Where are the bad areas of Phoenix? (Mesa, Chandler: crime, house)

[Nearby1]

In planning a move to the Chandler/Phoenix area, I'm hoping to maintain my car-free lifestyle. That means a lot of bicycling. What are the areas to avoid?

[dougstech]

I made the mistake of driving through Apache Junction once.

[LocoAZnative]

South Phoenix and Maryvale are the worst. In Chandler the area around Arizona Ave/Pecos

[observer53]

Don't think the OP is going to be living anywhere near AJ.

You are going to be doing a LOT of bicycling. You are in Little Rock now, which i suspect is quite different in size (meaning land area). Most people have NO idea how spread out metro Phoenix is. Unless you are going to work and shop and do all the other daily stuff VERY near where you live, going without a car is complicated here. As far as what you like to do for entertainment, you better be living in the area where those venues are, or close to light rail or other public transportation. Frankly, I think if you move here, depending on what you are going to want to be doing once you get here, your car-free lifestyle will end here. Your relatives' house will be a long ride to anything of consequence, so you will learn pretty quickly what it's like.

[Nearby1]

Yes, I do realize how massive Phoenix is. I was car-free for years in L.A. and did fairly well. But Phoenix seems more decentralized. In L.A. the financial people were in some spots, the entertainment people were around Hollywood and the aerospace people were clustered by LAX. But I don't seem to see a pattern in Phoenix.

What I really need to know is like can I ride safely from Chandler to downtown Tempe, Mesa and Phoenix?

The Arizona Ave. Metro Link is fairly convenient to me, so that may solve part of my problem.

[Bondurant]

Many people over generalize the "bad" parts of Phoenix. I've been in Maryvale, South Phoenix and Sunnyslope (all places I was told to avoid) with no issues. Granted things may be different living there or if you're walking around gang territories and acting stupid. Just passing thru I can't see you having many troubles.

Cycling from downtown Chandler to downtown Tempe is a stretch but might be easy for you. Downtown Mesa to downtown Phoenix is a major trek. If you're looking to go border to border it's much easier but I'm assuming you're looking to reach downtown areas.

I have not come across a single person that lives w/o a car by choice. Living with no car here is tough. Especially in summer. By bike or fit you will be sweaty and smelly by the time you reach your destination. Not a good combo...especially if you're going to work.

[observer53]

From Chandler to downtown Phoenix? Since you would have to use surface streets, it could be done, yes, but it's a LONG trip, and the hazard would not necessarily be from the surrounding area, but the cars, and that's true day or night. I don't see you making that trip in the summer.

To downtown Mesa or Tempe, a shorter, but still long, trip. Same issues with traffic, temperature. Unless there's a shower waiting for you at work or whatever your destination is, biking everywhere is not going to be a good option. You will need to use that Metrolink, for sure.

[Java Jolt]

The only bad area I have seen on the Phoenix side is Maryvale, some other parts on the westside aren't so hot either but it's not as bad as what many people make it out to be.

Tolleson isn't anything I would recommend either but that's mostly industrial and not a huge populated area.

I have never seen a bad area in Chandler. There are some older areas that may not look as pristine but there are certainly no ghettos.

[slackjaw]

I think there are some areas near downtown Chandler that can be iffy at night, but overall not too bad.

West of downtown Phoenix is the obvious answer here, but there are also some areas of South Phoenix that have gang crime problems. Also a few areas in Mesa.

[Java Jolt]

Originally Posted by slackjaw

I think there are some areas near downtown Chandler that can be iffy at night, but overall not too bad.

West of downtown Phoenix is the obvious answer here, but there are also some areas of South Phoenix that have gang crime problems. Also a few areas in Mesa.

I agree, the parts west of downtown Phoenix into Maryvale are not so great but it starts to get a little better north and west of there.

Some of the areas east of downtown along the Van Buren corridor look pretty sketchy too.