Where in Gilbert?? (Phoenix, Mesa, Scottsdale: sales, 2009, to rent)

[jssp02]

My family is planning on moving to the Gilbert area from out of state, we were just wondering if there are better areas than others to live in. What we are looking for in a community is...being close to shopping centers, plenty of grocery stores to choose from, kid friendly neighborhoods as we have two children ourselves, hopstials close by, parks, and less crime than maybe some of the other cities around Gilbert. Also which high school in Gilbert is better?

Also, how is the commute to Phoenix, I hear people saying it's horrible, but what is the amount of time spent for a one way trip to Phoenix, or vice versa?

Are the hospitals that are closer to or in Gilbert very nice, as Im a healthcare worker?

Also, we are really looking for a bargain within the housing market, but we do not want to forfeit the other things we like in a community just because we find a cheap house. I would say the highest we are looking to pay for a home would be around 350,000.

Any advice is greatly appreciated.

[Liz Sherlock]

Well, Gilbert to Phoenix can be cumbersome. Fortunately, we have hospitals all over the valley. We have two Mayo Clinics and Scottsdale Healthcare Hospitals in Scottsdale, we have several Hospitals in downtown Phoenix (John C Lincoln, Phoenix Children's Hospital, St Joseph's, Good Sam's, Arizona Heart Institute) There many more here in the valley. If your budget is $350, 000 you can find yourself a nice home in just about any community here. IF you live in the northern part of the valley and commute traffic moves HEAVY west to east in the morning and east to west at night. The southern part of the valley is heavy both ways, but in different areas. Moderator cut: realtor advertising Good luck!

[aj661]

I haven't lived in Gilbert for eight years now, but I'd suggest looking in Val Vista Lakes or the area where our home was, near Elliot and Lindsay Roads (directly across the street from Gilbert HS). We were only 2.5 miles south of US60 and were within walking distance of the best park in the east valley-Freestone Park. I believe homes there are still cheaper than VV Lakes. There are several major shopping centers within a few miles of there. We moved after three years because my kids had to go to school in east Mesa, plus my wife and I worked in the Apache Junction area. All the driving and trying to juggle our work schedules to accommodate their transportation to school and back was a serious pain. If I'd had primary custody, we would still be there. We absolutely loved it.

Hospitals- Banner Gateway just opened not long ago at Higley on the south side of US60. Banner Baywood and the Heart Hospital are just off Power Rd south of Main St. and then there's another new hospital and medical center on Crismon Rd north of US60-Mountain Vista Medical Center. For crime stats, check the Gilbert PD website.

I think you'll fall in love with Gilbert too. Good luck!

[Captain Bill]

Jssp, there are two hospitals about equidistant from Val Vista Lakes.
Both are new.

• Banner Gateway, a state of the art hospital that AJ mentioned is a couple of miles from Val Vista Lakes, on hwy 60 at Higley Rd. Everything is computerized and the childrens ward is a delight for children. Their room is their safe haven. They do not have treatements in their room. They have color on the floors to tell the kids where they can and can't go when they walk around.
• Mercy Gilbert, a new hospital on Val Vista Drive at hwy 202, again just a couple of miles away.

The drive into Phoenix from Val Vista Lakes is about 30 minutes with normal traffic, and more during rush hour.

Val Vista Lakes won the Gilbert Premier Community award recently and we've purchased plaques to place by our community monuments near the clubhouse.

I can't say too much about this community. I live here, and serve as President of the Board of Directors of my sub-association Lakeside (a gated community on the water) and serve as a Director on the Val Vista Lakes Board of Directors. I know the community well and love it so much that I had to become involved a few years ago to give something back to our community.

The people are of all ages, and most are warm and friendly. There are plenty of activities at the clubhouse for kids, adults and seniors. No matter what age one is, you are at home and welcome in this community. People take pride in living here.

This is the url for the association so you can see the area and what it offers. Val Vista Lakes - Your Community

Dana Park Village Square is 5 minutes away, and it has a lot to offer. Dana Park Village Square, Shopping Center - Mesa, Arizona

Fryes supermarket is on the Val Vista Lakes property at Val Vista and Baseline. Basha's supermarket is also on the property at Greenfield and Baseline.

Large shopping malls are not too far way, as well as Home Depot, Costco and, of course lots of great restaurants.

The Val Vista Lakes elementary school is on the property, and Highland Jr High, and Highland High Schools have excellent reputations. A public library is also nearby

Presently there are at least 14 homes in Val Vista Lakes listed under $350,000 and a couple of them are 2400 and 2700 sf.

[AZ Tracy]

In my opinion, there aren't many "bad" areas in Gilbert. Despite it's growth, it does still have a bit of that small town family/community feel. With the opening of the 202 (San Tan Freeway) shopping and restaurants are found everywhere. One that just opened is San Tan Village. It is also very close to the new Mercy Gilbert hospital.

There are many variables in determining what the commute to Phoenix would be; i.e. where in Phoenix (it's quite large) and when would you be commuting - 8 - 5, or off hours? I would say you could get most anywhere in an hour or less.

I've lived in Gilbert since 1989....moved all the way from Mesa, AZ! It's a great place to live and raise a family. Good Luck

[jssp02]

All this feedback is great, I didn't realize there were so many hospitals in the area. I'm a nurse so I probably won't have a hard time finding a job.

-one more question, is the housing market on a decline like the rest of the country, we are probably looking to buy something sometime in 2009. Not sure if we want to look at new homes or already established homes. It will also depend on how close these houses are to eachother, we don't prefer a home that sits right on top of your next door neighbor.

[Captain Bill]

Originally Posted by jssp02

All this feedback is great, I didn't realize there were so many hospitals in the area. I'm a nurse so I probably won't have a hard time finding a job.

-one more question, is the housing market on a decline like the rest of the country, we are probably looking to buy something sometime in 2009. Not sure if we want to look at new homes or already established homes. It will also depend on how close these houses are to eachother, we don't prefer a home that sits right on top of your next door neighbor.

You will probably be in demand in the hospitals I mentioned.

The new homes took a real beating and are still declining in areas like Queen Creek and Surprise.

Existing homes have not taken as much of a beating as the new ones; however, the sales have slowed, and they have declined, and most likely will decline some more. We don't know how much the new government programs will help. Much of it will depend on how soon the consumer confidence returns.

As you know, in a new build you're going to have to deal with the installing of new landscape and all the other things that go with a new home.

If a resale, you don't have to deal with those things, and today there is such a large pool of homes on the market that you take your time to find the home you want and get it at a good price.

While you have a lot of time, you can establish a relationship with a good realtor who can help you to find a rental, and then over a period of time help you to choose an area where you'll wish to live and start slowly looking at homes in your price range. That way if the market does turn, you would be prepared to move a little faster and go ahead and buy the home before the prices of the homes that interest you move beyond your range.

[runnergrl]

Originally Posted by jssp02

All this feedback is great, I didn't realize there were so many hospitals in the area. I'm a nurse so I probably won't have a hard time finding a job.

-one more question, is the housing market on a decline like the rest of the country, we are probably looking to buy something sometime in 2009. Not sure if we want to look at new homes or already established homes. It will also depend on how close these houses are to eachother, we don't prefer a home that sits right on top of your next door neighbor.

Jake's Ranch, Greenfield lakes, Ashland ranch are all primo burbs built around 2000. Spectrum has newer stuff and a new elementary that opened about 2-3 yrs ago. There are some others in and around those neighborhoods that maybe worth looking at. Lindsay estates, Neely Ranch (alittle older maybe late 90's) Gilbert Ranch. Look at Arizona Neighborhoods and for Gilbert...and you can pick a neighborhood out on the list they have to look at the homes(there are a couple other zips, but this is close to Mercy hospital.) Circle G has hign 800's to million dollar homes and they are estate sized lots and are often horse type communities.

[jssp02]

I agree, it's best to rent first to get the feel of a certain area, then look into purchasing a property.

[sheena]

Originally Posted by Captain Bill

Jssp, there are two hospitals about equidistant from Val Vista Lakes.
Both are new.

• Banner Gateway, a state of the art hospital that AJ mentioned is a couple of miles from Val Vista Lakes, on hwy 60 at Higley Rd. Everything is computerized and the childrens ward is a delight for children. Their room is their safe haven. They do not have treatements in their room. They have color on the floors to tell the kids where they can and can't go when they walk around.
• Mercy Gilbert, a new hospital on Val Vista Drive at hwy 202, again just a couple of miles away.

The drive into Phoenix from Val Vista Lakes is about 30 minutes with normal traffic, and more during rush hour.

Val Vista Lakes won the Gilbert Premier Community award recently and we've purchased plaques to place by our community monuments near the clubhouse.

I can't say too much about this community. I live here, and serve as President of the Board of Directors of my sub-association Lakeside (a gated community on the water) and serve as a Director on the Val Vista Lakes Board of Directors. I know the community well and love it so much that I had to become involved a few years ago to give something back to our community.

The people are of all ages, and most are warm and friendly. There are plenty of activities at the clubhouse for kids, adults and seniors. No matter what age one is, you are at home and welcome in this community. People take pride in living here.

This is the url for the association so you can see the area and what it offers. Val Vista Lakes - Your Community

Dana Park Village Square is 5 minutes away, and it has a lot to offer. Dana Park Village Square, Shopping Center - Mesa, Arizona

Fryes supermarket is on the Val Vista Lakes property at Val Vista and Baseline. Basha's supermarket is also on the property at Greenfield and Baseline.

Large shopping malls are not too far way, as well as Home Depot, Costco and, of course lots of great restaurants.

The Val Vista Lakes elementary school is on the property, and Highland Jr High, and Highland High Schools have excellent reputations. A public library is also nearby

Presently there are at least 14 homes in Val Vista Lakes listed under $350,000 and a couple of them are 2400 and 2700 sf.

Ditto Captain! I am enjoying my stay in VVL. Not so much my commute to Scottsdale but it's nice to come home to VVL.