looking to buy in north-west valley, Glendale, Peoria, or Surprise (Scottsdale: houses, safe area)

[emilyb670]

My fiance and I are looking to buy a place in a nice neighborhood. We really like the north-west side but we don't have children and don't really care to live in an area with a whole lot of children. We are in our 40's and not Sun City material, we prefer to be around people closer to our age anyway but not too fussy.
What north-west area location would be best?
We kind of like the looks of Arrowhead area but have not looked too much into it yet. Are there neighborhoods in Peoria or Suprise that might fit our needs more? How are the areas near old town Glendale?

[Bondurant]

Unless you live in a retirement community you will be around children regardless of where you move.

Get some information about the areas around downtown Glendale. I've heard it's not the best place to be. As soon as you leave the downtown area it gets kinda dumpy but I didn't feel in danger when walking around the area at night.

You really have to come out and see everything for yourself, though.

[AZJoeD]

Emily,

You did not state what your requirements are or budget. Certainly Arrowhead, Vistancia, or any Northwest Peoria area might work. Westbrook Village is a 45+ community, so you get a younger than SC group.

Also consider the area around -I-17 and Happy Valley (Norterra, Dynamite Mountain Ranch, Sonoran Foothills). This is a nice upscale area with shopping, dining, movie theaters and convenient to the city.

[momtogrif]

I live in the Arrowhead area(in Glendale) and have been here for 13 years. I have to say that, although, it's not perfect it does have a lot to offer. Neighborhoods to look into: Sierra Verde, Hillcrest Ranch, Fletcher Heights, Terramar, West Wing, Stetson Hills area, and Arrowhead Lakes(and Arrowhead Ranch itself). Some of these neighborhoods are Peoria and some are Glendale.

A quick note: Arrowhead Ranch is the older of all those communities and you may find houses that need updating. All of those neighborhoods will have children and various age brackets. On my street(about 22 houses) there are mostly single couples, 2 single ladies living alone, a few families(mostly older children except for one house), and 2 retired couples. Anyway, it's a neighborhood: that's what you get: diversity!

As for Surprise: I don't care for it personally. It's just so far down Bell Road and it's a pain to get anywhere. If you won't be working or will have jobs close by, then Surprise is a good bet to some degree. I think Arrowhead is a great area because we have some upscale shopping areas and easy accessability(sp?) to all other areas of the valley including sporting events and north Scottsdale.

Someone made a point to look into Westlake Village and that might be a good fit for you. It's located in Peoria just off of Beardsley Road and Union Hills, not far from the Arrowhead area and the loop 101. And, the other areas that were noted just east of I-17 like Norterra and Sonoran Foothills are lovely areas. I have a friend who just bought a 5000 sf house in Sonoran Foothills and her only complaint is that she only has 1 grocery store other than Walmart that is a quick drive for her. Where I live here in Arrowhead; there are 4 grocery stores within 2 miles of my house and a new, very nice SuperWalmart that's 3 miles away(located at Deer Valley Road and Lake Pleasant Pkwy).

Good luck with your search. Please keep asking questions, if you need it!

[Nanny Goat]

Desert Harbor area in Peoria is something you might want to look at, too. Some homes on the lake. Different subdivisions within the Desert Harbor area at different prices.

[Valley Native]

Originally Posted by emilyb670

My fiance and I are looking to buy a place in a nice neighborhood. We really like the north-west side but we don't have children and don't really care to live in an area with a whole lot of children. We are in our 40's and not Sun City material, we prefer to be around people closer to our age anyway but not too fussy.
What north-west area location would be best?
We kind of like the looks of Arrowhead area but have not looked too much into it yet. Are there neighborhoods in Peoria or Suprise that might fit our needs more? How are the areas near old town Glendale?

I completely share your desire to not reside in an area full of kids. I'm also in my 40s & childless, and I basically like the area where I live ... but one of these days I would like to move to a more centralized location where childless adults around my age reside. In your case, if you are looking for a house in the NW Valley (especially a newer cookie cutter development that has "suburbia" written all over it), chances are that you will be living among families with kids.

There are some ways around that without having to live in the Sun Cities. Other posters mentioned some adult communities that aren't necessarily retirement, but cater to the over 40 crowd with no children. Many of these areas do tend to attract the senior citizens more so than the "young folks" like you, but at least you will be in a clean, safe area without kids running amok. There are some very nice homes in these communities that may be a little more expensive, but I'd rather pay the higher price knowing the area is more desirable for my needs & wants.

[hts]

There aren't a lot of kids in the country club section of Anthem.

[mjd2k]

I'm 55 and bought in a 55+. I have no issues with kids, have my own. I was more worried about the house next door rented to a home mechanic dude with a huge truck, no job, a pit bull and 5 kids under four years of age. That just does not seem to happen as often within a 55+. We bought in Vistanica. You can buy new in there at 40 or 45 I think.

[Java Jolt]

The search for an adults-only community is going to be a little more tedious unless it's geared for retirement.

I live in a pretty nice area in northern Avondale that has people of mixed ages, lots of middle-agers in their 40s and 50s, there are some schoolchildren but they are never a problem. Everybody mostly keeps to themselves.

[emilyb670]

I appreciate the replies and advice. We don't want to spend anymore than $200,000 on a home, really looking for about $130,000-$180,000 area if we can find what we want. We would like a newer place but don't know if we can afford custom-built. Not looking for anything too large.
We presently live in w. Chandler but looking for a semi-peaceful area in the north-west side of the valley because we have a business in Glendale and want to be a little closer and not have to drive so far and fight traffic.
We will look into Arrowhead and Westbrook 1st. If they promote adults-only living without having to be a senior that's what we want.
Thank you.