Glendale or Scottsdale

[aztoga]

OH my gosh- no contest: Scottsdale, Scottsdale, Scottsdale. You'll be much happier there. A previous poster seemed a tad bitter by rich kids or snooty people with manicured lawns or something but ignore that. Are there some parts of Scottsdale that are ultra image-conscious? Sure. But there are LOTS of parts of very family friendly areas too. And your real estate dollar will hold its value a lot more. THere is SO much to do in Scottsdale too- the Civic Center plaza has outdoor art fairs, there are outdoor concerts, great parks, and great shopping if that's what you're into. Close access to Tempe too. Come to think of it... have you considered Tempe? When I moved here from Wisconsin 17 years ago, Tempe felt very comfortable. Friendly people, trees, modest sized housing... just a thought.

[Valley Native]

The McCormick & Gainey Ranch areas north of downtown Scottsdale are some of the best locations in which to live, but you have to have money to live there. Very lush, green areas with beautiful houses & condos that sell for a half a million at the lowest deal. McCormick & Gainey remind me somewhat of the upper crust sections of Los Angeles the way they're laid out.

Scottsdale has a reputation for being wealthy and snooty ... but the truth is that there are many different aspects of Scottsdale. The southern part is a working class section, and prices there are a lot cheaper than those further north. Old Town Scottsdale was once the original downtown, and that part of town is still trying to hold on to a western image. Downtown Scottsdale is very active, especially nightlife & shopping. I mentioned McCormick & Gainey Ranches, which could be considered central Scottsdale. The city extends quite a distance to the north ... and the further north you go, the more houses there are with natural desert settings.

[mickd]

Arrowhead area in Glendale is very nice. I lived on 75th Ave. right by the 101 and it was so convenient, I worked near 2nd Ave and Deer Valley (near the 101) and morning rush hour drive was only 15 minutes. Wide variety of restaurants in the Arrowhead area and some great bars. I lived in the Laguna apartments on 75th Ave. and can't speak highly enough of them. Great staff, beautiful landscaping, and 2 large ponds with fountains and well kept pool. this place looks like paradise and would be proud to bring a visitor there. Phoenix was just not for me, missed the seasons, green, and water having lived all my life in Wisconsin. Laguna Apartments were like an oasis to me with the ponds and many ducks there, one of the few things in Phoenix that reminded me of home. Sad to say I left just after the climate started getting nice in mid November this year.

[ihynes]

Skip the Phoenix area and go to Tucson. I moved from Wisconsin to Arizona and lived all over Arizona for 15 years. As I said in another post, it takes about a year to feel like you know anyone in Tucson, because it's a transient college town, but once you get to know the place and the people, you'll love it. It's near some of the best Sonoran desert left in Arizona, and an easy drive to beautiful parts of the state that Phoenicians never bother going to because they're just too far for them. There are a lot more restaurants and bars that don't have this weird Phoenix "cool side/Scottsdale" versus "not cool West side" scene, in Tucson they just don't care and everything is pretty centrally located, you know, it just feels more democratic. Plus there are mountains on every side of town in Tucson, giving you a beautiful scene every time you look out the window.

[RAB2355]

Hey, i am looking for your thoughts -- are there any jobs in the general area of glendale,tempe, or overall phoenix area for a research chemist. I love the glendale area but need work for my girlfriend. Thanks for any good suggestions

[observer53]

Originally Posted by LittleRedPitbull

dont go to scottsdale, you'll be harrassed if you dont have this years car and a perfectly manicured lawn, oh and the bratty kids there watch too much Viva la Bam and they think they can get away with wrecking your yard and everything else they think would be funny to break. Alot of people there are stuck up and snooty and thier kids are spoiled brats, i've been to glendale before and it's pretty cool, i've got friends that way, you still have your problem with some brats but they aren't as bad. The houses there actually have POOLS!!! the closest pools to me are codemned, you'd be so lucky!!! and if you're in your late 20's you get alot of oppotunities that i wouldn't since im only 18. GOOD LUCK moving!!!

Oh, good grief, this is a young couple that's going to be living in an apartment, with similar couples around them. They won't have a lawn. I've lived in Scottsdale, though it's been a while, and spend a lot of time in the area. There are "snobs" everywhere, but I would not throw out Scottsdale as an option by saying that "a lot" of people are snobs with bratty kids.

To the OP --I think you'd be happy in either place, and your decision is going to be largely influenced by where you are working, so you don't have a tough commute. Good luck, and keep us posted!