Surprise??? (Phoenix, Scottsdale, Chandler: cheap house, neighborhoods, buy)

[woodson]

How is the commute into Phoenix (Biltmore area) from Surprise? That city looks to be growing, and might be a great place for family, especially with young children.

[sablebaby]

Surprise would be way too far out for you! The traffic is worse there as there is only one way out and there are just tons of people living out there. It's much more than growing, it's full. Surprise was a big thing a few years ago. Chandler (as you mentioned in another post) would be better than Surprise. It would be close to an hour and a half commute each way.

How about north Phx? You can get into your price range easily, and the commute would be about average.

You will have to spend some time out here and just drive around to see what you like and how far out you want to be. It would be very difficult to decide on a community over the internet, as Phx metro is HUUUUGGGGGGGGGE!

[woodson]

Originally Posted by sablebaby

Surprise would be way too far out for you! The traffic is worse there as there is only one way out and there are just tons of people living out there. It's much more than growing, it's full. Surprise was a big thing a few years ago. Chandler (as you mentioned in another post) would be better than Surprise. It would be close to an hour and a half commute each way.

How about north Phx? You can get into your price range easily, and the commute would be about average.

You will have to spend some time out here and just drive around to see what you like and how far out you want to be. It would be very difficult to decide on a community over the internet, as Phx metro is HUUUUGGGGGGGGGE!

Thanks for your feedback. We are planning a trip there soon, very soon, but I just do not want to "drive" around, but have a mapped out plan of areas that we definitly would consider. That is why I am on this forum, relying on great people like you who take time out of their day and give honest replies to strangers. If possible, can you give me other areas that might be within a 30-45 min. commute that we should consider? That way I can look on web at those areas and map out our visit, and make it productive. Thanks.

Mark

[frankie58]

M Woodson, other areas you might want to consider that could be 30-45 minute commute to 28th and Camelback, this time on the east, southeast part of the valley:
East Phoenix/South Scottdale 85257 (many quaint neighborhoods, with "old desert Phoenix" feel, but look into the schools, not sure about rep).
Tempe 85282, 85283 (first zip is considered "central" Tempe, many different kinds of neighborhoods, some iffy, some super nice in Tempe Elementary District; second zip in "south" Tempe with some newer construction in many neighborhoods, Kyrene School District.

[AZproperties]

In my opinion, Tempe & South Scottsdale as mentioned above...don't give you that family feel (parks & playgrounds, young, a new, safe feeling). For that lifestyle, I would much rather go a little farther out (still just a 45 min commute). The best & closest schools to the Biltmore with the best family lifestyle are as follows:

Chandler/Gilbert: $250,000-$350,000
Peoria: $250,000-$350,000
North Phoenix: $250,000-$350,000
Laveen: $200,000-$300,000
Also Goodyear...$180,000

New homes are a good buy right now...I work with a lot of builders and they are giving up to $80,000 off homes prices at times. Let me know if you need any hook-ups!

[Lorann]

I live in Goodyear, like the area, love the school (that's why we moved there)
but, that would be quite a commute, at least an hour in traffic. I'd stay away from Laveen, lots of cheap houses, lots of renters, I've heard negative things about the schools out there. Kyrene has great schools, Ahwatukee is a very nice area, but the commute might be long. Good luck in your search.

[marmih]

Thank you to people who gave me feedback on my upcoming move to Sun City AZ. I'm outta WA as soon as my house is sold!
More information about Sun City would be appreciated. I think I have crossed SCwest off my list.

[MotleyCrew]

I am sure some of the realtors on this site will give you tons of good info. My understanding is that the better homes are above Grand Ave. They are newer/ older homes and have newer electrical. Sun City West is nice and Sun City Grand even nicer. Del Webb worth looking at as well. Good luck with your sale.