Good and Bad neighborhoods (Phoenix, Scottsdale: condo, house, good schools)

[caraudia]

I am looking to move to phoenix for a job opportunity.
Since I am not familiar with the area I would like to get some help as to where the safest, nicer areas are...
I am looking for a house that is no more that 200,000.
Do you think I can find good areas with good schools for that price?
If so what neighborhoods should I look into?
I think I would be working in Downtown Phoenix... so anything that is within a 30-40 minute drive would be okay.

[JDish2000]

I try to gauge how safe a certain area is based on how the neighborhood looks. If people are taking pride in where they live - there is a greater chance the area is safe!

[Captain Bill]

Originally Posted by caraudia

I am looking to move to phoenix for a job opportunity.
Since I am not familiar with the area I would like to get some help as to where the safest, nicer areas are...
I am looking for a house that is no more that 200,000.
Do you think I can find good areas with good schools for that price?
If so what neighborhoods should I look into?
I think I would be working in Downtown Phoenix... so anything that is within a 30-40 minute drive would be okay.

In Surprise you have a large choices of homes for under $200k. The commute to downtown Phoenix may be a little more than 40 minutes, but Surprise is one of the good areas.

[canuckexpat]

What do you guys think of the area of N. Hayden and Chapparal road? I have been in that area but not lived in Scottsdale. Is it relatively safe? How are the schools in that area. I am looking at few condo properties near that intersection.