Relocating from NY with questions??? (Phoenix, Tucson: tornadoes, military, gated)

[erick7]

Hello to all,
I'm about to relocate to Arizona and would appreciate ANY AND ALL KINDS of advice FROM ANY AND EVERYONE. I would like to stay away from Northern Arizona, as I am already fed up with the cold weather here in NY. Anywhere to the west, south, or east of Phoenix would be fair game. Does anyone know of any good, affordable gated communities? I figure these are low in crime, but I could be wrong so any suggestions are welcome. I also thought about retirement communities, but "retirement community" makes me think that schools are non-existent. Am I wrong?
I've been researching for awhile now regarding areas for housing, crime, cancer rates due to past military testing and/or the air/water quality (yeah I worry a little too much sometimes - due to what I've heard). Natural disasters is also something I looked into, seeing as I didn't have a clue if Arizona got hit by any tornado(e?)s, earthquakes, floods, wild fires, etc. and so I didn't want to build near any of those either. I've heard that there are flash floods due to monsoons, and so I would like to stay away from those areas (or at least low lying areas). I'm sorry this is such a long thread, but this would be my first home in which I plan on raising a family and I'm just trying to not make any (major) mistakes or have my family in harm's way. What we hear on the news over here is x amount of people dead due to hurricanes in the south, tornadoes in the mid, and earthquakes in CA., not to mention the property damage. All we really get here is some snow which is just an inconvenience. So again, my apologies if I'm overreacting a little, but I'm just trying to be as prepared and gather as much information as possible. Thanks to all for any info.

[a1m1700]

Wow you sound like me. I am a NY transplant I moved here from upstate NY in 1988. I have loved being here all those years. You cold never be as paranoid as I am so don't worry. I am petrified of bad weather so I can tell you exactly where the storms are here ans where they are milder. First off we don't get hurricanes we may have gotten some remnants of one in 1992 but I don't remember anything else. We may have had a tiny jolt of an earthquake in the north valley in 1999. I was living up there at the time but I didn't feel it. That's the only quake I've heard of. Wild fires yes but they are usually way out of town so don't spend much time worrying about that. Let's talk about the monsoons which I hate..............but if you live in the Phoenix area do not and I repeat do not move to Fountain Hills or N Scottsdale. You will get the worst storms. That place is like a storm magnet. The 2nd worst is the NW valley Surprise, Sun City and even Peoria and Glendale are getting their share now. Queen creek is too far out and they also get pretty bad storrms. I live in the 85236 zipcode of Gilbert it's actually Higley. I have lived all over the Valley and where I am now for sure the mildest as far as monsoons go. I think we went through 2 maybe 3 storms here in about 5 years. We have probably the best schools in the state and the lowest crime rate. What are you looking for as far as affordablity? Do you need a big house or you mentioned retirement community. [CUT] I was actually looking into moving to the south the weather does concern me though. I've been chatting on the NC forum. I think I came up with a place though that doesn't seem to get tornados. I think it's a town called Burlington half way between Raleigh and Greensboro. Let me know if you need any more info on anything I've been here a long time and lived all over the Valley of the Sun.

[Candra]

I am from AZ, moved to LA for a while and came back. I have to say that I absolutely LOVE the monsoons. So does everyone else I know. It's in the summer, the winds are amazing, the sky sometimes turns a reddish color; and the rain is warm. You don't say how much $$ you plan on spending, but Cave Creek and Scottsdale are nice. You don't need a gated community. The crime rates are low if you live in a decent neighborhood and everyone keeps their yards/homes up to par. I would strongly suggest avoiding the Ahwatukee Foothills area if you are a person of color or jewish. My b/f and I are doing a doc. (we have a prod. co.) on the racism and anti-semitism going on in this area. It is extreme. The main thing I'd be concerned with are the people. AZ people are not generally known for their friendliness. We've found the nicest people, so far, in the Central Phx. area where we now live.

[erick7]

Hi & thanks for answering. Sorry, but I don't know where "Valley" or "North Valley" is. I tried a search & I got Oro, Paradise, Prescott, & a few others. I've never been to Arizona & I'll be taking my first trip down there sometime in the middle of June, so please excuse my ignorance. I was considering visiting Maricopa,Pima,Pinal,Yuma(which I keep hearing A WHOLE LOT of contradictions-good & bad),Gila,La Paz, or Mohave (although this may be too far North & might be cold) counties. Yes, alot of running around for a couple of weeks which I don't even know if it'll be enough time. Thanks, I'll definitely keep your zipcode in mind when I'm down there. As for affordability, that would depend on thjob that I could get. I was thinking of renting (apartment or house - doesn't matter) my first 6-12 months there, & then purchasing a 4bed/2bath house. Price range would be in the 300k-400k, but again, I keep reading that some markets are going up while others are going down (which can all change within a few months).
I can handle a couple of storms. I just don't want to see my car floating down the street or see it later on the evening news and say "Hey, that car sure looks familiar...", or live in a place where the police have to rescue people by helicopter because of flash floods. I don't even know if the homes in Arizona have basements (or cellars as they are sometimes called), and I don't want to get my home flooded. I'm mostly concerned with personal safety & property damage whether it's from mother nature or crime. Thanks again for all the info.

[erick7]

Okay, I'm still learning how this forum works so let me start off by stating that my last 03:03AM post was in response to "a1m1700". I hit the "quick reply" which I thought would go directly to him, but it was just posted. Anyway, this one is in response to "Candra".
Hi Candra,
Let me start off by saying WOW & thanks for the "heads up" regarding the stupidity that goes on over in the Ahwatukee Foothills area. I have no reason not too take your word for it, so I will. If anyone else has anything to say regarding this whether you agree or disagree, I would love to hear it.
Although you've found the nicest people in Central Phoenix, I've heard that Central Phoenix has a very high crime rate. Am I wrong?
Regarding the affordability I was thinking in the 300k-400k area depending on what kind of job I get down there & how the market looks in the next 6-12 months. Thanks again!

[MAB]

erik,you also have to keep in mind that AZ doesnt pay as well as other bigger states like CA and NY.
BTW im from Yuma and here you can get a great home 4 bed 2 bath with pool and spa for about 300K
as far as crime here,well it is minimal. the auto theft problem is mainly for the people that live very close to the border.
Those towns are called San Luis,Somerton and Gadsden(which are in Yuma county.
Yuma its self is not too bad.
Unless you go to the worst nehiborhoods you dont see gang members,drug addicts or homeless people walking around in the streets.
as a matter of fact,theres hardly any low lifes walking around yuma,period.
I moved here from san diego and trust me,I know about homeless,addicts and gangs.(thats why i moved here)

[SpeedyAZ]

Hey Erick-

I live in N. Scottsdale and it's a great place to live. Very safe area, many gated communities (one of which I live in), and great schools. The problem is price, you won't get as much for your money hear than you would in another part of the Valley (especially gated communities). Monsoons are an occurence but it isn't like we have one every week (or even every month), you WILL NOT see your car floating down a road. The crime is generally more rampant in Mesa and Apache Junction than it is in other parts of the Valley. Wage is also generally lower (which doesn't compare to the cost of a normal home) because Arizona is a Right-To-Work state.

[Candra]

Sorry for the delay in replying, but I'm super busy. I live in the historic district of central Phoenix. There's crime in areas of it, but I haven't had any problems. And it's cleaning up very fast!! Generally neighbors really look out for each other around there. I absolutely LOVE the Arcadia district, and any areas near and around the Biltmore. Also, Paradise Valley is quite nice. As far as Ahwatukee, I appreciate you taking my word for it. But, you can google "ahwatukee" + "racism" and get a few articles on it. I personally cannot stand traffic and AZ has lots of it during the rush hours. So, I'd keep that in mind. I'd find a place relatively close to where I work.

[Candra]

Sorry this doubled up for some reason???

[leavingPhoenix]

Hi, read your note. I've been in Phoenix since 1969, I'm ready to leave it. It's too crowded, a lot of brick walls. Very transient here, originally this was the place to come to when you had asthma, illness. Then the air was clean, now it's pretty dirty. The city is huge. Personally if I was to relocate to Arizona and looking for some desert life I'd look at Tucson for a place to explore. It's still quaint enough to get around, they planned their city a bit better than Phoenicians. Weather is a bit better as is the air. No matter where you go in Arizona I think the crime has grown substantionally! I lived in San Diego for 10 years and thought it was better than Phoenix. Monsoon used to be a lot of fun, always started in end of July through mid august (long time ago In the past few years its been a dud. Tucson still receives some rainfall and ocassional dusting of snow. I've been reading everyones notes, and agree Surprise is awful, Fountain Hills is beautiful but unaffordable for most. Northern Scottsdale is also very expensive but pretty and upscale. For the most part elementary schools run at 1200 kids per school, high schools are crazy. I'm moving before my kids get into high school, I'm moving back east for the traditional schooling. I know when I moved here way back (from NJ) I was 1 year ahead in school. Lots to think about I know, but good luck.