Is Gilbert a Friendly Place to Live?

[canudigit]

Originally Posted by thegirlinaz

I live in Gilbert and I am not mormon. Honestly, there are lots of mormon churches everywhere, but I have never ran into a problem with anyone being 'mormon'. I do not have kids, so I don't know how differently it would be with other children and their parents. I talk to my neighbors quite a bit, and to be honest, I don't know who is mormon and who isn't. To me, they are just people.. it isn't like they are trying to push me to join them or anything!

I really like it in Gilbert. It is a nice place to live and lots of clean parks. I recommend it, don't let a religion scare you away. I mean, you can move to Mesa or Phoenix where their would be more illegals if that is what you want instead..

I think you misconstrued the nature of this thread. I am not letting a religion scare me away, because I have no problem whatsoever with people who don't share my religious views, just as I stated in the OP. What I am concerned about is people not accepting me because of my religion. I am a live and let live person, and I would like to live somewhere where my neighbors cut me the same slack. As I also stated, I admire Mormons for their strong faith and family values, and our social values are very similar to theirs. I have no problem with anyone's religion, nor would I avoid someone because of it. I would like to live in a neighborhood with people who feel the same way.

Thanks.

[TransporterG]

In general, things are pretty cool in Arizona, as was mentioned earlier in the thread. People tend to be conservative (me, not being one of them), but there is a bit of a Western live and let live mentality here, libertarian strain...note the high adobe walls that separate yards in many parts of the Valley.

But, just deal with it: Mormons have a way of living, and beliefs, they do not, as a group, like outside influences as they have a historical backpack of being shunned themselves, forced to move to destitute places like Utah and the desert of Arizona. They stick to each other like glue and have been successful working their values from within. And they've done quite well. Your kids might not be invited to a birthday party, or you to a Friday afternoon BBQ, but those are afterthoughts.

They often don't think non-Mormons want to interact with them, they are unconsciously leery of outsiders--which is SOOO curious as they are among the most multi-lingual, most culturally exposed, and best travelled people in the USA. They just don't SEE you if you are non-Mormon and live in their communities. They don't mean to shun you, you just are not a thought for them.

Having said that...things are changing in those ranks as well. Monster Lo-Carb, X-Box, etc. My cousin that lives in Gilbert, among a very safe and stable community, has seen his house vandalized, his cat shot, his cars broken into....the Morman community kids around him also need release from the oppressive "don't drink caffeine, dude" values. And they take it out on him with his trucks and his pony tail. And he is the most professional and nicest guy you'd ever meet. 100% Arizona. But hey, anecdotes are anecdotes.

Bottom line: Nice communities among the Mormon groups, solid educational values (which I support 110%). But the mormons are indeed an odd bunch as are southern baptists in the otherworldly 3rd world states of this country, relative to most Americans around the nation. Just live and let live and keep your cat inside for awhile until you get the lay of the land.

You'll be fine. Just don't think that you being a conservative christian sharing values with your neighbors is the same as going to the same church.

[Bob's Burgers]

Let's see...living in a community of people who use and advocate drugs and booze, no absolute truth, pornography, anything goes sexually and so forth versus sobriety, right and wrong behavior, modesty, heterosexual marriage vows...wow...where do you want your kids to grow up? Living next door people who serve God or people who serve pleasure?

[DCTalk]

It's not either or. There are degrees between extremes. There are plenty of people who claim to "serve God" who indulge in bad behavior. A certain governor of South Carolina comes to mind. And what the heck is "absolute truth"? Your absolute truth may not be someone else's, therefore such a thing doesn't exist (except in one's mind).

[twiggy]

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Originally Posted by slowbill

Let's see...living in a community of people who use and advocate drugs and booze, no absolute truth, pornography, anything goes sexually and so forth versus sobriety, right and wrong behavior, modesty, heterosexual marriage vows...wow...where do you want your kids to grow up? Living next door people who serve God or people who serve pleasure?

)

Well, you will just run into "this" more often. lol

I live on the border of Gilbert and Chandler and I also have 2 teenagers. Your daughter will just be in the group of "sinners" instead of the "God rules" group.(kidding)

No biggy, kids adjust and have fun. My girls are both shy, and mind their own business anyway. They are into anime, games, computer and the like. They make friends with the same interest. They hang out at the mall, shop, have fun, go to movies. Normal existance.

There will be groups of Mormon teens that mission and stuff that won't hang with her if she doesn't convert but there are also a bunch of other cliques that will. We are not "religious" at all but live a very "clean" lifestyle and my girls have plenty of friends.
The only problem she could run into is liking a Mormon boy. lol They will not "date" a non Mormon. They might go out with her "once" secretly but not in public.

Don't worry, she will soon be able to spot them a mile away. They are really clean cut for teens, wear button up, izod shirts, belt their pants, etc.
Hair is short and usually parted on the side. For some reason most are blonde. lol Don't know why, oh, and of course very white. lol (not all but most). That sticks out here because we have a very mixed population. Every group has at least 2 Mex, blacks, asians, etc. Plus a bunch of "mixed". puppies, but, not the Mormon groups. Very "White"!

Some teens are rebelling Mormons but their parents will soon put an end to them hanging with a "non Mormon" if they can. One of my girls ran into this at a point but it all worked out ok. Had to like another boy, lol.

There are tons of other kids here besides Mormon kids. It's just become a funny thing to my kids and causes no big emotions. The schools are filled with "Emos" ,"hip hops", "scene", "skaters", etc..... Not just "Mormons". lol
She will get use to it quickly and not even worry about it. I'd worry more about the "drugs" and "sex" in high school than "Mormon" snubbing. Those issues are always there!

As far as you are concerned, get into your own church here and you will meet friends. We have a lot of churches besides the Mormon church. I have a Mormon friend, she is just limited on what we do, but it doesn't bother me. She even makes fun of her special "undies" sometimes. lol

You will get missionaries at your door every week, in suits, on bikes but if you can handle that then you'll be fine.

Welcome, need anything let me know via PM. I would be glad to help.
Our girls might be going to the same high school.