Is Goodyear good? (Phoenix, Mesa, Glendale: gated, for sale, trip)

[bajabarbie]

I am moving to the Phoenix area very soon an am looking for a decnt place to live. I want to live on the western part of the city but not in Phoenix proper. I spent a few days in Phoenix back in March and thought that the western part looked okay with all the new housing going up and the newer neighborhoods. Then I started reading some of the posts in this forum and it sounds like the western part is not such a good place. I have been working with a realtor who is pushing Goodyear and Avondale. Please give me any information on this side of the city.

[rambrush]

Goodyear is what you may want it to be.
I am not sure what you are looking for, I can tell you to really check out the home owner association policy prior to moving in as they can be very strict.
The fire department is 1st class has automatic aid with Neighboring fire departments so the closest unit will be always dispatched.
Every way you turn there is plenty of choices to eat out, movies are close by.
Several factories in town that have stores in them to buy there products. Poor Brothers potato chips, snyder pretzles and a salsa hot sauce plant. Rubber maid is there as well.
Traffic is getting pretty bad, but does keep moving.
There are several exits of I-10 so access is good that way.
There is a community in Buckeye that is being built on a caterpillar proving ground that sits next to the white tank mountain.
If you head out towards Jackrabbit road and I-10 there are several places on horse property larger parcels if thats what you are looking for.
Just keep in mind most of these gated communites the houses are close enough together to knock on your neighbors window and ask for a cup of sugar.
There is also a new YMCA in town that has recently opened as well.
On the North side of Goodyear is Luke Air force base and they have several flight paths around the area. so keep that in mind as well.

Hope this helps.

[jenlyn]

My mom bought a new home in Avondale..bordering Goodyear. She has her home up for sale and cant wait to get out..TONS of Mexicans, crime, traffic..just tons of strip malls with the same types of stores.. If you already were in Goodyear and liked it, go for it..I just think most of the surrounding cities in Phoenix all look the same. If you have kids, please research the schools.. Dont let a realtor give you all the info..because most of it will be just sooo wonderful which is not all correct. They are just a bit hard up right now and are willing to just sell any house..well, not all of them..but make sure you get one that doesnt give you ALL positive feedback on these areas.
Not sure where you are coming from..but Ive lived here almost 4 yrs and I just wouldnt recommend the PHoenix area..it is becoming more crowded everyday..which means more traffic, more pollution..overcrowded schools, more cars, more black roads...which means it will get hotter in the near future..if this is possible..OK>.those were the negatives..maybe someone can give you some positives on this area. I would recommend North Phoenix if any area..Arrowhead area of Glendale, N Peoria, Happy Valley area, Cave Creek, Carefree, Anthem...Its a few degrees cooler up this way too.

[wriiter-m]

We moved to Mesa just outside Phoenix 4 years ago. The housing prices have gone up (the house we purchased as a new build has more than quadruppled it's original cost) and there are less affordable properties now. Goodyear is way out to the west, so is Avondale. Casa Grand is south...Queen Creek is south/east. Most of the outside areas are a long commute to Phoenix proper. The info jenlyn gave you is pretty much on the money....watch the Phoenix area itself...parts are dangerous. You will have a hard time finding a house under 200,00 in a good area. Chandler and Gilbert (closer to Mesa) are nice but can be pricey also. The worse thing her....builders putting up a new subdivision with a trailer (not mobile home) park across the street. And keep in mind the "snow birds"...the older folks who come here for the winter and leave around Easter time. Do some real solid research....even a trip or two will help. Oh, if we pass on the highway it will be because we are headed to NC.

[doublet]

Originally Posted by wriiter-m

....if we pass on the highway it will be because we are headed to NC.

Where in NC are you headed? We've lived in Charlotte for the past 10 years and we love it. It feels like home, even though my husband and I are from PA. I am very sad to have to move to the west valley for the next 4 years. But I'm NOT selling my house!! We'll be back home in NC again one day...

[mmikulak]

I live in Palm Valley section of Goodyear. Do not go south of the highway . Palm Valley and Litchfield park are the only places to be in West Phoenix. The BEST schools out west .

I will be selling my house in the near future because my wife NEEDS to move to NC.. wanna deal??

We'll be back home in NC again one day...

Is it that nice?? I am not sure I can get used to the humidity again. I too am from PA. Been in Phoenix for 11 years and my wife Needs to move to Raleigh. Although I heard Charlotte is a bit nicer...

[doublet]

I like Charlotte better than Raleigh, but Raleigh has a lot of nice features (as long as you stay out of the hurricanes' paths.) We almost found ourselves in Raleigh when we first moved to the area, but I think we made the best choice for us. With our needs for a good-sized city without the overwhelming feel, Charlotte is perfect. I love the park system, the focus on the arts, a blending of residential with retail and commerce, the lush green and long growing season, the mild winters. The humidity can be downright OBNOXIOUS, and one of my biggest complaints, but all that moisture creates a beautiful landscape of trees and flowers. Like in Phoenix, we pretty much dodge from air conditioned building to air conditioned car and back again as quickly as possible!

Thanks for the info about West Phoenix. My husband will be working in Surprise, so we're looking for somewhere that doesn't require an unbearable commute. Every bit of info is helpful.

[gigi927]

Doublet, if your husband will be working in Surprise, why not consider Surprise? Personally I think it has a lot more community amenities than Goodyear....

[Azbound]

Doublet I hear good things about Surprise and Goodyear. Goodyear has a lot of communities within the community. The housing there ala PebbleCreek and Tuscany are expensive but the trade off is security. We have just transplanted from Maine to Peoria which is nearby Surprise. We are just getting to know the area. Lots of stores and restaurants but I keep looking for "downtown", it seems to be missing!! I have found the people to be extremely friendly at all the local stores, and genuinely welcoming.

[doublet]

From what I understand, the entire Phoenix area is missing "Downtown", such an integral part of a community. I just can't believe as they are planning these new suburban extentions of Phoenix, that they aren't starting with the creation of a downtown, with suburbs surrounding. I guess things are done different in the desert?

Please keep posting and updating us who are still "AZ bound" on your experiences there. Your input is very helpful. THanks!