What is the best city to live and commute to this address? HELP! (Phoenix: renting, townhome)

[deamgabe]

Hi, I have lived in Chandler a couple of years ago (2003-2004), and we actually liked it there and we miss it (I enjoy the weather in AZ, I suffer from joint problems and depression because of the hard and long winters here, and being in UT, it is not the best place to live under these circumstances, so we can stand the hot weather. I had my son while living there in AZ... trust me, after my last month of pregnancy in mid August, 115 degrees outside, I can handle it!!!), but we moved back to UT for family reasons and I've missed it since then.

We've been in UT for more than 3 years and now we're thinking of moving back to AZ for job reasons by the end of this year, so I'm doing some research, trying to find some info. that will help us decide where to look for homes and etc. I don't know anything about other cities other than Mesa, Tempe and Chandler/Gilbert.

My husband's job transfer will be to the American Express customer service center off 101 and I-17 (at 20022 N. 31st Ave. in Phoenix) and we're looking for a good, safe city to live that won't be too far to commute to work (it will be probably be early morning shift, having to be at work at 6am, leaving at 2pm), and at the most 30 minutes of commuting one-way... is there such place to live?

We're in our mid-twenties, and we have a 3 yr. old toddler so it'd be nice to live in a family-friendly community, not too expensive housing (we'll be renting for sometime before purchasing a home, ranging $1,200-$1,300/mo. for a 3-4 bd. home - that's what we're currently paying for our 1,700 sq. ft. 3 bd. 2bth. townhome in UT)...

I'm just trying to find a safe, quiet place to live, convenient location...with schools sort of close by and grocery stores, things like that for a 'housewife'. Is that too much to ask? LOL

Reading through many forums, to be honest, I'm concerned about the safety there, as I've read horrible things, also about the poor school system in AZ. Any input on education and crime?

I'm thinking of Surprise (heard a lot about it, although it was a very small community back in '03), Anthem (too far to commute?), N. Peoria and I don't know what other places would be good for us to live around that area or about 30 mins. from his workplace..

Any info., advice, help will be greatly appreciated!

[sablebaby]

You have many options up that way! The whole NW valley would be a great location. First, I'd recommend Arrowhead Ranch (N. Glendale), which is just a few of miles from there on the 101. You can also go over to N. Peoria and check out Fletcher Heights. It's a great community with tons of shopping and schools in the development. The price you want will be there for sure. If you stay up this way his commute will be a BREEZE! It's a wonderful area to live in. I've been up here for about 3 years now and prefer it from most other places I've lived here (native). It's pretty safe in the NW area. Zips to look at for these areas are 85308, 85308, 85382, 85383.

You could look at Surprise or Anthem, but overall it's much further out and the traffic congestion can be bit much (maybe not so much for his commute, but if you want to drive around other times). Why sit in traffic just to go shopping when you have plenty of other great choices?

[Great Joy]

Even though Utah has cooler temps, we enjoyed living there too. Some days I miss the scenery there. I understand your desire to get to a warmer climate, but now that we've been here in AZ a few years I wish the winters were even warmer here. High 70s/low 80s in the winter would be perfect for me.

For the area you're considering, I recommend Surprise, northern Peoria, northern Glendale, Cave Creek, northern Scottsdale, and Anthem. As I'm most familiar with the NW valley and since you have a family, I suggest the following subdivisions in northern Peoria and northern Glendale with great schools. Here's a good website for them as well as additional info:
Arizona Neighborhoods Map
Arrowhead
Fletcher Heights
Parkridge
Pleasant Valley
Sierra Verde
Sonoran Mountain Ranch
Terramar
Vistancia
Westwing Mountain

We live in Vistancia and have several friends in our neighborhood that work at American Express. I've never heard them complain about the commute, so apparently it is fine. When we travel to/from the 17/101 area, it usually takes us 25 minutes or so. We really like Vistancia; it has all the things you wrote that you're looking for.

Other areas are nice too, so I'm sure others can help you with suggested subdivisions in the other cities. Best wishes to you!

[Finger Laker]

surprise would be a bit tough due to difficulty getting from the loop into surprise - but still wouldn't be that bad

my top choice would be the arrowhead ranch area - established community, good infrastructure, lots of activities close at hand and good access to shopping, highways, etc - commute wouldn't be bad at all either

parts of north phoenix as well could be fine as well as looking to the area off cave creek road north of the 101

[sweettearose]

Whoops, I saw your job site location. I take that back, I think the Arrowhead Ranch area is probably your best choice because it's so close. I would also look into Desert Ridge at Tatum and the 101.

[sablebaby]

Originally Posted by sweettearose

I don't recommend the northwest valley based on your criteria. It's too far removed from the central corridor of the valley especially if you are concerned with commute. The northwest valley is a beautiful area and it offers many ammenities but the big knock against it is it's long commute times. The commute from Arrowhead ranch is difficult too. It may not be bad heading east on the 101 but once you hit the 51 south toward downtown and central Phoenix, you will be sitting in traffic for a long time and you will have to drive a much further distance when compared to a similar commute from many of the east valley cities with the exception of east Mesa, east Gilbert and Queen Creek.

I think you are confused. She mentioned the address of her husbands work and it's at the 101 and 17, which is in the NW valley. Arrowhead is just a couple miles to the west.

[hts]

I'm a *huge* fan of Anthem (see the other thread here on Anthem if you like) and if your work is at the I-17/101, I think it'd be a great place to raise your family. Heck, even if you work downtown, Anthem is a great place to raise a family (as long as you don't mind the commute).

For all those folks that constantly comment about the drive to downtown, how often do you go downtown (and for what) if you don't work there? We live in a DC suburb and prolly go into DC proper once/twice a month (to a museum, etc.). We have nice restaurants here in the 'burbs (ie Scottsdale) and don't need to go all the way downtown for much of anything, except perhaps to watch a professional sports team now and again.

Best of luck to you.

[sweettearose]

Originally Posted by sablebaby

I think you are confused. She mentioned the address of her husbands work and it's at the 101 and 17, which is in the NW valley. Arrowhead is just a couple miles to the west.

I realized my mistake later and edited it. I agree with you. I think the Arrowhead Ranch area is the best option

[deamgabe]

Originally Posted by hts

I'm a *huge* fan of Anthem (see the other thread here on Anthem if you like) and if your work is at the I-17/101, I think it'd be a great place to raise your family. Heck, even if you work downtown, Anthem is a great place to raise a family (as long as you don't mind the commute).

For all those folks that constantly comment about the drive to downtown, how often do you go downtown (and for what) if you don't work there? We live in a DC suburb and prolly go into DC proper once/twice a month (to a museum, etc.). We have nice restaurants here in the 'burbs (ie Scottsdale) and don't need to go all the way downtown for much of anything, except perhaps to watch a professional sports team now and again.

Best of luck to you.

Thanks for all the info! It certainly helps when people from the area talk about it and it gives me a different perspective of the place. Just a question.. Around how long of a commute is from Anthem to the I-17/101 area? Just wondering....
Thanks!

[deamgabe]

Originally Posted by Great Joy

Even though Utah has cooler temps, we enjoyed living there too. Some days I miss the scenery there. I understand your desire to get to a warmer climate, but now that we've been here in AZ a few years I wish the winters were even warmer here. High 70s/low 80s in the winter would be perfect for me.

For the area you're considering, I recommend Surprise, northern Peoria, northern Glendale, Cave Creek, northern Scottsdale, and Anthem. As I'm most familiar with the NW valley and since you have a family, I suggest the following subdivisions in northern Peoria and northern Glendale with great schools. Here's a good website for them as well as additional info:
Arizona Neighborhoods Map
Arrowhead
Fletcher Heights
Parkridge
Pleasant Valley
Sierra Verde
Sonoran Mountain Ranch
Terramar
Vistancia
Westwing Mountain

We live in Vistancia and have several friends in our neighborhood that work at American Express. I've never heard them complain about the commute, so apparently it is fine. When we travel to/from the 17/101 area, it usually takes us 25 minutes or so. We really like Vistancia; it has all the things you wrote that you're looking for.

Other areas are nice too, so I'm sure others can help you with suggested subdivisions in the other cities. Best wishes to you!

Thanks for all the info. you have given me, I've looked at the neighborhoods you've listed and Vistancia certainly is very nice. We are considering it as a place to live in AZ. How far is it from grocery stores and the common neighborhood stores? How about medical/healthcare?
Thanks once more.