Need neighborhood ideas (Phoenix, Mesa, Glendale: where to stay, condo, house)

[5together]

Hi all! I need your expertise.

I moved to AZ 3 years ago and am living in the west valley (Goodyear). Which has been fine, but hubby's job moved from Glendale to Scottsdale (Fashion Sq area) and the commute is a BEAR for him. We are thinking of going east but no little about that area. He wants a commute under 30 minutes.

We have 3 kiddos, the oldest will be in high school in a year so schools are very important. Our house budget would be 250-300k, so we are not rich, but just comfortable.

From my weeks of reading and research here, I know where not to live- LOL. We are pretty liberal and not at all religious. I have no problem with religious people, it is just not us. So I think Mesa and Gilbert may not be good matches for us based on what I have read. Plus I really do not want to go from the farthest west part to far east Mesa. I also think Laveen may be out since the schools are not well rated. We looked at Ahwatukee but heard the traffic there is not the best. I would not mind being closer into Phoenix just do not know where.

Thanks in advance for your insight!!

[azdr0710]

how about south or central Scottsdale?....very convenient location (for the job AND the valley in general)....I think you can manage a Scotts address on that budget if you look around....don't know why you mentioned Mesa, Gilbert, and Laveen if you're trying to help his commute....

many, many choices in that house budget

[ShampooBanana]

I would not discount Ahwatukee completely. Especially the north part of it, say, north of Warner. The traffic is NOT bad which I know firsthand from living in the area myself. Tempe is also a good option. You'll have easy access to 101 there or your husband could just go up 143 over to McDowell and then up 48th, College/68th, Scottsdale Rd or just go up Scottsdale Road or Hayden from there. South Scottsdale might have some homes in your budget but they will be smaller homes in non-HOA neighborhoods. If you want a bigger house you will have to look elsewhere to stay under 300k. Another option is east central Phoenix and there are some nice neighborhoods in there, albeit older ones (not a bad thing). Madison School district is a good one, too.

[El_Waiboi]

Arcadia!!!

[ShampooBanana]

Originally Posted by El_Waiboi

Arcadia!!!

Won't find much in Arcadia for 250-300k that's not a condo or an extreme fixer-upper.

[El_Waiboi]

Originally Posted by ShampooBanana

Won't find much in Arcadia for 250-300k that's not a condo or an extreme fixer-upper.

Yeah, your right, I just kinda skimmed thru the original post, my bad... Arcadia would be an ideal location tho if they found a property in their price range...Other than that I agree with the above poster who recommended South or Central Scottsdale.