Update and suggestions. (Phoenix: mortgage, luxury, house hunting)

[Indylog]

Thanks to many of your suggestion, I have secured a 12 month lease to start 8-1 at the Optima biltmore tower (2 bed/2 bath, about 1400 square ft.) for 1900/mo. (ouch!!). I have to mention that I had to do this over the internet with the help of a realtor since I live out of state, I have not actually seen the unit but have seen PICS/floor plan, etc. and had visited the building during my last visit. It seems very nice...I guess the house hunting will officialy start now!

Now I need to know the following;

1) Are there biking/walking trails around (within walking distance or in the proximity)? Any other fun outdoor activities?
2) Looking for fun things to do in the area. I am specifically inquiring about restaurants, fun places to see/go?
3) Is there a nice Gym around that area?

I appreciate the advice and thank you in advance.

[sablebaby]

That's a nice looking place.

You have the Esplanade across the way that has shopping, restaurants, and a movie theater. That's a good place to go. And the shops at the Biltmore Fashion Park, and Camelback Colonade. Also, the workout room in your complex looks very nice, along with the pools.

[Indylog]

Originally Posted by sablebaby

That's a nice looking place.

You have the Esplanade across the way that has shopping, restaurants, and a movie theater. That's a good place to go. And the shops at the Biltmore Fashion Park, and Camelback Colonade. Also, the workout room in your complex looks very nice, along with the pools.

Sablebay,

Thank you for your post. Excuse my ignorance but what kind of a place is "the Esplande"? is it like a an indoor shopping mall? I could not come up with any info when I googled it.

[sheena]

Originally Posted by Indylog

Thanks to many of your suggestion, I have secured a 12 month lease to start 8-1 at the Optima biltmore tower (2 bed/2 bath, about 1400 square ft.) for 1900/mo. (ouch!!). I have to mention that I had to do this over the internet with the help of a realtor since I live out of state, I have not actually seen the unit but have seen PICS/floor plan, etc. and had visited the building during my last visit. It seems very nice...I guess the house hunting will officialy start now!

Now I need to know the following;

1) Are there biking/walking trails around (within walking distance or in the proximity)? Any other fun outdoor activities?
2) Looking for fun things to do in the area. I am specifically inquiring about restaurants, fun places to see/go?
3) Is there a nice Gym around that area?

I appreciate the advice and thank you in advance.

1900 a month! Holy cow!

What are some things you enjoy besides biking and hiking? You may want to go out early and quit early until the Fall rolls around.

[nitram]

Indy log, just type into 'Google Esplanade Phoenix AZ' and you'll find the following, plus other info.
Welcome to Esplanade Place, the unique, luxury 12-floor condominium
in the nerve center of the city's business and financial district, the intersection of 24th Street and Camelback.
Your stunningly appointed residence overlooks downtown Phoenix, The Esplanade, and the Ritz-Carlton, Phoenix. Within a short walking distance is the renowned Biltmore Fashion Park with its fine restaurants and exclusive shops.
A few blocks away is the Squaw Peak Parkway taking you in minutes to the major league sports facilities of the Arizona Diamondbacks, the Phoenix Suns and the Phoenix Coyotes, as well as centers of culture, the Herberger Theater, Phoenix Symphony Hall and Orpheum Theater.
Esplanade Place is a one-of-a-kind condominium experience in Phoenix. The Pivotal Group is proud to have joined with Geoffrey H. Edmunds in bringing high-concept luxury to select few who thrive on being in the center of it all.

[Indylog]

Originally Posted by sheena

1900 a month! Holy cow!

What are some things you enjoy besides biking and hiking? You may want to go out early and quit early until the Fall rolls around.

Holy Cow was my initial rxn as well, especially coming from the midwest. Incidently, this is almost twice as much as the mortgage on my current house in the midwest!! The shock is now over and I am justifying it by the fact that it is close to work and the area is supposed to be fun and safe.

[HX_Guy]

It seems like a lot but it really isn't for what it is.

Those condos are very expensive to buy, especially a 1400 sq ft unit...probably $700,000+. If you were to buy one, your mortgage would be around $4500+ a month.

Congrats and good luck.

Edit: Just did a search on MLS, and depending on the floor height, the price for a 1400-1500 sq ft unit ranges from $669,000 to $840,000.

[Livewire]

Originally Posted by Indylog

Thanks to many of your suggestion, I have secured a 12 month lease to start 8-1 at the Optima biltmore tower (2 bed/2 bath, about 1400 square ft.) for 1900/mo. (ouch!!). I have to mention that I had to do this over the internet with the help of a realtor since I live out of state, I have not actually seen the unit but have seen PICS/floor plan, etc. and had visited the building during my last visit. It seems very nice...I guess the house hunting will officialy start now!

Now I need to know the following;

1) Are there biking/walking trails around (within walking distance or in the proximity)? Any other fun outdoor activities?
2) Looking for fun things to do in the area. I am specifically inquiring about restaurants, fun places to see/go?
3) Is there a nice Gym around that area?

I appreciate the advice and thank you in advance.

WOWSA!!!! Some of us dont even bring home 1900 a month! Even in a skilled trade job, youd be surprised what some of those trades actually net.

[silverbear]

Originally Posted by Indylog

Thanks to many of your suggestion, I have secured a 12 month lease to start 8-1 at the Optima biltmore tower (2 bed/2 bath, about 1400 square ft.) for 1900/mo. (ouch!!). I have to mention that I had to do this over the internet with the help of a realtor since I live out of state, I have not actually seen the unit but have seen PICS/floor plan, etc. and had visited the building during my last visit. It seems very nice...I guess the house hunting will officialy start now!

Now I need to know the following;

1) Are there biking/walking trails around (within walking distance or in the proximity)? Any other fun outdoor activities?
2) Looking for fun things to do in the area. I am specifically inquiring about restaurants, fun places to see/go?
3) Is there a nice Gym around that area?

I appreciate the advice and thank you in advance.

#1 -- Best hiking is in the Phoenix Mountain Preserve -- two miles from your location. Trailheads at 1) 32nd St. & Lincoln, 2) Piestewa (Squaw) Peak Park, 3) north end of 22nd St. above Lincoln, and 4) Dreamy Draw Park. Camelback Mountain is a few miles to the east and also good. If hiking at this time of year, hike early (5 or 6 AM) with plenty of water, sunblock, and a hat.

#2 -- Restaurants within walking distance -- Christopher's Fermier Brasserie and Sam's Cafe are my favorites inside Biltmore Fashion Park. There are several upscale chains within walking distances including Ruth's Chris, Morton's, Capital Grille, and McCormick and Schmick. Many more indy restaurants are within a few miles drive, including Tarbell's, Fenix, Delux, Ticoz, Fez, La Grande Orange, Durant's, and Lola Tapas.

Fun places -- a few miles away you have the Phoenix Art Museum and the Heard Museum. The Zoo and the Desert Botanical Garden are a few miles east in Papago Park.

#3 -- There's an LA Fitness on 20th St. just south of Camelback inside the Town & Country Shopping Center. There's another gym on 32nd St. just south of Camelback, but I can't remember the name.

[Indylog]

Originally Posted by HX_Guy

It seems like a lot but it really isn't for what it is.

Those condos are very expensive to buy, especially a 1400 sq ft unit...probably $700,000+. If you were to buy one, your mortgage would be around $4500+ a month.

Congrats and good luck.

Edit: Just did a search on MLS, and depending on the floor height, the price for a 1400-1500 sq ft unit ranges from $669,000 to $840,000.

Thanks, The unit was also on sale for 680 K...