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Unread 01-19-2012, 09:21 AM
 
1 posts, read 1,231 times
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Default Buy a house in Maricopa or San Tan Valley/QC?

I'm moving to AZ this year and will be working all over the Mesa area. I notice the prices of homes in the south San Tan Valley area as well as in Maricopa are cheap. I have a wife and four kids. Which town would be better to live in terms of commute and home prices? I hear the commute from Maricopa can be a pain...Any thoughts folks?
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Unread 01-19-2012, 09:34 AM
 
1,232 posts, read 721,306 times
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I think to Mesa, QC/STV is more nearby, but the commutes to that can be a pain, too. I hate driving out there because it's all clogged surface streets, and I'm in Mesa. But Maricopa is a haul from here. And I-60 is no joy, either.

Can you afford far southeast Mesa?
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Unread 01-19-2012, 10:04 AM
 
Location: Casa Grande, AZ (May 08)
1,005 posts, read 1,258,142 times
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No question from a commute standpoint the QC/STV area will be better. Especially in the mid to long term as some of the infrastructre and roads improve. Also, you are much closer to more things from that end since you can go into Mesa/Gilbert which isnt too far vs Maricopa which requires a trip into Chandler or Casa Grande, both about 30 mins away.

House prices are about the same...schools are about the same....so if you know you ll be working in Mesa, QC/STV is the better choice.

Welcome to Pinal County!
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Unread 01-19-2012, 11:09 AM
 
Location: Chandler
491 posts, read 191,327 times
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Be sure to check into the electric and water rates for both areas. I'm hearing stories of really high bills as these areas are provided by private electric/water companies. I don't know if that is totally true or not, but better safe than sorry and check it out.
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Unread 01-19-2012, 01:23 PM
 
Location: Tucson/Scottsdale, AZ
2,674 posts, read 3,043,660 times
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apologies to the locals, but, frankly, I think Maricopa is going to suffer for a long while.....and no reason to move there if Mesa is your work area....
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Unread 01-19-2012, 01:29 PM
 
643 posts, read 414,028 times
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Much of Queen Creek in unincorporated county only taxed homes. Some nice communites with nice homes for bargain prices.

As I have stated before. The closer to place of employment the better.
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Unread 01-19-2012, 02:07 PM
 
Location: New arrival to Raleigh, NC
2,724 posts, read 1,731,926 times
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Why not purchase in Mesa?
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Unread 01-19-2012, 03:18 PM
 
643 posts, read 414,028 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Jkgourmet View Post
Why not purchase in Mesa?

Yes, Mesa. Closer to employment.

I think home prices are a tad cheaper and more bang for the buck in the general Queen Creek area.
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Unread 01-22-2012, 08:08 PM
 
1 posts, read 1,074 times
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Default Queen Creek, San Tan Valley differences

Quote:
Originally Posted by unit731 View Post
Much of Queen Creek in unincorporated county only taxed homes. Some nice communites with nice homes for bargain prices.

As I have stated before. The closer to place of employment the better.
Queen Creek is actually an incorporated community with a population of about 24,000. MOST of QC is in Maricopa County. San Tan Valley is in the unincorporated area of PINAL County. These communities are adjacent, however.

San Tan Valley has a private water company, and yes, the rates are a bit high. If you're renting, you can pretty much add at least $100 more to your rate for water per mo. Queen Creek has Town of QC water.

The home prices are a bit lower in San Tan Valley, than QC. If you live in STV, and want to have ambulance or fire service to your home in case of an emergency, you'll need to pay an annual fee for these services to Rural Metro Fire Dept. If you live in QC Township, it is included with your tax dollars and no additional private fee is needed.

I hope this helps. Both communities are lovely, but you need to know the facts before buying a home or even renting there. Moderator cut: snip.

Welcome to the area! The people are very nice and the schools are amazing. There is QC Unified School District in QC and in San Tan Valley (population approx 81,000) there are several districts plus many charter schools. Coolidge Unified, Florence Unified, Combs Unified, Legacy Charter, Eduprize Charter, American Academy, Benjamin Franklin Charter and a few more I cannot remember

Good Luck.

Last edited by Kimballette; 01-22-2012 at 08:42 PM.. Reason: new members may not post links or make recommendations
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Unread 01-23-2012, 09:00 PM
 
Location: Santa Fe, NM/San Diego/Phoenix
398 posts, read 429,450 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by AZPam View Post
Be sure to check into the electric and water rates for both areas. I'm hearing stories of really high bills as these areas are provided by private electric/water companies. I don't know if that is totally true or not, but better safe than sorry and check it out.
I have several homes in San Tan and none of my tenants have complained of high electric bills. As one poster mentioned you have to buy that rural fire insurance policy every year.
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