looking for place in northwestern pheonix :\ (Phoenix, Scottsdale: apartments, for rent, house)

[apf99]

I'm going to be attending MMI (about a block away from the intersection of 17 and loop 101). Upon requesting something cheap and close my housing director suggested the villas at Cave Creek (formerly woodstone apartments) as rated here:

Woodstone Apartment Ratings, Reviews, Map, Rents, and other Phoenix apartments for rent from ApartmentRatings.com

Which describe several murders (even a beheading O.o), roach infestation, water that shuts off 4-5 hours a day, drug dealing and prostitution and hourly police appearances. My housing director is awesome.

Most of the other suggestions are centered around the metrocenter mall area (known by the locals as the ghettocentral mall, as I understand it). It's really sounding like a not-so-awesome area and I was hoping someone could provide me with some reasonable examples of studio apartments within 20 minutes distance, or at least close-by inhabitable areas as the brochures don't tell the whole story and I don't feel like losing another deposit based on my housing director's awesomeness.

thank you in advance

[Finger Laker]

i'd look around the desert ridge or arrowhead areas - both have some good apartments with access to shopping, restaurants, bars, etc while keeping you tied to the northern stretch of the 101

[atkin]

I agree with Finger Laker on this one. A friend of mine lived within a mile of the I-17 and 101 interchange. There is not a lot to do in that area. I recommend Desert Ridge, but I'm partial to the east valley, so take what I say with a grain of salt.

[ivanabacowboy]

Not sure what your price range is, but both of these will get you into a very decent area of town fairly reasonably. These are near the Desert Ridge area Finger Laker described. Excellent access to 101.

What is your budget for housing? I know that often "online" quoted rents get outdated, but these should be fairly reasonable. And are in pretty decent locations. I would suggest Bellagio first. This puts you just maybe 1-2 miles if that south of the 101. Tatum Gardens is about 1-2 miles south (generally).

Bellagio is the nicer of the 2 as far as location. Puts you right near shopping on Bell Rd (grocery, Walmart, Home Depot, fast food etc) and close to Desert Ridge (huge shopping plaza right at 101 & Tatum).

I live about 2 or so miles east of these. And to get to say 101 & 17 cant be more than 10-15 minutes give or take (nonrush hour of course).

Bellagio
E 5635 Bell Rd
Scottsdale, AZ 85254

Tatum Gardens
15425 North Tatum Blvd.
Phoenix, AZ 85032

Also there is one of the Broadstone apartments right near Bellagio which are the same neighborhood and I suspect would be nice. I will add that too.

Broadstone Desert Horizon
16636 North 58th Street
Scottsdale, Arizona 85254

If you want to up your budget a tad, right AT 101 & Tatum at Desert Ridge (ultimate convenience and brand new, just finished construction last year):

Shade at Desert Ridge
21150 N. Tatum Blvd.
Phoenix, AZ 85050

Or come just a couple miles east and this is where I live, but this along with Shade would be the pricier options, tho they run some good incentives (like prorated months rent). I am right by the 101 too (101 & Scottsdale):

Desert Club
6901 East Chauncey Lane
Phoenix, AZ 85054

[apf99]

ahhh, thank you so much, so far all of these are turning out to be much more desirable sounding.

[ivanabacowboy]

Suggest you fire your "awesome" housing director pronto. lol!

[crystalys]

Will you have your own transportation or will you be using public transpo? Again, a price range might help us narrow it down for you.

Also, if you are willing to rent a room and share a house or apartment, then try craigslist.com.