Current opinion of the city of Maricopa? (Phoenix: HOA fees, home)

[missmimz]

I live in Maricopa and I'm not a fan. I don't commute, but even going into Chandler for something and coming back at rush hour is nuts. There isn't anything out here unless you like fast food and nasty subpar grocery stores. Utilities are very high, especially electric and water.

[pbenjamin]

Originally Posted by missmimz

I live in Maricopa and I'm not a fan. I don't commute, but even going into Chandler for something and coming back at rush hour is nuts. There isn't anything out here unless you like fast food and nasty subpar grocery stores. Utilities are very high, especially electric and water.

I'm not a fan of Maricopa either, but they have a Fry's and a Basha's, both of which are fairly new and not much different than their counterparts back in civilization.

[missmimz]

Originally Posted by pbenjamin

I'm not a fan of Maricopa either, but they have a Fry's and a Basha's, both of which are fairly new and not much different than their counterparts back in civilization.

Well, I personally don't shop at those kinds of grocery stores so that's just my opinion.

[DetroitN8V]

Originally Posted by missmimz

Well, I personally don't shop at those kinds of grocery stores so that's just my opinion.

What do you mean "those kinds of grocery stores"? Bashas' and Fry's are regular grocers.

[cmw0829]

...waiting to see the reply...because not sure where else there is to shop that's reasonably priced.

[FitnessPower]

We bought in Maricopa a little over a year ago and love it so far. Our thing was we wanted a smaller house since we never plan on having kids, with nice upgrades and a pool. In Gilbert/Chandler we would have paid 100k more and still would be commuting.

I work in Ahwatukee Ray/I-10 so my drive is an easy 15-20 min. My fiancé works in PHX near the airport and her drive is 25-35 min depending on traffic, but she should be working closer to home by summer. Honestly the traffic between Maricopa and Chandler/PHX isn't that bad at all, its once you get into the metro on I-10 or the 101 around Warner it starts to back up. Maybe a couple times a year there will be an accident on the 347 that will back things up... but if you get stuck behind a bad accident on any highway in the valley your screwed just the same.

I lived in San Tan Valley before, the Maricopa commute is shorter and flows much better. I would suggest staying in the Northern part of Maricopa (Rancho el dorado, cobble stone) so you can get in and out of town much faster.

From what I hear the schools here aren't great, a lot of people enroll their kids in the tempe or chandler school districts.

As far as utilities we have a 1300 sq ft single level house with pool and summer electric usually peaks out around $275. We keep the thermostat around 78 degrees and run the pool filter 12 hours a day. We have a backyard lawn so water is around 90-100 per month.

As far as stuff to do there is enough for us. A nice new fitness center with a mini waterpark, bowling, laser tag, movie theater that serves food and alcohol, 2 casinos with in 15 min that have concerts and other events. Raw hide always has something cool going on as well. There isn't much retail shopping in Maricopa yet but Wild Horse pass has that nice outdoor mall which is only 15 min away as well.

Overall this isn't the city if you want to party and go clubbing, but if you want to live a nice chill suburban life for cheap its great and I'm looking forward to see what this city grows into over the next 20 years.

[missmimz]

Originally Posted by DetroitN8V

What do you mean "those kinds of grocery stores"? Bashas' and Fry's are regular grocers.

Specially, i meant i don't shop at Bashas or Frys. I think the Bashas in Maricopa is disgusting and dirty (I've never been in any other Bashes, but I'm not native to AZ), and the Frys is better but half the time their produce is expired, or about to expire. I drive into Chandler/Phoenix to shop at farmers markets/whole foods, or to get a CSA box mostly, however this year we're putting in a garden so that should help.

[DougStark]

OP, I've never lived there but have driven through it countless times. The community grew in a few short years- it was unbelievable to watch.

One concern I'd have is that Maricopa is surrounded by farm fields, and when monsoon season hits, you'll be right in the middle of dust storms. People here dread these dust storms, but they seem to happen every year.

One positive is that its summer nights are cooler than Phoenix by at least 5 degrees or so.

[BestintheWest]

Originally Posted by asufan

I've heard complaints that the utilities in Maricopa are sky high, that alone could offset any rental savings. Not sure about schools there. If you want to be closer to $1,000, consider townhouse or patio home rentals in a god school district. if you can live with shared walls, you could really save a lot in utilities due to limiting exterior walls.

Originally Posted by PoppySead

If I were you I'd try San Tan, Queen Creek area. The homes are just as cheap but you have better schools, and a better location for commute. Maricopa is ok, but from what I've heard from my friends out there is that it's turning in the wrong direction out there. They are looking to get out. Just my 10 cents.

You are both correct. Currently in Maricopa, a real mistake. Lived in San Tan Valley just 5 months ago before moving. Utilities, water, gas, electric and sewer are 30% higher in Maricopa.
We are spending $400 a month more here, due to the utilities and cost to get to anything other than fast food and grocery stores. Ie: Pet Smart, Target etc.
Yes Maricopa has turned the wrong direction. When prices got cheap after the crash the element of residents has changed for the worst.
We will not be here much longer. Back to San Tan or Gilbert soon.

[observer53]

I have family and friends living in different areas of Maricopa who all like it. I was just down there on Saturday, noticed the traffic getting through town from the south end to the north. I'm told the schools are getting better than they were just before and during the crash; while a lot of undesirables did come in with the cheap rents on the vacant homes, and some are probably still there, there's been improvement on that score as things stabilize, and there are some nice areas, It's not a place I would live, but I just couldn't take all the driving.