Questions about safety in funky downtown (Phoenix, Mesa: real estate, hoa, luxury)

[NeighborFromTheNorth]

Hi! I am a Canadian, 46 years old, who has fallen in love with Phoenix. I have been down twice in past 2 months looking at real estate for a winter place. I do not have a lot of money, but then again my standards are not that high -- I am used to living in funky neighbourhoods in large cities, actually like it.
My big concern is that I would also like my 76 year old mother to be able to stay in the property. She also doesn't mind funky, but of course we need her to be safe.
I am intrigued by the downtown area -- the one place I did not check out on my recent visits because I had just ruled it out.
But now I have been reading about Willo (of course cannot afford there!) and the funky district to the south (Garfield?). I have seen a couple of little houses that I could get for cheap and that would fill my needs, but wondering how safe it would be for an older woman? (Note that my mother has backpacked alone in developing countries at the age of 65, but now she has some trouble walking and gets around on a mobility scooter).
Would she be safe in the daytime scooting a mile to the grocery store in the Grand-Roosevelt area? (Note, I am desperately trying to get time off work so I can go down and check that neighbourhood out myself).
The other area I was looking at is Higley/Main -- but there is just so little action there. Prefer urban.
Thanks for reading this long post. I would love to hear from anyone familiar with the area and with living on the funkier side.
Cheers, YourNeighborFromTheNorth

[silverbear]

I'm normally a big Downtown booster, but I think some caution is in order. First, many of the sidewalks in those areas are in bad repair. Second, there is still a significant vagrancy problem in the area. It's not unheard of to see someone camped out on the sidewalk. Combine those two and you might have situations in which it would be difficult for someone with limited mobility to manoeuvre. Also, keep in mind that there aren't really any groceries in the area. The nearest is the Pro's Ranch Market on the east side of 16th st.

If you decide on Downtown, I'd recommend the Roosevelt Square apartments or something nearby. At least that area has been rebuilt with broad, well-shaded sidewalks. In terms of alternatives for you to consider, Higley & Main is a million miles from Downtown -- both culturally and geographically. Willo and the other historic districts near Midtown might be better. Can you tell more about what characteristics you're really seeking in a neighborhood?

[NeighborFromTheNorth]

Thanks for the speedy post, Silverbear!
Re what we're looking for:
-close to public trans plus bikeable area (the gasoline will run out one day!!)
-preferably no HOA as vastly increases expense for us (since we will not use all year)
-little, 2-bedroom place where I would install plantation shutters to close up for the months there is no one there (April-Oct). Note, I do realize how risky it is to leave a property empty. That's why I am looking at places that have mostly land value, and don't plan to invest a lot in the house, other than to put in desert landscaping and to keep it clean and attractive (thinking of this as our "cabin" in the city).
-good, close neighbors; people who will appreciate that we want to contribute to the street/neighborhood and who would phone us if they noticed anything happening (or who we would phone once a month and take out for a nice dinner when we arrive in the fall).
-amenities nearby (within a mile) - grocery, fruit/veggie market, pharmacy cafe/restaurants
-my husband likes watching college and pro sports (basketball/baseball) and as we don't plan on having a car there (crazy idea, I know) would be good to have public transit access -- note, this is not a big priority (ha, ha, my husband isn't reading these threads!)
I am considering this a long-term investment. If we like the neighborhood, could keep the property for 20 years or more. So am looking for a neighborhood with future potential. Something tells me that proximity to transit and close to where people work (downtown, government) will be important in the future. For these reasons, I like the outlook for the Garfield area, but maybe I'm a ****-eyed optimist (well, I am).
Note that another property I looked at and put in an offer but lost was an impeccable one-bedroom mobile home with land, no HOA, in the Desert Sands golf course. Not exactly hip, but was a sweet, affordable little community, close to shopping and restaurants at Power & 60. I am still stinging from losing that one (property had been on market for a while so made a low offer expecting to negotiate, but seller surprised me and just took another, previous offer).
My real estate agent is also recommending a property in the Higly/Main area - a lot with an old mobile home. Cheap, beautiful street, really (it is amazing how well people take care of their yards in these mobile home neighborhoods!). As far as transit goes, I figure when it is time to venture out, could take the Main bus to the Dobson stop for Light Rail. And the LR line is supposed to extend out to Power by 2015. This property would be two blocks away from Main. However, I would not expect much appreciation on the land there, and of course nada on the old trailer. :-)
Thought, advice, anyone? (And sorry for the long-windedness! Congrats to anyone who made it to the bottom of this post.)

[JDish2000]

Check out Verrado as it has a "downtown" and some affordable lofts/condos on the "main street".

I am not saying downtown Phoenix is bad; however, I feel transient/vagrants will most likely be eliminated from the equation in Verrado.

[fcorrales80]

Ok wow, since you asked about living in a downtown area because you are used to living in cities, I would say Verrado is the furthest thing from it. So there are a few homeless people here and there...give me a city that doesn't have them. Wow, that's smug. The homeless problem in Phoenix is cake compared to places like S.F., L.A., Denver, Seattle, Dallas...you'll be fine. Garfield is a really interesting neighborhood and I have a lot of friends who live there (some for 2 years) and have never had a problem. The sidewalks are fine, even though many of them were poured in the 30's, 40's, and 50's. They may have some cracks in them, but...yeah I think you get the point.

When you say grocery store, somehow I don't think you necessarily mean huge Safeway like stores...so yes, there are small grocers and stores throughout Garfield, Roosevelt, Willo and out towards Grand...becareful though...you might have to interact with "lower-income" people!!! JUST KIDDING folks, just refering to the constant fear mongering about the city and downtown. You will find it is safe and that the crime in Phoenix is not downtown but in the westside of town (Maryvale) and further south.

[joe moving]

How much do you want to spend?

[NeighborFromTheNorth]

I think you hear where I am coming from. I did check out Verrado -- yeah, living in a $300K bubble was not the idea.

I'm looking forward to my next trip down there to get a good look around downtown. As for my budget, well, as a second home only used 4-6 months a year -- and with all the deals on the market -- I am hoping not to spend more than $75K. That having been said, I am also looking at a few duplexes for more, thinking of wrangling my brother into this as well... ideas, ideas, ideas!

Does anyone have any reaction to the Higley/Main area? I know it is a completely different kettle of fish than downtown -- although it is my understanding that the sun shines everywhere in Phoenix!

[fcorrales80]

75K? HMMM, that might be a little hard, if not impossible, but I do think there are some older buildings in Garfield that are multi-plexes and the like that are around 100K? If your brother helped out and you doubled your budget, you'd be much better off. I'm not sure if we can post links to home prices on this site, but here is a site that might help:
Garfield Hitoric District Homes For Sale. Phoenix Arts District. Downtown Phoenix, AZ Lofts and Condos, Historic Phoenix Homes For Sale in Downtown Phoenix, AZ. Phoenix Historical Homes For Sale with Free MLS Searches. Luxury Condos, Lofts, High-Rise

[dc1225]

Originally Posted by NeighborFromTheNorth

I think you hear where I am coming from. I did check out Verrado -- yeah, living in a $300K bubble was not the idea.

I'm looking forward to my next trip down there to get a good look around downtown. As for my budget, well, as a second home only used 4-6 months a year -- and with all the deals on the market -- I am hoping not to spend more than $75K. That having been said, I am also looking at a few duplexes for more, thinking of wrangling my brother into this as well... ideas, ideas, ideas!

Does anyone have any reaction to the Higley/Main area? I know it is a completely different kettle of fish than downtown -- although it is my understanding that the sun shines everywhere in Phoenix!

75K??? C'mon now...I know the housing markets flopped here and its cheap but its not East LA... If you wanna spend 75K, I can guarandamtee you that you will be living in unsafe, ghetto area so you can almost forget getting a place here....Try Hot springs, AR

[silverbear]

Originally Posted by NeighborFromTheNorth

Thanks for the speedy post, Silverbear!
Re what we're looking for:
-close to public trans plus bikeable area (the gasoline will run out one day!!)
-preferably no HOA as vastly increases expense for us (since we will not use all year)
-little, 2-bedroom place where I would install plantation shutters to close up for the months there is no one there (April-Oct). Note, I do realize how risky it is to leave a property empty. That's why I am looking at places that have mostly land value, and don't plan to invest a lot in the house, other than to put in desert landscaping and to keep it clean and attractive (thinking of this as our "cabin" in the city).
-good, close neighbors; people who will appreciate that we want to contribute to the street/neighborhood and who would phone us if they noticed anything happening (or who we would phone once a month and take out for a nice dinner when we arrive in the fall).
-amenities nearby (within a mile) - grocery, fruit/veggie market, pharmacy cafe/restaurants
-my husband likes watching college and pro sports (basketball/baseball) and as we don't plan on having a car there (crazy idea, I know) would be good to have public transit access -- note, this is not a big priority (ha, ha, my husband isn't reading these threads!)
I am considering this a long-term investment. If we like the neighborhood, could keep the property for 20 years or more. So am looking for a neighborhood with future potential. Something tells me that proximity to transit and close to where people work (downtown, government) will be important in the future. For these reasons, I like the outlook for the Garfield area, but maybe I'm a ****-eyed optimist (well, I am).
Note that another property I looked at and put in an offer but lost was an impeccable one-bedroom mobile home with land, no HOA, in the Desert Sands golf course. Not exactly hip, but was a sweet, affordable little community, close to shopping and restaurants at Power & 60. I am still stinging from losing that one (property had been on market for a while so made a low offer expecting to negotiate, but seller surprised me and just took another, previous offer).
My real estate agent is also recommending a property in the Higly/Main area - a lot with an old mobile home. Cheap, beautiful street, really (it is amazing how well people take care of their yards in these mobile home neighborhoods!). As far as transit goes, I figure when it is time to venture out, could take the Main bus to the Dobson stop for Light Rail. And the LR line is supposed to extend out to Power by 2015. This property would be two blocks away from Main. However, I would not expect much appreciation on the land there, and of course nada on the old trailer. :-)
Thought, advice, anyone? (And sorry for the long-windedness! Congrats to anyone who made it to the bottom of this post.)

Light rail may extend as far as Mesa Drive and the Mormon Temple by 2015, but there is no current plan to extend the rail as far east as Power. Instead, Mesa, is going to run bus rapid transit to east Mesa. Taking a combination of bus and rail from east Mesa to DT Phoenix for sports events will probably take two hours each way. I wouldn't recommend it.

If you're going to be completely carless (something I strongly discourage anywhere in the Phoenix Metro Area), I'd abandon the Higley & Main idea right away. On the other hand, I just think that moving around in up-and-coming edgy areas on the fringes of Downtown might be too much for the eldest of your family.

I'd try for a Midtown historic district. Coronado might be good. The homes are smaller than in some of the pricier districts and there are some decent businesses within walking distance.