Considering move to Phoenix area (Glendale, Tempe: apartments, for rent, insurance)

[Caramelboo]

Hello. I am a single black female, early 30's, considering accepting a job opportunity in the Phoenix area and just had a few questions.

1. Is $30,000-$32,000 a year enough to live comfortably in the Phoenix or Tempe area?

2. My job will be in Tempe, near W University Dr and Hohokam Expy. Is this area a good starting point to look for apartments? I will have a car, but do not want a very long commute. I would not mind taking public transportation if that is a possibility.

3. About me: I am more of a homebody, but do not mind going out to movies, restaurants, hiking, etc. I would prefer a walkable neighborhood that is not so suburban, but I know that most of Phoenix is not like this. Correct me if I am wrong though.

Thanks for the info, everyone!

[westcoastbabe]

Hi there..saw your post...I too am a AA sista trying to relocate to the Valley of the Sun....If you don't mind me asking....how easy was it for you to network? Where will you be relocating from?

[LocoAZnative]

Iniversity and Hohokam is and industrial park area. You can look at apartments starting @ University and Priest. This area will have a larger college presence, but shouldn't be overwhelming. You can talk the 30 bus down Unversity towards your work.

[observer53]

Originally Posted by Caramelboo

Hello. I am a single black female, early 30's, considering accepting a job opportunity in the Phoenix area and just had a few questions.

1. Is $30,000-$32,000 a year enough to live comfortably in the Phoenix or Tempe area?

2. My job will be in Tempe, near W University Dr and Hohokam Expy. Is this area a good starting point to look for apartments? I will have a car, but do not want a very long commute. I would not mind taking public transportation if that is a possibility.

3. About me: I am more of a homebody, but do not mind going out to movies, restaurants, hiking, etc. I would prefer a walkable neighborhood that is not so suburban, but I know that most of Phoenix is not like this. Correct me if I am wrong though.

Thanks for the info, everyone!

I think you'd be fine. The shorter the commute, the more saving on your monthly expenses. There are apartments in that northwest part of Tempe, or you could go further east down University, to the other side of the campus, or north to the area in Phoenix that is just outside Tempe.. lots of apts built along the light rail. You would not be able to use the light rail to and from work, but it would be handy when you want to venture into downtown Phoenix. Bus and light rail info is available here:

www.valleymetro.org

[from nv]

Glendale is also a good area to consider and a much safer area than Phoenix itself. You can take the 101 down to Tempe, too. If you're looking for apartments, check out Mark Taylor. They have several properties in Tempe, Glendale and Phoenix. We rented with them for 2 years and they were absolutely great. Hope this helps!

[LocoAZnative]

Originally Posted by from nv

Glendale is also a good area to consider and a much safer area than Phoenix itself. You can take the 101 down to Tempe, too. If you're looking for apartments, check out Mark Taylor. They have several properties in Tempe, Glendale and Phoenix. We rented with them for 2 years and they were absolutely great. Hope this helps!

You don't want to live in Glendale and work in Tempe. One reason is the commute and the second Glendale is a step down compared to Tempe.

[pbenjamin]

Originally Posted by from nv

Glendale is also a good area to consider and a much safer area than Phoenix itself.

That is misleading. There are good and bad places in both.

[Caramelboo]

Thanks to everyone who posted! It has been helpful.

Originally Posted by westcoastbabe

Hi there..saw your post...I too am a AA sista trying to relocate to the Valley of the Sun....If you don't mind me asking....how easy was it for you to network? Where will you be relocating from?

Hi westcoastbabe. I sent you a DM.

Originally Posted by LocoAZnative

Iniversity and Hohokam is and industrial park area. You can look at apartments starting @ University and Priest. This area will have a larger college presence, but shouldn't be overwhelming. You can talk the 30 bus down Unversity towards your work.

Is this area safe for a female? Is noise an issue? I know some college areas can get rowdy, but I do not want to live in too much of a family-oriented area....if that makes sense.

Originally Posted by from nv

If you're looking for apartments, check out Mark Taylor. They have several properties in Tempe, Glendale and Phoenix. We rented with them for 2 years and they were absolutely great. Hope this helps!

Thanks for the tip about apartments. I will look into that.



Thanks again everyone for your help.

[Ritchie_az]

You don't want to live in Glendale and work in Tempe. One reason is the commute and the second Glendale is a step down compared to Tempe.

Well, I don't know if I'd go that far. If it's a "step down" it's a very, very tiny one.

But, you are right, the OP wouldn't want to live there and work in Tempe.

[Zippyman]

$30k/yr won't buy much of a life anywhere, especially Tempe -

it would be very easy to spend a large percentage of your income just for rent in Tempe.

If you're really careful and look around alot, you could do ok, but car payments, insurance, etc could really crimp your style.