Help us pinpoint location to look - Avoid long commute (Phoenix: rental, houses)

[leemaa30]

My husband is interviewing for a job that will be off of Interstate 17 just north of Interstate 10. We currently live in Atlanta which has terrible traffic but we intentionally live in an area so we can reverse commute. Looking for your suggestions of a part of town to look for houses that will not give him an unbearable commute. The last thing we want to do is find a great place to live and have him miserable driving to and from work. I know lots of people suggest Chandler/Gilbert on here but that seems like a long drive, without traffic, but I may be wrong too. The master planned communities have some great appeal to us (Verrado, Estrella Mtn Ranch, etc), but we aren't sold on them. We have a one year old and don't know anyone in Phoenix so the idea of having a community within a community seems like it would help us meet people and get involved. Our budget is $225k - $275k. Thanks for the help!

[observer53]

Originally Posted by leemaa30

My husband is interviewing for a job that will be off of Interstate 17 just north of Interstate 10. We currently live in Atlanta which has terrible traffic but we intentionally live in an area so we can reverse commute. Looking for your suggestions of a part of town to look for houses that will not give him an unbearable commute. The last thing we want to do is find a great place to live and have him miserable driving to and from work. I know lots of people suggest Chandler/Gilbert on here but that seems like a long drive, without traffic, but I may be wrong too. The master planned communities have some great appeal to us (Verrado, Estrella Mtn Ranch, etc), but we aren't sold on them. We have a one year old and don't know anyone in Phoenix so the idea of having a community within a community seems like it would help us meet people and get involved. Our budget is $225k - $275k. Thanks for the help!

It's hard to get a fully reverse commute to a fairly centralized work location like that. To that location, you are going to have a bit of a drive from any good location. I'd say no to the east Valley, but Goodyear, while there's still a commute, might work. I don't think you want to go further out to the planned communities you mention unless that is really important to you, as that will add to the commute.

[MCA85395]

I think that your best bet is Goodyear or Verrado. I own homes in each community. Although Estrella is family oriented it is too remote and you'd get tired of going up and down that hill. Trust me, I did it for over a year.

Verrado, while a little further out than Goodyear, it's a great community, family friendly, parks every two blocks, family events, and high design standards. Your budget may be strained, but it's worth a stretch. You commute down I-10 to the 17 during rush hour will be about 45 minute, but it's not too bad.

Goodyear, particularly Palm Valley, is also nice, and more convenient than Verrado, but not as nice, to shopping and other commercial.

[asufan]

I think Palm Valley would be a great location to start looking.

[MrsMac]

Have you looked here in Surprise? Your husband could take the 303 (which was just expanded and is quick and easy) down to 10. We live in Marley Park, Verrado's sister community, and love it. 15 parks, a community pool and clubhouse, an A+ rated elementary school, lots of community events (like the upcoming Halloween pet pawstume parade and the big Boo Bash party for kids) and medical, shopping and dining five minutes from your door. (The close by amenities were one of the big reasons we chose Marley Park over Verrado.) With your budget you could get a great existing 3 or 4 bedroom with a nice big yard or a new build low maintenance (small side yard, small lot) home in the older, more established part of Marley close to Marley Park Elementary. Surprise is a great city for kids - an excellent library system, an aquatic center, a tennis complex, lots of parks. We love it here.

[FromEastCoast]

Good luck with your search. I moved from Marietta a couple of years ago and am very happy with the decision.

[FromEastCoast]

FYI, I found a location I liked but wasn't sure about and then was fortunate to find a 6 month rental with an option to buy. If you could pull off renting for a while until you get a feel for the area it might be something for you to consider.

[adriver]

Traffic on I-10 coming in from the west is the worst traffic in the area in the morning second is I17. from about 6 am to almost 9 am, and the reverse from about 3pm to 7pm. If you wont be commuting those times, then you don't have to worry about it. If you will, then 10 miles will take on average about 30 minutes.

If it was me, with that budget, I would be looking around Central Ave & Camelback. Its just a few miles north of the area, and surface streets are just as quick during rush hour. There's a lot going on in that area, That's either Encanto, or I think Camelback Corridor. There are mostly older historic homes in general (but its a well kept up historic neighborhood), or there are a few nicer newer (still 20-30 yr old) established communities. Not sure if that's what you are looking for though since your other ones mentioned are NEW communities.

Is there anything else you are looking to live near or considerations?

[Returning2USA]

Originally Posted by adriver

Traffic on I-10 coming in from the west is the worst traffic in the area in the morning second is I17. from about 6 am to almost 9 am, and the reverse from about 3pm to 7pm. If you wont be commuting those times, then you don't have to worry about it. If you will, then 10 miles will take on average about 30 minutes.

Thank you for these details, adriver.

I'm coming to Phoenix in a week to explore and investigate for 5 days and this information helps.

[AZ Tracy]

You'll have to get a map out in order to use this....but, you can get a feel for the traffic you'll be facing by checking out these freeway cameras: AZ 511 - ADOT