21 year old moving to Scottsdale area, need advice on apartments! (Tempe: apartment complex, college)

[ale982]

Hi! I am 21 years old, will be graduating college in May, and moving out for a job in Scottsdale in August. I am really not familiar with the areas near there but I think I am interested in living in either the Scottsdale or Tempe area. I will have a car so I don't mind a commute up to about a half hour or so. I want to be somewhere near other young professionals, bars, shopping, restaurants, and other typical things like that. I am looking to pay up to $1000 per month in rent, but lower would be great too! I want to meet new people and make friends quickly, so any suggestions for that would be greatly appreciate too

[liz451]

Hi - you're a little younger than me (I'm 25) but I've lived in the Tempe and Scottsdale areas since I was 19 and really liked both for different reasons. Old Town is mostly people in their 20's to early 30's and Tempe is much more college aged up to 23 or so. Your budget will easily get you a nice 1 bedroom in a good area. I suggest to a lot of friends and people moving that are right out of college to live around Scottsdale and McDowell. It's right in between both areas and will let you explore each until you decide which area you like more.

A couple questions:

-Where's your job? 30 minutes can get you to a lot of places from Tempe and Scottsdale at rush hour but not all.
- do you want to be walking distance to bars, restaurants, and shopping or is a $15 cab ride/5-10 minute drive ok?
- do you like relaxed bars, clubs, pool parties? Or like a crowded good time at any type of place?

I'm typing this all on my iPad otherwise I'd get even more lengthy!

[ale982]

Thanks for the info so far! From what I understand it sounds like there are definitely a lot of options for a younger crowd, so I am excited to start checking things out.

My job is on N Scottsdale road in North Scottsdale near 101 and 51. Walking distance to bars, restaurants, shopping would be nice but not necessary. I don't mind driving around and also won't mind taking cabs once in a while, too. I definitely prefer a laid back, relaxed atmosphere, but I like the crowded more crazy places once in a while, too, especially to meet people since I don't really know anyone in the area. So that is why I don't mind driving/cabs because I would like to experience all kinds of nightlife/social scenes!

I know it's not too specific but I am open to a lot of different atmospheres and locations. I am trying to keep an open mind and not get too specific in my search because I feel like that would only make it tougher.

[iceman2_00]

im in the same boat. start in a few weeks lots of places online but don't know where to go.

[vince3vince]

Originally Posted by ale982

Thanks for the info so far! From what I understand it sounds like there are definitely a lot of options for a younger crowd, so I am excited to start checking things out.

My job is on N Scottsdale road in North Scottsdale near 101 and 51. Walking distance to bars, restaurants, shopping would be nice but not necessary. I don't mind driving around and also won't mind taking cabs once in a while, too. I definitely prefer a laid back, relaxed atmosphere, but I like the crowded more crazy places once in a while, too, especially to meet people since I don't really know anyone in the area. So that is why I don't mind driving/cabs because I would like to experience all kinds of nightlife/social scenes!

I know it's not too specific but I am open to a lot of different atmospheres and locations. I am trying to keep an open mind and not get too specific in my search because I feel like that would only make it tougher.

Scottsdale Rd is not near 51 highway. Based off what you mentioned, I think you would like the Scottsdale Kierland/ Quarter area near near Scottsdale Rd and Greenway-Hayden. There is an apartment complex just west of that area at Greenway and 66th St. Not sure of their name, maybe someone knows what I am talking about?