Walkable towns and neighborhoods in AZ? (Phoenix, Tucson: apartments, rentals, crime) - Arizona - City-Data Forum

Button88 · 03-19-2012, 03:35 PM

Hi Everyone!

I am thinking about relocating to AZ from the Northeastern US and one of the things that I am entirely sick of is spending hours of my day in a car. In fact, the plan is to get rid of the car altogether. What I would like to know is if anyone has any suggestions for areas in AZ where you can get by without a car?

Also I really would like to find the most inexpensive place to live (provided that it's not outrageously dangerous, which I doubt any places in AZ would compare to Philly in that respect.)

About me: I work in IT, so finding a job is usually not a problem, but I would probably be better off if there were some large companies around (though they needn't be tech companies.)

So, if any of you remember scraping by without a car as a student perhaps or have any suggestions, I would certainly appreciate it!

backtophx · 03-19-2012, 03:49 PM

Parts of Tucson, specifically by University of Arizona. Tucson also has a good award winning bus system. Also, Tempe might be a good choice for you.

SpeedyAZ · 03-19-2012, 04:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Button88

Hi Everyone!

I am thinking about relocating to AZ from the Northeastern US and one of the things that I am entirely sick of is spending hours of my day in a car. In fact, the plan is to get rid of the car altogether. What I would like to know is if anyone has any suggestions for areas in AZ where you can get by without a car?

Also I really would like to find the most inexpensive place to live (provided that it's not outrageously dangerous, which I doubt any places in AZ would compare to Philly in that respect.)

About me: I work in IT, so finding a job is usually not a problem, but I would probably be better off if there were some large companies around (though they needn't be tech companies.)

So, if any of you remember scraping by without a car as a student perhaps or have any suggestions, I would certainly appreciate it!

Arizona doesn't really have any cities that are truly walkable in the sense that you're used to. Everything is VERY spread out particularly in the Valley, it's almost a necessity to have a vehicle. I really can't think of any area that you could get by without having a car, not even downtown Scottsdale if you have an IT job.

Define "inexpensive". There are some areas in Mesa/Apache Junction that have homes for less than $100K but they aren't areas you'd ever catch me in! We have our fair share of crime and the lower you get in housing prices, the higher the crime rate. It's best to buy something in a better community such as Chandler/Gilbert/Tempe than it is to purchase a cheap home in a questionable area. There are some neighborhoods in Mesa that I wouldn't want to walk around in the daylight much less live there.

I think you need to be a bit more specific with your wants/needs.

Ponderosa · 03-19-2012, 05:16 PM

Arizona (especially the cities) is a product of the automobile age. This is no place to be without a car. Even if you went to a smaller town, you would miss out on so much of what AZ and the southwest has to offer. Distances are large, transportation options are few.

Jkgourmet · 03-19-2012, 05:43 PM

Totally agree with Ponderosa and SpeedyAZ. My brother can not drive and lives in Phoenix near a relatively good bus route. He has no choice, but finds it damn difficult. To CHOOSE to live in this area without a vehicle would be nuts, IMHO.

Consider NYC, Washington DC, Chicago, San Francisco - Here's a list to get you started.

Button88 · 03-19-2012, 07:23 PM

The only problem with that list is that it mostly consists of towns where the average rent on a 200 sq. ft. room is over $1500 per month. Thanks for the information though. According to walkscore.com, there are some neighborhoods where you can run most errands by walking (so the only thing left would be getting to work.)

khuntrevor · 03-19-2012, 09:00 PM

I live in Midtown with a walkscore of 71 and do fine without. I take LR to the bus to work for 3.50 per day, a co-worker comes in on the 60 from Chandler to the Glendale border, and just had a 3400 repair bill. My expenses for three months in a tropical paradise, this Summer will be less than that, and I won't need a car there, either. Some of the exhurbs, where many pro car folks live could be completely razed and most couldn't care less or would even notice.

PaulieM · 03-19-2012, 09:50 PM

If you wondered where that walkscore of 71 came from in previous post try here. Get Your Walk Score - Find Walkable Apartments and Rentals I join the general consensus here, you need a car here.

rambrush · 03-20-2012, 06:25 AM

How bout Oatman get a internet connection order things online? nice and tiny has the necessities required.

locolobo13 · 03-20-2012, 07:29 AM

Agree with the rest. I lived car free for several years using a bicycle in Tucson. It's not as bad as people make out but as Ponderosa says you miss out on so much without a car. Walking would make you even more dependent on the bus systems.

I suggest you come out for a visit and look over some prospective areas first. Before that "wonder" around some neighborhoods in google earth with the places turned on. See how far it is to the grocery, stores, entertainment, etc. Then actually walk some of them when you get here.