Tell me about Maricopa Cty and Mesa (Phoenix, Chandler: apartment, for rent)

[headin2AZ]

Please tell me more about the Mesa or Maricopa County area. Or, tell me what would be the best area for a baby-boomer with Champagne taste and soda (can't even afford beer) budget to live. I'm very open-minded, somewhat of a yuppy (unemployed), full-time grad student, and don't like noise, traffic, crime, and run-down neighborhoods. If anyone is familiar with CA, I lived in the Walnut Creek (Bay area) and Encino (LA) areas. I'm looking for areas comparable to this.

Are there earthquakes in Mesa? Are there lizards and other reptiles running around? Are there lots of bugs? Is it a very humid area?

Florida and Alabama are humid. AL has a lizard problem after rain and FL has a serious bug problem all the time. I'm hoping this isn't the same in AZ.

[CodyW]

As far as I know, there are no earthquakes in Mesa. First time I've ever heard that question.

You will find lots of lizards and things, Geckos mostly. They don't hurt you. =P

Bugs.. It depends on WHERE you are exactly. You will always have bugs, but, if you live next to a large open plot of land, then you will tend to have more. These can range from ants, to spiders (black widows! YAY.) and scorpions.

We do have humidity. Thats right, it's not ALWAYS a dry heat. But we're typically only humid during the monsoon season. That covers parts of July and August.

Living in the Phoenix area, and not on the outskirts, yes, you will definately have noise. Traffic is a given in this city. **** planners were too narrow minded to start on a public transit system back in the 80's. Crime is another given. And, no matter what city in the valley you visit, there WILL be run-down neighborhoods. Its a mix of old and new, and most cities focus on the new, and just leave the old to decay.

Its a pretty delicate patchwork of areas, some good, some bad.

[headed4nc]

Originally Posted by headin2AZ

Please tell me more about the Mesa or Maricopa County area. Or, tell me what would be the best area for a baby-boomer with Champagne taste and soda (can't even afford beer) budget to live. I'm very open-minded, somewhat of a yuppy (unemployed), full-time grad student, and don't like noise, traffic, crime, and run-down neighborhoods. If anyone is familiar with CA, I lived in the Walnut Creek (Bay area) and Encino (LA) areas. I'm looking for areas comparable to this.

Are there earthquakes in Mesa? Are there lizards and other reptiles running around? Are there lots of bugs? Is it a very humid area?

Florida and Alabama are humid. AL has a lizard problem after rain and FL has a serious bug problem all the time. I'm hoping this isn't the same in AZ.

You will not find anything like Walnut Creek in Arizona, however if you are a yuppie try the Ahwatukee area, SOUTH Tempe, Chandler and Gilbert. You can find some housing in those areas that you can afford.

We did have a small tiny eathquake in I think 1999 felt in the NW part of the valley, but we don't have earthquakes.

If you are interested in Mesa, it's pretty spotty but the Val Vista Lakes area is actually Mesa but it's really in Gilbert. Get yourself a For Rent book and start looking at apartment prices.

I wouldn't worry too much about bugs, I've never had a problem although I do have a monthly bug man. We do have lizards and many of them but they don't bother anyone.

We do have some humidity in the Summer but not too bad.

Crime is spotty too, crime is in the best of areas.

If I could point you to a direction I would say Gilbert. Try and rent yourself a nice little townhouse in the Islands community.

[krayzie13]

I have lived in mesa all my life its mostly mexican-americans or illegals except east mesa heading toward apache junction then theres alot of white people.I live on countryclub/8th avenue mostly mexicans couple of white people but thats fine not all mexicans are gangbangers,but there is alot of gangs here,shootings,robberies,gang fights at guerro park,gangs run the park and sell drugs there my aparment has been robbed 3 times this year so avoid this area but some parts are pretty nice

[headed4nc]

Originally Posted by krayzie13

I have lived in mesa all my life its mostly mexican-americans or illegals except east mesa heading toward apache junction then theres alot of white people.I live on countryclub/8th avenue mostly mexicans couple of white people but thats fine not all mexicans are gangbangers,but there is alot of gangs here,shootings,robberies,gang fights at guerro park,gangs run the park and sell drugs there my aparment has been robbed 3 times this year so avoid this area but some parts are pretty nice

Like Krayzie says NE Mesa is pretty good, borders Gilbert and is in the Gilbert school district.