Possibly Relocating to Phoenix Area (Mesa, Scottsdale: real estate, condo, houses)

[TxHeather]

Hello everyone,

I am interviewing for two jobs in the Phoenix area - one in the Northwest section of Phoenix (85054 zip) and one in Scottsdale.

While I am out there for the interviews, I would like to get a feel for the area and look at possible places to hone our real estate search when the time comes.

My husband and I are looking for a single family home (no condo or town house...we have 3 spaniels who need a yard) in a nice area. We were looking at Mesa and Gilbert, but wanted to get a local's opinion. Are these areas we should look in? We prefer the suburb feel/smaller city or town feel.

Would really appreciate your thoughts and suggestions of other areas to look at! Thanks again!

[Bungle]

live near where you work. 85054 to gilbert would be brutal

[TxHeather]

Thanks Bungle! Are there nice areas near 85054?

[Ponderosa]

Forget Mesa or Gilbert. That would be an awful and unnecessary commute. You have hundreds upon hundreds of better home choices in the north part of the metro area. Desert Ridge, where that zip is, is a very nice area. You can go east into Scottsdale, west all the way to Arrowhead, and north to Anthem with reasonable commutes.

[TxHeather]

Thanks Ponderosa! Good to know! What areas in the north part should we look at?

[DetroitN8V]

It all depends on budget but as mentioned, Desert Ridge itself is a nice area (albeit a little generic and boring, IMO), north Scottsdale is right there, as are nice areas in north Phoenix.

[observer53]

BTW, 85054 is not "northwest" but northeast Phoenix. And yes, Mesa or Gilbert is too far. North Phoenix has plenty of choices for places to live. You are not likely to find a "small town feel" but there are plenty of nice neighborhoods. What is your budget?

[TxHeather]

It's definitely a Monday...I totally forgot to give the budget info!

We don't want to go over $250K. We would like a newer home or at least a more updated home with a pool. We would prefer 2000 sq ft or less.

I will look at Desert Ridge and north Scottsdale (even though I don't think we can afford that area). Any other suggestions are greatly appreciated.

[TxHeather]

PS...again...Monday-itis...I totally meant northeast haha...wow...what a brain flub. haha

[Ponderosa]

Here's a generalized price map. It is by zip code. Be aware that as you get out into the burbs more the zip areas get very large and there can be a huge variation in the price that makes up the median. Looking at the map, as you go west from Desert Ridge prices drop until you start to get into the Arrowhead area. Some of that area is not the best, some is OK. Anthem to the north would also prob have houses in your range, but it is kinda getting out there for a commute.

Phoenix, AZ average and median listing prices - Trulia.com