Couple Looking To Move (Phoenix, Mesa: condo, crime, house)

[Maddogg765]

My girlfriend recently came upon a transfer opportunity in the Phoenix area. It's a traveling job but she would be based out of the city, so we're not really restricted to a specific area of Phoenix. We would be moving from the Dayton, OH area so I'm sure you can understand our excitement at the chance.

Anyhow, we were wondering what would be some good neighborhoods that wouldn't cost an arm and a leg? We would want to be somewhere that has access to solid eateries, some nightlife of some sort, and other activities. I understand there's crime everywhere so as long as I'm not being directed to the worst parts, I'm fine with that. We'd be looking to get a home, preferably under $150,000. We might also be open to getting a condo as well. Can anyone direct us to a few areas so we can do some research ourselves and line up a few areas to visit here soon down the road?

Any other info would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

[momtogrif]

You may want to put out other specifics. A lot of places fall into your categories. What kind of nightlife do you like? The college scene or the upscale yuppie type crowd? Do you like the downtown type feel or are you ok in the burbs?

When we moved here, newly married, and broke we bought a condo in Moon Valley. We loved the area. It was older, had nice places to eat, we were close enough to Scottsdale, downtown Phoenix, and other areas if we needed a night out. Moon Valley is technically north Phoenix, major cross streets are 7th Street and Thunderbird Roads.

But, there are great areas in Tempe, Scottsdale, Ahwatukee, and of course downtown Phoenix. Since you mentioned nightlife I won't suggest cities like Mesa, Gilbert, Goodyear, or Glendale(which is where I live) because even though they have a decent proximity to 'some' nightlife, they definitely have a more suburban feel. Hopefully you'll get some other suggestions.

[Maddogg765]

Yeah, I should have been a little more clear when I mentioned nightlife. We don't need big clubs or anything like that but a nice selection of bars, movie theatres, and other things to do during the evening is a big plus. We actually like the suburb life; we just don't want one that's completely dull like the one we live in now. We'd also like a place where we can get out and be active whether that be good walking areas, mountains, trails, or whatever. We certainly want to take advantage of the great climate when we can.

[Goober13]

The Arrowhead Mall area of Glendale/Peoria may be an ok area to look for a house and have "some" nightlife and lots of different restaurants. That area is at 75th Ave and Bell Rd. If you drive east on Bell road from the mall there are tons of restaurants, stores and some bars in the mix. I would say home wise you could look 2 miles south of Bell and 2 miles north, and from 83rd Ave to 35th Ave or I-17 to your east, and be in your price range.

Most of the trendy spots are in downtown Scottsdale, or Downtown Phoenix, with some hidden gems scattered around town.

[keninaz]

Make sure you find out where you will be working (based) and map it. Phoenix Metro (all the towns around it) is a spread out city and it can take quite some time to go from one end to the other.
You don't really want a long commute I am sure.

[Zippyman]

If your GF is traveling for work, you may want to keep airport proximity in mind & not go too far out - the roads leading to the center of town (& hence, the airport) can be murder if you're in an outlying area.

But other than that, $150k can get you near just about any part of the valley you like - Heck, $100k will probably get you a newer/better place than you're likely used to in Dayton, with lower property taxes to boot.