Put it to a vote - Which is the nicest area to live (Scottsdale: for sale, apartments)

[crazysheli]

I voted for the area closest to my favorite so far and that was W. Glendale. I actually really like the area just west of 101 and Indian School and have been happy with our move here. We are a young family with 2 toddlers and it seems to be a great place with a lot of things to do close by.

[Ritchie_az]

If you can't scrape up $1-$2k for maintenance & repairs, you don't have enough money to buy a house, rent a house, or frankly, enough to live in an apartment.

I can't scrape up 2k right now, and I own a home. So what? I should be homeless?

Seriously, do you have any more nonsense to spout, or are you done yet?

The OP said he has 90k cash to buy a home. He did not say he has 90k plus up to 15k to make all the necessary repairs. If he had that much, he'd probably be looking at 105k homes....

Most don't have pools

I think the OP might consider looking at homes without pools....

[Zippyman]

Originally Posted by Ritchie_az

I can't scrape up 2k right now, and I own a home. So what? I should be homeless?

Seriously, do you have any more nonsense to spout, or are you done yet?

The OP said he has 90k cash to buy a home. He did not say he has 90k plus up to 15k to make all the necessary repairs. If he had that much, he'd probably be looking at 105k homes....

I think it's nonsense to make blanket statements like you made earlier in this thread - quote below...

Originally Posted by Ritchie_az

Well, good luck to you. 90k for a house with a pool? Just remember, you get what you pay for. They are most likely in bad neighborhoods and/or in need of plenty of repairs.

That statement is simply not correct for the area I commented on - it might be true in Gilbert, or Scottsdale, or Duluth MN, but it isn't true in N. Phoenix near the 17 & 101.

I believe the values there have taken a hit that wasn't warranted based on the location & quality of the homes and neighborhoods. Many of these homes are currently selling for less than they sold for new in the mid-late 1980's when it was a "far-flung" area of town, before the 101 was finished.

Heck, if you flip your MLS over to peek at mobile-home listings on land, you'll see a few of them selling for more than these real houses do.

As for having a couple of thousand bucks in the bank after closing for emergencies & repairs- that was advice I didn't take as a first-time homebuyer, and it was foolish in hindsight. Having a little "cushion" of cash makes a huge difference in your quality-of-life - and since AZ has the 49th lowest payout for unemployment benefits and a very short timeline for evictions & foreclosures, it's only prudent to take care of yourself first by saving before buying/renting a house or apartment.

[Beware_of_Dog]

70% of the voters in this poll chose North Phoenix? What is it about N. Phoenix that is so much more attractive than say Mesa? Or is it just that most of you are familiar with that area more so than the East valley?

I have only lived in the east valley over the last 30 years and found Tempe and Mesa to be very relaxing and safe, and easy to get around in. So I will know, tell me why so much support for North Phoenix?

[Zippyman]

Originally Posted by Beware_of_Dog

70% of the voters in this poll chose North Phoenix? What is it about N. Phoenix that is so much more attractive than say Mesa? Or is it just that most of you are familiar with that area more so than the East valley?

I have only lived in the east valley over the last 30 years and found Tempe and Mesa to be very relaxing and safe, and easy to get around in. So I will know, tell me why so much support for North Phoenix?

For me, the location works better - the 51 gets me downtown quickly, and the 101 gets the wife to work quickly. The wife and I lived for a while in Chandler and really enjoyed all of the shopping & restaurants, but even the Waffle House & Denny's had lines outside on weekend mornings (it's been a couple of years, it may be different now due to the economy). As for Tempe, I like it just fine, but I've seen very slim pickings there under $100k, though I haven't looked in a while.

[ladysovereign]

Originally Posted by Zippyman

neighborhood - if you don't like the area, I wouldn't waste much time trying to convince you otherwise, except to say that after living in a neighborhood of what once were $400k+ homes, I'd rather have at least a few neighbors who change their own oil and do their own yardwork. It makes you a little more forgiving of your neighbors if you (not your landscaper) have actually spent an afternoon on your knees picking weeds after a rainstorm.

Yup... it's a "class" thing.. Many wealthy people don't have much "class", IMHO.

This class thing can be very true. Also some people in HOA's don't have compassion when you have a few weeds sticking out of your yard and will privately complain to the association right away in some places giving one a fine for lack of maintenance.

[Vinny536]

"North Phoenix - areas around where I17 & 101 meet"

I would consider the happy valley area if I was working in the northern section of town..

[Ritchie_az]

That statement is simply not correct for the area I commented on - it might be true in Gilbert, or Scottsdale, or Duluth MN, but it isn't true in N. Phoenix near the 17 & 101.

I stand by my statement. A home with a pool for 90k near the Loop 101 and I-17 will be in a bad neighborhood and/or need some work. You get what you pay for.

[Zippyman]

Originally Posted by Ritchie_az

I stand by my statement. A home with a pool for 90k near the Loop 101 and I-17 will be in a bad neighborhood and/or need some work. You get what you pay for.

Lookie what popped on MLS today - $88k for 1500 square feet with a pool. Not a short-sale either, pm if you want the mls number.

[Ritchie_az]

Lookie what popped on MLS today - $88k for 1500 square feet with a pool. Not a short-sale either, pm if you want the mls number.

What neighborhood is it in? What condition is it in? I never said that homes in that price range didn't exists, but that all of them were a) needing repairs, b) in a bad neighborhood and/or c) short sales.
I tried to find it on MLS but couldn't. So I will go by your word on the neighborhood and condition.

Also, what happened to:

There are some nice places in N. Phoenix near the 17 and the 101 where you could get what the OP wants and probably have $10k+ left for beer.