Phoenix area problems??? (Mesa, Glendale, Scottsdale: for sale, apartments, renting)

[JoeNJ]

hello, i live in NJ and i'm thinking about moving out to Arizona, of Florida. Is the Phoenix metro area a good place to raise kids? I heard they have a lot of problems like crime, and immigration, and jobs. If you can give me your opinion of Phoenix I would appreciate it. Thanks

[Ponderosa]

The Phoenix metro area is HUGE. It has areas that have very low crime to areas with very high crime. Similarly schools run from outstanding to awful. Generally speaking, the lowest crime and the best schools are in the many cities lying at the periphery of the city of Phoenix/Mesa. Some of them include Chandler, Gilbert, Casa Grande, Scottsdale in the east and Glendale, Peoria, Goodyear, Surprise, Avondale, and Buckeye in the west (there are more). In parts of Phoenix and the suburbs, there are historic pockets of poverty with higher crime and poor schools. That said there are thousands of homes for sale in safe, clean neighborhoods filled with kids and good schools. You can expect to pay from 250K to 350K for a new or resale home in typical family areas. You can pay more, but if you pay less the area will not be as nice. Neighborhoods here tend to be either good or bad with not much in the middle. It is important, I think, to try to locate near to where you will work as the traffic is terrible and life is better if you can avoid it as much as possible.

Jobs are plentiful. In fact, since 2001 Maricopa County (PHX) created 1 out of every 10 new jobs in the entire country. I've read predictions that the job growth will slow next year, but the county is expected to remain the nation's top job engine. Wages here may be lower than you are used to especially in the trades where US workers are forced to compete with lower paid illegal immigrants. As for illegals, there are plenty around here. They are not as thick as in LA or Dallas, but their presence and their impact is unmistakeable.

[Nea1]

Good info Ponderosa. As a newbee to AZ ( 8 months) I can say I like it way more than Florida!!!! we found great jobs and great neighborhood and schools. Crime is in every town but we havent been affected yet. We love where we are in Chandler and my husband is in construction and drives ALL over the valley, he say he sees more good than bad. But ponderosa is right there doesnt seem to be much in between.

[sweattea]

It's an ok place to live and raise a family. It depends what you are really looking for. I know a lot of people that have come from back east NJ,NY and they hate it here but if you are looking for a complete change this might be a good place for you. Ponderosa is correct we have pretty good and bad neighborhoods maybe some inbetween in certain areas.Parts of Glendale and E Mesa have some areas I would call not good but not too bad. You really need to watch your back wherever you live. Don't be fooled by any of our areas that look really nice. If you have children you will need to keep a good an eye on them but that's everywhere. We do have a high population of illegals and that gives us an even bigger problem overall.

[AksarbeN]

You’ll like Arizona and the Phoenix area after you get use to the heat. Summer is murder but if you live through it you’ll enjoy the winter months. It will take a couple of years to get acclimated to the area and the weather. I’ve moved here about 25 years ago and remember the first couple of as being just a living he!!. After that period of time things improved and I wouldn’t move back for anything.

There are problems with crime and immigration everywhere in the U.S. so don’t let any prejudgment stop you. As with any large city, metro Phoenix has areas that are not good and others that “think they are better”, but you’ll find what you need just about anyplace in the valley from the east to the west.

One important item to think about is “where you live” in the valley. Live close to where you work. You don’t want to be driving across the city to in rush hour traffic. Some people will spend an hour or more just driving from the outlining bedroom communities to get into the city for work each day. This isn’t go and it’s worse each year. If your job is in the east valley – live in the east valley.

I would advise renting a house or apartment for the first year and get familiar with the area that you think you want to live in. Then you’ll have time to look for just the right home and neighborhood you’ll want to spend all your time in.

I’ve always figured that I could drink enough iced tea to cool off during the day, but I never could drink enough hot coffee to get warm in the winters of Nebraska. I also remember living in eastern N.J. with the cold winters there, so I think you’ll love it here.

[sablebaby]

Originally Posted by AksarbeN

You’ll like Arizona and the Phoenix area after you get use to the heat. Summer is murder but if you live through it you’ll enjoy the winter months. It will take a couple of years to get acclimated to the area and the weather. I’ve moved here about 25 years ago and remember the first couple of as being just a living he!!. After that period of time things improved and I wouldn’t move back for anything.

Wow, I've been here 31 years (my whole life) and I still have a hard time during the summers!

[ozzycat101]

Originally Posted by sablebaby

Wow, I've been here 31 years (my whole life) and I still have a hard time during the summers!

I am relocating to go to MMI and where is the best place to live and living
expenses,is crime bad:

[ozzycat101]

I am relocating and is MMI in the middle of Phoenix city area?

[sablebaby]

Originally Posted by ozzycat101

I am relocating and is MMI in the middle of Phoenix city area?

Hi there,

No, MMI is in North Phoenix, in the avenues. It's up near me, near i-17 and Deer Valley.

The crime up here isn't that bad at all, it's a good area to live in. There are lots of apartments in the area near your school. Different price ranges, too. The one problem that we have up here though are students from that school racing up and down the streets. They tend to do that as they ride motorcycles or loud cars. We have a bunch of those cars down our street and I just want to call the cops on them.

If you live near your school, you shouldn't have any problems.

[ps4tnt]

My husband and I moved here 16 months ago from Randolph, NJ.
We were recently victims of car theft. All I can say is to make sure you checkout the area well before you buy a home.We purchased great home in a nice area if Glendale.
My husband's vehicle was stolen from his work which was close to the freeway. We do not expect it to be recovered from what neighbors tell us.

The northwest Valley is great. There is alot to do and most places are easy to get to.There is alot of traffic but if you can drive in NJ you'll do well here.
Property taxes are 1/4 of what they are in NJ. However sales taxes between state and local are alomost 10%.