Relocating to Phoenix area, early 20s male (Scottsdale, Chandler: apartment, for rent)

[mijuba]

Okay I know plenty of people have asked but I want to get an updated view. I was just offered a job in the Chandler area and I am trying to figure out where I should look for a place to live. I'm 23 and single so I want to have some sort of social/night life, but I would also like to keep my commute to under 30 minutes or so. Definitely looking to rent at first, and my pay is decent so anywhere up to 850 or so I'm willing to pay.

I also love anything to do with outdoors if that changes anything.

[SageCats]

Downtown Tempe (W6, Brickyard) is the "happening place" where 20 somethings hang out. There's also Old Town Scottsdale and that's about 15 - 20 miles from Chandler. Lots of bars and clubs there. Of course there's downtown Phoenix, too. For $850 / month you could rent something really nice. Check out W6 or the Brickyard like I mentioned.
You will find tons of outdoors activities anywhere you move. Lots of mountains for hiking, lots of camp grounds, and a 1 - 2 hour drive puts you at some pretty neat places to camp, hike, etc.

Welcome to AZ

[hockeylfe11]

It will all depend on how much driving you want to do and what you are willing to pay for rent to be in the "social" areas. Old town scottsdale is where the party life is. If you choose to live there you will be making a 20 minute commute to and from work assuming you don't get stuck in the awesome arizona highway parking lot watching a cop on the side of the road. If you aim for the tempe area you are ten minutes from scottsdale and 10-15 from your work commute to chandler. The great thing is you are going against traffic both ways and avoiding the I10 (downtown phx) traffic completely. Not to mention, being in Tempe puts you right near all of the freeways and about 15 minutes from pretty much anything you would want to do outdoors or indoors.

[mijuba]

Thanks guys I am going to focus mainly on Tempe and Scottsdale for some places. I am taking a trip out next weekend to do some apartment hunting. I was wondering if anybody had any recommendations on things I should do or check out over the weekend? Sites to see, bars to check out, parks, or anything like that.

Thanks!

[AZ Tracy]

Don't rule Chandler out. There are lots of restaurants, bars, movie theaters, shopping all around the Chandler Fashion Center. One bar you might want to explore is the Sand Bar. The club scene is more in Scottsdale and Tempe, though.

[hockeylfe11]

Originally Posted by mijuba

Thanks guys I am going to focus mainly on Tempe and Scottsdale for some places. I am taking a trip out next weekend to do some apartment hunting. I was wondering if anybody had any recommendations on things I should do or check out over the weekend? Sites to see, bars to check out, parks, or anything like that

There are plenty of places to check out. Old town scottsdale, bars are literally walking distance from one another. Mill ave, bars all lined up for blocks (near ASU). Grand Canyon. Sedona. Camelback mountain. Four Peaks and Papago Brewery. Gilligans - gotta check out the midget bar.

As far as other bars, depends on the vibe you are feeling. There is plenty to do from club dancing or i guess trying since most places are wall to wall. If you are looking for a nice female to spend some time with, pretty much any place you go will work. The majority of mill ave is ASU students. Scottsdale might be the 'higher-status' ASU, post grad, and 30-40 year olds still trying to be 25. But all in all its a good time with plenty to do inside and outside.