SWF Teacher from FL needs info on Phoenix (Scottsdale, Chandler: house, condo)

[LostinFL]

Hey ya'll. I am hoping someone can offer words of wisdom on where I should look to hang my hat in the Phoenix area. I have family in Cave Creek, Tramunto(sp?), and Chandler. I would like to be centrally located in a good area of town, with great schools (job prospects).
As for night life, I like pubs, wine tasting shops, decent restaurants, and a variety of shopping choices.
Ideally, I'd like to rent a house or condo (at least until I decide whether to buy and where.).
While visiting in January, I traveled through Anthem and really liked that area. Just don't know about the dating prospects there. Seems like married folks and young families. (Not that thats bad.)
Any suggestions you can offer would be helpful and appreciated!
Thanks so much!

[silverbear]

Originally Posted by LostinFL

Hey ya'll. I am hoping someone can offer words of wisdom on where I should look to hang my hat in the Phoenix area. I have family in Cave Creek, Tramunto(sp?), and Chandler. I would like to be centrally located in a good area of town, with great schools (job prospects).
As for night life, I like pubs, wine tasting shops, decent restaurants, and a variety of shopping choices.
Ideally, I'd like to rent a house or condo (at least until I decide whether to buy and where.).
While visiting in January, I traveled through Anthem and really liked that area. Just don't know about the dating prospects there. Seems like married folks and young families. (Not that thats bad.)
Any suggestions you can offer would be helpful and appreciated!
Thanks so much!

I don't think you'll find a lot of "pubs, wine tasting shops, decent restaurants, and a variety of shopping choices" near Anthem -- at least not yet. Right now, you'd be driving into the north end of Phoenix for almost anything beyond basic grocery store shopping, and you'd have to settle for chain restaurants and big box stores in the commercial areas closest to Anthem. To find more interesting restaurants, one-of-kind stores, and other more unique attractions, it would be necessary to drive at a minimum to Bell Road.

For the types of attractions you mention, it would be better to live more centrally. Phoenix neighborhoods such as North Central, Ahwatukee, Moon Valley, Paradise Valley Mall Area, Biltmore, Arcadia, etc. would be promising, as would most of Scottsdale. Tempe and Chandler would also be viable choices.

[LostinFL]

Thank you, "silverbear". I appreciate you responding once again to my plea. (I do believe you responded to me, prior to my visit at Christmas. Which by the way, I did rule out Flag and Prescott. Although they were beautiful and "seasonal", they were quite a drive to where my family is in Phoenix.)

How is the Gilbert area? A friend who lives in Chandler mentioned that to me. I did love Scottsdale, while visiting. The mall was a gorgeous shopping haven, along with the Kearny (sp?) area. I just don't think I could pull off the cost of living???

Thanks again!

[silverbear]

Originally Posted by LostinFL

How is the Gilbert area? A friend who lives in Chandler mentioned that to me. I did love Scottsdale, while visiting. The mall was a gorgeous shopping haven, along with the Kearny (sp?) area. I just don't think I could pull off the cost of living???

Thanks again!

I don't know Gilbert well. It's a bit too far in the East Valley for my taste, but a lot of people I know live there and are enthusiastic about it. I think it would certainly be a better choice than Anthem and probably a more affordable one than Scottsdale.

[StillLookingToo]

I am sure you could right your own ticket as an experienced teacher. We could use some here in Anthem. There are a few singles here but we are better known for all the kids.

[irwin]

Originally Posted by LostinFL

Thank you, "silverbear". I appreciate you responding once again to my plea. (I do believe you responded to me, prior to my visit at Christmas. Which by the way, I did rule out Flag and Prescott. Although they were beautiful and "seasonal", they were quite a drive to where my family is in Phoenix.)

How is the Gilbert area? A friend who lives in Chandler mentioned that to me. I did love Scottsdale, while visiting. The mall was a gorgeous shopping haven, along with the Kearny (sp?) area. I just don't think I could pull off the cost of living???

Thanks again!

Gilbert is a family area as well. Maybe a little more built up when compared to Anthem, but again you are going to have to drive a long way to reach unique store, non-chain restaurants, wine bars, etc.

Personally, I would look in Scottsdale. But if that's out of your price range, maybe Tempe. The farther you go out the more suburban and family oriented you are going to get.

[LostinFL]

Thank you for responding to my post "irwin". I appreciate your time. Scottsdale sounds nice. I am applying to the school district, along with Cave Creek, Paradise Valley, and Chandler. I think those are just a few of the districts that are considered "high achieving" in the state. If you are aware of others in the East and West Valley, I would welcome any input.

[Todd TCE]

I agree with some of what's been posted thus far, but....

I think it makes more sense to land the job you want, then consider exactly where you want to live. If you've never been here (for any lenght of time) the last thing you'd want it to do is find that wine bar and house you love in Anthem and see your job be in 'Gilbert.

If you have some free time to look for the job, then be realistic and spend part of it on the roads when you'd be on them. House hunting on Sunday is an old trick of the trade....Put yourself on the 101 at 7am on Monday headed where you might plan to work.