Need advice/info on the following towns: (Phoenix, Tucson: insurance, homes)

[mdtoaz]

Hi AksarbeN,

Thanks for the well wishes. I feel a little guilty reading your last post, since I'm yet another transplant to your area.

We probably will end up in Tucson, and we will definitely lease for a while. I've read that so many people hate it, but I'm sure there are a lot that love it too... they just don't seem as vocal. I've been to both towns (Phoenix in 96, Tucson in 03) and I really do like the smaller town atmosphere better. But, we plan on checking out a lot of different options before we completely settle down for good.

[Ponderosa]

Originally Posted by AksarbeN

Hello mdtoaz,,,, I have to agree with your comments and thoughts about the those cities that fall between Phoenix and Tucson! They may be areas that some people find to fit their needs but it sure isn’t everyone cup of tea. I’m glad you had received some brochures to help with your decision.

One thought that I had was perhaps you could lease for a while in Tucson hubby could go to the U of A, and afterward you would have a much better idea of continuing to live in Tucson or move into Phoenix. You’d surely have a better understanding the both areas by that time.

Personally I’m in Phoenix and retired now (better half will retire next year) but I’d love to move to Tucson and get out of the bigger city. Phoenix metro is getting to large to enjoy as much as it was years ago. I believe it was about 1/3 the size when we moved here and the growth is unbelievable. The freeways are parking lots during rush hour and it isn’t getting any better soon. We were here before they had “any” freeway going through the city so we’ve seen them build a mile of road and within weeks it becomes a long parking lot with little traffic moving. ADOT just can’t keep up with the needs and the continued growth.

I wish the best for you in your quest for info and I’m sure you’re on track.

Tucson traffic is worse than Phoenix because there are no freeways. Rush hour is near gridlock on the surface streets - red light after red light. Arrghh! If you live on the east side and have to go anywhere on I-10, it'll drive you crazy just getting to the freeway. They should have built the Rillito-Pantano freeway project and others years ago when it was affordable.

[Boatdrinks]

Originally Posted by Jill Warner

Casa Grande isnt all that exciting and I would not move to Chandler now due to the increase in gang activity there.

Gang activity? Seriously? Where? Chandler is one of the least gang-infested areas I've lived and/or experienced. Much of this area is new and upper class and almost all of it is nice, family oriented and friendly. Perhaps the only place there may be gang issues would be in the old, downtown areas around Arizona Ave and Pecos/Ray, which the city is in the process of knocking down completely and rebuilding into what will be a really nice, upscale area.

I'm curious how much time you've spent in Chandler and what made you say that gangs were a problem, since neither I, nor anyone I know, has experienced gang problems at all.

Also, re: Maricopa - while you can get cheap houses there, it's also in the middle of nowhere, there's not much there in the way of shopping, and it has been built up so quickly that road infrastructure hasn't kept up. Getting from Maricopa to the 10 during rush hour takes quite a while. And they had a lot of problems this past summer with rainwater washing roads out completely and people being stranded and having to go 20 mins out of their way to get home. They had to rebuild the roads, so people had to deal with this for weeks and months. I'd caution anyone thinking about buying in Maricopa to consider their commute time and how much they'll want in the way of shopping and commerce choices. They don't even have a hospital there, which is a scary thought, especially if you have kids. You'd have to go to Gilbert or Chandler to get to the closest hospital.

[Ponderosa]

Originally Posted by Boatdrinks

Gang activity? Seriously? Where? Chandler is one of the least gang-infested areas I've lived and/or experienced. Much of this area is new and upper class and almost all of it is nice, family oriented and friendly. Perhaps the only place there may be gang issues would be in the old, downtown areas around Arizona Ave and Pecos/Ray, which the city is in the process of knocking down completely and rebuilding into what will be a really nice, upscale area.

It was on TV. The report was on gangs making a comeback in Chandler and the police plans to deal with it. I agree that Chandler did not deserve the bad press, but got the impression that the authorities there were the ones who initiated the news reports.

[Boatdrinks]

Originally Posted by Ponderosa

It was on TV. The report was on gangs making a comeback in Chandler and the police plans to deal with it. I agree that Chandler did not deserve the bad press, but got the impression that the authorities there were the ones who initiated the news reports.

While I don't disagree that there may be *some* gang activity in very small, older pockets in Chandler, in the area I mentioned (downtown, in the area that they're in the process of razing and rebuilding), I contend that it's no bigger a problem then anywhere else in the Phoenix area. In fact, I think it's less of an issue then many areas.

I was very surprised that someone would chose not to move to Chandler b/c of the "gang activity" there b/c it hasn't really been an issue as long as we've been in the area. Knock on wood Saying you're not moving to Chandler b/c of the gangs is like saying you're not moving to the west valley b/c it's racist (b/c those jerks vandalized the home of a black family). A few negative incidents don't define a city (for the most part).

Chandler is really a very nice place to live, and I don't say that about very many places - I'm pretty picky.

[AZGOLFER]

I would suggest Casa Grande, but you would still an hour away from UofA...you should look at Marana, it's basically a suburd of Tucson right now...stay away from Florence and Eloy.

[SamOwen]

Originally Posted by AZGOLFER

I would suggest Casa Grande, but you would still an hour away from UofA...you should look at Marana, it's basically a suburd of Tucson right now...stay away from Florence and Eloy.

Okay,I have to defend Florence. The actual town of Florence is yes kind of desolate although the "downtown" strip does look better than some other old towns I have been through. I purchased a home at Oasis at Magic Ranch and am awaiting for my wifes "dream" home down the road in Anthem to be finished. My wife works at Ray Road and the I-10 and I work a few miles down the road at 40th Street and I-10. Our commute is under an hour. Coming from Long Beach,CA where my commute was over an hour and a half I have welcomed anything less. My neighbors are great,and the area is booming with growth. I laughed when I read to stay away from Florence. I am North of actual Florence and our area looks much better than the Phoenix area homes we looked at. We got our home at a lovely price and soon we will be next door at Anthem.In regards to the Chandler gang problem on the rise,it is true. A co-worker lives in an area where the problem is getting worse. Chandler has its pockets of problems as well as any other community.

[Beckerd]

I was going to comment on Arizona City,since I've lived there for 6 years. Its not as horrible as everyone says. Its a ok place, if you like small towns. You could probably find a nice house right by the Casa Grande mountain in your price range.Pretty area with all the cactus.
Not much to do except ride ATVs...if you want to get into that.
Closer to Tucson, I would check out Marana on the east side of I-10.Also out towards Tucson Studios is a pretty area. I think my husbands friend,who lives out that way, has said that prices in his neighborhood are going down. His neighborhood all has nice houses with land and is hilly.

Good luck with your move! Watch out for the illegals..

[topjimmy]

If you aren't pre-med, why would you insist on going to U of A?

ASU's engineering school is just as good as U of A's.

[LVGAZ]

There is nothing good in between - I like what Boatdrinks said and totally agree with him --
FLorence is horrible - and taking backroads it is about 1 1/4 hr drive
CAsa Grande - mobile homes
terrible scenery everday

MAke a choice - Tucson or Phoenix - black or white no gray area in the middle