Moving to PHX? (Phoenix, Scottsdale, Chandler: apartment, rent, neighborhoods)

[SD to AZ]

Ok guys I just need some basic info on the safer/more affordable places to live in Phoenix/Tempe area

What are some safer neighborhoods where I can start looking at apartment living?

Any help would be much appreciated

[love diet pepsi]

YIKES!! I am an SD native and I moved to back to San Diego from Phoenix a few years back for good. I must say, I don't envy you. Hopefully, you have spent time there before and like it - people in Arizona (that are not from California) HATE Californians. Anyway - if you are looking for some sort of an urban vibe, stay either in the historical districts of downtown phoenix, or in old town Scottsdale or Tempe. DO NOT move to the dreadful suburbs - they are just like East County here. Also, be prepared - when it is 70 degrees here in SD, add about 30 to 40 degrees on top of that in the summer and GOOD LUCK. I wish I had better things to say, but I don't. Stay in zip codes 85003, 85004, 85251 or 85281 and even 85034 as long as it is close to 7th Street.

[JDish2000]

I live here in the Phoenix area and I like Californians...

The earlier post says Phoenix residents hate Californians....

[ivanabacowboy]

SD, some other questions. Where will you work or attend school? You ideally should try to plan where you live around where you need to be every day. Are you looking for a younger crowd, older crowd, urban scene, suburban lifestyle, resort-living, golf, hiking, schooling for young children? What are your priorities? What is your idea of affordable? With these answers folks can provide lots more helpful responses.

[SD to AZ]

Originally Posted by ivanabacowboy

SD, some other questions. Where will you work or attend school? You ideally should try to plan where you live around where you need to be every day. Are you looking for a younger crowd, older crowd, urban scene, suburban lifestyle, resort-living, golf, hiking, schooling for young children? What are your priorities? What is your idea of affordable? With these answers folks can provide lots more helpful responses.

thanks for the opinions guys...I will be working in downtown Phoenix. I'm 31 and single no kids. Coming from San Diego I'm used to paying $950/mo for a 1bedroom,

I'd ideally like to be near some of the party scene without having to be in the middle of it(mind you I'm used to driving 20 minutes to work and to party because I currently live in the suburbs)

[SD to AZ]

How is the traffic during mid day from Phoenix to Tempe

[love diet pepsi]

Sorry - didn't mean to make that blanket statement about 'hating'! After I wrote that, I realized that all people have their own opinions - sorry - I guess I read the AZ paper too much and the bloggers on there!! (

Anyway - I hope you find a great place to live there in Phoenix. If you were paying $950 a month here in SD for a 1 bedroom, you will pay less than that in Phoenix, however, with the way that the market is here in SD, you may be surprised that the rent there is not as low as you may think!

Again, best wishes to you and I am sure you will find a decent place in a great area as most places there (especially Tempe, Central Phoenix and Scottsdale) have TONS of things to do!

[musicfish]

Can anybody tell me about queen creek area? housing seems good there. my wife and I are considering a move to that area (from wonderful Ohio - sarcasm)and queen creek keeps popping up. We are also looking at gilbert, chandler, and surprise areas as well. Any advice would be helpful.

[Ponderosa]

Originally Posted by musicfish

Can anybody tell me about queen creek area? housing seems good there. my wife and I are considering a move to that area (from wonderful Ohio - sarcasm)and queen creek keeps popping up. We are also looking at gilbert, chandler, and surprise areas as well. Any advice would be helpful.

There has been thread after thread about Queen Creek. What you need to know is that it is out in the middle of nowhere and any work commute is going to be very long and nasty. There are two reasons to buy there. First, you can't afford anything else or second you really like to be out there.

[SD to AZ]

How is the traffic from say Chandler or Gilbert to Phoenix