House hunting: What zip codes to avoid? (Phoenix, Scottsdale: real estate, rent)

[acrylic]

I've lived in the Phoenix metro for over 4 years now, and I'm thinking of finally settling down and buying a house. I'm already working with a real estate agent, but they can't really tell you what zip codes to avoid by law.

I know there's a lot more to it, but in general, some areas have much higher crime statistics than others. I'm looking East Valley (Northeast and Southeast Valley included), maybe downtownish, even the 51 corridor. But I'd like to ideally I'd like to be within a 15-20 mile maximum radius of Old Town Scottsdale.

Thanks in advance!

[WSPHXPELON]

85042 and 85040 are south phoenix and although not that bad are higher in crime and lower in income. I guess the other poverty pockets that I'm familiar with are 85031 85019 85007 85009 and ONLY the south sides of 85004 and 85003. There's a lot more, but that's just what came to mind. Your post is really much too vague to give a good comment on, but i ain't got nothin to do rite now so i thought i'd give it a go peace.

[observer53]

I think it's very difficult to do this by ZIP code generally, as some of the ZIPS cover widely varied areas. You've lived here long enough to have a feel fur the areas you might like to live. Look in those areas, research the more specific crime statistics then. Almost all the areas noted in the above post are too far west to meet your other criteria of relative closeness to Old Town Scottsdale.

[Ponderosa]

In developing areas the zip codes are way too big to generalize. They can take in everything from open desert, to cattle yards, to expensive homes, tract housing, and trailer parks. They get more granular in Phoenix proper, but even then, you really can't go by zip codes.

[Sovetsky Medved]

I would Avoid 85013, Even though I live here already.
Seriously they have way to many of these Tiny little houses, that are way over-priced.
you drop one of these houses in say Ohio or Indiana and you might get $50,000 to 80,000, but for some odd reason here in the "Woodlea historic District" they want $200,000 for the same type of house, What a Joke. Seriously, I think I will just continue renting. I pay 29.5% of my income on my Rent and Utilities combined, I think I have that down just about right. They can keep there Overly-Priced Shacks.
And I do mean "Shacks" have you seen some of these things. They throw a fresh coat of paint on them and think there all High end.
Plus I have a nice pool to swim in and I don't have to pay for maintaining it or do yard work, Im just a Lazy old sot, who feels entitled

[acrylic]

Thanks for the replies, all. I am familiar with the "good" areas of the suburbs, it's more just actual Phoenix that I'm not familiar with.

I found a nice looking house in an area I haven't spent much time in, it's in the 85008 zip code which is literally about 2-3 miles south of Biltmore. I am very confused if I should even take a look there or not?

[WSPHXPELON]

Originally Posted by acrylic

Thanks for the replies, all. I am familiar with the "good" areas of the suburbs, it's more just actual Phoenix that I'm not familiar with.

I found a nice looking house in an area I haven't spent much time in, it's in the 85008 zip code which is literally about 2-3 miles south of Biltmore. I am very confused if I should even take a look there or not?

Like everybody else has said, the zip codes here are just too big to generalize like that...But in a pinch, if you want me to overgeneralize 85008, here u go: The western side of that zip is somewhat lower income and majority Hispanic. That's why you found a good RE deal there, becuase a lot of people are too snooty to live in an area like that. IMO, not dangerous, but not "ritzy" either.

[acrylic]

Originally Posted by WSPHXPELON

Like everybody else has said, the zip codes here are just too big to generalize like that...But in a pinch, if you want me to overgeneralize 85008, here u go: The western side of that zip is somewhat lower income and majority Hispanic. That's why you found a good RE deal there, becuase a lot of people are too snooty to live in an area like that. IMO, not dangerous, but not "ritzy" either.

I took a drive out that way today, and I had the same impressions. It's not the worst area I've seen, but not the best either. I'm more worried about it being dangerous than being the most pristine looking area. I'm more concerned about the safety of myself and my property.

[observer53]

Used to work in the 24th St and Thomas/Oak area of 85008, have been through there a lot since. Frankly not an area I would choose to live.

[youthinkso]

Avoid,,85255,85259,85260...hell holes of despair and debauchery