Is there any culture in Phoenix?

Zendogg — Wed, 08 Feb 2006 14:52:43 -0800

Through circumstances semi-within and semi-without of my control, I may find myself moving to Phoenix, AZ soon. Am I gonna hate it? Alt-culture / mass transit / theatre . . . . do these things exist in Phoenix? The few times I’ve visited there, it seems to be endless strip-malls and traffic and big-box retailers . . . . .and nothing else! Oh yeah, and somebody decided to build it directly on the surface of the sun.

I’m currently living in Salt Lake City, not exactly a cultural Mecca, but there is some decent theatre here, I live close to the light-rail train so I don’t have to drive much, and there are quite a few alternative-spirituality-type groups around thriving like mushrooms in the shadow of the LDS corporate office building. (If you check out the link, note that the left side of the building has a matching “globe” etching. Then, spend a few moments contemplating the patriarchal nature of the religion. Been living here over 15 years and it still makes me giggle.)

My questions:

1. Anybody know of or have any experience with any alternative spirituality things in Phoenix ? Anything along the Buddhist / Zen / Unitarian axis would be cool.
2. Where is the best area to live, assuming I will be attending school and working and won’t have a lot of money (renting an apartment)? Any hipster enclaves? (I’m guessing Tempe based on the info I found in a previous question to AskMeta.) I’m the bookish/geek sort, so coffee-shops and other places where you can pay a small loitering fee and hang around for hours are good.
3. Although I’m not much involved with the gay community and am afraid that they are going to revoke my membership card at any moment, if anybody has any info on gay-friendliness/unfriendliness aspects of the city, please share.
4. Theatre? Symphony? Etc.
5. Cusine / Dining?
6. Is the public transit any good?

Feel free to share any other info you might have on living, surviving, and thriving in the city of sun.

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Is there any culture in Phoenix?