Possibly Moving for Job - Apartment Search (Phoenix: deal, cities)

[Prickly Pear]

Originally Posted by av8nlvr

There's a bunch of apartments along McDowell between the 202 and 101, basically backing up to I-10. I think that would be Phoenix but near the Tolleson area. Is that part of McDowell good or not a good part of town? Also in Glendale off of 63rd.

Maryvale is the worst part of town

[PhoenixInCentralArizona]

You will love it out here in Phoenix! Great city and everybody is really nice. I'd suggest living in the suburbs such as Chandler or Gilbert. Rent is expensive, but it's worth it. For a 1 bed 1 bath luxury apartment, depending on the area, you could look at $1300-$1400 a month. Some areas are cheaper than others. Chandler and most of the East Valley is expensive. It is cheaper to live in the City Limits. For a regular apartment, you can find a nice one for $900-$1000 a month depending on the area. The West Valley is also expensive as well. It all depends on the area you choose that determines the price.

[goolsbyjazz]

Originally Posted by av8nlvr

They did offer me the job and I'm heading out there later this week to look around. Meanwhile I'm making a list of apartments & then will narrow it down more. There are a lot that meet my needs, and what I'm seeing is that most are in the $1400 range.

Congratulations! Let us know how things worked out with your search.

[wilberry]

Recommended Salary in Arizona
Effectively budgeting for an apartment means following the golden rule of rent budgeting:

An individual's pre-tax earnings should be at least three times the cost of rent.

Using Phoenix, the average rent price for a one-bedroom apartment is $1,588 monthly.

To live comfortably in Arizona, a renter should earn at least $4,764 before taxes each month. This translates to an annual pre-tax salary of $57,168.

[av8nlvr]

For those who know the neighborhoods, any thoughts on the areas surrounding South Mountain High School,that part of town?

[wilberry]

That is a very Sketchy area but diverse, lots of little Mexican stores, restaurants, barbershops, old churches, homeless, tweakers, it has it all. If you can find an Apt Complex way south on Central or go east or west on Baseline or Southern that area would be a better area to live in. and still not too long of a commute. Southwest Phoenix or even Lavene. Do not use any Hwy to get to work except the southwest 202 if you don't have to. You will need a POOL summers are pure HELL without one and dependable Air Cond. watch out for catalytic converter theft it is a big thing right now, try to get a gated Apt complex. the further away you get from the city center the better. lots of overpriced Apts in the area be careful 1500-1600 for a one bd is robbery but 1200 for an Apt with roaches is not good either. stay away from I -10, I-17 it is noisy even at night unless you keep the radio on.

such as Sterling Point I
3802 E. Baseline Road
Phoenix, AZ 85042

Senderos at South mountain
9700 S Central Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85042

Haven at South Mountain
1630 E Baseline Rd, Phoenix, AZ 85042

Arbor Village Apts
8028 S Central Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85042

[av8nlvr]

I was asking about that particular area because I saw a house for sale in the Sagecrest subsivision that looked really good for the price. But for now to get me started there I did find an apartment in the Ahwautukee area near Ray Rd. & I-10. I think that's a good area though the apartment is not quite what I'd hoped for. When I saw the listing for that house and the payment estimate my first thought was why am I paying more to rent something smaller and older. But buying is a whole different beast.

[wilberry]

Oh, I see, Yes Ahwatukee is a good area be careful if you are taking I -10 to and from work it can get scary during rush hours
If you don't have to get on I -10 then take another way to work, depending on where you work.
Sagecrest is an interesting area, old homes mixed with newer homes, rural, with suburban, a lot of people will say stay away from south phoenix, there is a lot of crime but there are pockets of the sketchy area s all over. all the lower prices on homes will be in south Phoenix.

[av8nlvr]

I was in town from the 8th to the 14th and my hotel was in that I-10 area so I saw the construction zone & traffic. I'll have to be going that way to work but it won't be during traditional rush hours so maybe it won't be so bad.

[wilberry]

well, good luck then ! I tried s 48th st at 8 am to 9 am and it was really slow going North towards Phoenix, the 202 west has alleviated some traffic