Can anyone tell me about Casa Grande? (Tucson, Mesa: high crime, houses)

[rd2mov]

Thanks UKFSChick for the nice post. I would like some more information about CG. Housing cost (rent to own or rent house) utility cost, taxes, types of neighborhoods, living outside of town, water cost, churches, things to do.My husband and I are on fixed income apx $25,000.00 could we live in your town comfortable without worries?

[JustM]

I lived in Casa Grande for many, many years, raised a family there, had a business there (still in the family). I moved to South Carolina a bit over a year ago, and I'm moving back in about a month. While I'm not a huge fan of the desert, nor the heat, Casa Grande was always good to me. I met more people, made more friends, in my first few months of living in Casa Grande all those years ago than I have in over a year in South Carolina. I saw CG grow from a sleepy little mining community to a growing, thriving town.
Life ANYWHERE is pretty much what you make it, and my experience is that Casa Grande CARES about Casa Grande.
While a city's body may be the shopping, the restaurants, infrastructure, it's the PEOPLE who make up the soul. Casa Grande has a good soul.
And just for the record....the "body" of the town is getting pretty "buff", too!

[amatrine]

We just bought a house in Arizona City outside Casa . My poor husband will be doing a 67 mile commute each way each day until the new DC center is built next year, but the home prices are good now. We havnt moved in yet, probably in about two weeks. Anyone out there know if crime is a major problem in AZ City? I could never get an aswer anywhere, and there just is not a lot of info on az city . I do like it out there though, nice and remote, away from traffic but close enough to casa grande. I know eloy crim is horrible but have seen a few comments that AZ city is ok. Anyone here ever live there? I know the remoteness may not be others cup of tea, but it suits me. I just wonder if they have the gang problems out there too. I was told by realtor that they have vadalism as a main problem on empty properties. We are having an alarm system installed before we even move in. Would do that anywhere though. The impression I have is that is half a retirement community, and half famlies with kids. Because of the large retirement population they never get a vote for incooperation. Do I have the right impression? Thanks

Ama

Ama

[vintagemxr]

I've lived in Casa Grande for 8 years now and the city is indeed changing, it's getting too crowded! When I retire next year we're moving some place smaller.

Having said that, the city is a decent place to live, crime is mostly limited to some ethnically based gangs who seem to keep their fighting to themselves. My wife goes out at night alone and I don't worry, of course there are parts of the town where that might not be such a great idea.

The shopping and restaurant choices are growing rapidly and the necessary trips to "the city" are getting fewer. It takes about 35 - 45 minutes to get to the closest big shopping mall if that's what you like.

As for the smell, there are cattle feed lots about 10 miles west of Casa Grande and when the wind is just right you can get a wiff in the evening once in a while. Hey, it's farm country, really...and %$$#& happens. ;-)

Someone asked about AZ City: Much less developed than C.G. and about 12 driving miles away. This area sits at the top end of what's known as "The Amnesty Trail" coming out of Mexico so the problems with illegal immigrants are very real. Expect to see lots of US Border Patrol vehicles in town. You really don't want to leave your garage door open at night or your keys in your car. City-Data has the crime stats so you can see for yourself how the area stacks up compared to other small towns.

The original poster here (waaaay back) asked about social life. It's still pretty limited to churches, a couple of bars, and small civic events. I really would not want to live here if I was a young single person. On the other hand, real estate prices are way down now and you can buy a home for probably 25% less than a comparable place in the Phoenix metro area.

Doug

[amatrine]

Thanks for the info. Yeah, I have checked citi data, but they do not have crime stats for az city. Mabey because its not large enough.

Ama

[115db]

Originally Posted by vintagemxr

I've lived in Casa Grande for 8 years now and the city is indeed changing, it's getting too crowded! When I retire next year we're moving some place smaller.

Having said that, the city is a decent place to live, crime is mostly limited to some ethnically based gangs who seem to keep their fighting to themselves. My wife goes out at night alone and I don't worry, of course there are parts of the town where that might not be such a great idea.

The shopping and restaurant choices are growing rapidly and the necessary trips to "the city" are getting fewer. It takes about 35 - 45 minutes to get to the closest big shopping mall if that's what you like.

As for the smell, there are cattle feed lots about 10 miles west of Casa Grande and when the wind is just right you can get a wiff in the evening once in a while. Hey, it's farm country, really...and %$$#& happens. ;-)

Someone asked about AZ City: Much less developed than C.G. and about 12 driving miles away. This area sits at the top end of what's known as "The Amnesty Trail" coming out of Mexico so the problems with illegal immigrants are very real. Expect to see lots of US Border Patrol vehicles in town. You really don't want to leave your garage door open at night or your keys in your car. City-Data has the crime stats so you can see for yourself how the area stacks up compared to other small towns.

The original poster here (waaaay back) asked about social life. It's still pretty limited to churches, a couple of bars, and small civic events. I really would not want to live here if I was a young single person. On the other hand, real estate prices are way down now and you can buy a home for probably 25% less than a comparable place in the Phoenix metro area.

Doug

I agree with the crowding issues, I think someone said we're up to 29,000 people now? Dont know if thats accurate, but it seems so.

[Magnum Mike]

Originally Posted by Power Surge

I agree with the crowding issues, I think someone said we're up to 29,000 people now? Dont know if thats accurate, but it seems so.

That's still a long way from Phoenix's 1.8 million..

[amatrine]

I read that they now have 50 thousand in a news article, that they have doubled thier growth in the last three years.

Ama

[casagrande]

I saw in one website that violent crime was rated 7 out of 10 and property crime was rated 8 out of 10. Scary figures if they're true. I would like to know how safe people are in Casa Grande.

[UKFSChick]

Originally Posted by rd2mov

My husband and I are on fixed income apx $25,000.00 could we live in your town comfortable without worries?

Yes you could, I just sent you a PM We are at about 6% bank-owned homes right now, which is very sad for those people, but which does at least open the market up again for new buyers and people on lower incomes.

Good luck with it
Emma