Everyones opinion on avondale (Phoenix, Glendale: income, rental, jobs)

[mawilson]

Hello,
Once again my wife and I are considering a move to arizona. we are curious about Avondale. What are your opinions of this city? Are there good jobs there? how is the commute to phoenix? Is the housing market good there?

[SOON2BNSURPRISE]

I know one of the Police officers from Avondale. He lives in Surprise. He doesn't think that the situation in Avondale is that great. Too close to the I10 and major crime in the way of gangs coming from other areas. That is his opinion though, but I think it is a good one being is how he works there trying to help with the situation. Maybe others can elaborate more or those that live there can chime in.

[mawilson]

Well that is agood opinion what about surprise? or goodyear and glendale?

[ForgetMeNot]

Originally Posted by SOON2BNSURPRISE

I know one of the Police officers from Avondale. He lives in Surprise.

How funny. I know a Phoenix police officer who lives in Avondale and loves it. And also a Scottsdale police officer who lives in Goodyear!

[SOON2BNSURPRISE]

Originally Posted by mawilson

Well that is agood opinion what about surprise? or goodyear and glendale?

Surprise is one of the safest places in the state. Housing is affordable. I like it but to each his own I guess.

[military spouse]

Hi,
We moved here a few months ago and were warned to "stay away from Avondale." I would say there is some truth to that, but there are some nice areas in Avondale, particularly north of I-10. I would look to Goodyear (our choice), Litchfield Park, or numerous other cities in the valley.

[SOON2BNSURPRISE]

Originally Posted by ForgetMeNot

How funny. I know a Phoenix police officer who lives in Avondale and loves it. And also a Scottsdale police officer who lives in Goodyear!

Maybe he lives there because he likes crime. He is a police officer right? As far as the Scottsdale Police officer that lives in Goodyear, that sounds like more of a cost of living issue. Does the city of Scottsdale pay there public servants enouph to live in the city? Can they afford to buy a home in Scottsdale?

To tell you the truth though I am no expert on Avondale or any of the other areas away from Surprise. I can give an honest evaluation of Surprise, Peoria, the north side of Glendale, and Scottsdale. I have been there and visited those areas only. I like what I see in those areas. For me they are safe communities that are family friendly and have lots of things going for them or will in the near future. As far as Avondale, I only state what I have heard and read about on this site and within the crime statistics site for the Phoenix area.

[ForgetMeNot]

Every town has its not so good areas. I'm sure the officer in Avondale could afford to live in another area, especially with the way the housing market is now. But the fact remains that he's been in Avondale for close to 10 years and will probably be there another 10. His neighborhood is well established and that might be part of it. How many drop houses have been busted in Avondale (and Tolleson and Buckeye!), in the new developments that exploded the last few years?

[Ponderosa]

Avondale suffers from geography and history. It was a migrant farm laborer town like all the west side cities except Litchfield Park once were. The roots are still quite visible. Avondale borders on west Phoenix areas which are among the roughest in the metro area. So it is kind of a transition city between the wealthier areas to the west and north and the poorer areas to the east. Avondale was among the cities that boomed the most during the recent housing boom. It is now seeing the consequences with many vacant and rental properties.

There are big plans for Avondale and the city has a lot of tax income due to major retail in the area. They are building a very fancy city center and parks, and pools and are aggressive in pursuing quality development. All of the major builders and recognized chain retailers and restaurants are there or are building there. So the jury is still out. Avondale could go the way of west Phoenix or could be more like Goodyear, Litchfield Park, Surprise, or even Buckeye are likely to turn out.

Anyway, what I don't like about Avondale is the shopping experience there. As I said, it has loads of retail. Retailers have fled west Phoenix and been replaced with check cashing services and hispanic themed shopping that caters to the many illegals who live in that part of Phoenix. Those people go to Avondale to shop at "regular" stores. So going to Costco, or Walmart in Avondale sometimes makes you think you have been transported to another country (where they don't speak English).

[mawilson]

in the area of Surprise, are there a good variety of entertainment, dining, jobs, and other things like that? How are the schools? We would be moving from a very very small city, where the form of entertainment here is to go see who you can find at Wal Mart. There really isnt anything to do at all
For any residents of Surprise how accurate is this link
MONEY Magazine: Best places to live 2007: Surprise, AZ snapshot