moving to phoenix...terribly afraid of bugs (Scottsdale, Chandler: apartments, condo)

[kona0727]

Hi everyone,

Like the title says, I'm moving to Phoenix/Scottsdale area (have yet to find an apartment). I wouldn't say I'm terribly afraid, but I don't really care for cockroaches, scorpions, or any other bugs.

Coming from New England, so I wouldn't say I never see bugs, but I rarely see the things down there.

Any suggestions on apartment hunting and what to look for?

[stasi_crystals]

Usually older apartments have problems with roaches and I'm afraid of them too lol but just keep your place clean and don't leave dirty dishes in your sink overnight. As for scorpions, I've never had a problem with.

[observer53]

Well, in your title you did say you were terribly afraid of them, we can change the title for you, if you want.

Look for apartments within a reasonable distance of where you will be working. Commutes here can be very long and crowded. What's your budget, what amenities do you want at the complex or nearby. More info will help us be more helpful.

[kona0727]

I'm close enough to being terribly afraid

My budget will be probably $600-$800 a month. I've never been in the area so I'm not positive on locations quite yet.

Coming from practically a foreigner...is Scottsdale large? Like, is it divided up into neighborhoods?

Thanks for the responses!

[observer53]

Scottsdale is a long, narrow city if you look at it on a map. North to south, yes, it's quite large, certainly in terms of what you might be used to in New England.

I'm not sure what you mean by "divided up into neighborhoods", but there is a wide variation in terms of demographics and income level as you move south to north. The city has expanded to the north, so the northernmost part of the city is newer and more expensive (with the resultant higher income population) than the southern or even central parts.

Do you know the general location (you don't have to give a precise address) of where you will be working? It's hard to give recommendations of specific areas of "Phoenix/Scottsdale" which is a massive area of many square miles.

[kona0727]

From looking at the map I think it's in the northern part--East Shea Boulevard and looks like it's near Fountain Hills.

Thanks a lot for all your help.

[krazykatlady]

I live in an area of Scottsdale where they water the lawns daily. It is quite green and lush. My apartment building is approx 18 years old and extremely clean.

HOWEVER, I have MONSTER cockroaches in this place!!! I've found one small one and three huge ones in 5 months. I think it has something to do with the watering of the lawns. Not sure.....

Soon, we will be moving to a condo near the McDowell mountains. I suppose I'll be trading in the cockroaches for scorpions. After all, this IS the desert.

I hate bugs, too, but I'll take them over the snow and gloom of the northeast!!

Just sayin.......

[goolsbyjazz]

I'm from the Northeast as well and have not found bugs to be too much of an issue. Have come across three scorpions in 14 years, all in year one! Pretty quiet since then. Where in NE are you moving from and what's leading you to AZ?

[cab591]

I still haven't seen a scorpion out here, and I've been here since August. As far as bugs, stay away from the small "satellite" cities around the Phoenix area. I was house sitting for a friend down in Maricopa one week, and when I went out with my car there was armageddon by fly. They were on EVERYTHING. Hundreds of flies, covering all of the cars, mailboxes, fences, etc.

I'm down in Chandler, and bugs aren't a problem at all. Our house is a typical one, built in the 80's, but it's kept clean, so we haven't seen any cockroaches. Haven't seen the fly problem in the metro area, and haven't seen any "desert" creatures (rattlesnakes or scorpions) at all. We do have quite a few annoying birds here -- they like to flock to our roof, take sh!ts, and be a bit loud.

I would agree with krazykatlady, though -- I do see a lot more bugs around "manicured" areas, where lawns are watered, lush, and green. Live in some place with the rocky desert landscape. It's easy to maintain, and interesting. Arizona's probably one of the few places where two tons of crushed rock constitutes a front yard.

[Ponderosa]

I always scratch my head over posts like this. Where does the idea that the desert is overrun with bugs come from? The desert is a hot, dry and hostile environment where survival is difficult. There are fewer of everything, including bugs, than in more humid and temperate climates. The only thing that seems to flourish in huge numbers here is humans, and it is they and their activities that make life in Phoenix less enjoyable than it otherwise could be.