Relocating from So Cal to Phoenix Area (Mesa, Scottsdale: crime, house)

[Palenaka]

My daughter and I will be moving to the Phoenix area this summer. Thanks to the posts on other threads we have narrowed it down (slightly) to Surprise, Goodyear, Phoenix, Scottsdale (probably out of our price range), Tempe or Gilbert. Are there any other cities we should consider?
We expect to do well with our relocation. We both have good jobs working from home so we can live just about anywhere we have a phones and computers. We currently live in an area with months of temperatures well over the 100's. We lived on the beach for many years so we are used to the brown scenery.
We enjoy museums, local arts, zoos, and being outdoors. It seems like all of these will be nearby!
We are planing a visit in a few weeks to look around. Any suggestions will be appreciated!

[observer53]

Well, you certainly haven't narrowed your choices much! Since you have so many options, it's good that you can come and look around. I'm a Tempe fan, because I live there, it's just a quality city.... the presence of the university is great when you want it for educational and cultural opportunities, but if you live outside the immediate area of it, you'd never know that all those people were just a few miles away. Tempe also has easy access to public transit and the museums, etc. downtown through the light rail, good parks rec and library dept with all sorts of interesting classes (and a coffee house IN the library).

I will note that prices in Scottsdale vary a lot. Depending on the type of house you are looking for, it is not necessarily out of your price range. But, it doesn't have the transit access that Tempe has.

Surprise is a LONG way from the museums and the main zoo. Goodyear's a nice place, but without the transit access as well.

Gilbert, to me, is a more family oriented town; older singles (like me) I think would prefer Tempe.

[Java Jolt]

I agree with Observer, Tempe would be your best pick, especially northern Tempe.

If you like zoos, arts, museums and the outdoors you have all of that close by.

Central or east Phoenix would be a good option too.

[DewDropInn]

One thing to keep in mind... The traffic here is nothing like the traffic in So Cal. I moved here from L.A. a few years ago and I am still amazed that we can hop on the freeway (I am not in the city) and it's a straight shot to the Phoenix Art Museum, the Heard, etc. There isn't the endless stop and go traffic that So Cal suffers from even on the weekends. The freeways are well-maintained and there is a ton less grafitti. You can also walk around the areas near the museums and feel safe. (Unlike a lot of the areas the L.A. museums are in.)

[BecomingJane]

We moved from southern CA to Gilbert. We'd still pick Gilbert if we had to do it over again. We go to the different museums, Arizona Science Center, Cubs games, Phoenix and Wildlife World Zoos, hiking in east Mesa as well as enjoy some of the more southeast places like the Queen Creek olive mill and Schneph Farms so being in Gilbert puts us in range of much to do. We also just like Gilbert as a town in general but you really should just drive around and check out the cities when you are here to get a feel for them. We also chose a more "lush" community in Gilbert which made the transition from CA easier though you did say that you didn't mind brown landscape. Enjoy your visit!

[ErikCortez]

Originally Posted by Java Jolt

I agree with Observer, Tempe would be your best pick, especially northern Tempe.

If you like zoos, arts, museums and the outdoors you have all of that close by.

Central or east Phoenix would be a good option too.

Scottsdale south of Old Town is still less $$$ than LA or OC and its close to the places you said.

[ErikCortez]

Originally Posted by DewDropInn

One thing to keep in mind... The traffic here is nothing like the traffic in So Cal. I moved here from L.A. a few years ago and I am still amazed that we can hop on the freeway (I am not in the city) and it's a straight shot to the Phoenix Art Museum, the Heard, etc. There isn't the endless stop and go traffic that So Cal suffers from even on the weekends. The freeways are well-maintained and there is a ton less grafitti. You can also walk around the areas near the museums and feel safe. (Unlike a lot of the areas the L.A. museums are in.)

Tell me about it! I lived in SoCal for years and its nasty cept in the places that are $$$$$$.

[Palenaka]

Thanks everyone for all your suggestions!

@Observer: Tempe does sound like what we are looking for! I really appreciate your post which enticed me to do a little research! The Tempe visitors bureau website and their links are awesome and we really like what we see! I also like the option of public transportation in Tempe.

@Java Jolt: Where exactly is Central and East Phoenix? Phoenix is such a large city...I've been looking at the crime map and locations of cultural activities only.

@ DewDropInn: I know I won't miss the traffic here in So Cal! I commuted daily 100 miles for 11 years. UGH! The last two years I am homebased and I may only drive a 100 miles a month I'm glad to hear you like Arizona!

@BecomingJane: Nice to hear you don't regret your move! We will take a look at Gilbert too. Thanks for your tips on things to do!

@:ErikCortez: Thanks for the Scottsdale tip!

[BacktoBlue]

Originally Posted by ErikCortez

Tell me about it! I lived in SoCal for years and its nasty cept in the places that are $$$$$$.

really, some people say the stupidist things on this board.

[Captain Bill]

You'll find the home prices lower in Gilbert also. On an average per square foot cost basis, Tempe housing costs more than Chandler, and Chandler costs more than Gilbert, and Gilbert costs more than most areas of Mesa.

I live in Gilbert near the freeway 60, so it's fairly quick to go to cultural events anywhere in Gilbert, Mesa, Chandler, Scottsdale or downtown Phoenix.

Gilbert is known as a bedroom community which has plenty of shopping and dining; and two great hospitals, plus a large MD Anderson cancer treatment center under construction.

Two large shopping complexes that also have dining are Dana Park Village (actually located in Mesa on the border of Gilbert, and San Tan Village, which has a large central walkable shopping area.