High crime areas of Phoenix? (Mesa, Glendale: low income, roughest, new home)

[Freebird2007]

what are the bad areas of phoenix? I see South Phoenix popping up quite frequently. What are the low income, gang areas to avoid?

[nickluva]

Originally Posted by Freebird2007

what are the bad areas of phoenix? I see South Phoenix popping up quite frequently. What are the low income, gang areas to avoid?

Don't fully believe the hype about south Phoenix that place is huge and rapidly changing. People say the "southside" because it was the only predominately black area in Phoenix for years. It now has a larger hispanic population as blacks have scattered all over the valley but it still has a large black area. The Baseline Rd area is a nice area with lots of new homes and restuarants and places to shop. The Raven is a popular golf course there and the neighborhoods around it have very nice homes. I think Mike Tyson has a place there. Also there's the Pointe at South Mountain, which is a nice resort area for visitors or for locals like me who like to take their girlfriends and stay for a romantic weekend. If you like hiking which isn't my thing South Mountain Park is also located on the "southside". All in all it's not such a bad area in some parts. Now as for the bad parts the areas between Broadway and Southern areas between 32nd Street to say about 35th Avenue. That's where your gangs and low income housing is.

But as for the worst area in Phoenix. Maryvale on the westside takes that crown. Phoenix doesn't really have that many dangerous areas. Alot of areas look rundown but aren't really dangerous(the majority of Phoenix proper, Glendale and Mesa)

[silverbear]

Parts of South Phoenix are still scary, but the area has improved a great deal and Maryvale on the west side is now seen as the roughest area. There are other rough areas scattered throughout the city, but Phoenix is so large that it's hard to give you a good idea in one post. A better approach is to use the AZ Central Crime maps (broken link).

I disagree, however, with the notion that the "majority of Phoenix proper" looks rundown. That's only in comparison to Phoenix's ultra-new suburbs. Most of the areas of Phoenix that are sometimes casually dismissed as "ghetto" actually look quite good compared to true ghettos in other cities.

[micrguy]

But wherever you live in Phoenix be prepared for being the victim of at least a couple of minor property crimes. Most of these crimes go unreported and it is things like getting your back wall spray painted (for those people that have alleys), stereos stolen out of cars or items missing out of your tool shed. I lived in a fairly decent middle class area around Metrocenter mall and most of my neighbors would have something happen to them once every 2-3 years. Not that big of a deal, but just enough to be annoying.

[AksarbeN]

Originally Posted by Freebird2007

what are the bad areas of phoenix? I see South Phoenix popping up quite frequently. What are the low income, gang areas to avoid?

The links below will provide you a pdf file map of the areas of crime within the Phoenix area. Other related statistics are also available here. Keep in mind that the suburban areas of other communities Scottsdale, Tempe, Glendale, etc. are not included in this information. However many of the outlining cities have their high crime areas as well as Phoenix.

Phoenix Police Department - Crime Statistics and Maps
Phoenix Police Department - Crime Stats

The two areas of Maryvale and Metro Center Mall seem to have far more crime then other areas within the Phoenix city limits.

[SoCal78]

I've heard AVONDALE has the craziest loco's in town. That place scares me!

[nickluva]

Originally Posted by SoCal78

I've heard AVONDALE has the craziest loco's in town. That place scares me!

Avondale isn't even that bad

[sweettearose]

I live in Houston and there are areas here that are definitely dangerous and places I wouldn't venture to let alone drive through. These are the true gang ridden areas that popular culture likes to epitomize in films. Places like 5th ward in Houston are truly dangerous. We have true urban ghettos and crime in Houston. Phoenix has nothing remotely close to that. There are a lot of gangs but not necessarily ghettos and the gangs seem to target other gangs. Yes, there are crime areas but relative to other cities this size, Phoenix is pretty safe. Some of the crime ridden areas of Phoenix remind me of what people would deem safe areas in cities like Detroit, Gary, Cleveland, Boston and Philadelphia. I think people in Phoenix are spoiled because the rundown and crime areas don't seem that bad. I know people who say Bethany Home east of I-17 is bad particularly bad but it doesn't seem that bad when compared to areas in other more urban cities.

[Ponderosa]

Originally Posted by sweettearose

I live in Houston and there are areas here that are definitely dangerous and places I wouldn't venture to let alone drive through. These are the true gang ridden areas that popular culture likes to epitomize in films. Places like 5th ward in Houston are truly dangerous. We have true urban ghettos and crime in Houston. Phoenix has nothing remotely close to that. There are a lot of gangs but not necessarily ghettos and the gangs seem to target other gangs. Yes, there are crime areas but relative to other cities this size, Phoenix is pretty safe. Some of the crime ridden areas of Phoenix remind me of what people would deem safe areas in cities like Detroit, Gary, Cleveland, Boston and Philadelphia. I think people in Phoenix are spoiled because the rundown and crime areas don't seem that bad. I know people who say Bethany Home east of I-17 is bad particularly bad but it doesn't seem that bad when compared to areas in other more urban cities.

We don't have the racial tensions that Houston has and the bulk of the illegals are here to work not commit crimes. Some of the kids are gangsters, but you are right that they mostly prey on each other. There isn't anywhere in Phoenix that I would be afraid to drive through. (I'm thinking of National Lampoons Vacation. I suppose that was exaggerated, but we really don't have anything like that here.) If you broke down in Maryvale, it is more likely that someone would help you than it is that they would rob you.

[BurtsBees]

Now knowing what Detroit is like, being afraid to even cross its limits and then visting and driving through Phoenix, Ill say this. Phoenix has NOTHING on Detroit in regards to ghetto, fear, etc. Be the wrong color and step into Detroit will get you KILLED.