moving to AZ from IA (Phoenix, Mesa: fit in, rent, condos)

[Inna]

I found one great job in Phx, although it might be few bucks more what I make right now (I would say 45k), i think it's mostly about company...
Origionally I am from Russia (not SO COOLD RUSSIA, much south, next to Black Sea - really miss it, summers are about 85-90, no humidity, 2 weeks max, winters - some snow, about 25 d.). I saw cactus only in Walmart flower section. Now about Iowa - winter, brrrr - Siberia, summers - sauna (HUMID!!!!), one month is spring, and one month is fall. Area isn't so big, neithear it's small - about 200k population (Davenport), 3 hours to Chicago.
I really want this job, but I concern about climate, crime, and most of all - housing prices. What house can I buy for 150-180k in safe suburb near Phx (hopefully not mobile home)?
Need your help:

[Idaho]

Not knowing the part of town your potential job is in, and how long of a commute you're up for, not sure how to answer everything you ask.

Climate? Oct-Mar: beautiful, sweater weather at worst, with dry air and temps from 50-80. April, May, Jun: Hot and dry up to 120 by late May & all of June. July, Aug, Sept: HUMID, our wet season, torrents of rain in 15 minutes, then gone, but still humid. Temps can go over 100. Nearly NO mosquitoes, so that is really nice, compared to north.

Crime? The Phoenix area is a metropolis of over 5 million people, so there's crime of course. Watch out for yourself as if you would in any major city.

Housing Prices? Varies. Of course the newer houses and construction are best selections in the far reaches of suburbs in all directions. The further out from the city, the lesser crime issues sort of come along with that.

Best bet is to come out for a few days, rent a car and drive around with a realtor who you are clear with that you are truly SHOPPING neighborhoods first to get a grip on what area fits your comfort & your pocketbook.

[sablebaby]

For 150k -180k (150k in another post) in a safe suburb, I don't think even moving out far far away from Phx would get anything for that price for a house. Would you consider a condo? That is even difficult. You would have to start at least 200k for a safe place to live.

That wage is a good one, it's just our market is high. It is going down though, but not that low. Renting would get you into a nice safe place for sure, even a house! If I run across anything I'll let you know.

[Inna]

thank you for your help

[MotleyCrew]

Housing in Queen Creek and Maricopa are within your reach. Our daughter just bought a beautiful little home in Maricopa, new with many upgrades, for $189,000. Some builders have even better pricing right now, starting in the $150k's to $180k's. It would be a drive into Phoenix, but that seems to be a way of life here if you want affordable housing and low crime.

[aj661]

Was the Walmart in Russia or Iowa?
If you can do the commute, you can probably get a new house in one of the new developments in the Florence/Queen Creek area. They're boring cookie cutter places on small lots. It may be the same on the far west side of the valley-Buckeye, Surprise, etc. Unfortunately, most of the 'burbs close in like Mesa, Tempe, Scottsdale have gotten expensive.

[Steve-o]

Id recommend Surprise, AZ. Small booming town that has so far low crime rates. Stay away from Phoenix and parts of Glendale. Mesa and Tuscon are more affordable, but unless you speak Spanish, you might not fit in well.

[Ponderosa]

I've seen a couple of new subdivisions in SW valley in the vicinity of 115th Ave and Buckeye Rd with the sign out front saying from the 170s. Some are going to tell you to stay away, but these are new subdivisions and, for the time being, relatively nice. Downside if you have kids is that the schools are pretty bad. I don't think any of them are meeting state standards because of disproportionate hispanic enrollment (poor English skills among other problems), but that is opinion, not fact. Anyhow, you might be able to get into one of these (there are a number of programs available to first-time and lower-income buyers) and then move on to something nicer. That's how we used to do it. Condos are an option, of course, particulary if you have no children. You can't decide from where you are, you need to visit and look at the options. I do believe that there is more opportunity for you in AZ than IA. No one is predicting the growth will end and that means jobs and opportunity for those who can stand the heat and the humanity.