Safe area to live in Phoenix (Mesa, Glendale: extended stay, 2013, apartment complex) - Arizona (AZ) - City-Data Forum

Muki · 03-16-2012, 06:50 PM

Hey guys.
I'm about to move to Phoenix and safety is a top priority to me. I can only afford to pay about $600 per month for rent. What are good zip codes or any specific apartments you can suggest?

BuckeyeBoyDJ · 03-16-2012, 10:02 PM

I can't recommend any specific apartments(I've always lived in a house)but I can definitely tell you the safe parts of town.$600 should get you a fairly decent one bedroom in a nice/safe part of town but you get what you pay for so don't settle for anything under $600 if you want "Nice" and "Safe". In my experience with friends who live in apartments is that a lot of apartment complexes here can be sketchy so make sure you really scope the place out and observe the tenants because those will be your neighbors. The Phoenix area is pretty safe overall so instead of listing safe areas I'm going to list the bad areas where you should not be looking for an apartment.

DO NOT RENT IN:
West Phoenix(not including the western suburbs): The Maryvale area and Metrocenter area is not a place you want to call home. Both areas are in decline. However Northwest Phoenix is a decent area north of Thunderbird Rd.
Central Phoenix: Central Phoenix is very hit or miss. I would avoid every apartment complex off of 19th Ave and there are also some very ghetto apartment complexes around 15th Ave/Glendale area. 16th St and Thomas, McDowell, VanBuren is too be avoided as well. However there are some nice apartments mixed in with the bad ones....very hit or miss in that area.
South Phoenix: Avoid anything in South Phoenix unless it's on Baseline or backs right up against South Mountain. South Phoenix is very strange. Things go from ghetto to upscale in a hurry. You have one of the most "Supposedly" dangerous intersections (24th St&Broadway) and drive 2 miles south (24th St&Baseline) and you have gated golf communities, Starbucks, Target, Famous Footwear, Cold Stone Creamery, New homes, and new restaurants. Baseline actually has decent gated apartments as you go east of 24th St.
South Glendale: Anything south of Northern is a no no
West Mesa: West Mesa seems a little rundown to me. The east side of the city is a lot nicer and cleaner
North Tempe: Not because it's dangerous but a lot of college students rent in this area
I really can't think of anywhere else that would be a threat to your safety. Good luck on your search and welcome to the Valley of the Sun!

rgscpat · 03-17-2012, 12:26 AM

Muki, what sorts of activities do you want to be close to, and do you have a job or school in mind? The Phoenix area is so huge and spread out that it seems you should let people know whether any of these interests apply to your situation.

magnum0417 · 03-17-2012, 12:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rgscpat

Muki, what sorts of activities do you want to be close to, and do you have a job or school in mind? The Phoenix area is so huge and spread out that it seems you should let people know whether any of these interests apply to your situation.

I'm in the McClintock Baseline area of Tempe and am content. I was targeting homes in East Mesa but had a bad falling out with the Realtor who was encouraging me to target that area. I went from nearly buying a home in Red Mountain to renting a townhome in Tempe. I signed a year lease and will weigh my options next January. Since I work in Scottsdale, I made the right decision to live within a short drive on the 101 to work. Tempe is great. I am a country guy at heart despite growing up an hour from NYC. For purposes of my job, Tempe has all one can ask for. Safety, shopping and dining options along with central location to one's employment just about anywhere in Metro Phoenix.

East Mesa is VERY overrated. Same strip malls as you see in Tempe. Yet, fewer overall shopping needs and a way longer commute to work. The homes in HOA communities like Leisure World are exactly the same as Dobson Ranch. Only difference is you have a 20-30 minute extra drive to the heart of the valley. My ex realtor had ulterior motives with East Mesa and I figured out what she was about despite knowing her for years. I would not be nearly as happy had I taken her advice and bought a home in Red Mountain.

magnum0417 · 03-17-2012, 01:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Muki

Hey guys.
I'm about to move to Phoenix and safety is a top priority to me. I can only afford to pay about $600 per month for rent. What are good zip codes or any specific apartments you can suggest?

Now as far as your goal to keep your budget under $600. Are you single ? Do you have pets ? If you are a lonewolf, live at an extended stay hotel for $150 a week.Utilities are paid for and you have a 400 sq ft room with a bathroom. Get a PO Box for mailing purposes. Seriously. $600 a month will get you a studio at best where you share a bathroom like you are in a college dorm.

AksarbeN · 03-17-2012, 07:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Muki

Hey guys.
I'm about to move to Phoenix and safety is a top priority to me. I can only afford to pay about $600 per month for rent. What are good zip codes or any specific apartments you can suggest?

Everyone wants a safe place, however you should give additional infor to help find an area.

Will you be working? If so you'll want to live near that location if possible; avoid traffic and gas prices to commute if you drive. Do you need to live near a bus line for transportation?

Muki · 03-17-2012, 08:09 AM

I'm a graduate student right now and will be graduating in May 2013. I will be looking for a job in Phoenix but don't have one yet that's why my budget of $600 per month for rent. I'm single and don't have any pets. I'm looking for a 1 bedroom/1 bathroom apartment. I don't want anything fancy just safe so I don't have to worry about getting shot by a gang. I'm 26 years old and enjoy the usuall, shopping, movies, going out with friends, going to bars on occassion, taking walks, etc.

Jkgourmet · 03-17-2012, 09:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Muki

I'm a graduate student right now and will be graduating in May 2013. I will be looking for a job in Phoenix but don't have one yet that's why my budget of $600 per month for rent. I'm single and don't have any pets. I'm looking for a 1 bedroom/1 bathroom apartment. I don't want anything fancy just safe so I don't have to worry about getting shot by a gang. I'm 26 years old and enjoy the usuall, shopping, movies, going out with friends, going to bars on occassion, taking walks, etc.

You're looking for a rental to start when you graduate in May, 2013???? If so, come back to ask this question AFTER you find a job in the area. It's way to early to give you accurate and valuable information now.

Further, the location of your workplace is all-important when considering where to live in the Phoenix metro area.

Muki · 03-17-2012, 10:27 AM

No I'm not planning on moving after I graduate. I'm planning on moving now and find a job. I'm not waiting to find a job until I graduate either.

observer53 · 03-17-2012, 11:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Muki

I'm a graduate student right now and will be graduating in May 2013. I will be looking for a job in Phoenix but don't have one yet that's why my budget of $600 per month for rent. I'm single and don't have any pets. I'm looking for a 1 bedroom/1 bathroom apartment. I don't want anything fancy just safe so I don't have to worry about getting shot by a gang. I'm 26 years old and enjoy the usuall, shopping, movies, going out with friends, going to bars on occassion, taking walks, etc.

Your odds of being shot by a gang are VERY slim virtually anywhere, so long as you stay out of south Phoenix and the Maryvale area (and even then, if you mind your business and use common sense, safety is not the issue some like to blow it up to be). In central, north and east Phoenix, you should be able to find something in that price range, although it may be in an older building. Where are you going to classes? You need to keep travel distance in mind.