Relocating from NY to Arizona (Phoenix, Chandler: real estate, foreclosures, mortgage)

[JF1980]

I am planning to move from NY to Arizona with my wife and two year old son. We are looking to move to Maricpoa as we have some family there. We are planning on moving in a year and wanted to get some input from people who already live in Maricopa and also some input from people who have made the move from the east coast.

New York is getting too expensive and we like the type of life we could provide for our son there? Is there more than meets the eye or is it as good as it seems?

How are the schools in Maricopa? Is it a safe place to raise children? Do they have many activities for them?

I have heard that there is only one road in and out of Arizona and was wondering how the traffic is since i might be working in the city.

Any responses would be great.

[imtaya2]

I would visit and check out Phoenix then decided what city to move in. Arizona is growing population is causing a lot of traffic on the roads. Hwys are getting wider but takes a long time...

[Sunshinne]

Maricopa wouldn't be my first choice. Not much going on there, and it is a little isolated.

[az4good]

Maricopa is full of foreclosures right now. You'd get a good deal, but I'd be concerned about the area going downhill. It is way way out there. I'd look around a lot first. Chandler would be a good option and not too far from there. Chandler has really good schools from what I hear.

[JF1980]

I thought Maricopa was an area still being developed? How expensive are the houses in Chandler? I would imagine a lot more expensive since the area is built up.

[YAZ]

My friends from CT bought a place in Maricopa and love it. They've been out here a couple of years and have enjoyed their low mortgage payment.

They work in Tempe, and so far haven't had any complaints about the commute. I imagine that will change in the near future.

[sally247]

Go to the nytimes online and in the "search" type in "boomtown mirage". Its an article about Maricopa.

[exit2lef]

Originally Posted by sally247

Go to the nytimes online and in the "search" type in "boomtown mirage". Its an article about Maricopa.

Here's a link to the article:

Key Magazine - Real Estate - Housing - Maricopa - Arizona - New York Times

I don't know if it's all true. I lost a lot of faith in the NY Times after the Jayson Blair scandal and bit of inaccurate reporting the NY Times did about my own employer. Since I've never been to Maricopa, I can't validate the article's statements with my own observations. Still, it's an interesting read.

[Ponderosa]

Originally Posted by silverbear

Here's a link to the article:

Key Magazine - Real Estate - Housing - Maricopa - Arizona - New York Times

I don't know if it's all true. I lost a lot of faith in the NY Times after the Jayson Blair scandal and bit of inaccurate reporting the NY Times did about my own employer. Since I've never been to Maricopa, I can't validate the article's statements with my own observations. Still, it's an interesting read.

Too many people (and reporters) lack the perspective of history in Phoenix to appreciate that what happened in Maricopa also happened in many now "desirable areas. For months after I moved to the north part of Ahwatukee, for example, my street was filled with empty lots, lots with foundations, and even half-completed houses. There was one school, one food store, and not much else. My co-workers teased me about living so far out in the desert. Today, homes stretch from my old place miles in all directions and the commericial development is staggering. I remember when the Islands in Gilbert(?) was broke and going under. Now, the Islands is an enviable address. The developer of Estrella was jailed for selling interests in that community to investors and the development was taken over and managed by the federal government. Today, they are building million dollar homes on the hillsides and Estrella is owned by one of the premier names in community development.

It all turned around and it will in Maricopa too. There are similar stories all around the area. If anyone thinks Maricopa is too far out, too downtrodden by the housing bust and is not going to boom and prosper down the road, well, they just haven't lived here long enough. The key for Maricopa is affordable housing. By all accounts, including this article, prices have retreated to the affordable level. Once the credit market crisis is resolved Maricopa will soon be back on the track to boomtown.

[KathyH360]

There are a lot of great family developments. Among my favorite cities is Gilbert. It is near the "San Tan Freeway" which is a huge "loop" freeway that goes into Phoenix where every imagable shopping experience and restaurant experience is off of. Gilbert has more parks than any other city I have ever heard of, great place to raise kids, good schools. One development to check out is Power Ranch. It has a lake, sidewalks, and parks, even a YMCA! A lot of young families live there and around that area. We thought about buying there, that is why I remember it.