Help !!! My company is offering me 100K/year to relocated to the Apache Junction area (Mesa: appointed, mortgage)

[Riverwhirl]

I have tired using salary index's to see how much it costs to live in this area, but they useless! So asking the people that know thats you if you reply.
We are a family of 4, also are the schools fairly good ?

Thanks Riverwhirl

[ibarrio]

100K per year is more then enough for Apache Junction. Are you working in AP? Why not live in Gilbert and drive to Work.

[Boatdrinks]

I don't know much about that area, other then having driven by it on the highway - there wasn't much there, based on what I saw and based on what I've heard since I moved here over 3 yrs ago.

I'd definitely visit there before making your decision, and explore the area thoroughly. If your kids are a bit older (close to teens), they may be kind of bored due to lack of entertainment. Likewise for you and your spouse. Again, I'm speaking only based on what I've heard and read - I've not spent any time there. It's rather close to the mountains, which is nice - you'd have pretty views.

Visit and check it out before deciding. Also, explore the surrounding areas. You could probably live in Mesa, Queen Creek or Gilbert and commute to AJ relatively easily since it would be against traffic once you're on the highway.

[Ponderosa]

If I worked in AJ, I would be looking in Gold Canyon for a place to live.

[sheena]

Originally Posted by Riverwhirl

I have tired using salary index's to see how much it costs to live in this area, but they useless! So asking the people that know thats you if you reply.
We are a family of 4, also are the schools fairly good ?

Thanks Riverwhirl

Take the job that's good money, you can live in east Mesa or east Gilbert. I would stay south of Baseline and, don't live in Apache Junction.

East Mesa or East Gilbert will be the Gilbert school district. When I say east Mesa I mean south of Baseline from Sossaman to Crimson. I don't care for some of those subdivisions on Signal Butte.

[trishwishes]

Schools are not limited to the district boundaries for parents. This may be of some help for you. If you prefer a different school as long as you can provide transportation and there is room for enrollment this county will welcome your children. We have 2 different electric companies in this companu and they both offer a savings plan: if you use elec. on off-peak hr.s you get charged less. It is impt. to know that they each charge differently per killowatt!!
APS jas just had a significant increase.
The good thing is in the " Valley of the Sun" you do not shovel sunshine.Both sides of the valley have coyotees!!! There was one spotted in my development yesterday with a cat in iy's mouth, so if you have pets, children, etc, I do recommend coyotee walls: approx 6' high made of cement---many of us have them!!

[sun queen]

I might would take the job, but I would not live in Apache Jct. for any reason. There are a lot of problems in that area. I would live in Gilbert, Mesa (possibly) or Queen Creek.

[LVGAZ]

Is the company based out of Apache Junction?
If so, listen to all of the above - Gilbert, Gold Canyon, Mesa (Power Ranch area)
that type of salary is just fine for here - you will live comfortably - due to no winter clothes, winter tires, heavy heating bills -
Your mortgage say on a 325000 home = 1400.00 month
air/heat say 95.00 month
tags 150.00 year per car avg
water/trash 45.00 month
taxes in the areas mentioned on say a 1800 sqs ft home 1300 yr -1500 yr
just giving you some perspective -

As for the schools - we have been pleased with the Gilbert (Sonoma Elementary district) - I think if you look up school stats you can find any information -school starts mid Aug and runs to Mid May (due to heat) -
My brothers family very disappointed in the Apache Junction school district and Gold CAnyon transports to AJ
east side of Mesa (power Ranch) and Gilbert did well in reading and math stats -

[2angels]

Thats good money for AZ.

Look at Las Sendas. It is a private community in East Mesa. Great schools. Private tennis, golf course , 3 parks, 2 pools ,fitness center, club house, sooooo much to offer all inside of the gated community.

The zip code is 85207. If you do a home search on realtor dot com, put in the zip code and then under amenities, check off golf coure and most of what comes up will be in Las Sendas.

It is close to AJ where you will be working and it is a great place to live. It won the JD Powers community of the year 3 years in a row!

I live there and I love it!

[bstree]

100k and you asking US for HELP? ha.
I second Gold Canyon. Very nice.
AJ, not so much..coughcough.