the way to work every day. Reminds me of my pops and a get a lil teary.

And we go to RP pretty regularly too! See:

http://www.grrlscout.com/photos/rockypoint05/
http://www.grrlscout.com/photos/rockypoint04.html

What about lakes around the NW Valley? Is Havasu the closest one to boat in? We just got a 22' that we're itchin to put in the water. Need to figure out where to dry-dock it.

Gawd I hope I find a job on the west siiiiiiiiiide.

 

[RHINO]

dry dock a 22ft?? i pulled my 21ft bass boat all over the place, then i got tired of boats and sold it. now i fish from a little tiny aluminum boat.
sahuaro lake is a easy drive from the area your looking at and there are outdoor storage areas all over the place.

 

[Cantinero]

Cool! GF's Aunt & Uncle live in Glendale and we visit often. They have had their house for like 20 years, and say that back in the day, it used to be a really nice neighborhood, but now it's going downhill fast, and their property value is ridiculously low now.

<---- Are you a son of a son of a sailor too? OK well I'd be a daughter, but you get the idea. I've been listening to that song on the way to work every day. Reminds me of my pops and a get a lil teary.

And we go to RP pretty regularly too! See:

http://www.grrlscout.com/photos/rockypoint05/
http://www.grrlscout.com/photos/rockypoint04.html

What about lakes around the NW Valley? Is Havasu the closest one to boat in? We just got a 22' that we're itchin to put in the water. Need to figure out where to dry-dock it.

Gawd I hope I find a job on the west siiiiiiiiiide.

I am a son of a sailor, but my occupational hazard is my occupations just not around. I still listen to Uncle Jimmy from time to time.

Great pics of RP. I know those condos; they are on the next street up from the Malecon, right? They sit down from where the old Costa Brava hotel sat before it blew up. I see you were there in July. My GF and I were there over the 4th for the holiday weekend, was a bit to hot, but had a great time as always. We are getting ready to head back down next month to help her Aunt & Uncle move the last of their belongings into their new place in Cholla Bay before they demo the old one. Jami and I spend quite a bit of time down there. So if you do RP quite a bit, do you listen to RCPM or go down for their RP shows? 6 hours of music on the beach under the stars, you can't have a better time IMHO.

Next time you're out here in Glendale, PM Jami & I ahead of time and we will try to go tip some cervezas somewhere.

 

[grrlscout89FJ62]

dry dock a 22ft??

Yah ... I figure a lot of places down there have all those HOA rules n such that wouldn't like a boat parked on the street. Plus we don't want ppl gettin into it. I think we're gonna park it at Havasu, but I'm not sure.

 

[grrlscout89FJ62]

Great pics of RP. I know those condos; they are on the next street up from the Malecon, right? They sit down from where the old Costa Brava hotel sat before it blew up. I see you were there in July. My GF and I were there over the 4th for the holiday weekend, was a bit to hot, but had a great time as always. We are getting ready to head back down next month to help her Aunt & Uncle move the last of their belongings into their new place in Cholla Bay before they demo the old one. Jami and I spend quite a bit of time down there. So if you do RP quite a bit, do you listen to RCPM or go down for their RP shows? 6 hours of music on the beach under the stars, you can't have a better time IMHO.

Next time you're out here in Glendale, PM Jami & I ahead of time and we will try to go tip some cervezas somewhere.

Yep, those condos are Casa del Puerto. When we stayed there, the ones they hadn't sold were still being offered as hotel rooms. I bet they're all sold now.

But I liked where we stayed last year. Cheap, basic, uncrowded and right on the water. Can't remember the name though ... Granada del Mar or something like that.

And yes it was flippin hot in July! And humid ... oy. I bet it'll be perfect when you go in March *sigh*. This Spring's trip was going to be to go back to Havasupai ... but we might be moving then.

I do not know this RCPM of which you speak. Sounds nice though!

Cervezas witchyall sounds muy bueno.

I checked all the municipal and college jobs in Glendale, Surprise, and Peoria, and nada looks promising. Guess I'll be driving into the sun ... at least to start.

Oh, and I brought my Cruiser in for an oil change and a check up yesterday. Basically they said it was leaky. DUH. Leaky valve cover gasket, leaky oil pan gasket, leaky oil sender, leaky timing chain cover, leaky power steering pump, leaky radiator.

Maybe I do need to get rid of it.

 

[Cantinero]

I do not know this RCPM of which you speak. Sounds nice though!

They are the old freshies. Arizona's own home grown rock & roll.

Here's their website : Roger Clyne & The Peacemakers

Next RCPM Circus Mexicus show is 5/20/06. Four days of tequila, cerveza, and sun!

 

[RHINO]

holy cow scout i thought you'd know the peacemakers.

 

[grrlscout89FJ62]

I recognized the name when it was spelled out .. but I'm not familiar with the music. I listened to some of the samples ... I wasn't wowed, but it may require further investigation. My music taste is kinda random.