That makes sense if they are doing a 2 fee system of sorts, its been awhile since I owned a car in either state, California to the best of my knowledge is also based on value of the car or some scheme they have, I know the newer the car, the more you pay.

Rula Bula in Tempe is meant to be pretty good. Irish rather than British but apparently good fish and chips. I keep meaning to go there but always end up somewhere else.

I fear going to the George and Dragon, keep reading bad things about it.

I had the sausage roll at the Rose & Crown, wasn't that impressed tbh.

Either of you been to this place: http://thebritishopenpub.com/ ?

I had to move here, only job going after the dot com bust. Well here or Miami.

We love it here. But i'm no so much concerned with statistics and corporations and jobs will come and go as they do everywhere else i'm sure.

I live in north west, but not too far north west (sun city etc). I'm still within the loop 101. OP needs to avoid that area for sure !!!

Really i should be down the south east as I'm in IT but as of now i've changed job twice since moving here and always managed to get a job with a less than 12 mile commute.

Sounds like the OP needs to be down south east. Lot of nightlife due to the university but is mostly students. To be honest I've only been down to Tempe & Chandler once or twice. I would have to say Phoenix is not a great place to be single. Scottsdale is also a possibility. Lots of restaurants, bars and nightclubs etc with a more mature crowd. But it has a more snotty reputation and attracts posers. Scottsdale nightclubs do not have dance floors.

Not a great area and I've never stayed until closing. I've been mostly to eat and then leave, lunch or early evening. I've also been to watch a football game, quite a rowdy atmosphere, plastic cups only etc.

I got talking to a British couple who were sat next to use one night. He spent most of the conversation trying to convince me as a Brit I should move closer to the George and Dragon. Also that his 16 year old son what settling in well because he had been with all these girls etc.

sausage meat comes from the local schreiners, not perfect but close enough.

http://www.schreinerssausage.com/

I've not been to the British Open pub its the opposite end of the metro area for us. I need to make an effort to go.

I get to go to the Rose and Crown a few times a year as we lunch there when we visit the Arizona science center or childrens museum with the kids.

I also need to go to the cornish pasty company too.

Hi,

I live in Scottsdale, I am much older than you, but my younger friends really enjoy themselves. Make a weekend of to find out for yourself

So have you been here: http://thebritishopenpub.com/

I work right across the street from Rula Bula, I love their fish and chips. They have good Shepards Pie too, although I'm not from that side of the pond so have nothing original to compare it to.

I liked the food at the George and Dragon at the 48th Street location. Never been to the one downtown.

Rene

I've been to the Cornish Pasty place in both the Tempe and the Mesa locations. Wasn't really fond of either of them.

Rene

Yeah, they're edible but trying to be a little fancy with the fillings.

I'm assuming you all read Chow Bella (http://blogs.phoenixnewtimes.com/bella/) it's a good place to catch up on the comings and goings of food in the valley. Writing is a bit pants sometimes but I know some of them so I can't say anything too harsh.

One of the first things i noticed when i got here is that Phoenicians prefer chain restaurants. Also Phoenix with its grid system of roads is very repetitious and very lacking in character. Every mile there will be up to four strip mall type plazas on each corner of the intersection. And every mile you will find the same kind of shop based on the kind of area.

Its a refreshing change when we discover family owned and operate restaurants or even a small chain that we like here. But there are some, you just have to dig them out.

Sadly my favorite dive/sports bar closed last year, the 16th Street Sports Bar.
Owned by a scouser who served up some decent beer & fish and chips. Plus he gladly opened his doors at 4am so we could watch the soccer while he would be busy getting the kitchen setup to serve a full English at Half time
But with the Zipps sports grill chain opening up a location close by, it killed the place.

The George and dragon is on central. I think you maybe confused.

Yes, that's the downtown location. There is also one at 48th St and Broadway in Tempe, unless it's closed now. Haven't been there in a couple of years.

Rene

Sorry for the delayed response. My partner (predictably) got offered a large chunk of cash to stay with her current employer, which today she is turning down.

Looks like we are moving to Phoenix (or Tempe/Scottsdale if I have my way). It makes great fiscal sense for us both, assuming I can find a reasonable job, it seems most of them are paying almost half what I expect in L.A.

Thanks all for your comments. Please keep them coming!