Relocating in Tempe (for rent, condominium, house)

[demichie]

Hello,
the next September I'll move with my wife and my two years old son from Italy to Tempe for a couple of years. We are trying to understand what is better for us (rent or buy? Condo or single family home?). I will work at ASU as researcher so I would like to be quite close to the campus, but we would also like to avoid student parties. It is good also anything close to a park or a playground for my son. Our budget for rent is 800-1000$ per month, possibly for a 2-3 bedroom house. In the past weeks I've checked on the web for something and I've found something interesting at the Papago Park Village, but then I've discovered the City-Data Forum and I've read that airport noise and parties could be a problem. Is this last thing a problem for all the condos or just for someone?
Can someone help us with some suggestion?

Thank you and ciao
Mattia

[LocoAZnative]

If you want to be near a park I would suggest the area around Kawanis Park on Mill/Baseline. There are plenty of apts around there and its far enough removed from ASU so you wont have to deal with parties. There are also plenty of house around that area too you could probably rent.

City of Tempe - Kiwanis Recreation Center

[phoenixmike11]

Usually, when you move to a new area it is good to rent for 1 year before you buy a house to make sure you to settle down there. Prices for phoenix area homes probably are not going to change much in the next few years.

[demichie]

Thank you LocoAZnative for you answer. I've noticed that in my post I've forgotten to write some information on what I'm searching for.
I would like to avoid to buy a car, so it would be better to find something close to the Orbit stops, and it seems to me that Kiwanis Park is outside Orbit map. If a list in terms of priorities can help people to suggest my something, this could be:
1) a quiet place far from parties;
2) not too far from ASU campus or orbit;
3) close to a place my son can go and play;
4) someone told me there are better neighbourhood than other (in Italy it can be different..), so it would be better for me to avoid the bad ones.

Another thing I have to understand is what I will find if I rent a house for a couple of years. Here in Italy you can expect to have the furniture included, is it different there?

Thank you
Mattia

Originally Posted by LocoAZnative

If you want to be near a park I would suggest the area around Kawanis Park on Mill/Baseline. There are plenty of apts around there and its far enough removed from ASU so you wont have to deal with parties. There are also plenty of house around that area too you could probably rent.

City of Tempe - Kiwanis Recreation Center

[demichie]

Thank you for you suggestion. Our idea to buy a house is more for an investment than for wish to live in Tempe. We've been there several times and we liked the city, but I'll work at ASU for two years only and then we'll come back to Italy. Probably I'll come again in the following years so, due to the low prices, we have thought that buying now could be a good idea. But I think that rent is still the first option for us.

ciao
mattia

Originally Posted by phoenixmike11

Usually, when you move to a new area it is good to rent for 1 year before you buy a house to make sure you to settle down there. Prices for phoenix area homes probably are not going to change much in the next few years.

[LocoAZnative]

Originally Posted by demichie

Thank you LocoAZnative for you answer. I've noticed that in my post I've forgotten to write some information on what I'm searching for.
I would like to avoid to buy a car, so it would be better to find something close to the Orbit stops, and it seems to me that Kiwanis Park is outside Orbit map. If a list in terms of priorities can help people to suggest my something, this could be:
1) a quiet place far from parties;
2) not too far from ASU campus or orbit;
3) close to a place my son can go and play;
4) someone told me there are better neighbourhood than other (in Italy it can be different..), so it would be better for me to avoid the bad ones.

Another thing I have to understand is what I will find if I rent a house for a couple of years. Here in Italy you can expect to have the furniture included, is it different there?

Thank you
Mattia

Baseline and Mill is away from the parties and not to far from ASU you have take the 65 from there and goto the Tempe Transit center @ ASU. This area is next to Kiwanis Park(the biggest park in Tempe) and that park has everything(Lake, playground, basketball courst, tennis courts,basebal fieldsm soccer fields, batting cage, and of course the wave pool), When you rent chances are low furniture will be included.

Valley Metro | Welcome

[observer53]

You can also look in the areas both south (College Ave, 14th and 15th St) and west of the campus (west of Mill Avenue) Small, older homes that would fit what you are looking for.

[demichie]

What do you think about Alameda Park Condominium (2502 S. Mill Ave.)? The photogallery of their website seems to suggest that it is quiet and with more families than students. Clark Park and Daley Park are not too far, and the same for ASU.
My only concern is about the neighborhood...is it good?

Thank you
Mattia

[observer53]

The neighborhood would not be a problem.