Help: Orange County moving to Phoenix

[Elmonellie]

Originally Posted by OC2PHX

I am currently a graduate student living in Orange County. While visiting my retired parents in Phoenix, I met a girl in Scottsdale and tried doing the long distance thing for 5 months. Unfortunately, it did not work out. However while dating her, I did learn that the 113 degree heat is not too bad, the Scottsdale area is very nice, and I can afford a nice house (not condo) there. I have also learned that the woman in PHX look to be more genuine and simpler than OC woman (I could be wrong though). In addition, I have become so burned out on So Cal. So I have decided to move there after graduation in December.

While I have my eye on Scottsdale, I was wondering if there are any other areas that a single, 30 year old professional should also consider. I am getting great potential job offers from both Tempe and Scottsdale. I would like to rent an apartment at first ($850 for a one bedroom) and buy a house after 6 months ($350k). My realtor has shown me places in Grey Hawk, N Scottsdale, Paradise Valley, and Cave Creek. I hear alot about Gilbert. Should I look there too?

I am also planning on making up for the time I lost while studying and working full time the past 2.5 years. I like good eats, cool bars, and golf. I would like wherever I live to be close to these places or a cheap cab ride home.

You've gotten some good advice so far. You will probably have to pay more than $850 for a nice 1-br apt. Look in Old Town Scottsdale area if you want to be around a lot of restaurants, clubs, shopping, etc. Stay east of Scottsdale Road and around or N. of Indian School. There are nice apts around there, lots of younger professionals. Also look at the Biltmore area around Camelback and 24th Street and east. Lots of nightlife, good restaurants, etc. Again, $850 would be low balling it. I'm thinking a nice place is going to be around $1,000. But, who knows? Maybe you can sublet a condo with a 6 month or 1 year lease and get a good deal from a desperate owner. There are unfortunately a lot of those in town.

Did you actually check out the houses in Grey Hawk, N. Scottsdale, Paradise Valley and Cave Creek? And were they really around $350? I, like others are kind of surprised at that...we don't want to be negative, but the decent parts of those areas tend to be more than that. Like someone else said cross Paradise Valley off the list. The Paradise Valley "area" (adjacent to PV) is large and spotty...be careful.

I would just forget looking at real estate until you find a nice apt and get settled. Meet some people and find out where they live and take your time investigating the entire metro area. Some of the burbs are very family-centric, and not really for most singles, so keep that in mind. The market is very soft and you will get a DEAL!

[NytoPhx]

While extremely upscale, I didn't think Paradise Valley was out of this world, certainly not for the costs. I happened to be much more impressed with Fountain Hills, which had a very different look and was truly unique and absolutely gorgeous.

[AZTammy]

Gilbert may not be the area of choice if you are looking for night life. Gilbert is more of a family town.