good neighborhoods in phoenix (Scottsdale, Chandler: renting, good schools, subdivision)

[maka36]

Hi all -

Can anyone give us some tips on good neighborhoods reasonably close to Maricopa Medical Center? We would like to get a feel for some different areas while we are in Phoenix for an interview.

We probably would be renting as it's a temporary position, and we have small children, so it would be nice to find a family-friendly area.

Thanks much in advance!

[silverbear]

Originally Posted by maka36

Hi all -

Can anyone give us some tips on good neighborhoods reasonably close to Maricopa Medical Center? We would like to get a feel for some different areas while we are in Phoenix for an interview.

We probably would be renting as it's a temporary position, and we have small children, so it would be nice to find a family-friendly area.

Thanks much in advance!

I would not recommend the area immediately around the Medical Center. It's a bit rough. Instead, head north a few miles to the Biltmore Area, North Central Phoenix, or Arcadia.

By the way, what does family friendly mean to you? Good schools? Parks? Lots of kids? Those criteria may influence the desirability of some of the neighborhoods mentioned above.

[sablebaby]

Ditto what silverbear said. The immediate area is ROUGH.

[maka36]

Thank you for your replies!

We would like an area with some open space if possible (parks) and good libraries (our kids aren't in school yet) ... also a community-type feel, if possible, where there are community activities. Hmmm, to be honest, I don't know if that's how it works in bigger cities, so any feedback you might have for types of offerings or characteristics of those neighborhoods mentioned or otherwise, please, that feedback would be welcome!!

[silverbear]

Originally Posted by maka36

Thank you for your replies!

We would like an area with some open space if possible (parks) and good libraries (our kids aren't in school yet) ... also a community-type feel, if possible, where there are community activities. Hmmm, to be honest, I don't know if that's how it works in bigger cities, so any feedback you might have for types of offerings or characteristics of those neighborhoods mentioned or otherwise, please, that feedback would be welcome!!

Parks -- That's easy. Phoenix is a city with an excellent parks system. There are both mountain preserves for hiking and neighborhood parks with playgrounds. One of my favorites is Grenada park, which combines a playground, a duck pond, and a small natural desert area with good views of both Piestewa Peak and the Midtown skyline.

Libraries -- Within Phoenix city limits, the Burton Barr Library is the central library. It's a favorite among architecture critics, but I find it stark and cold. It has an extensive children's area, but you might occasionally have to pass by a gauntlet of homeless to get to it. I'd like to be more enthusiastic about Burton Barr, but the City has got to crack down on loitering the adjacent Hance Park first. As for branch libraries, the City of Phoenix has about a dozen, which vary in quality. My favorite is the Mesquite Library in northeast Phoenix. The suburbs Scottsdale and Tempe, both of which are immediately east of Phoenix, have very nice libraries.

Community activities -- This one is a bit tougher to answer because it could mean many things to many people. If you are looking for planned activities for residents of a particular subdivision, those are more prevalent in the outermost suburbs such as Anthem, Verrado, etc. where there are strong HOAs that provide those activities in order to draw families who might otherwise object to living so far outside the city. The tradeoff is brutal commutes and remoteness from the rest of the metro area. My personal opinion is that it's better to live closer in and create your own community based on common interests with others you meet, but opinions vary.

[vegaspilgrim]

Originally Posted by silverbear

Libraries -- Within Phoenix city limits, the Burton Barr Library is the central library. It's a favorite among architecture critics, but I find it stark and cold. It has an extensive children's area, but you might occasionally have to pass by a gauntlet of homeless to get to it. I'd like to be more enthusiastic about Burton Barr, but the City has got to crack down on loitering the adjacent Hance Park first.

I totally agree. The central library is a total joke. The building is postmodern crap-- which is what happens when you let contemporary public sector architects have free reign. It's a big building with 5 or 6 floors, but strangely, there are hardly any books in it. You're also right about the nearby park-- not a nice place to be. I know a lady who was attacked there, just north of the library. Tempe (Southern and Rural) and Scottsdale's (just SE of Old Town Scottsdale) libraries are much, much nicer.

[maka36]

Thanks for your replies - very helpful. We will spend time checking out the Biltmore Area, north central Phoenix.

[silverbear]

Originally Posted by maka36

Thanks for your replies - very helpful. We will spend time checking out the Biltmore Area, north central Phoenix.

Those are good places to start; here are a few more ideas that come to mind following up on our conversation about parks, libraries, etc.:

-- Tempe Lakes area -- in Tempe south of Baseline Road. From there down to the Chandler border is a solid area for families.

-- Ahwatukee -- southeastern corner of Phoenix across I-10 from Tempe and Chandler

-- McCormick Ranch -- best part of Scottsdale in my opinion. Well-kept up neighborhood that is close to a lot of things.

Chandler and Gilbert are also thought of as good for families, but they are a bit more of a commute.