85085 (zip code) How is the nieghborhood? (Phoenix: for sale, renters, HOA)

[Encinitas]

Found out the zip code I might be living in. Need comments on the nieghborhood. I have 2 girls. (15 yrs. in 12th grade and a soon to be 2 yr. old) Is it a safe and kid friendly? Nearest public and private high schools? How would you rate the neiborhood, schools, shopping (groceries), dance studio, martial arts, parks & library. Average cost (and name) of cable company, gas, electric, water, trash, telephone company, cellular service (I currently have cingular and nextel), mall, post office, did I miss anything? Trying to find out an idea of what can be our monthly bills. I think the house has 3 bedrooms and maybe 2.5 bath.

Looking forward to your input.

Thanks in advance.

ps. moving from Encinitas Ca (north of San Diego) Can't afford SD. Rent for 3 bedroom condo $1850 w/o yard. Can we do better?

[monsoon74]

Had to get my map out...85085 is on the north end of the urban area, along both sides of I-17. The good news is this area is growing very fast, the vast majority of the housing will be new. Cellular communications are not an issue, you're covered there. Shopping is close, with a new shopping center at Happy Valley and I-17. I only know the high school (O'Connor) and addressed that in your previous question. This area is in the City Limits, so Phoenix would take care of your water and garbage, etc. Southwest Gas, Qwest, and Cox should all be available in that area, too.

As far as dance/martial arts studios, I think there are some along Pinnacle Peak/35th Ave. Almost all newer subdivisions have a park or two, so there should be places for the younger children to play.

The only negative I have to bring up is that you're going to be locked into using I-17 a lot. That stretch of freeway has been outdated for a long time, and becomes a parking lot every afternoon at rush hour. It's especially bad on Fridays during the summer, when many people head up north escaping the heat.

But, in Phoenix, you'll encounter traffic (and construction) no matter what part of the Valley.

[sablebaby]

Yep, it looks like you will be on either side of the I-17. And yep, it's a mess most of the day. But there are easy ways to get around it. You can take Happy Valley rd east to 19th ave and that will take you south all the way to downtown or wherever. Or stay on HV rd and it will turn into 7th st and that will go south to downtown as well. So, don't worry if the highway is bad, there are always alternate ways of getting around.

Shopping is right there, with a super walmart (blah), and many other places, like Pier One, Barnes and Noble, banks, restaurants (though we need more up here), etc, etc... However, there's only a few places to shop for groceries, that's my biggest complaint up here. There's the walmart, an old Safeway, and a Fry's a few miles away. I'm tired of them all. I'd love to see a trader joes, or similiar.

We have a large community center that we just discovered. They have lots of sports there and a fitness center. It's at 35th ave and pinnacle peak. I don't know where the nearest library is yet. The only post office that I know of is at 59th ave and south of the 101, it's about 6 miles away or so.

We have a 3 bed 2 bath single story home. Our costs (per month) for elect (APS) is 50 in the winter and $220 in the summer, gas (Southwest) is about $30 anytime, phone is $35 with a somewhat basic package (Cox, I hate Qwest), Basic cable and I mean basic (23 channels, Cox) is about $20, water, trash, sewer (all city of phx) is about $80 a month. Our HOA is $200 a year.

Are you renting or buying? I just looked up rentals on the MLS and they start at $1100 (1900 sqft) and go up to $3000 (3000 sqft). The average is $1200-1500. There's even one for $2000 for 4000 sqft! So, YES you can do better!!!

[Encinitas]

Originally Posted by monsoon74

Had to get my map out...85085 is on the north end of the urban area, along both sides of I-17. The good news is this area is growing very fast, the vast majority of the housing will be new. Cellular communications are not an issue, you're covered there. Shopping is close, with a new shopping center at Happy Valley and I-17. I only know the high school (O'Connor) and addressed that in your previous question. This area is in the City Limits, so Phoenix would take care of your water and garbage, etc. Southwest Gas, Qwest, and Cox should all be available in that area, too.

As far as dance/martial arts studios, I think there are some along Pinnacle Peak/35th Ave. Almost all newer subdivisions have a park or two, so there should be places for the younger children to play.

The only negative I have to bring up is that you're going to be locked into using I-17 a lot. That stretch of freeway has been outdated for a long time, and becomes a parking lot every afternoon at rush hour. It's especially bad on Fridays during the summer, when many people head up north escaping the heat.

But, in Phoenix, you'll encounter traffic (and construction) no matter what part of the Valley.

Will need to print out this post, a lot of great information here
Thank you again. I'm getting excited. would like to make a decision by the end of this month. Wish me luck.

[Encinitas]

Originally Posted by sablebaby

Yep, it looks like you will be on either side of the I-17. And yep, it's a mess most of the day. But there are easy ways to get around it. You can take Happy Valley rd east to 19th ave and that will take you south all the way to downtown or wherever. Or stay on HV rd and it will turn into 7th st and that will go south to downtown as well. So, don't worry if the highway is bad, there are always alternate ways of getting around.

Shopping is right there, with a super walmart (blah), and many other places, like Pier One, Barnes and Noble, banks, restaurants (though we need more up here), etc, etc... However, there's only a few places to shop for groceries, that's my biggest complaint up here. There's the walmart, an old Safeway, and a Fry's a few miles away. I'm tired of them all. I'd love to see a trader joes, or similiar.

We have a large community center that we just discovered. They have lots of sports there and a fitness center. It's at 35th ave and pinnacle peak. I don't know where the nearest library is yet. The only post office that I know of is at 59th ave and south of the 101, it's about 6 miles away or so.

We have a 3 bed 2 bath single story home. Our costs (per month) for elect (APS) is 50 in the winter and $220 in the summer, gas (Southwest) is about $30 anytime, phone is $35 with a somewhat basic package (Cox, I hate Qwest), Basic cable and I mean basic (23 channels, Cox) is about $20, water, trash, sewer (all city of phx) is about $80 a month. Our HOA is $200 a year.

Are you renting or buying? I just looked up rentals on the MLS and they start at $1100 (1900 sqft) and go up to $3000 (3000 sqft). The average is $1200-1500. There's even one for $2000 for 4000 sqft! So, YES you can do better!!!

Thank you again for the great information. I reallly appreciate your time and effort. I'm sorry, but I can't remember if you mentioned that you are also new to phoenix?

Will also need to print this post and start a rough draft of some kind of budget.

Thanks again

[sablebaby]

Nope, actually I was born (and have always lived) in Phoenix. I just moved to this area that I was talking about back in Feb.

No problem. If you have any other questions, I'll try to answer them.

[Encinitas]

Originally Posted by sablebaby

Yep, it looks like you will be on either side of the I-17. And yep, it's a mess most of the day. But there are easy ways to get around it. You can take Happy Valley rd east to 19th ave and that will take you south all the way to downtown or wherever. Or stay on HV rd and it will turn into 7th st and that will go south to downtown as well. So, don't worry if the highway is bad, there are always alternate ways of getting around.

Shopping is right there, with a super walmart (blah), and many other places, like Pier One, Barnes and Noble, banks, restaurants (though we need more up here), etc, etc... However, there's only a few places to shop for groceries, that's my biggest complaint up here. There's the walmart, an old Safeway, and a Fry's a few miles away. I'm tired of them all. I'd love to see a trader joes, or similiar.

We have a large community center that we just discovered. They have lots of sports there and a fitness center. It's at 35th ave and pinnacle peak. I don't know where the nearest library is yet. The only post office that I know of is at 59th ave and south of the 101, it's about 6 miles away or so.

We have a 3 bed 2 bath single story home. Our costs (per month) for elect (APS) is 50 in the winter and $220 in the summer, gas (Southwest) is about $30 anytime, phone is $35 with a somewhat basic package (Cox, I hate Qwest), Basic cable and I mean basic (23 channels, Cox) is about $20, water, trash, sewer (all city of phx) is about $80 a month. Our HOA is $200 a year.

Are you renting or buying? I just looked up rentals on the MLS and they start at $1100 (1900 sqft) and go up to $3000 (3000 sqft). The average is $1200-1500. There's even one for $2000 for 4000 sqft! So, YES you can do better!!!

Hello Sablebaby,
Just wondering what cell phone sevice you can recomend. I currently have Cingular. I like the idea of the rollover minutes. My Teenager talks a lot.

Also what bank? I was thinking of Washington Mutual. Someone else suggested BAnk of America.

Forgot to answer your last question. We will be renting. A friend has this house he is trying to sell. No one is interested so he wants to rent it out to us. But unfortunately there is a chance of it selling before Feb. What is MLS? I might need it in case the house sells. Been looking for houses for rent in Craigs list.

Have a nice day.
Encinitas

[sablebaby]

I also have cingular. I don't really reccomend any cell phone company in particular, as I dislike all the ones I have tried.

I bank with Bank of America and there's one in your new area. There's also a new M&I bank there too (don't know much about them). But I really like BofA.

That's great that you can rent your friends house. However, if he's selling it, that can be an inconvience. The last house we lived in was a rental and the owner (from CA) was selling it. Boy was that a huge pain in the butt. It was up for sale the whole year we lived in it (and STILL for sale!) The showings and inspections and realtors knocking. I would never have rented it if I knew that hassle.

MLS is the Multiple Listing Service, what realtors have access to to list and find property for their clients. I LOVE Craigslist! On it everyday looking for office space and such.

Hope that helps!

[Encinitas]

Originally Posted by sablebaby

I also have cingular. I don't really reccomend any cell phone company in particular, as I dislike all the ones I have tried.

I bank with Bank of America and there's one in your new area. There's also a new M&I bank there too (don't know much about them). But I really like BofA.

That's great that you can rent your friends house. However, if he's selling it, that can be an inconvience. The last house we lived in was a rental and the owner (from CA) was selling it. Boy was that a huge pain in the butt. It was up for sale the whole year we lived in it (and STILL for sale!) The showings and inspections and realtors knocking. I would never have rented it if I knew that hassle.

MLS is the Multiple Listing Service, what realtors have access to to list and find property for their clients. I LOVE Craigslist! On it everyday looking for office space and such.

Hope that helps!

That was one of my questions re: the house for rent. I really don't want strangers going in and out and the idea of keeping it clean and organize all the time will be a challenge for me with a 2 yr old running around.

That's 2 votes for Bank of America. My husband uses them for his business. I had a bad experience with them with our personal account.

I know what you mean about cell phones. I tried all of them except for verizon, I think. I just want to make sure Cingular works.

Your posts are always helpful and appreciated, thanks.

[sablebaby]

Originally Posted by Encinitas

That was one of my questions re: the house for rent. I really don't want strangers going in and out and the idea of keeping it clean and organize all the time will be a challenge for me with a 2 yr old running around.

Yep, especially when we couldn't stand the owner. She was a complete idiot who wanted to become rich off of our market. But in reality she was so dumb that she bought the house VERY high and is losing money daily. Being a realtor, I knew ALL my rights and I used them as a renter. She HATED that. At first she had a dumb agent and I told her that I didn't have to show the house until there was a signed contract. They believed me and we didn't have any visitors for months. Then she got another agent and they threatened going to court, so we allowed people to look at the house with a 48 hour notice and we stuck with that... even AFTER we had moved out. We still had the house for 6 weeks after we moved out (moved out as we bought our house, but also wanted away from this woman (the owner). We never gave the house back until our lease was up. She deserved that as she would call us thinking it was her other renters and said our check bounced and was pissed. She messed with us every once in a while and it became tiring.

May advice is rent a house (after yours is sold) that is professionally managed, people who are impartial and who know the law.