Where to live in Phoenix for this hopeful newcomer?

[SOON2BNSURPRISE]

My thoughts are that a comparison of apples and oranges may exist for the new member of the community, while those that have been around for a while are comparing the local problem. Is there a problem in the area with gangs? The issue does take plenty of space here in this forum. What parts have the brunt of the problem? Within this forum you can find that Gilbert and Surprise are both safe communities on opposite ends of the valley. From what I see most of the problem areas lie in the central southern parts of the valley, but then I am new to the area.

Lets get to the issue of comparisons. Where are you moving from? Some people are going to come from areas that are worse to live in and will find the problems in the valley tame by comparrison. Others are going to think that all he_ _ has broken loose. Just depends what you are used to I guess. I love the area and at this time do not see it as a problem. In a few years I will get back to you on this to see if my thoughts have changed.

[Elmonellie]

Originally Posted by Ponderosa

Safest is Surprise - west valley - according to FBI. East valley is in decline and will be mostly ghetto in 20 years. Vast areas already are in Mesa, and Tempe. Go west, young man (but go far enough west - past Avondale.) It's the future of the Phoenix metro area. For a young person, though, I'd would still be looking at Tempe. You'll be OK in Tempe until your mid-20s and then it will be too young for you. Scottsdale is better from that age up through wife/husband and kids and then it's off to the suburbs. Gilbert is a lily-white sleepy suburb with a lot of mormons and "children of the corn" feel. You would not be happy there until you reach the family stage of life. The other place that has some action though it is in the very early stages of development is the area around the Cardinals stadium. Lots of bars and night life coming there. But best choice for right now is the OK areas of Tempe and Scottsdale.

Wow. What's wrong with Mormons? From my personal experiences they are some of the nicest, friendliest, most charitible people in this country. I know you have a right to your opinion, I just feel like I have to stick up for all the nice Mormons I've had the honor to know.

[Ponderosa]

Originally Posted by Elmonellie

Wow. What's wrong with Mormons? From my personal experiences they are some of the nicest, friendliest, most charitible people in this country. I know you have a right to your opinion, I just feel like I have to stick up for all the nice Mormons I've had the honor to know.

That is absurd! I never said anything was "wrong" with Mormons. I have nothing against Mormons or any other faith for that matter. I said Gilbert looks very homogeneous with little diversity, large families and is boring with a capital "B" and is best suited for families. It has a very high percentage of Mormons hence the family orientation and other attributes. Don't try to affix some prejudice to me.

[footballer0607]

To answer some questions, Oakland is my hometown, and it's in terms of being a dangerous city it's pretty close to a Detroit or a Philly. The Oakland Hills are relatively affluent, and North Oakland is middle-class, but traditionally East and West Oakland are not places that anyone would want to wander into after sundown. Well, the West isn't THAT bad anymore, due to gentrification, but East Oakland is very dangerous. In terms of a job, I just got my license to substitute teach, and obviously that's not exactly a pot of gold. I also applied for a gov't/IRS-type job and am also considering law enforcement. So there are parts of Phoenix that are gang-infested? Please do tell.