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Old 11-26-2014, 11:08 PM
 
Location: The big blue yonder...
2,061 posts, read 3,724,716 times
Reputation: 1183

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So, I'm not really "new" new to Phoenix, however I'm definitely no Phoenician.
a couple of years ago, I pulled off working a job that allowed me to work for a client in DC, while spending half the year in PHX. Since then, I've moved on to other jobs, NOT in Phoenix...

Now, I'm looking at making a move full-time back to Phoenix sometime soon but would like a little help finding what I'm looking for.

In the past, I stayed in South Scottsdale while there because I already had an established place to stay. This time, I would like to start off renting a home/SINGLE FAMILY house but for as low as possible so I can save more money. Baby steps...

Can you guys help tell me exactly where to look?

Here's the information that will help you help me:

-WORK: I will most likely be transferring within my company to Phoenix. Company has a location in SOUTH SCOTTSDALE (I THINK they also have offices in Peoria & North Phoenix but a little unsure. Just know there are several potential openings at the Scottsdale location). There's also the potential that I could end up working mostly remotely, so in that case location won't matter. Most likely if I make the transfer and have to drive to an office, it'll most likely be the Scottsdale office.

-COMMUTE: I'd rather not have to rely on using the freeways to get to work... BUT, for the right price/space/quality, I'll drive however long... North/South/East/West/Central... Doesn't matter. Just don't want to live so far outside of Scottsdale like Goodyear to Scottsdale. That's just TOO Far...
Wait, guess that means Let's just exclude West Valley

-SAFETY: Like I said, I've spent most my time in South Scottsdale, so as far as I'm used to, PHX seems pretty safe. But I don't want to move somewhere that will make me have to take back that perspective. Want an area that FEELS safe. FEELS like I don't NEED a garage for my cars.

-OUTDOORs: Would LIKE to be near a canal if possible. Don't care which. If I'm not mistaken, they all have trails along the sides of them. Would also like a nearby park area.

-QUALITY OF AREA: Would rather a community area that has most things that most people need within a short distance. Things like (grocery stores, WalMart, restaurants, LA Fitness (for me), Freeway access if I want, parks, maybe even a nearby casino, etc...).

-QUALITY OF HOME: Area that has a lot of newer ranch style homes. Not one of those born in 1950s neighborhoods (like most of South Scottsdale) IF possible. I'm saying because I'd look in the area for a younger than 1990s home. Updated housing area. Also, I know most places (at least in Scottsdale) seemed to have the stone privacy walls surrounding the backyards. I want that. Need a yard for my dogs. And LOVE those privacy walls.

-SIZE OF HOME/PRICE: Hoping to find what I'm looking for while paying less than $1,200/mo. in rent for a 2-3 Beds single family, ranch style home with own driveway & either garage or carport (not parking lot). Low as possible without being ghetto/hood/old/damaged or FAR out.

Where should I look? Because I can't help myself but search Scottsdale, Tempe and Mesa (cause that's just what I'm used to). Anywhere else I should look?

Can you tell me City + Neighborhood/major cross streets to look in the areas of?

I've heard good things about Laveen. Never hung out down there, so I don't know anything about it other than that others say it's decent. Should I consider anywhere else? West of Phoenix? South? East Valley other than Scott/Temp/Mesa? Where?

Am I going to have to bite the bullet and go up on max price?

Help please...... Make suggestions please.
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Old 11-27-2014, 01:42 AM
 
Location: Metro Phoenix, AZ USA
17,915 posts, read 43,291,171 times
Reputation: 10724
I don't know why you'd be considering if you are going to be working in south Scottsdale. That's part of the "west Valley" you are excluding. Way too long a drive, IMO, when you can be closer in.

"Younger than 1990s home" and "ranch style" are, to me, mutually exclusive. What I think of as ranch style was not built in that time period. Walls around the back yard, though, are relatively standard in post 1990's homes.

I don't keep track of rental prices much, so I can't comment on what you can find, where, for your price range.
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Old 11-27-2014, 06:25 AM
 
Location: Inside the 101
2,768 posts, read 7,407,481 times
Reputation: 3215
The south end of Scottsdale is very well situated for canal access. The Crosscut Canal has an excellent bike / ped path that begins in Tempe, runs through Papago Park, and then continues through Scottsdale up to Indian School Road. The path is paved and illuminated with an underpass at McDowell Road. A mile or two to the east, the Indian Bend Wash greenbelt, while not an actual canal, is also an attraction. It has a bike / ped path and runs through Eldorado Park.

At Indian School, the Crosscut Canal meets the Arizona Canal. That canal has an excellent path from 60th St. going east into the center of Scottsdale. West of 60th St., on the Phoenix side, the path in unpaved but still reasonably nice for bicycling, running, and walking. The canal path runs past Herberger and Arcadia parks on the Phoenix side.

If you want access to these paths and parks, along with a short commute, living in south Scottsdale or Arcadia makes sense. Those areas also have plenty of ranch homes -- assuming we're talking about the same thing. To me, "ranch" means a specific style of one-story house that reached its peak in the '50s, but that's a decade you say you're trying to avoid, so I'm a little confused about what kind of house you're looking for.
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Old 11-27-2014, 08:48 AM
 
Location: Scottsdale, AZ
2,151 posts, read 5,154,310 times
Reputation: 3303
Finding a newer than 1990's SFR home for $1200 in and around south Scottsdale will be nearly impossible. W. Mesa is a possibility if you are willing to commute 15-20 miles.

N. Phoenix while possible, but not a lot to choose from. Peoria (you did not say where in Peoria) a definite maybe.

I also noticed you said "dogs". This will add to the complexity. You may have to raise your dollar ceiling or lower your expectations.
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Old 11-27-2014, 08:54 AM
 
Location: Rural Michigan
6,343 posts, read 14,633,508 times
Reputation: 10548
In Chandler, Rural road kinda "peters out" south of Chandler blvd into a very nice collection of mid-eighties / early nineties subdivisions - I can't remember any canals there, but the area is very walkable/bikeable.. some nice public greenspaces to walk the dogs.. yards are generally pretty decent-sized by modern Phoenix standards..

It's been a long time since we rented there, but smaller 3/2's were in the op's price range when we were there at least, and it wasn't too bad of a commute to old-town~ish Scottsdale..

Tons of shopping & food in the area - a casino not far away..
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