Moving to Az. places NOT to live? (Phoenix, Mesa: gated, budget)

[tnp]

Originally Posted by BillyBaroo

Believe it or not, Eloy is about to start growing. There was a funny column about it just last week.

Thanks for the article! When I was there a couple of years ago it looked like an area that had a lot of growth potential, so I'm not too surprised to see it growing. I probably should have bought a house there back then.

[ArizonaBear]

Originally Posted by tnp

Has Golden Valley near Kingman changed much in the past couple of years? I was there looking at homes in 2005, and most of the affordable homes I saw in Golden Valley were very trashy looking mobile homes on bad dirt roads. I have nothing against mobile homes. I live in one now and like it a lot and it's about all I can afford, but the mobile home areas of Golden Valley just looked very trashy and "rednecky" to me. But it was about the only place in Arizona that seemed affordable on my low disability income.

Just wondering if the area has improved any? I'm still trying to decide where to move to. Been looking at the northwest too, but my heart really is in Arizona. I used to go to Arizona yearly and always felt like I was leaving "home" when I had to leave.

I also visited Eloy when I was there. I found a couple of affordable rental houses there recently, and they were listed as being built in 2007, so it looks like that area has been developed a bit more than when I was there in 2005. Wonder what it's like there now. I'm mostly looking for peace and quiet, so a small town is probably what I'm needing.

Note that 2005 was when the psychotic increase in housing prices peaked here in Arizona-------they are dropping about 2.5% a year now.

In reality prices are plummeting faster factoring in core inflation of 2-3%.

So; the real drops in value are about 5% a year at the moment.

[cactus_lover_4ever]

I live in Bullhead City and I like it here fine. I am retired and it's a nice enough place to live especially if you are on a low income. I have been here 9 years and it has grown a lot. Now is the best time to BUY a house. The market is soft right now and good time for buyers. Check out Sun Desert Realty. I purchased two homes from Trisha and my mother purchased one home from her. After meeting her she will be a friend for life. Kingman is real nice and is at least 10[SIZE=4]° [/SIZE][SIZE=2]cooler. If you like a collage town & snow, Flagstaff is great plus your not that far from the Grand Canyon which is breathtaking and on the PLUS side it isn't HOT in the summer.[/SIZE]

[NoeYourself]

Each neighborhood is different. The thing about the Valley is you can have really nice areas right next to crappy areas. I've found that if you stay away from any neighborhood with more than one cash advance store, you're probably doing alright.

[BillR1]

Originally Posted by movin'on

You realize, overall, AZ ranks 50th in the nation for education, right?

And I only remember this from my childhood education (a song) and data to support it.

BTW, I do have an MBA from an accredited school and speak a foreign language. I just get so miffed when someone tries to pass off AZ education as adequate. Sorry, I am just in a mood. If you want your children to get a good education, don't come here. Stick to a school in a place like MN (sorry, that's the only thing I know and the schools are excellent!)

Agreed 100%!

[EDnurse]

Originally Posted by flynncj

What area of Glendale is better? What area of Phoenix is better? What suburbs of Phoenix would you recommend?? Thanks.

Glendale: The north end, Arrowhead Ranch area and the far west end of town. The city of Glendale is VERY business conscious and the west end is erupting with growth (hockey arena, football stadium, Westridge Mall, banks, office buildings, etc.) As a result, the are a lot of police patrolling the area, especially the Mall. The city wants to keep the area safe and pretty looking.

Unfortunately, crime can take place anywhere you live. If you want an area that's 100 percent crime free, you'd probably have to build a fort in the middle of nowhere and surround the structure with a 20 ft high electrified stockade

I have lived in the far west end of Glendale for 11 years and I have never been a victim of crime. Then again, I'm in bed by 10:00 pm, I only shop at malls about three times a year, and at night, I do park my car in the garage because that's what garages are for.

Be advised: Phoenix is HOT. An associate of mine used to say that there are three seasons in Phx: hot, hotter, and hotter than hell. Forget about the "but it's a dry heat!" fish story. Truth is, after 110 degrees, it doesn't matter. It's HOT!

Finally, traffic is absolutely HORRID. The I-10 is pretty much a parking lot in the morning (0700-0800) and in the afternoon (1530-1730). I-17 is beyond horrid, I think it is darn near unsafe. The craziest drivers of all travel that interstate. I refuse to take it.

I suggest you minimize your commute. Look at specific neighborhoods that are fairly nice and safe and that are not to far from your house. If you are retiring, try to live near a hospital. Helicopter rides to the hospital are very expensive.

[EDnurse]

Originally Posted by Valley Resident

Live In...
Near Westgate City Center Glendale, AZ
Litchfield Park, AZ
Surprise, AZ-except old town-DUMPY!
Paradise Valley, AZ
Anthem, AZ
Scottsdale, AZ
Goodyear, AZ-unsafe south of I-10
Avondale, AZ-unsafe south of I-10
Arrowhead area of Glendale/Peoria, AZ
North Phoenix, AZ-north of Thunderbird Road
Gilbert, AZ
Carefree, AZ
Cave Creek, AZ
Awatukee, Phoenix, AZ
Queen Creek, AZ
Fountain Hills, AZ

Don't Live In..
El Mirage, AZ
Mesa, AZ
South Phoenix, AZ
Tempe, AZ
Downtown Phoenix, AZ
Near Metrocenter Mall in Phoenix, AZ
Near Desert Sky Mall in Phoenix, AZ
Near Encanto Park in Phoenix, AZ

I would concur with your observations.

[WmHerring]

I am planning on moving to Kingman/Golden Valley area. I live in the northeastern, Pa. area. Desert life and homes are differant. I plan to buy land and build. I would appreciate any information, suggestions, and/or education on the area and differant style of living in the desert.

[jenkaye]

Originally Posted by Azbound

kowatson, I'll be waiting to hear replies as we are relocating from Maine in June. Good question!

Why would you leave Maine for AZ????? I hope you have been here for a visit

[cactus_lover_4ever]

I can't say about other areas other then what I hear on the news, but in Bullhead City/Mohave Valley Area it get real hot in the summer months. Winters are usually nice though this year it did get down to 20° but this has only happened once in the 10 years I have been here. It usually is in the low-40's warming up to the 50's or low-60's in the afternoon. There are two high schools, one in Mohave Valley and one in Bullhead City. There are a couple of grade schools and a middle-school in Bullhead City. You probably have better schooling on the East Coast. Crime is low here though there is crime no matter where you move. Large cities have more crime. Scottsdale, Phoenix, Chandler and Tempe are always on the news about murders, hit & runs, gang violence, drugs etc. There is a drug problem in Bullhead City, but no matter where you go, you will find drugs. I moved here hoping I could get away from the drugs but my daughter had no problem finding it. If someone wants it bad enough they will find it. You just can't get away from it.

The town is growing. We have a Home Depot, Lowell's, Super Wal-Mart, soon to have a Kohl's and Target, a few Family Dollar stores, Big Lots, IHOP, A Dollar Money Tree. None of which were here when I moved to BHC. The doctor situation still sucks. If you want a good doctor you would have to go to Las Vegas or Henderson. Not much to choose from here. When I have to see a specialist, I make all appointments at one time and spend a few weeks in San Diego County with my mom and sisters.