Moving to Mesa (Phoenix, Glendale, Scottsdale: real estate, apartment, rent)

[brooke02]

My family and I are planning to relocate from Chicago to Mesa, Arizona....I'm trying to find out if Mesa is a good city to raise kids at if not where in Arizona would be a safe, drug reduced, non- roach infested place to live in Arizona, any advice..... Thanks

[LocoAZnative]

Depends on what part of Mesa you plan to live, but if you want safe/family friendly then you should look at Gilbert.

[observer53]

There are LOTS of cities in Arizona that would fit that definition, including but not limited to those here in the metro Phoenix area. Tell us a bit more about what you are looking for, whether it's anywhere in AZ or you are really just looking at the Phoenix area.

[Jkgourmet]

Originally Posted by LocoAZnative

Depends on what part of Mesa you plan to live, but if you want safe/family friendly then you should look at Gilbert.

There are many areas of Mesa that are clean, safe and family friendly.

But I agree with Observer53 (as usual) - why are you ONLY looking at Mesa?

[Captain Bill]

Originally Posted by brooke02

My family and I are planning to relocate from Chicago to Mesa, Arizona....I'm trying to find out if Mesa is a good city to raise kids at if not where in Arizona would be a safe, drug reduced, non- roach infested place to live in Arizona, any advice..... Thanks

There are areas of Mesa that are good. The area around Val Vista Drive between Brown and McKellips is in the Mountain View HS District which has a high rating.

My client just purchased a home in that area in the gated Arboledo subdivision just east of Val Vista Dr on McKellips.

Another good area of Mesa is the north east section in Las Sendas or Mountain Bridge, and other communities in that area. Red Mountain is the school district there which is good.

Just about anywhere in Gilbert is good.

[wanna_run_faster]

What about the Arrowhead of Glendale? I'm new to the area but really like the area the best out of all the areas we've seen (Gilbert, Chandler, Goodyear). Of course I did like Central Avenue in Phoenix and Scottsdale but those houses were a little out of my price range

[Jkgourmet]

Originally Posted by wanna_run_faster

What about the Arrowhead of Glendale? I'm new to the area but really like the area the best out of all the areas we've seen (Gilbert, Chandler, Goodyear). Of course I did like Central Avenue in Phoenix and Scottsdale but those houses were a little out of my price range

Where you live in the Phoenix area is nearly 100% dependent on where you work. If you want answers to your question, I'd suggest you start a new thread and include the location of your job(s).

Welcome to The Valley of The Sun!

[genearyfreeman]

@ jkgourmet & observer53, I have lived in Chicago all my life and I would like to do a total chabge. Now that i have children i would like a slower pace for them and possibly better employment for myself. It is to expensive her in the Chi. For what I pay in rent here is a three to four bedroom home there. Safety, better living environment, warm weather, beautiful scenery plus I heard the people there are just as delightful. I know there is some form of crime everywhere but less is best for me and my family for now. I would like to start off in a 3 to 4 bedroom apartment just so that I can get the feel of everything. But to to possibly in a yr or two move to Chandler or scottsdale and eventually on my own home there. That's what I'm looking for and the goals that I have set for myself.
And red mountain is one of the Hugh schools that my son researched so I would like to stay in that school distrct

[hart4july]

I agree that NE Mesa is nice- the areas that feed into Mountain View HS and Red Mountain HS. Its calm, quiet and scenic and there are wonderful views in many locations. Its convenient to many areas. Gilbert has more new shopping, restaurants and probably better schools, although these Mesa schools are also highly rated, I believe there is less dollar amount per student allocated in Mesa schools than Gilbert or Chandler.

Gilbert is more like the Midwest in terms of its overall feel with more grass,green trees and flowers-there is strong architectural and improvement guidelines there NE Mesa is more like Scottsdale in feel-desert-y, but cheaper. Gilbert has more of a Santa Barbara/ Tucsan theme in its new planning.The older parts are more like Orange County CA or FL in their feel- esp Val Vista Lakes and The Islands area. The air in NE Mesa is better for allergies, in S Gilbert there is more farming. But these are being replaced with new housing, so that is changing. There is LOTS of new housing in the area straddling Gilbert/ Chandler/ Queen Creek and outward.

Mesa's best areas are more pricey and few and far between than Gilbert/Chandler- areas like Las Sendas and Mountain Bridge. But again, the air, views and proximity to hiking ( Ursery Park)give a Scottsdale experience for less. People seem active and outdoorsy in these areas-lots of Golf! the housing is mostly a little older and South Western- Territorial in design. And you can hop on the wide open 202 towards Gilbert and be at San Tan Village in 15 minutes. I know less about N central Mesa near Val Vista/ Gilbert and all the orange grove areas (Mountain View HS) but as a Midwesterner it seems more settled with old money, estates, citrus and traditional values. Very pretty estate style homes.

The real estate expert to be found above is very helpful and knowledgable in all these areas, I give the thumbs up to him . Plus, I agree with all the advice to know your commute to work first, and then choose where to live. Good Luck!! We moved from Indiana 2 years ago and have adjusted well. The weather right now is a huge pay-off!

[bgray9]

My wife and I just bought a house in NE Mesa. Still getting to know the area, but we like the quietness, closeness to hiking, and easy access on the 202 freeway. Not as many stores around as some areas, but generally enough to get what you need.