What’s living in willo like? Urban enthusiast worried about PHX (Phoenix: salons, credit)

[pbenjamin]

Originally Posted by newtoaz20172

This is my biggest complaint about Phoenix. I used to live/work downtown in a lively city. I would walk 30 miles a week going to baseball games or out to bars after work. Here, everything is a drive, and you're already tired by the time you fight traffic to get there. It is not optimal at all.

I have Diamondbacks season tickets and walk to the light rail to go to games.

[DetroitN8V]

Originally Posted by newtoaz20172

This is my biggest complaint about Phoenix. I used to live/work downtown in a lively city. I would walk 30 miles a week going to baseball games or out to bars after work. Here, everything is a drive, and you're already tired by the time you fight traffic to get there. It is not optimal at all.

There are walkable areas here, you just don't live in one. I don't see how that justifies as a complaint about Phoenix.

[synapse]

Originally Posted by newtoaz20172

This is my biggest complaint about Phoenix. I used to live/work downtown in a lively city. I would walk 30 miles a week going to baseball games or out to bars after work. Here, everything is a drive, and you're already tired by the time you fight traffic to get there. It is not optimal at all.

Depends where you are. I know what you mean, I lived in Chicago, but there are areas of Phoenix that are walkable. For instance, if you live downtown, you can easily walk to light rail, Diamondbacks games, Suns games, restaurants, stores, and shops. If you live in Old Town Scottsdale you can walk to spring training games, bars, restaurants, and the "riverwalk." If you live near Mill Avenue in Tempe you can walk to a ton of restaurants and bars and Gammage, where Broadway plays are. Yeah, a lot of Phoenix is sprawling suburb - but not *all* of it.

[ShampooBanana]

To the OP, I would look into areas around Midtown/Uptown, as well. Basically around Camelback Rd up to Glendale and east of 7th Ave. Arcadia should be doable within your budget, too. There is lots to do in those areas, it's reasonably walkable, and you can get a nice updated home with character and a nice yard within your budget. People are friendly, it's a little safer than closer to downtown (though I'd hardly consider downtown "unsafe"), and schools are better, too (especially within Madison District).

[DetroitN8V]

Originally Posted by ShampooBanana

To the OP, I would look into areas around Midtown/Uptown, as well. Basically around Camelback Rd up to Glendale and east of 7th Ave. Arcadia should be doable within your budget, too. There is lots to do in those areas, it's reasonably walkable, and you can get a nice updated home with character and a nice yard within your budget. People are friendly, it's a little safer than closer to downtown (though I'd hardly consider downtown "unsafe"), and schools are better, too (especially within Madison District).

Arcadia for $550k? Not happening I’m afraid. I think many would be surprised at how little that gets even in the surrounding areas. Great areas and solid recommendations, but I don’t think it’s really doable on that budget. The historic districts should get them something. More than something in Coronado.

[LadyKatie3]

Thanks for all these suggestions, I’ll check out all these areas when I come out in April. I’m still not sure if I want to be downtown or way out but this gives me lots of ideas...

[More Rock]

I moved to Phoenix from San Francisco (second in population density only to NYC). That is atypical of the entire Western US. Spread out people means spread out towns. It will take some adjustment.

[newtoaz20172]

Originally Posted by More Rock

I moved to Phoenix from San Francisco (second in population density only to NYC). That is atypical of the entire Western US. Spread out people means spread out towns. It will take some adjustment.

I have a job interview at Facebook and am thinking about leaving Phoenix after a year. Is it really that bad? I'd be in Menlo Park, and the commute from downtown is a mess, I've heard. Plus rent is 3k more than here for a box.

[kytoaz]

I was just talking to my friend about the lack of true walkability in Willo and Encanto. Both are beautiful hoods with nice people but not much in the way of amenities. I prefer Coronado or Cheery Lynn when it comes to walkability.

[LadyKatie3]

Thanks Kytoaz. I like to get a variety of opinions!