Okay, where are the best commutes to Phoenix, on a budget (Mesa: real estate, rent)

[sablebaby]

I'm not too sure that Ahwatukee (especially), Chandler, and gilbert have homes in your price range. They tend to be some of the more expensive burbs.

[erics mom]

Well, if they are good places to live, we'll have to buck up. My main concern is my husband landing in a salary range so that we can maintain a nice comfort level. If the job offer is what he made here in Michigan, the move will not be possible due to the higher home prices. Like I posted earlier, I can't see moving across the country and having to worry about drive-by's etc.

So, how are the commutes from Awatukee, gilbert and chandler to downtown?

[ptbrennan]

Originally Posted by sablebaby

I'm not too sure that Ahwatukee (especially), Chandler, and gilbert have homes in your price range. They tend to be some of the more expensive burbs.

Agreed. You might find something in Chandler, but it would be in the farthest corners of the city. And btw, 44th Street isn't really downtown. I would look in Tempe/Mesa or Laveen/South Mountain Village.

And you will find gang activity in all of those cities, but your kids don't need to be affected by it......

[vegaspilgrim]

FYI, 44th st is not downtown, that is more like East-Central Phoenix-- just north of the airport. I'd suggest taking a look at Tempe-- you might be able to find a fixer-upper right around $200k. In particular, look at "North Tempe"-- the part of Tempe north of the Salt River (which a lot of people think is South Scottsdale, but is actually Tempe). That will be a VERY short commute, on surface roads. It's not the greatest area, but there is far worse in Phoenix.

[ptbrennan]

Originally Posted by vegaspilgrim

FYI, 44th st is not downtown, that is more like East-Central Phoenix-- just north of the airport. I'd suggest taking a look at Tempe-- you might be able to find a fixer-upper right around $200k. In particular, look at "North Tempe"-- the part of Tempe north of the Salt River (which a lot of people think is South Scottsdale, but is actually Tempe). That will be a VERY short commute, on surface roads. It's not the greatest area, but there is far worse in Phoenix.

North Tempe and South Scottsdale (just north of McKellips) is a great area for a fixer upper, although the asking prices are probably just above $200K for a 3BR/2BA.

However, talk about great infill opportunity! Look at the new condos and the Skysong development, and you'll see the direction this neighborhood is taking.

[Boatdrinks]

Check aznb.com

This website is fabulous. You can pull up a map of the area and pull up neighborhoods based on the location and relative proximit to your husband's work. I'd recommend looking around that website to get an idea of house prices.

It will be very hard to find a house big enough for 3 kids in Chandler for 200K. I can't imagine it'll be possible in 'Tuke. I'd check Gilbert. You may find some high density housing (similar to townhouses - usually multistory duplexes) in your range. William Lyon is building many homes in Gilbert like that, and Elite homes too. Check their websites for prices. Builders are offering great incentives on spec homes which won't be listed on the website so call for more complete price info.

You *may* be able to find some single family resale homes way southwest Gilbert and into Queen Creek, but it's iffy. If you went all the way out to San Tan Heighs and Johnson Ranch (on a map, find Gilbert and Queen Creek - these neighborhoods are east on Hunt Hwy around Ellsworth in Queen Creek), you may find something. Again, the commute will be long but you have to weigh whether you want to own a home or have a shorter commute. Only you can decide that.

Oh, check the Pulte development called Bella Via, I think. Go to the Pulte website. It's southwest Mesa. Usually I'm not a fan of Mesa, but that area isn't too bad for that price range and if you buy in a certain part of Bella Via, it's a Gilbert school district elementary school. Even the Mesa school there gets decent ratings. Anyway, you *might* find a house in your range there. It's a very pretty community and the commute would be fairly long but not as bad as going all the way downtown.

Visit all the builder's websites and check their prices. A few builders I can think of are Fulton Homes, Beazer, Taylor Woodrow, Capital Pacific, Pulte, Elite Homes, Element Homes, Stratland Homes, Standard Pacific, Montalbano, Nicholas Homes, Morrison Homes....that's all I can think of right now. And check aznb.com for resales.

[sheena]

Originally Posted by erics mom

Yes, the company he will be working for is right downtown on 44th street.

44th street and what? I would look at Gilbert. Look in Towne Meadows you can get a nice affordable home in there. 85236.......

P.S. I'm an Eric's mom too.....

[sheena]

Originally Posted by micrguy

There is a pocket of houses that might fit the bill between 35th Ave and Peoria going out to 51st Ave or so and then going north up to possibly Bell Road. The houses are all going to be 35-40 years old, decent but not great neighborhoods and only 20-30 minutes away from downtown with easy access to I-17.

I just sold my house in that area for $200,000 but most houses are going to be in the $215,000 to $230,000 range. But if you look hard enough you will probably find someone else that was in our situation and has to sell because they moved out of state. Start looking at all of the vacant houses and make an offer, you might find someone that really wants to unload their house.

51st Ave and Cactus is Better, but I' head to Gilbert hands down.

[ptbrennan]

Also, you might want to look into NE Mesa (although I hate to recommend it). The 202 will provide a direct route, and you might have better luck finding something in your price range.

The "affordable" areas of Gilbert are way out there in my opinion, but then I place a lot of importance on how much time you want to spend in your car every day. This isn't like the SF Bay Area, where people read the paper while on the BART. This is a car culture.

[sheena]

Originally Posted by ptbrennan

Also, you might want to look into NE Mesa (although I hate to recommend it). The 202 will provide a direct route, and you might have better luck finding something in your price range.

The "affordable" areas of Gilbert are way out there in my opinion, but then I place a lot of importance on how much time you want to spend in your car every day. This isn't like the SF Bay Area, where people read the paper while on the BART. This is a car culture.

She still hasn't said 44th street and what. I lived in Gilbert and worked on 51st street and Elliot in Ahwatukee, it was a 35-40 minute drive on the side roads. I did it for 7 years no problem.