moving to mesa, but where?? (Chandler, Tempe: relocating, hoa, gated)

[veravera]

It looks like my family and I will be relocating to Mesa, in just a couple of months due to my husband's work.

After hearing so many bad things about Mesa, I am so confused about where we should move to, but if I did have to move to Mesa, what areas should I be looking at? We are looking to rent for now. I have two small children and I really want a nice and safe area to live in.

We have never been to Arizona and we do not know anyone out there so we really don't know what to expect!! We will probably be searching for places to rent on-line and any advice will be greatly appreciated! thanks!

[AZ Tracy]

I would suggest looking at homes in East Mesa. The 202 freeway on the East side is nearly complete. It will connect the East Valley to everything else. Homes tend to be newer in this area. Depending on your needs, though, I wouldn't rule out other, older areas of Mesa. There are some very nice communities in older areas, with beautiful, established landscaping and larger lots. If you have children, you will probably want to check out the schools before making your decision.

[vegaspilgrim]

Originally Posted by veravera

It looks like my family and I will be relocating to Mesa, in just a couple of months due to my husband's work.

After hearing so many bad things about Mesa, I am so confused about where we should move to, but if I did have to move to Mesa, what areas should I be looking at? We are looking to rent for now. I have two small children and I really want a nice and safe area to live in.

We have never been to Arizona and we do not know anyone out there so we really don't know what to expect!! We will probably be searching for places to rent on-line and any advice will be greatly appreciated! thanks!

Where are you moving from?

[veravera]

Thanks AZ Tracy, I do need to check out the schools in the area since my son will be starting kindergarten in a year!

vegaspilgrim, I am moving from Canada, I am sure it will be quite a change!

[mesanative]

Originally Posted by veravera

It looks like my family and I will be relocating to Mesa, in just a couple of months due to my husband's work.

After hearing so many bad things about Mesa, I am so confused about where we should move to, but if I did have to move to Mesa, what areas should I be looking at? We are looking to rent for now. I have two small children and I really want a nice and safe area to live in.

We have never been to Arizona and we do not know anyone out there so we really don't know what to expect!! We will probably be searching for places to rent on-line and any advice will be greatly appreciated! thanks!

I have lived in Mesa all my life. Welcome! There are bad things and good things about Mesa, just like everywhere else. I"ve lived in west, east and central Mesa. I agree with one of the other posts that said East Mesa is a good choice. West Mesa is deteriorating, with shopping centers closing down. Central Mesa is full of illegals. you definitely do not want your kids going to these elementary schools: Emerson, Longfellow, Lowell, Lindberg, Holmes, Edison, all in the central to west parts of Mesa. There are a lot of charter school in Mesa, which can be a good option. Even some Montessori charters. We had an excellent experience with one charter in particular, a performing arts one, but things are changing there now and my kids are going to go to Franklin next year, which is a back to basics Mesa Public school that has a really good program with lots of parent involvement. Because there is open enrollment in Mesa, you can send your children to basically any school you apply to. Northeast Mesa is a very nice area, if you can afford it. You can even check out Gilbert (next door neighbor town) schools, as they also have open enrollment. My son is going to go to a Gilbert Jr high next year. Good luck!

[veravera]

Originally Posted by mesanative

I have lived in Mesa all my life. Welcome! There are bad things and good things about Mesa, just like everywhere else. I"ve lived in west, east and central Mesa. I agree with one of the other posts that said East Mesa is a good choice. West Mesa is deteriorating, with shopping centers closing down. Central Mesa is full of illegals. you definitely do not want your kids going to these elementary schools: Emerson, Longfellow, Lowell, Lindberg, Holmes, Edison, all in the central to west parts of Mesa. There are a lot of charter school in Mesa, which can be a good option. Even some Montessori charters. We had an excellent experience with one charter in particular, a performing arts one, but things are changing there now and my kids are going to go to Franklin next year, which is a back to basics Mesa Public school that has a really good program with lots of parent involvement. Because there is open enrollment in Mesa, you can send your children to basically any school you apply to. Northeast Mesa is a very nice area, if you can afford it. You can even check out Gilbert (next door neighbor town) schools, as they also have open enrollment. My son is going to go to a Gilbert Jr high next year. Good luck!

Thanks for the info about the schools mesanative! I think I am going to start looking around for places in East Mesa. Would it be a long drive or lots of traffic to get to Mesa from Gilbert? My husband doens't know the exact location of his work yet but he will be going there in two weeks and hopefully he will find out by then. He plans on driving around a bit to get an idea of how the neighborhoods are and plans on checking out East Mesa since I told him that you all are recommending it! Thanks for the info, it is helping me get an idea of what it's like!

[AngelfaceAZ]

You may want to check out any schools on GreatSchools.net Quite a few of our clients from out of state find it to be useful for checking out schools in a new area.

[Captain Bill]

VeraVera, you don't have to limit yourself to looking for homes in Mesa. Gilbert is immediately to the south of Mesa on the south side of the 101. It runs from Arizona Ave to Power Rd, so you could have a home in Gilbert and possibly have a closer commute to work. It's just a thought so you don't limit yourself.

Gilbert's school system is considered to be among the top districts in the area.

Also, much will depend on your price range. As others have already stated, the east area of Mesa is the more desirable area, and you can find homes there in most any price range. Los Sentas is a very nice master planned community, and to the south east of that is a small gated community Boulder Mountain that abuts a national park. And around that general area are homes in the million dollar range.

I assume that your two small children are pre-school or elementary school age. So while your husband is here, have him check out Val Vista Lakes. Here is the web site address Val Vista Lakes - Your Community. The clubhouse is located on the northeast corner of Val Vista Rd and Lakeside Dr. You don't see it from Val Vista. You have to turn left (east) on Lakeside Dr and then take the first left into the parking lot.

This clubhouse has tennis courts, hand ball courts, weight room, cardio room, outside spa, heated junior olympic swimming pool, sand volley ball court; and your kids will love getting into the sandy beach pool. All of this is situated right on the lake.

There are lots of activities for kids.

There are 4 lakes in the community. Two are joined together and have access to the clubhouse. I live on one of those lakes and I've taken clients on my boat to see the homes from the lake front view. The prices of homes in the community run from about $225k to $1.5 million. The homes on the lake run from $600k. However, there is one home that may be coming on the market, on the lake near the clubhouse for just over $500k.

Tell your husband to go into the clubhouse and ask to see the facility. They will allow him to go in and walk around. If he want's to see the management end of the community, he can go upstairs and walk down the office hall and ask for Shelly, the community manager. She has an open door and will answer any questions. Moderator cut: personal info- take it to DMShe can give him a copy of the CC&R's if he would like one.

If she isn't there one of the other staff will be happy to talk to you. Get them to tell you all the events they have for kids; and families.

I'm very positive on this community, not only because I live there, and not only because I'm on the BOD and help to keep it running in good shape, but because it is a great community and has won the Gilbert award for the best community in 1997 and in 2007.

From that area he can commute very easily to any part of Mesa.

[russellph123]

I have read a few posts above, and not all of W. Mesa is bad either. Not all of East Mesa is good as well. It depends on the neighborhood, not the geographic area you are in. I just bought a home in W. Mesa, in a place called Dobson Ranch and it is great. Close to everything, older neighborhood with an HOA so everything is kept up and looks far better than the new cookie cutter homes. When you get familiar with the area, I would just recommend staying south of the I-60 if you move to West Mesa. But there are all kinds of nice places around here to live as well. Chandler, Gilbert, Tempe...all within minutes of Mesa depending on where your husband will be working. Check them out, dont limit yourself to East Mesa. I wasnt even going to consider living out there. I couldnt be happier in the neighborhood I am in, located in West Mesa! I hope this helps...and doesnt confuse you as to what you wanna do. Arizona is a great place to live, you will enjoy it here!