Soon to be graduate considering a move to AZ (Scottsdale: apartment, condo)

[MSUsafe]

I'm about to be done with college in a few months and found a possible job(just waiting to hear back) at a factory in Tolleson. I've never been to AZ, but have been to New Mexico multiple times and love the weather compared to the humid summers and icy winters in Ky.

What would be a good area to live that would be idea for single male in his 20's? I don't really want to have to commute longer than 10-15mins. Pretty much done with the heavy partying scene, but if I get the itch I can always go to the Scottsdale/Tempe area from what I hear. I'm fine with living close to a few good pub/bars that are a little more laid back.

I like being outdoors and I'm the type of person who randomly walks/runs/bikes around the neighborhood when I'm bored. So a safe place with decent shops and malls are a plus as well.

1-bedroom apartment/condo with a price range of $900-1,100


Thanks!

[magnum0417]

Originally Posted by MSUsafe

I'm about to be done with college in a few months and found a possible job(just waiting to hear back) at a factory in Tolleson. I've never been to AZ, but have been to New Mexico multiple times and love the weather compared to the humid summers and icy winters in Ky.

What would be a good area to live that would be idea for single male in his 20's? I don't really want to have to commute longer than 10-15mins. Pretty much done with the heavy partying scene, but if I get the itch I can always go to the Scottsdale/Tempe area from what I hear. I'm fine with living close to a few good pub/bars that are a little more laid back.

I like being outdoors and I'm the type of person who randomly walks/runs/bikes around the neighborhood when I'm bored. So a safe place with decent shops and malls are a plus as well.

1-bedroom apartment/condo with a price range of $900-1,100


Thanks!

I'm not that familiar with the West Valley but you are near Goodyear and Litchfield Park.Know coworkers who commute from both towns to Scottsdale. Goodyear has grown leaps and bounds population wise from what I've heard. Since you are single and young, I imagine a lot of Goodyear's newcomers are a lot like you. Single and looking for a fresh start. There are mountain preserves near the West Valley for your nature and hiking too. Best of luck !

[MSUsafe]

Originally Posted by magnum0417

I'm not that familiar with the West Valley but you are near Goodyear and Litchfield Park.Know coworkers who commute from both towns to Scottsdale. Goodyear has grown leaps and bounds population wise from what I've heard. Since you are single and young, I imagine a lot of Goodyear's newcomers are a lot like you. Single and looking for a fresh start. There are mountain preserves near the West Valley for your nature and hiking too. Best of luck !

Thanks, I'll look into those areas.

[CodyW]

You don't want to go any further east than the Loop 101/I-10 interchange in Tolleson. Check out Goodyear north of I-10 and Avondale north of I-10. Good area. Affordable rents. Shopping and restaurants nearby. And with good access to I-10, you commute will be short and you can get to the more exciting areas of the valley without much issue.

[Finger Laker]

I live in Goodyear, love Goodyear and commuting to Tolleson would be a breeze

However, I'm not sure in your circumstances that I would live in Goodyear ....... while there is some young, singles scene - it's not as robust as other areas

I would honestly look towards downtown ... depending where you land and where in tolleson you're looking close to that 15 minute mark for a commute, plus you'll have more options for drinking, dining, etc that are either on light rail or within walking distance from where you are staying .... could also light rail into tempe when you wanted

A good centralized location to explore the city and then a straight shot south to south mountain park for hiking, etc

Another location I would consider is the arrowhead location in the NW corner of the loop 101 (near 83rd and bell) .... you'll have better shopping options than downtown and there is a strong singles scene there - better access to north scottsdale (and places like desert ridge & westgate), worse access to tempe/old town scottsdale .... much more limited public transport options and the walks to the bars/restaurants will be a bit longer (although very doable) ....... it's the area I lived in when I first moved down

If in a couple years you like the area, are still working in Tolleson and want a little more space, have a dog, yard, pool, etc - then by all means come check out Goodyear - it really is a nice place to live .... just a relatively quiet place

[MSUsafe]

Originally Posted by Finger Laker

I live in Goodyear, love Goodyear and commuting to Tolleson would be a breeze

However, I'm not sure in your circumstances that I would live in Goodyear ....... while there is some young, singles scene - it's not as robust as other areas

I would honestly look towards downtown ... depending where you land and where in tolleson you're looking close to that 15 minute mark for a commute, plus you'll have more options for drinking, dining, etc that are either on light rail or within walking distance from where you are staying .... could also light rail into tempe when you wanted

A good centralized location to explore the city and then a straight shot south to south mountain park for hiking, etc

Another location I would consider is the arrowhead location in the NW corner of the loop 101 (near 83rd and bell) .... you'll have better shopping options than downtown and there is a strong singles scene there - better access to north scottsdale (and places like desert ridge & westgate), worse access to tempe/old town scottsdale .... much more limited public transport options and the walks to the bars/restaurants will be a bit longer (although very doable) ....... it's the area I lived in when I first moved down

If in a couple years you like the area, are still working in Tolleson and want a little more space, have a dog, yard, pool, etc - then by all means come check out Goodyear - it really is a nice place to live .... just a relatively quiet place

Ah I see, one of my friend's sister recently moved to Scottsdale. She said that its a really nice place especially if you're young/single and starting out. It probably would've been my first choice, but since its really far from Tolleson its not in the cards right now. I'm looking at a map right now and Arrowhead is pretty far north and about a 25min drive from where I'd work. That's not a bad drive, but how is the traffic on 101 compared to I-10 if I chose to live closer to downtown?

[Finger Laker]

easy drive - if you take the 101 and connect to I-10 you may back up a little bit right there ... however, this is easily avoided by just getting off at mcdowell and then going surface street into tolleson

if you are around the arrowhead mall (75th & bell) you should be able to get to most places in tolleson in 15-20 minutes

I-10 going from downtown to tolleson is wide open as it's a reverse commute ..... you could also just take surface streets and not touch the freeway

arrowhead is definitely a bit longer though, but still not far

it's then about 20 minutes to north scottsdale & desert ridge .... about 30 minutes to downtown and then looking closer to 45-50 minutes to tempe/old town scottsdale (non-rush driving times)

there is a ton of stuff right in the arrowhead neighborhood though, mall, other shops, restaurants, bars of all variety, spring training stdium, etc ....... a lot of fun to be had

a lot will depend on your tastes though