A few questions about the city of Phoenix (Mesa, Scottsdale: apartments, lease)

[Mason19]

Hey there, looking for a little help with my potential move to Phoenix. I was contacted by Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport for an interview anytime within the next 6 months and I need some advice on finding a place.

Where would be a good place to rent that is within 45 minute drive of the airport (closer the better) but also within access of public transportation in case I have to bus to work for the first little while?

• What would the average two bedroom apartment go for in Phoenix?

• How is the public transportation in Phoenix?

• Is there a city or town just outside the busy area where I can exist quietly?

• What’s crime like in Phoenix?

• Is daycare expensive?

• Is cost of living higher than Orlando?

• What’s it like in Phoenix in general? I’ve read a few of the negative things but what are some of the better reasons to live there?

• How long of a drive to the nearest beach?

Any thoughts, advice or suggestions?

TX

Mason19

[ItalianGrl88]

I just posted under the Arizona topic.....sorry didn't know you had two

[Mason19]

Does anyone now of any websites where i can check out apartments in the phoenix area.

[ivanabacowboy]

Mason19, some good ones are rent.com or forrent.com or apartments.com. Also, if you have lived in apartments before and were impressed with any particular management company, try looking them up too-the larger companies often have properties in many areas of the country. Some even offer deals where you can relocate to any of their communities. Do you rent now?

That said, your search if you just look all over Phoenix will initially be probably about 1374198734198734194 entries lol! That is a HUGE HUGE area. It is geographically a much larger area than Orlando I beleive. So you may want to try to identify first an area of Phoenix or surrounding neighborhoods you are interested in.

I am relocating to the area next month and have been out there various times. Your other post mentioned you would consider 45 minute or so commute. Also depends on your work schedule-will you be the basic 9-5 supreme rush hour or some other shift? Essentially the highways will be a horror (I have heard lol-I intentionally planned my new home so I could go surface streets) the closer to peak times you get. But if you are like second shift, that may be a big difference in commute times and leave you with more options to go a bit further out. I can do northern Phoenix/Scottsdale to Sky Harbor in give or take 20-25 minutes mid-day during the week if I remember correctly. At rush hour, I suspect that same trip would be about 2-3 hours lol!

You also mentioned public transportation. I am not that hugely familiar with the system out there, but I can tell you that coming from Cleveland, Ohio it is nowhere near as extensive as what we have. That may limit your options to much closer to the airport.

Have you ever been to Phoenix? I would strongly suggest a trip there (at least one, preferably more if possible) so you can familiarize yourself with the area (and climate) and a neighborhood which is attractive to you. What would you be looking for other than ability to get to the airport? You mention daycare-do you have young children nearing school age? I am sure the locals who are here could help you maybe narrow it down a little.

• What would the average two bedroom apartment go for in Phoenix?

I was looking at the far northern part of Phoenix/Scottsdale area. In that area $1000 (on the low side) on up to like $1600, for a 2 bedroom (you didnt specify what type of apartment). You may be able to come in under that in different parts of town.

• How is the public transportation in Phoenix?

It exists and all depends where you are trying to go to/from. Coming from Cleveland, our system is much more extensive than Phoenix.

• Is there a city or town just outside the busy area where I can exist quietly?

Sure. There are some very nice neighborhoods. I am not familiar with all of them, but the area I know (northern Phoenix/Scottsdale) is very nice.

• What’s crime like in Phoenix?

As with any big city, I suspicion it depends what part of Phoenix you are in. I live by Cleveland. Some parts of Cleveland have multi-million dollar homes. Other parts I would not drive in broad daylight just to pass through even with an armed guard.

• Is daycare expensive?

Daycare is expensive even here in Cleveland so I suspicion Phoenix would not be much different. Also depends on the age of your child.

• Is cost of living higher than Orlando?

Not sure on this count. However, coming from Cleveland, in the areas I was looking in, it was comparable to just a little bit higher on the basics (ie food, gas, utilities, rent, insurance).

• What’s it like in Phoenix in general? I’ve read a few of the negative things but what are some of the better reasons to live there?

For someone coming from Orlando, I would suspicion no hurricanes would rate fairly high on the list. ;-) Lots of sun. Heat. Usually low humidity (it will be an entirely different experience for you than Orlando-even in the summer when Phoenix picks up a bit of humidity, nowhere near as humid as Florida). Gorgeous sunsets.

• How long of a drive to the nearest beach?

A

LOOOOONNNNGGG way. ;-) Phoenix is the desert. Deserts arent known for lots of beaches. (Tho most apartments have very nice pools.)

Good luck in your job and apartment search!

[m1ndless]

Originally Posted by Mason19

Hey there, looking for a little help with my potential move to Phoenix. I was contacted by Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport for an interview anytime within the next 6 months and I need some advice on finding a place.

Where would be a good place to rent that is within 45 minute drive of the airport (closer the better) but also within access of public transportation in case I have to bus to work for the first little while?

• What would the average two bedroom apartment go for in Phoenix?

• How is the public transportation in Phoenix?

• Is there a city or town just outside the busy area where I can exist quietly?

• What’s crime like in Phoenix?

• Is daycare expensive?

• Is cost of living higher than Orlando?

• What’s it like in Phoenix in general? I’ve read a few of the negative things but what are some of the better reasons to live there?

• How long of a drive to the nearest beach?

Any thoughts, advice or suggestions?

TX

Mason19

The average 2 bedroom apartment is 700-800, not 1000-1600 like the other person posted, I have a 2bd 2bath 1100sq ft apartment near tatum and bell for 775/month.

Nearest beach would be down in Rocky Point, Mexico, its beautiful down there (some parts) and no laws!

[silverbear]

I'm answering only those questions I know something about. I'm out of touch with apartment prices and don't know much about the cost of living in Orlando, so I can't help you there.

Public transportation -- Better than its reputation, but always a challenge because the city was designed primarily for the car. Bus service covers most arterial streets in Phoenix and its major suburbs. Light rail is under construction and will connect Phoenix, Tempe, and the west end of Mesa starting in December 2008. If public transportation is important, it would probably be best to live in Central Phoenix or Tempe. Fortunately, those are the areas closest to Sky Harbor.

City or town for quiet existence -- Phoenix is a fast-growing, low-density metro area. If you settle on the fringes, what appears to be a charming village today may become a huge subdivision tomorrow. It's probably better to find an area you like near work. A reasonable commute will do more for your sanity than a quiet town.

Crime Rate -- Depends on who you believe. Regardless, you should exercise normal urban precauations: locked doors, alarm system with monitoring, knowing your neighbors, etc.

Daycare -- I'm used to seeing about $200 per week for infant care. Prices go down for older kids, of course.

Nearest Beach -- Probably Rocky Point, Mexico, a drive of several hours. San Diego, CA is also popular.

Overall View of Phoenix -- I've lived here nearly two decades and grow more fond of it all the time, but it's not for everyone. Visit several times if possible and do thorough research before relocating.

Some of my favorite things about Phoenix:

-- great combination of outdoor recreation and indoor attractions
-- beautiful mountain scenery throughout the city
-- lots of opportunity and economic growth

[ivanabacowboy]

m1ndless, I didnt make up those numbers. I hope the poster doesnt think I am misleading them. Where I was looking, that was the price range I found. And I am in the process of relocating so this is very recent-I was just out there last week. Ie one of the places I went (not where I am going to live) was by Tatum and Bell (Pillar Desert View I think) and those were definitely in the $1000 or more range for a 2 br. Unless like they have 2 sets of pamphlets they hand out lol-inflated prices for those relocating who dont know better and regular prices for locals who do. ;-)

I am going to Desert Club when I move and got a deal, but market rate (ie before incentives) even there is $1364. And this was by no means the highest priced place I looked at. Even Glen Eagles on Bell wanted (choke) $1495 (ok it came down a little with incentive but that was the base price-ie what they will most likely raise your rent to when your lease renews I suspicion). Deserts Parks Vista by DC Ranch was running $1400+, and that was the small end 2 bedroom. Shade (a little further up Tatum) was running $1300. Even Bellagio (at 56th & Bell just right down the street from Tatum) which was the cheapest place I looked at was running over $900 after incentives.

Or am I totally not in the same area you are talking? I wish I couldve found a place like where you live and only rented for $700. Even my rent here in Cleveland is higher than that...

[sablebaby]

The luxury apartments are around $1000 and up, whereas the cheaper, older apartments are less around $700-850. That's the difference.

[ivanabacowboy]

Thanks for clarifying sablebaby-I was beginning to think they were just totally taking advantage of me because I didnt know better and was from Ohio lol! ;-)

[Mason19]

Originally Posted by ivanabacowboy

Mason19, some good ones are rent.com or forrent.com or apartments.com. Also, if you have lived in apartments before and were impressed with any particular management company, try looking them up too-the larger companies often have properties in many areas of the country. Some even offer deals where you can relocate to any of their communities. Do you rent now?

That said, your search if you just look all over Phoenix will initially be probably about 1374198734198734194 entries lol! That is a HUGE HUGE area. It is geographically a much larger area than Orlando I beleive. So you may want to try to identify first an area of Phoenix or surrounding neighborhoods you are interested in.

I am relocating to the area next month and have been out there various times. Your other post mentioned you would consider 45 minute or so commute. Also depends on your work schedule-will you be the basic 9-5 supreme rush hour or some other shift? Essentially the highways will be a horror (I have heard lol-I intentionally planned my new home so I could go surface streets) the closer to peak times you get. But if you are like second shift, that may be a big difference in commute times and leave you with more options to go a bit further out. I can do northern Phoenix/Scottsdale to Sky Harbor in give or take 20-25 minutes mid-day during the week if I remember correctly. At rush hour, I suspect that same trip would be about 2-3 hours lol!

You also mentioned public transportation. I am not that hugely familiar with the system out there, but I can tell you that coming from Cleveland, Ohio it is nowhere near as extensive as what we have. That may limit your options to much closer to the airport.

Have you ever been to Phoenix? I would strongly suggest a trip there (at least one, preferably more if possible) so you can familiarize yourself with the area (and climate) and a neighborhood which is attractive to you. What would you be looking for other than ability to get to the airport? You mention daycare-do you have young children nearing school age? I am sure the locals who are here could help you maybe narrow it down a little.



I was looking at the far northern part of Phoenix/Scottsdale area. In that area $1000 (on the low side) on up to like $1600, for a 2 bedroom (you didnt specify what type of apartment). You may be able to come in under that in different parts of town.



It exists and all depends where you are trying to go to/from. Coming from Cleveland, our system is much more extensive than Phoenix.



Sure. There are some very nice neighborhoods. I am not familiar with all of them, but the area I know (northern Phoenix/Scottsdale) is very nice.



As with any big city, I suspicion it depends what part of Phoenix you are in. I live by Cleveland. Some parts of Cleveland have multi-million dollar homes. Other parts I would not drive in broad daylight just to pass through even with an armed guard.



Daycare is expensive even here in Cleveland so I suspicion Phoenix would not be much different. Also depends on the age of your child.



Not sure on this count. However, coming from Cleveland, in the areas I was looking in, it was comparable to just a little bit higher on the basics (ie food, gas, utilities, rent, insurance).



For someone coming from Orlando, I would suspicion no hurricanes would rate fairly high on the list. ;-) Lots of sun. Heat. Usually low humidity (it will be an entirely different experience for you than Orlando-even in the summer when Phoenix picks up a bit of humidity, nowhere near as humid as Florida). Gorgeous sunsets.

A

LOOOOONNNNGGG way. ;-) Phoenix is the desert. Deserts arent known for lots of beaches. (Tho most apartments have very nice pools.)

Good luck in your job and apartment search!

Thanks for the feed back. I won’t be a 9-5 guy so I might just get lucky with the traffic. I’ve never been to Phoenix but you are right a trip or two in order to familiarize myself would be wise. I think Scottsdale may be out of my range at $1,000 – $1,600 for a two bedroom apartment.

Daycare is apparently expensive everywhere; my kids are very small, one year old twins. I guess a move to Phoenix won’t ease the price of daycare for us… ah well.

I’ll definitely be visiting those web sites you suggested. Those links will really help us out, THANKS.