Moving to AZ - Someone who knows Arizona please respond (Glendale: real estate, to rent)

[Arizona sun]

I am moving to Arizona, I can go anywhere in the state, I have done a lot of research on safe neighboorhoods, good schools, my budget for a home is in the 200-250k I want to be close to malls and restaurants, my ideas were cave creek, Scottsdale, anthem, Gilbert, fountain hills, arrowhead in Glendale,sedona, or down by bail , or picture rocks, I want to find a nice suburb, if you think you can give me any idea of which parts of these areas are the nicest sections it would be great. Thanks.

[PhxBarb]

Wow , that's alot of choices ! I never heard of Bail or Picture Rock . Maybe someone else has.
I think you would be fine with most of those, except Fountain Hills and Cave Creek, which are a little bit out there. You can find school info on line and also malls in the area too. Your price range is great and I don't think you will have a problem. Do you have a realtor and do you need a job? Certainly that would make a big influence on what you choose. Good luck to you !

[808transplant]

I am a Gilbert native, its grown up a ton since I was a little kid but it is still a great area. You can still find homes on bigger lots if you look as well. When I lived there we had 5 acres, the guy who owns it now is surrounded by houses but hasn't sold out. I've tossed up the idea of moving back but Havasu will be my next AZ destination.

[tumamoc]

FYI, Vail and Picture Rocks are not close to malls and restaurants. Perhaps in the future, but not at the moment.

[observer53]

Neither is Sedona close to malls.

How much time have you spent in AZ? You need to come here and rent for a while and decide where you really want to live. You don't want to be stuck with a property you then have to try to sell, no matter how attractive real estate prices seem to be right now.

[Gandalara]

And *every* poll should have the option to tick "Other"

[belgirl]

I personally would say Chandler or Gilbert--but agree with the above poster. You need to to come and visit, have a realtor take you around to some neighborhoods and get a feel of the area.

[ron17571]

Wickenburg.or Arrowhead area.(nw phoenix area)

[elkotronics]

Wickenburg is a cool town...wild, wild west-ish.

[Jkgourmet]

First, There's not answer to this question without knowing where you will be working.

Second, you need to rent for 6-24 months before you buy. And before you rent, you need to know where you're working.