Newer houses in South Mountain - yay or nay? (Phoenix: transplants, crime)

[military spouse]

We currently live in Goodyear and went to look at a new development in the Baseline corridor (24th St. and Baseline, I believe) and I was shocked at how expensive the house was. I believe it was above $500,000 and it was surrounded by other large homes. I am fine with the area, but my husband isn't and I don't believe it's the aesthetics or safety, just the feeling of too many people. It certainly is a convenient area for many employment centers and I can see why it is becoming increasingly desirable.

[Jkgourmet]

Originally Posted by Bound4AZ

Huh? One or both of us will have jobs.

WHERE? That single issue is the main factor that should be determining where you purchase a home.

[cherrylimeade]

Bound4AZ's wife here, chiming in.

Originally Posted by Jkgourmet

WHERE? That single issue is the main factor that should be determining where you purchase a home.

You and I had basically this same conversation two months ago in one of my threads.

When we're getting ready to buy, obviously we'll know where at least one of our jobs is. Certainly we couldn't get a mortgage without one verifiable income, or preferably two. But:

• We can't assume both of us will have jobs in the same area. Based on the jobs we're applying to, it's entirely possible that when we move out there, I'll be working in Chandler and he'll be working in north Phoenix, or vice versa.
• More likely than not, one or both of us will switch jobs in the next five years.
• When one of us switches jobs, we don't want to have to sell the house and move. Maybe some people up and sell their house every time they get a new job, but I don't see how we'd ever build any equity, and neither of us wants to move every few years.

That's why we are trying to find a reasonably central location based on the job postings we see in our fields, with the goal of limiting each of our commutes to 30 minutes or so. Given the jobs we're looking at, South Mountain seems like a reasonable location to consider.

So why are we asking about South Mountain now, when we don't have the jobs yet? Because we're trying to research our options ahead of time. When one of us accepts a job offer, it's going to be a whirlwind of activity, and if we have a pretty solid plan on location, that'll be one less thing to stress out about.

[PHX Newbie]

sent you a pm.

[jmw51882]

I am interested in seeing what people have to say about real estate in south mountain as well. I'm looking to buy in about 6 months and my budget verses taste seems to have landed me in South Mountain. There is also a recently started thread about building a highway in the area. I haven't researched enough to know how long it's been debated but from a newbie's perspective, easy access to highways is important.

[sargeant79]

Originally Posted by jmw51882

I am interested in seeing what people have to say about real estate in south mountain as well. I'm looking to buy in about 6 months and my budget verses taste seems to have landed me in South Mountain. There is also a recently started thread about building a highway in the area. I haven't researched enough to know how long it's been debated but from a newbie's perspective, easy access to highways is important.

The area identified as South Mountain is on the north side of the mountain itself and won't have a freeway going through it, although you are fairly close to the 10 on the eastern edge of the area. The South Mountain freeway/Loop 202 extension you're referring to will actually be going around the south side of the mountain through Ahwatukee.

[sargeant79]

Originally Posted by cherrylimeade

Bound4AZ's wife here, chiming in.



You and I had basically this same conversation two months ago in one of my threads.

When we're getting ready to buy, obviously we'll know where at least one of our jobs is. Certainly we couldn't get a mortgage without one verifiable income, or preferably two. But:

• We can't assume both of us will have jobs in the same area. Based on the jobs we're applying to, it's entirely possible that when we move out there, I'll be working in Chandler and he'll be working in north Phoenix, or vice versa.
• More likely than not, one or both of us will switch jobs in the next five years.
• When one of us switches jobs, we don't want to have to sell the house and move. Maybe some people up and sell their house every time they get a new job, but I don't see how we'd ever build any equity, and neither of us wants to move every few years.

That's why we are trying to find a reasonably central location based on the job postings we see in our fields, with the goal of limiting each of our commutes to 30 minutes or so. Given the jobs we're looking at, South Mountain seems like a reasonable location to consider.

So why are we asking about South Mountain now, when we don't have the jobs yet? Because we're trying to research our options ahead of time. When one of us accepts a job offer, it's going to be a whirlwind of activity, and if we have a pretty solid plan on location, that'll be one less thing to stress out about.

I thought this thread sounded familiar. lol

[Bungle]

OP, I've lived in the area you mention for the past 10 years. Feel free to PM me if you have any questions.

[swbrotha100]

Originally Posted by Bound4AZ

We don't, and won't, have kids, so bad schools (by themselves) aren't a problem. Although bad schools typically could mean bad kids and teens in the area, so that's a considering.

By SE South Mountain, I mean the areas east of 7th Street and south of Baseline.

I drove down this part of Baseline (Central headed east to 48th St) the other day. There does seem to be a lot of new housing going up mostly south of Baseline. I hope that improves the area as time goes on.

[TempeAZnative]

Baseline to Dobbins is newer homes, but just remember from Baseline to the river bottom and 48th st to 19th Ave is the hood filled with gangs and drugs. People who live in Scottsdale will say it's not bad like Chicago or Detroit. Just remember The gangs from LA when they expanded in the 80's took root in South Phoenix. Plus, you now have the Mexican gangs controlled be La Eme. If you have kids you probably don't want them going to the schools there. Best of Luck