Yuma: "It City" or Armpit?

Great article! I have lived in this town for 27 years and let me tell you.......This town sucks! The only way to get a good job is that if you know someone. And all these old people cant drive for shit!! just stinking up the place. It should be also called Shit city!!! Because people stop here from traveling to take a shit!!

Wow, you two sure did take that stodgy ol' Sunset magazine to task! Good Job! Also, the rippin' on "old people": neat! Didja happen to notice the Royal Motor Inn, the Torch Lite Lodge or even the Yuma Cabana? They easily rival anything in the lodging section of "Midcentury Marvels" or that "used to exist" on Apache, E. Van Buren and the few left around Grand Ave...Keep up the dull work.

One more thing to think about:

If you want to see Yuma grow like a normal city then getting rid of the Stazi like Border Patrol checkpoints on Highways 8 and 95 is a must.

By putting these checkpoints so far away from the border the US Federal Government has essentially ceded Yuma to Mexico and stunted it's growth potential. The checkpoints need to be put on the roads coming in from Mexico SOUTH of Yuma, thereby giving the feeling that Yuma is once again a part of the US. Yuma would love to attract greater numbers of creative types, artists, musicians, etc. They would love to have galleries and boutiques lining main street and major label bands playing venues in Yuma, but those things are hard to attract when people know that they have to go through militarized checkpoints to get in to and to leave Yuma.

Go to Berlin and the wall is gone, the checkpoints are empty, Checkpoint Charlie is a photo op for tourists, and you can cross all of western Europe without having to flash your passport.Go to Yuma and you will have to go through at least one and sometimes three militarized checkpoints in any direction leaving town. All it does is bother US citizens on US highways going about their daily lives, causing delays and traffic accidents in the process. The Border Patrols real job could be easily done on the roads south of Highway 8, stopping the flow of illegals and narcotics, without harassing the citizens of the US and impeding the progress of Yuma.

Seriously? These two authors are hilarious. If you go out looking for a bad time you will find a bad time. Fact is that Yuma has more in common with San Diego than it will ever have in common with Phoenix. The population is getting younger, hipper, and will continue to do so. The amenities keep growing. The Fry's market in the Yuma foothills is the biggest grossing Fry's anywhere in the state! It wouldn't be unless there was something cool going on there.Phoenix, Mesa, Scottsdale, etc...all are basically an annex of Los Angeles and enjoy all the nonsense that comes with that distinction...crime, crazy politicians, violence, etc. Tucson is, well, maybe one of the dirtiest towns in the west. Yuma, well, it's small, it's growing, and it beats the hell out of a lot of other places. Give it time and it'll have Trader Joes, art galleries, and a lot of renovations. But until then it has an international airport that lets it's residents live in the tranquility of the desert and still get to those appointments in LA and Seattle....

Yuma is a much better place now than it was 10 years ago. But after working,eating,drinking and staying in the local motels several times in the past ten years.......I find it a boring place without any good restaurants or bars or entertainment. The people that i encountered in Yuma have always been friendly and the crime in Yuma is no worse than other cities its size.. It seems to be a inexpensive place to retire or spend the winter and many of the locals seem to be happy living in Yuma.

I lived in Yuma for a year and I have to say that this article is so spot on, it's scary. I can see spending maybe half a day there at the most. The historic hotel downtown is beautiful and has been horribly neglected. It is a shame that something that special is in such bad condition. But hey Yuma has it's new million dollar river park that is located right next to a water treatment pond! You won't see that on the Hilton website...

I go to yuma every year for dove hunting and the place grows on ya. The people are really nice and their is some great places to eat like the beer and burgers place. Lets not forget the best place is jack and roses steak house, see ya in sept

The article reads like Amy and Claire already had their minds made up before getting to Yuma. They weren't looking for the potential good but found what THEY expected.

Typical NT drivel.

Never thought of Yuma as anything more than a place to get gas on the way to San Diego!

Amy and Claire,

Das Bratwurst Haus is not a deli. We are a German Restaurant with a full German menu. I wish you had stopped in for lunch or dinner. You would have enjoyed it. Maybe another time.

I've lived in Yuma for 35 years. Are there a lot of old people in Yuma? Yes, but by the end of March a large majority of them go home. Alot of the people who come to Yuma to retire were military people who served here at one time, These people liked it here so much they came back. What keeps people coming back to Yuma? It's the people. Yuma has some of the warmest most friendly people you will ever meet. I work nights at Shadows Lounge (considered a dive by some), In area of the city called Okie Town. It is one of the poorer neighborhoods in town, I have never had a problem. Neither do the many people walking around town at night, I would take the crime rate here over anyplace like Phoenix or Los Angeles. Yuma is not perfect. We have crime and drugs like any city, but we resent being called an armpit. Try spending more than a few hours here before you cut us down.

Seriously commenters? The best way to discourage tourists from visiting Arizona is to embellish a city's attractions. Yuma has come a long way; that's very true. But let's take a moment to reflect upon where it started from.....you getting the picture yet?Just because a place has improved doesn't make it a desirable place to visit. I'm sure it's a nice enough place to live. However, I would be p%ssed if I took a day to visit Yuma and I found nothing outstanding there. Imagine dragging kids there? No way. The authors aren't saying Yuma sucks all around. I didn't get that at all. They are saying that if you're thinking about taking your family on a SIX hour (round trip) drive to go to Lutes, then think again.

I have been traveling to/from Yuma for almost two decades and I can tell you that the city has come a long way. In addition, historical sites represent "destinations" for many travelers and Yuma's history with its territorial prison definitely fits that description. In addition, I am bothered the fact that a journalist in Arizona would try to turn something positive (i.e. potential tourist dollars and positive press) into a negative. The state of Arizona needs money badly and anything postitive in terms of press is a good thing. Why would you try to portray the 3rd-most populous area in Arizona negatively given the current economic circumstances? The article was very shortsided.

Wow! How is it that you have such a strong opinion about a city by visiting for one day?

Oh, be nice to Yuma. They've come a long way and encounter many obstacles. I'll admit that I wouldn't send anyone there as a tourist destination, but people live there. It's a lifestyle: low cost of living, desert, dunes, beautiful rivers and lakes, mexico, san diego. If you like those sorts of things - you might like Yuma. If you don't, keep driving. Like Phoenix is that great?

(btw: I love going to Lutes and Red's. Greatest dive bars - if you like that sort of thing. Otherwise, you'll be more comfortable in Scottsdale.)

please keep your hipster asses i out of Yuma go drink some over priced wine eat some over priced food and follow what ever trend your currently following to fill in

I've been to Yuma many, many times. I spent a lot of time in the desert west of Yuma when I was doing studies in college (UCLA) and again years later when I was accompanied by my son, a budding biologist. Never have I had the guts to spend a night there. We would often get fast food at one of the restaurants just off the freeway but camp out in the desert to avoid the atmosphere (if you can call it that) in Yuma. Your article is 100 percent true, and while I haven't read the articles in the magazines/papers you mentioned, I can only believe Phoenix New Times is telling the truth, from my experience.

Jerry Feldner, Tempe

WOW! I just read, for the 5th time, your "A Sense of Yuma" trashing of the city of Yuma, AZ. I tried to find some untruths or at least some exaggerations in your article but found none; I hoped to write a rebuttal but you left me no mistakes to challenge, no ammunition to fire back with. I feel defensive and disappointed for many reasons but most of all because I am OLD, lived in Yuma for 11 years and all 4 of my children were born there. I suppose all I can say is the old cliche, "Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder". I didn't read any of those articles portraying Yuma as the "it city" so I really don't know what you had expected to find there. I do know that I would not reccomend Lutes Casino or Main Street as "must see" attractions. The best thing Yuma has going for it is the mild winter weather, therefore all the old people from Minnesota, the Dakotas and Canada. (All those RVs). I could name two Mexican restaurants that are the best in the world but I would not want you to go back and then trash them. The Quechan and Cocopah tribes own/operate resort/casinos that are equal to any in the Salt or Gila River valleys; however, they are full of old people! If you enjoy authentic Mexican or Indian culture/history, Yuma is a gem. Undocumented Mexicans might even outnumber the old people. (I love it). There are more Cocopah and Quechan Indians today than any other time in history. (I love it). Yuma offers some of the world's best bass fishing along with all popular water sports at Martinez Lake. The sand dunes across the river provide the best off-roading anywhere. I can't really think of anything that would attract those "hipsters" you mentioned. Now, about the "scent of old people". That hurt for two reasons: One, I am 74. Two, I am a longtime fan of your talent/work and never dreamed that you are so mean spirited. I've really thought a lot about the smell of old people; today I took a second shower and slapped on a double dose of Old Spice. I have no idea if that can mask the old person smell or not. I remember when as a little boy I hated it when my great-grandmother would hug me, partly because of her smell, partly because it just wasn't cool. I didn't associate her odor with age, I thought it had to do more with her lack of running water in her home and the fact that she smoked a pipe and chewed tobacco. Now, 70 years later, you have me wondering. Maybe a question for Clay Thompson? Those "deserted slums" are my old barrio, dear to my heart but certainly nothing to attract tourists. O.K., I've had my say: "Different strokes for different folks!".

Max Henry

P.S. I just learned to e-mail and have nothing better to be doing.

Geez Tomato- I'm starting to think this is getting to be a personal thing with you.So once again let's play, shall we?

"Get a load of this: Wayne now thinks New Times doesn't criticize Phoenix."

Can I borrow whatever drug you're currently doing? Anyone with a brain knows this statement is patently false. All the people reading have to do is go down a few responses and follow the links I've posted that show you're fabricating this out of thin air.

"What rock have you been living under?"

Oh you'd like it- it's all glittery and stuff, and the view is amazing.

"That paper is infamous to going after Phoenix, in every way imaginable."

Um yeah- I've kind of have been saying that for months now. Thanks for coming to the party, but you're sort of late. And you forgot the beer. Again.

"That's what the press does, you ninny."

Um, no. The Press is supposed to inform, enlighten, and sometimes- entertain. Going after easy targets doesn't strike me as true journalism, especially when both writers obviously didn't bother to do the merest of research.

"And I note that Wayne thinks that anybody who criticizes HIM has got to be the same person, while eschewing any hint that he may be writing under assumed names to further his vendetta against NT."

Considering you posted as "Ted" first, then "Tomato"- I consider this statement somewhat hypocritical. And the true meaning of vendetta requires bloodletting, which seems somewhat extreme to me.

"Getting lost in all this is: He started the whole flap by riling up the Yuma populace -- when he admits he's never been there."

Wow. I started all this? Right.

It couldn't possibly have had anything to do with Amy's article. Not a chance, says I.

With all due respect, Yuma was pretty riled up about the original blog before I came along, and if you've had been paying attention you would have noticed that I was invited to Yuma by the Media Director of the Yuma Tourist board, and I look forward to going.

"Becoming obvious in all this is: Wow, a lot of people can't stand this blowhard. A lot!"

Once again, you're right on the money. Fortunately, I have a lot more people who do support me with a much firmer grasp on grammar and reality than you.

respectfully,

Wayne Michael Reichhttp://waynemichaelreich.blogs...http://www.waynemichaelreich.c...

Tomato- you have no idea how much I've missed you.So let's get down to brass tacks.

"Dear disappointed former fan, so effin' what?!"

Dear Tomato, why do you effin' care?

"Only New Times and Sunset Magazine hardly are competitors'

This is true. Nice grammar BTW, Sunset has professional journalists, New Times has journalism school hacks.

"What the paper obviously had a problem with was Sunset's and other publications' depictions of Yuma as a garden spot."

And yet- rather that go after Sunset's depiction, they went after Yuma with a literary hatchet. I see personal pettiness, not a professional overview regarding this article.

And many others share my opinion, whether you like it or not.

"That's total bullshit"

I couldn't agree more.

"and Amy Silverman and Claire Lawton called BS on these stupid travel articles."

Then why didn't they go after any other articles that Sunset previously wrote?

"Hey, are you Wayne's girlfriend, or possibly even Wayne?"

No such luck, my sassy Tomato. I really do enjoy how every time anyone defends my position, you claim the writer MUST be me. As much as I enjoy this one sided repartee, I don't really devote more than five minutes or so responding to one of your asinine rants.

It's obvious you have a personal axe to grind- it's a shame you're not man enough to shoulder it.

Wayne Michael Reichhttp://waynemichaelreich.blogs...http://www.waynemichaelreich.c...

Dear disappointed former fan, so effin' what?! Only New Times and Sunset Magazine hardly are competitors. What the paper obviously had a problem with was Sunset's and other publications' depictions of Yuma as a garden spot. That's total bullshit, and Amy Silverman and Claire Lawton called BS on these stupid travel articles. Hey, are you Wayne's girlfriend, or possibly even Wayne?

Get a load of this: Wayne now thinks New Times doesn't criticize Phoenix. What rock have you been living under? That paper is infamous to going after Phoenix, in every way imaginable. That's what the press does, you ninny. And I note that Wayne thinks that anybody who criticizes HIM has got to be the same person, while eschewing any hint that he may be writing under assumed names to further his vendetta against NT.

Getting lost in all this is: He started the whole flap by riling up the Yuma populace -- when he admits he's never been there.

Becoming obvious in all this is: Wow, a lot of people can't stand this blowhard. A lot!

i have lived in yuma for 12 years and read your blog and totally agree with you. i am especially concerned foe the way our historic sites have been amanaged by the city, taking them away from their historic value and destroying the grounds. yuma's problem is lack of education,professional management skills,lack of professional reserch on items,and lack of creativity.

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this story was only a pathetic attempt for the New Times to "get back" at their competition. The writers went in with predetermined notions, and left after looking in to nothing. New Times is such a joke. I'd rather read Faux news, at least when they bs, it's not so petty

With all the nonsense coming out of the state Capitol these days, was this article really the best use of this periodical's resources? Give the town a break. Phoenix and Tucson are bland armpits too, compared to NYC and Los Angeles.

WMR Squared = Pie R Arttard

Talk about pot calling the kettle black: "Thou doth protest too much, methinks." Come on, Reich, you have written the insane/stupid version of War and Peace here. I don't have a dog in this fight, but you come across as, a couple of people have said, "unbalanced:" in your rants..

FYI: hit up exit #16 (about 1.5m before AZ/CA lines) - cheaper gas, mcdonalds, & great odds are you'll see someone you know @ the gas station's Blimpie. other then that? ...um yeah, i got nothin - stay classy, yuma..

FYI: hit up exit #16 before enroute cali, about a mile up - cheaper gas, mcdonalds, & great odds are you'll see someone you know @ the gas station's Blimpie. stay classy, yuma...

To the authors: There is something personal going on here. Obviously you either have never really been to Yuma and you had to write a controversial article on a city you didn't have time or interest enough to visit, or you got arrested there for something like drunk driving or for leaving your babies in the car with the windows rolled up.

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Wayne (yikes, that name gives me the shivers), you are truly pathetic. Give it a rest. Nobody believes you. You are a joke. Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha!!!!!!!! So stupid, such a pitiful retard. You know nothing! You are a player hater. You will never be a player mofo, you will never matter. You suck as an artist. New Times will never recognize you. Quit trying to get its attention. You are in love with NT; it's obvious. It's truly making everybody sick. Wretch!!!!!! Stop it, you little, insignificant twit. Go away! Please. Stop coughing up hairballs that nobody believes. You've never even been to Yuma, fool! This is all about going after New Times because it won't love you. Won't even notice you. Awwwwww. Poor little boo boo. Get a life. You have none. You only exist to hate New Times. Pitiful idiot.

Besides the terrible reporting, insults, and errors in facts. How the hell do you write an article talking shit about a town without talking to some of the residents and seeing what there is to do there that's not included in an article by someone who's not residing in Yuma?? Furthermore, basing your whole Yuma experience on downtown is like bringing someone to Guadalupe and saying "So how do you like Phoenix so far?" I lived in Yuma for 16 years and sure, after living here in Phoenix, I don't see myself going back, but I still visit and have fun with my friends at the local mall, bars, block parties, festivals, county fair, flea markets, the river.. etc.

And like many people here have said: Yuma IS NOT Phoenix!! Seriously, what were you expecting????