Moving to Arizona soon....accepting all comments (Phoenix, Mesa: relocation, housing)

[NezzaBlue]

I am currently debating a move to Arizona with my fiance who has gotten a great job offer and relocation package from his company. I now live in Bridgeport,Connecticut. Its a filthy town, with extremely high rates of violence. Ironically, Connecticut has one of the highest costs of living. I love the heat so it will not be an issue. I've heard all about the dry heat myths and facts, but trust me I am an avid lover of summer and get pretty miserable from Sept. till June. The hotter the better.
We are looking at apartments in Gilbert right now, with the option to move somewhere else in 6 months if we so choose.

So please, any comment, info, or opinions are welcomed and encouraged.
Thanks so much.

[MotleyCrew]

Renting first and exploring the different communities is always wise. If your partner is working in downtown Phoenix you will want to stay very close to work. As you can see from some of the other posts, traffic can be a nightmare. We happen to really like the west side and live in N. Peoria. There are some great spots on the east side too. I love N. Scottsdale, but it is very expensive to live there. Overall our experience here after moving from N. Ca has been positive. The first summer was hard to get through, but we are very much looking forward to our third. Some can not adjust to the heat whether it is a dry heat or not, it is still very hot for at least 3 mos. The evenings do not cool off and that is the hardest part for us. The winters here are fantastic and since we had had enough of rain, snow and cold, we really appreciate the air here. The sunsets during monsoon season are beyond description. There is so much to do here in AZ and we are a short trip to the coast and to Disneyland (if you must). Come and explore and make your own decisions as to if this is your place or not. It is easy to get caught up in some of the negative postings, but you have to be the judge.

[Steve-o]

Id recommend someplace near Old Town Scottsdale. The area is full of amenities and close to PHX. Its also the part of town that is the most "hip", if thats youre thing.

[NezzaBlue]

Thanks for the replies....Very helpful.So would it be safe to assume that Gilbert is not the most exciting place? Also what about Surprise? I have heard a few nice things mentioned.

[silverbear]

Originally Posted by NezzaBlue

Thanks for the replies....Very helpful.So would it be safe to assume that Gilbert is not the most exciting place? Also what about Surprise? I have heard a few nice things mentioned.

Both are popular, fast-growing suburbs, but most people who move to those communities do so because of perceptions of low crime, good schools, affordable housing, etc. If you are looking for excitement as defined by nightlife, cultural attractions, fine dining, etc., a more central location in the heart of Phoenix, Tempe, or Scottsdale would probably be more suitable. Gilbert and Surprise, are in my view, more tempting those who are focusing on raising families and don't mind a little removal from the core of the metro area.

[NezzaBlue]

I was thinking about tempe or chandler instead of Gilbert, but I was also wondering what are the distances between some of these? For instance, are they all pretty much 20 minutes away from each other? And how far is Gilbert from Phoenix?

Thanks again....

[jlhct]

This is too funny! I am also from Bridgeport, and I'm moving to Phoenix next month! Wow, definitely a coincidence!

I have family from Bridgeport, that moved to Phoenix 12 years ago and never looked back. I've been out several times to visit which is how I fell in love with the place.

I'm buying a house in N. Phoenix. I don't know too much about Chandler & Gilbert. I rode around Chandler and remember thinking that it seemed a little far out but looked like a nice place.

If you need any other info let me know!

I'm just amazed...another person from Bridgeport moving to Phoenix

[aj661]

Originally Posted by NezzaBlue

I was thinking about tempe or chandler instead of Gilbert, but I was also wondering what are the distances between some of these? For instance, are they all pretty much 20 minutes away from each other? And how far is Gilbert from Phoenix?

Thanks again....

Gilbert is a great town for raising a family. Good schools, parks, low crime. How far Gilbert is from Phoenix really depends on where in Gilbert to where in Phoenix. City limit to city limit is less than 20 miles. Unless you are planning on experiencing the 'night life' of Phoenix, Tempe or Scottsdale on a nightly basis, Gilbert is not that far away. There are many restaurants, malls, and theaters in and around Gilbert.

Over the years, I've lived in Phoenix and every east side city. I grew up in Scottsdale. Many years ago I worked for Tempe PD. In my opinion, Gilbert is the best city in the Phoenix metro area.

[silverbear]

Originally Posted by NezzaBlue

I was thinking about tempe or chandler instead of Gilbert, but I was also wondering what are the distances between some of these? For instance, are they all pretty much 20 minutes away from each other? And how far is Gilbert from Phoenix?

Thanks again....

Tempe and some parts of Chandler are closer to Phoenix and the center of the metro area than Gilbert. Tempe is pretty compact by Arizona standards, but Chandler sprawls to the south, so "where in Chandler" becomes an important question. Portions of Gilbert by the 60 Freeway are probably a shorter ride to Phoenix than the far southern portions of Chandler.

Ten years ago, I would have lumped Chandler and Gilbert in the same category, but Chandler has come into its own in the last few years. It now features a lot more interesting, independent restaurants, wine bars, etc. than it used to. It has also become more ethnically diverse due to the infusion of high-tech workers at some of the companies with facilities there. I still prefer Tempe personally, but I do have to acknowledge the maturation of Chandler.

Gilbert is not my style, but I do acknowledge that it has broad appeal. I have friends and coworkers who live there and enjoy it.

[binkylafarle]

Originally Posted by NezzaBlue

I was thinking about tempe or chandler instead of Gilbert, but I was also wondering what are the distances between some of these? For instance, are they all pretty much 20 minutes away from each other? And how far is Gilbert from Phoenix?

Thanks again....

If you aren't already used to driving everywhere you go, you'll get intimately familiar with it after you move to Phx metro. Twenty minutes to a Phoenician is like a mile to a jet. You get used to driving. You just drive, drive, drive. When I lived in Scottsdale, I had friends in Paradise Valley, Gilbert, Mesa, North Phoenix, Glendale, Cave Creek, Ahwatukee, Peoria, Chandler; pretty much in every corner of Phx metro. We'd often go out for nightlife in Scottsdale and Tempe, but nobody ever really batted an eye over the distance. You get used to it.

And, to help you, the city's pretty easy to figure out. Just one big grid. You'll quickly learn the major intersections and after that, you'll be able to find anything.