Moving to AZ nxt year, Peoria, Maricopa - whats best? (Phoenix: for rent, crime) - City-Data Forum

ajtwins · 03-09-2011, 09:46 AM

Hi everyone,

We are a family of 5 (my wife & I, 3 children) and are temporarily living in south TX. I'm a web developer so we have the privilege of not worry about commuting or being forced to a particular location to live - we can literally live anywhere we want since I work from home and have been for the past number of years.

Most of our family is on the east cost (FL), but we don't want to move back, - been there so long and the humidity/mosquitos really suck. South TX has been okay, but we live in such a small area there's not much to do and have to drive an hour for good restaurants/shopping. We're deciding near the Phoenix area because of location - it's close to San Diego which we've lived for 2 years so we can always drive and visit.

Only place we've visited in AZ has been Tucson/Douglas area - neither place we care for. Is the Phoenix area the same or is it different?

We are definitely looking for some of the following:

1: Great public schools for our kids
2: Good opportunity to build a local web design/marketing/development firm
3: Looking to rent at first, and then buy a home. Anywhere with 4+/2/2/2500 sq ft min would be fine for us.
4: Good neighborhoods/places for shopping/eating/activities (don't want to live in the boonies, but driving 15-20 min is okay and not a big deal)

We've been looking at Maricopa city for houses and there are some incredible deals. I know it's about an hour drive from the cities and people are always complaning about water/elec bills being so expensive.

How are other parts of the greater phoenix area, we've heard good things about Glendale/Peoria.

These are our 4 top priorities that we're looking at when we move - #2 would be necessary if I want to push my business in making over 7 figures (currently on my own I'm making 130K+ a year).

Any ideas?

Thanks!

AZJoeD · 03-09-2011, 10:39 AM

Take a look at North Phoenix. Specifically the Sonoran Foothills/Dynamite Mountain ranch area. Very nice, affordable, far enough away to avoid noise and traffic, yet close enough to get into town without any hassle. Nice area to rent, then eventually buy into.

Also consider Anthem. A little further north, but nice family area and rents are very reasonable there.

Both areas in the Deer Valley School District.

MotleyCrew · 03-09-2011, 10:39 AM

I think it would be wise to visit both cities before you make a commitment.

ajtwins · 03-09-2011, 10:50 AM

Thanks for the info you two... I may be coming down to the Phoenix area in April for a convention, which would be a great opportunity to look at the different areas.

Anyone have any thoughts on the business aspect of my question, is there still room for new businesses (web design, marketing, development) in and around the Phoenix area in general? This isn't a necessity for us to make a living, but would be if we want to expand and grow...

blueeyz911 · 03-09-2011, 01:35 PM

I have lived in the city of Maricopa for almost 3 years and really like it. After living in Phoenix practically my entire life, I really enjoy living out of the city. It's safe and family friendly BUT the utilities are higher compared to other parts of the valley that have APS and SRP. I am not sure if the public schools are great, most likely they are not- Arizona is not known for their great public schools anyway.

I would not consider Maricopa the boonies since it's only 20 miles to get to Chandler and it's all freeway so it's not too bad. Due to Maricopa's rapid growth, we are getting a hospital built this summer so things are coming along out here.

Also, I have seen quite a few houses for rent in Maricopa too. Good luck with your move.

ajtwins · 03-09-2011, 02:50 PM

Thank you so much - we really needed for someone living in Maricopa to give us some details. My MAJOR concern was the fact that there was no Hospital in Maricopa - but what you mentioned really makes me at ease now.

How are the water/elec bills for that area for 2500/3000 sq ft house with a pool? I know summer's would be worse, and we're okay paying 500 a month especially if our rent is in the sub 1000 range.

Also is there a certain area in the city of Maricopa that's more safer or would have less of the smell that I've read? we've seen the north side where Rancho El Doardo is.. I don't have to commute again so that isn't an issue just don't want to live somewhere where it'll stink

Thanks !

Quote:

Originally Posted by blueeyz911

I have lived in the city of Maricopa for almost 3 years and really like it. After living in Phoenix practically my entire life, I really enjoy living out of the city. It's safe and family friendly BUT the utilities are higher compared to other parts of the valley that have APS and SRP. I am not sure if the public schools are great, most likely they are not- Arizona is not known for their great public schools anyway.

I would not consider Maricopa the boonies since it's only 20 miles to get to Chandler and it's all freeway so it's not too bad. Due to Maricopa's rapid growth, we are getting a hospital built this summer so things are coming along out here.

Also, I have seen quite a few houses for rent in Maricopa too. Good luck with your move.

blueeyz911 · 03-10-2011, 07:59 AM

You're welcome. To give you an example, my house is 1300 sq feet- one level, no pool, 2 adults. Our average monthly bill in the summer running the AC at 84 all the time is roughly $275. I think that is ridiculous for such a small home. I would imagine it would be much higher for 2500-3000 sq feet with a pool. I have heard people paying $500-$600 a month for that scenario.

We live in Rancho El Dorado (RED) and we like it because it's closest to getting out of town (easier for my commute in the a.m.) and we like the development. We looked at houses in almost every development in Maricopa and I found them all to be nice and safe. Of course, crime can happen anywhere but I do not think there is a particularly bad neighborhood in Maricopa. I loved Alterra North but it was south of tracks and I preferred to be north of the tracks for commuting purposes.

Hearing about the hospital was a big deal to me. Not only is it convenient in case of a health emergency but it should help increase property values. The first phase is due to open summer 2012- so it will be a project but at least it's coming.

I shudder to think what kind of a great deal you can get in Maricopa now. We thought we got a smokin deal in 2008 but now it's MUCH better.

SunnyGirl45 · 07-31-2011, 02:25 PM

Hi! We are moving to the Phoenix area next year and I'm starting to research home prices - I can't believe the deals in Maricopa. My question would be how bad is the traffic into the city in the mornings? My husband will be working in Tempe. Thanks!

MotleyCrew · 07-31-2011, 02:39 PM

My daughter and son in law made that drive for a year or so and hated it. I guess it depends on your stamina. The drive from Maricopa to Tempe would be far less stressful than from Peoria to Tempe, which my husband did and could not handle being in that traffic all week. The home prices in Maricopa are also a better deal than Peoria right now.

observer53 · 07-31-2011, 04:49 PM

Traffic in on the I-10 in the morning rush, and out again in the evening, to Maricopa is a pain. And, to the OP, I don't think Maricopa schools, are "great" compared to those of other areas where you might not get such a smoking deal on a house. My nephew lives there, and has driven his school age kids to Chandler ever since they started school.