Is Tempe for Me? (Mesa, Scottsdale: mortgage, realty, for sale)

[heatherita]

Hi all,

It's great to be part of this forum. I have been reading for a few weeks and have enjoyed everyone's input a so much!

Let me start by giving a little background on my situation and then ask for your opinions.

My husband and I and our three children ages 5, 3 and 2 are considering a cross country move from NJ to AZ. My husband grew up on the west side (he is an Air Force kid) and ended up in New Jersey vis the US Navy when we met. We attended ASU and lived in various college apartments in Tempe. After I graduated, I wanted to move home to NJ and he reluctantly agreed. We got married, started our careers and started our family. We have been back in NJ for 10 years. We are close to my family and my high school friends. We own a nice home and things are OK. DH really does not like the "east coast mentality" and is sick of being in such a rat race. Things are very expensive here and we are finding it harder and harder to maintain our lifestyle.

I was back in Tempe in January to visit for the first time in seven years and remembered why I chose to go to ASU and why I loved it so much. I started to think that maybe we could go back. I loved the energy and I love the idea of being in a college town and having access to sports, art, shows, etc. and exposing the kids to it all. The housing costs are so much more affordable than in NJ that even at the low market we are in, we would make enough on our home here to have such a low mortgage and (we feel) such a better way of life in AZ.

As for jobs, I work from home and DH travels, so we can live pretty much anywhere and make nearly the same income as in NJ.

For fun, we love the outdoors, camping, hiking, boating we are huge sports fans especially Cardinals and anything ASU. We have friends and family in LA/San Diego and believe we would be going to Cali about once a month. Is that enough of a reason to look at the west side? I know there is a lot of growth out that way and it has changed dramatically from when DH was a kid. Any opinions on this area?

We are thinking that Tempe is the best place to buy and we would start with a 4/2 ranch and then possibly upgrade in a few years and keep the Tempe home as a student rental and an income property for us.

I want a more exciting feel compared to where we live now. We live in total suburbia and are so bored. I am willing to exchange a level of peace and quiet to be close to amenities. Also - DH will be going back to ASU for additional school and wants to be somewhat close to Main campus. I am totally fine with an ethnic diversity. I want the kids to know thee are many types of people in the world. I also want them to know that there is more to life than your own backyard.

We have some friends in the Tempe/Scottsdale area so we are not going out west totally alone, plus, we have lived there before, even through the summer, so we pretty much know what to expect.

So, is Tempe the right place for us? Or should we look other places? If Tempe, then what neighborhoods should we look at/avoid?

Thank you so much for anyone who reads and responds. You input is appreciated.

[sablebaby]

It sounds like you really like Tempe. It also sounds like you would be happier in Tempe than where you are currently. How long have you been thinking about moving back? Have you thought about ever since your visit and can't get it out of your mind? If so, it sounds like you should look at all the varibles of moving, like selling your house, a plan to find one here, the schools for your kids, etc. See if it's something you want to do. It will be a lot of work, but in the end it could be really worth it.

[heatherita]

Thanks for your reply sablebaby!

Yup - love Tempe for so many reasons and yes - it has been on my mind constantly since I was there. We are always talking about "when we move this" and "when we move that". Although it will be hard to uproot everyone and leave my extended family, we feel we are better suited for AZ and can ultimately give our kids and ourselves a better life there than here.

We will be in town the end of September to look at a few homes and just decide which neighborhoods suit us best. That is why I was looking to the forum for any other suggestions that I may have not thought of on my own.

Also we have heard good things about Kyrene school district. I was thinking of looking for a home in this district. Any thoughts?

Thanks

[vegaspilgrim]

Last post of the night... Tempe is for you IF you can afford it; home prices there are awfully high. You can often find the same exact house in Mesa for a hundred grand (or more) less!

[joninaz]

Tempe is landlocked, meaning it's surrounded by other cities. That's not a bad thing... just part of the consideration. I'm in Scottsdale, but Tempe is 5 blocks away. I'm closer to Mill Ave than many attractions in Scotty. I'm also closer to Mill Ave. than my (ex) GF who lives in Southern Tempe. The same can be said for many folks in PHX, Mesa, Chandler, etc.: a walk across the street puts one in the city of Tempe, and vice versa.

So my advice is to try and figure out where you'd like to live and work outward from that to get a price range. It need not be a Tempe address to be in the area. In fact, try and discover a deam zip code. Many realty sites will sort and serve you results based on Zips and next-door choices.

[FireBreeze]

Originally Posted by midnight rambler

Last post of the night... Tempe is for you IF you can afford it; home prices there are awfully high. You can often find the same exact house in Mesa for a hundred grand (or more) less!

I agree with midnight rambler on this one. I was browsing through the mls and houses in Gilbert that are around 2000 sq ft ++ are a 100-150 grand cheaper than a comparable house in south Tempe/south Chandler. Mesa is way cheaper than Tempe.

[heatherita]

Thank you for your responses everyone.

Yes, I have noticed that you do get more for the money in areas like Chandler and even Gilbert. It is tempting to look at those areas for sure. I don't know much about either town. Can anyone name some neighborhoods that are close to Tempe and have a similar feel? Being close to parks would also be nice.

We don't want a new cookie cutter neighborhood. We would like an older ranch that we can refurbish and make our own. Also, we love Tempe and I was thinking because of the university and because it's landlocked and built out, home values are more stable over time than a newer subdivision further out. Does anyone have any opinions on this? Also, we are thinking that the house we buy now and live in would eventually become an income property for us to rent out to students. Would a house in suburban Chandler or Gilbert have the same appeal? I was thinking it wouldn't as students would prefer to live closer to campus. I could be wrong, though.
As for Mesa, I have to admit, I know little about it besides from the area along Rural, but for some reason I have a negative feeling about it.

A few final questions..

Does anyone know about taxes in Tempe vs. Gilbert and Chandler?

And what is up with Ahwatukee? Is is really desireable because there is not much for sale in our price range.

Thanks so much everyone.

I can't wait to be there in 2 weeks!

[sablebaby]

Originally Posted by heatherita

A few final questions..

Does anyone know about taxes in Tempe vs. Gilbert and Chandler?

And what is up with Ahwatukee? Is is really desireable because there is not much for sale in our price range.

Thanks so much everyone.

I can't wait to be there in 2 weeks!

Taxes will be VERY similar. The biggest difference is when you move to another county.

Yes, Ahwatukee has always been a desirable area to live and the prices reflect that. It's a beautiful area!

[vegaspilgrim]

Originally Posted by heatherita

Thank you for your responses everyone.

Yes, I have noticed that you do get more for the money in areas like Chandler and even Gilbert. It is tempting to look at those areas for sure. I don't know much about either town. Can anyone name some neighborhoods that are close to Tempe and have a similar feel? Being close to parks would also be nice.

We don't want a new cookie cutter neighborhood. We would like an older ranch that we can refurbish and make our own. Also, we love Tempe and I was thinking because of the university and because it's landlocked and built out, home values are more stable over time than a newer subdivision further out. Does anyone have any opinions on this? Also, we are thinking that the house we buy now and live in would eventually become an income property for us to rent out to students. Would a house in suburban Chandler or Gilbert have the same appeal? I was thinking it wouldn't as students would prefer to live closer to campus. I could be wrong, though.
As for Mesa, I have to admit, I know little about it besides from the area along Rural, but for some reason I have a negative feeling about it.

A few final questions..

Does anyone know about taxes in Tempe vs. Gilbert and Chandler?

And what is up with Ahwatukee? Is is really desireable because there is not much for sale in our price range.

Thanks so much everyone.

I can't wait to be there in 2 weeks!

There are a few neighborhoods near the Mesa/ Gilbert border that might interest you. Dobson Ranch for one. I live in an apartment complex (hopefully within the next few years I'll be able to buy my first home) in Dobson Ranch and I totally vouch for this area. I'm not sure what it's called, but the area around Alma School and Elliot may interest you. I want to say Marlborough Mesa? but don't quote me on that one. General rule of thumb with Mesa I've discovered is live south of US-60 and you're okay, otherwise live east of Lindsey. Mesa north of US-60 is fine for visiting, but I wouldn't live there. Unless if you're a Mormon and you're living in the historic downtown Mesa area. Anything with a Gilbert address should be good, and there are older parts of Gilbert with ranch homes too. The part of Tempe just east of the 101, between Broadway and Southern is actually a fairly decent area, and it's more affordable than the section of Tempe west of the 101. I'd look there too. The older parts of Chandler though are kind of yucky. Perhaps the area just north and west of the Chandler Mall might be what you're looking for.

[heatherita]

If we are looking at Tempe eat os the 101 and south of 60 anyway, is that basically the same as Chandler and Gilbert?