Stephanie Paterik
The Arizona Republic
Jun. 1, 2005 12:00 AM

Some business owners are attracted to high-rises, others to foothills.

Tom Sexton, owner of Sexton Painting, also heard the foothills' siren call. The 70-year-old moved to Ahwatukee and brought the business with him after more than 20 years of living and working in central Phoenix.

For him, Ahwatukee's small-town atmosphere and affluent clientele were the biggest attractions. "Overall, it's just so much more pleasant to work here," he said. "The difference in painting in Ahwatukee is the people in Ahwatukee talk to each other and your name gets out."

Since moving the business, Sexton said more than 50 percent of his jobs come from referrals.

Sexton decided to move the business for practical reasons. Homes in central Phoenix are older and more difficult to paint. And there is more competition from undocumented immigrants there, he said.

Sexton was a painter in another big city, Chicago, in 1960 he started Sexton Decorating, before sunny weather lured him to Phoenix.

Sexton said he misses only the nightlife in Phoenix, where there are numerous places to unwind after work.