Moving to Az. places NOT to live? (Phoenix, Tucson: housing, vacation)

[topsie]

We just moved to AZ. We choose a house in North Scottsdale. It is very quiet, desert landscaping, mountain views, great schools. In our neighborhood, we have had three crimes, all minor - car break-ins - in the past three years. I also did research on sex offenders and, believe it or not, the closes one to our location is 8 miles away. Although I do not have children, I still like to know.

Don't get fooled by the cheaper homes in Phoenix, Glendale, and Peoria. One of the people who work with my husband, who was also transferred from another state, purchased a home on the border or Phoenix & Glendale. Already he is looking to move. He said that although it is a new development, it is starting to get run down.

Before you buy, cheak out the area thoroughly. We not only walked, yes walked around our neighborhood, we stop by it in the evening. We spoke homeowners, and contacted the homeowner association. It took some time, but it was well worth it. Good luck and wish you well.

[tamara3]

I have a similar question... I am considering moving to arizona to further my education and for a change of scenery... I am looking in the Glendale area... I am from mass, 24 years old, and in the education field. I would be moving alone, and am wondering if anyone has any advice/best places to live/and just overall impressions about arizona. I have visited, and found it to be beautiful, however realize it is different to live there. I would be renting an appt... and would prefer a gated community where I could meet people as well. any advice would be great.

[yeah_right]

I agree and wholeheartedly endorse Mike's recommendations. Arizona is a fantastic place to live, however, stay away from any town that our Tough Sherrif has abandoned due to budget cuts...they are slowly but surely becoming a mecca for drugs, robbery, rape and murder. It took a recent incident of the latter to get the Sherrifs Dept to start patrolling my little town again. How many lives have to be ruined by people who have given up for Joe to get the media attention he requires to support his ego? Keep your children safe and don't move in an unprotected area. Just because a town is shown to be in his jurisdiction, doesn't mean it is well-patrolled. Check in person - talk to the merchants - talk to the police and sherrifs departments (again, in person). And keep in mind that the Deputies are doing the best they can with what they have.....they don't all agree with Joe's grandstanding tactics. All in all, the dept. is professional and has some of the states finest officers, but some have given up too. Your children deserve the best head start in life....don't sell them short by not doing your homework. Congrats and welcome to Arizona.

[yeah_right]

I was so sorry to hear that Anthem is becoming like my town (it appears). I was very impressed when Anthem just got "noticed". A beautiful town. We too have murders and crimes that are not reported. It seems that if it's not within the boundaries, it's not news. We had a new store open (only have 2 markets), which was burglarized 3 times in 3 weeks and finally was robbed (armed) on week 5 of their opening. Owners were both cut up and not even a mention in any phoenix area newspaper. A couple was just killed too, again not a word. I believe that our Tough Sherrif is just waiting for the proper grandstanding moment to ride in by tank and declare how grateful we all should be that he singlehandedly "cleaned up our town"...well Joe, it's been 5 years since I moved here, it's about time, just leave the innocents alone, get the drug DEALERS not the users (whom I feel are just as much VICTIMS - and YOU have had a major hand in creating by your lack of action) when you do decide to ride in on your horse. God bless the few good Sherrifs who do brave our streets and pray that you send some some to Anthem before it's too late for them too.

Sorry Rabid - I used your post for my own agenda. I apologize. But I think we should all stick together as we seem to be in the same boat.

[Great Joy]

Originally Posted by topsie

We just moved to AZ. We choose a house in North Scottsdale. It is very quiet, desert landscaping, mountain views, great schools. In our neighborhood, we have had three crimes, all minor - car break-ins - in the past three years. I also did research on sex offenders and, believe it or not, the closes one to our location is 8 miles away. Although I do not have children, I still like to know.

Don't get fooled by the cheaper homes in Phoenix, Glendale, and Peoria. One of the people who work with my husband, who was also transferred from another state, purchased a home on the border or Phoenix & Glendale. Already he is looking to move. He said that although it is a new development, it is starting to get run down.

Before you buy, cheak out the area thoroughly. We not only walked, yes walked around our neighborhood, we stop by it in the evening. We spoke homeowners, and contacted the homeowner association. It took some time, but it was well worth it. Good luck and wish you well.

Topsie, as I began quickly skimming your note I thought you were talking about our development in northern Peoria (until I realized you wrote North Scottsdale) because it also is very quiet, desert landscaping (actually with green golf courses and parks, and ponds too), mountain views, great schools, low crime, and the closest sex offender is not close, but actually quite a few miles away. I think our newer development, as well as many other newer ones in north Glendale and north Peoria, are still looking very nice. I believe it has a lot to do with how much the residents care about their neighborhoods.

Before buying, I agree with your tips to thoroughly check out each area a person/couple/family is considering. Good advice!

[pynkpanther]

Originally Posted by Phoneix mom

Ohio Dave....Paradise valley school district is really known for its good schools. I am a product of it actually and found college to be easier than high school =)

so why is your name spelled wrong? lol!

do not move to laveen. the only people that actually like it are those that are fooling you, fooling themselves or have yet to be the fool (though that will happen much sooner than they care to think).

[goose7]

my advice: Stay where you are! I cant wait to get out of this armpit they call Phoenix!

[saffordpastor]

Safford is a great place to live...decent climate, growing economy, lots of natural scenery, etc...

[Annay79]

Yeah my husband and I and our 4 kids are wanting to relocate to Arizona.I want to apply for the Mesa police, but i've been getting comments from a few that the crime rate is high and they don't recommend Mesa or Phoenix because they are hiring there too, can someone help me out and tell me is it safe to move my family there.?

[ArizonaBear]

Originally Posted by yeah_right

I was so sorry to hear that Anthem is becoming like my town (it appears). I was very impressed when Anthem just got "noticed". A beautiful town. We too have murders and crimes that are not reported. It seems that if it's not within the boundaries, it's not news. We had a new store open (only have 2 markets), which was burglarized 3 times in 3 weeks and finally was robbed (armed) on week 5 of their opening. Owners were both cut up and not even a mention in any phoenix area newspaper. A couple was just killed too, again not a word. I believe that our Tough Sherrif is just waiting for the proper grandstanding moment to ride in by tank and declare how grateful we all should be that he singlehandedly "cleaned up our town"...well Joe, it's been 5 years since I moved here, it's about time, just leave the innocents alone, get the drug DEALERS not the users (whom I feel are just as much VICTIMS - and YOU have had a major hand in creating by your lack of action) when you do decide to ride in on your horse. God bless the few good Sherrifs who do brave our streets and pray that you send some some to Anthem before it's too late for them too.

Sorry Rabid - I used your post for my own agenda. I apologize. But I think we should all stick together as we seem to be in the same boat.

Sounds like Aquila