Short-term housing... (Phoenix, Mesa, Scottsdale: relocating, trip , income)

[DScheree]

As of August 30th, I'll be adding myself to the mile long list of people relocating to Phoenix.

Anyways, I'm not sure where I'll be working yet, so I didn't want to sign a lease anywhere until I found a job and learned my way around. I'ma 24 year old female, and I'll be living alone, so safety is definitely a factor.

I found a couple places in Mesa, ranging from $500-650 a month. For some reason, this deal just seems too good to be true. Someone also told me that East Phoenix or South Scottsdale would be nice areas to live in. But I'm not familiar with the area, so I don't know if short-term housing is even available in these areas.

So if anyone can give me a few tips to point me in the right direction, I'd really appreciate it.

[ivanabacowboy]

Hi! Congrats on relocating, and welcome from The Valley of the Sun.

I wouldnt exactly jump on something in the $500-650 range. I would most definitely investigate the neighborhood first. Low rents like that generally are not the "nicest" places. I'm not familiar with Mesa so cant be of much real help tho. Do you have the names of the places you found/locations so maybe some other posters who know the area can tell what they know about the area?

The only part of town I am really familiar with is northeast Phoenix and north Scottsdale (generally north of Camelback where Fashion Square Mall is) up to around the northeast corner where you see the 101 loop cut across (if you google a map you will see the 101 turn). This entire part of town is exceptionally nice. You would be looking at much higher rents tho. Bargain on at least $850 or more before incentives. Often you can get "incentives" like "two months free" which they prorate over your lease term which reduces what you have to pay each month. A $900 a month rent with 1 month free on a 12 month lease would get you down to around $825 a month for example.

Suggestion: if at all possible, plan at least a short trip out here before making any lease commitment. If you end up in the wrong part of town, even a 3 month lease can be 3 months to long. ;-) Being young, single and not familiar with the area, if you absolutely must come sight unseen, get into the absolute nicest part of town you can on your short term and then hunt from there.

[ivanabacowboy]

PS Also be careful in not having a job yet. The area is HUGE. For example, you may think "Oh if I live in Phoenix and work in Phoenix that will be ok". That is before you realize the City of Phoenix alone is over 400 square miles and your commute is horrible. ;-) So unless you line up a job first, realize you have the distinct possibility of having an unbearable commute at least short term.

[sablebaby]

Yeah, $500-650 is not a deal, it's a dump. Try to figure out about how much you might be making and go from there. I really believe in spending as much as you can for a good area, you can't lose. Of course, don't over do it. But, then again apt complexes usually use the formula of you have to make at least 3x the rent to get approved. So, that might be a stretch if you don't make much. It's so much easier to get into a good area with a two income household.

[DScheree]

Thanks for the tips! I kinda figured rents that low had to be somewhat questionable. I've been looking in the 85018 zip code area. Any ideas what this area is like??