What makes Greater Phoenix so great: Jami Mei

Published: 02/15/2021

How old are you? 

31 

How long have you lived in Greater Phoenix? 

Five years 

What city do you currently reside in? 

Peoria 

Did you grow up in Arizona? 

No 

Where are you originally from and why’d you decide to move to Arizona? 

I am originally from Mississippi and was stationed near Seattle, WA when I was in the Navy. After getting out of the Navy and starting my family, we decided to move to Peoria where my wife grew up. 

If you graduated from college, where did you attend and what was your degree? 

I graduated from Arizona State University in 2019 with a B.S. in political science and a minor in women and gender studies. I will also be completing my MPA with a focus in urban management from ASU in the spring of 2021. 

Where do you currently work and what is your title? 

I work at GPEC as a business development intern. 

What do you like to do in Greater Phoenix on the weekends? 

I like to spend time with my family and if it’s football season, watching the Seahawks. 

What’s your favorite restaurant and why? 

Fabio on Fire. It’s this little, authentic Italian place in North Peoria. Their pasta is made from scratch and they import a lot of their other products straight from Italy. It reminds me of my Nona’s home-cooked meals. I highly recommend it! 

What’s your go-to staycation spot and why? 

We recently rented out a beach house in September in San Diego, and the family is requesting that we make it a new tradition. 

How do you stay “cool” in the Arizona summers? 

We have a pool at our house, and we live in it during the summer. So, of course, we have the hangout spot for all our family and friends. 

What do you like about our winters and why? 

The winters here aren’t super wet and cold. Living in Seattle for eight years will make you miss the sunshine. 

What do you love most about living in Greater Phoenix? 

Everything is so close to you no matter what part of the region you live in. 

Please include anything else you’d like to share about what makes Greater Phoenix so great. 

The affordability Greater Phoenix provides just can’t be beat. 

 

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