Subsidized housing in Phoenix or Tempe (Scottsdale, Gilbert: debt, apartments, condos)

[bradandbrit]

My husband and I need to move to Phoenix for just 8 months. He is in medical school so we can't afford a nice apartment. How can you find subsidized housing in Phoenix or Tempe? I don't really want to look any farther east. Even just a cheap apartment would be ok with me. It needs to be decent though, I don't want cockroaches or drug dealers living next door. We're moving from Iowa so it's all over the internet. Any help would be great!

[sablebaby]

You mean gov't subsidized? How much can you afford? You will probably find bugs and drug dealers in those apts as they are never that great and usually in bad areas.

[HollyhockGarden]

Hello -- You might try to find a house-sitting position, or possibly a position caring for a disabled person in their home at night in exchange for rent. I am not positive about this, but I believe that Section 8 housing programs in almost all Phoenix area municipalities have waiting lists, wait time can be as high as five+ years! If you or your spouse are already on Section 8 and need housing specifically designed for the disabled, the wait might be shorter, but there is still a wait. In fact, some cities will not accept applications of ANY kind, even transfers from another city. Typically, there are always some apartments available that are studio-size with utilities included. Housing is possibly/usually cheaper in a manufactured home community for the same square-footage. The Phoenix area has low wages and there are thousands of folks looking for reasonably priced housing. You may want to try the housing dept of the school he is attending. For example, if he will be a Medical Resident at one of the local hospitals, they may have an in-house housing department at the university. You will probably be able to afford a studio on your wages, if you will be the sole family supporter, providing you don't have a high debt-load. Good luck! Things will work out!

[bradandbrit]

I would like to keep our rent around $700. Since we will only live there 8 months I haven't really looked for a job. I can't transfer because I won't be there long enough. Is the area around the Phoenix VA hospital really bad (just north of downtown on Indian School)? I've seen a few decent priced places but I'm not sure about the neighborhood. I don't want my husband to be stuck in bad traffic, with long hours and hard studying, that's the last thing he'll need. I think Tempe sounds nice, not too far but so much more expensive and we don't want to live near ASU. We're past the party scene. I'm I crazy for wanting to find a two bedroom place around $700?

[sablebaby]

That area isn't horrible, but do you really need a two bedroom? Do you have kids? That's way too cheap for an apt for what you are looking for (decent, no drugs or bugs). Personally, I wouldn't go below $850-$900 for a ONE bedroom.

My advice would be to spend that $700 on a one bedroom if it's just the two of you for 8 months.

[Elmonellie]

Originally Posted by sablebaby

That area isn't horrible, but do you really need a two bedroom? Do you have kids? That's way too cheap for an apt for what you are looking for (decent, no drugs or bugs). Personally, I wouldn't go below $850-$900 for a ONE bedroom.

My advice would be to spend that $700 on a one bedroom if it's just the two of you for 8 months.

Good advice. If it's just a couple they should go for a nicer 1 br. Also, some people with condo's that have moved need to rent them...so I would look in local newspapers for this kind of situation.

I'm afraid a 2 br for $700...the apartments would be "iffy".

[amatrine]

If you can handle living in queen creek, they have three bedroom homes you can rent around 800. Homes for rent, condos, houses, townhouses, rental homes in Phoenix, Scottsdale, Goodyear, Gilbert and other metro cities.