Can anyone give me some relocation advice? (Phoenix, Chandler: for sale, real estate)

[arvt]

We may be relocating to the Phoenix area due to my husband's job change. He will not be working in just the Phoenix area, but will be traveling all over the west coast. A major requirement is being within 45 minutes to Phoenix Sky Harbor Intl. Airport. We are currently living in northern OH and we have never visited Arizona. I have been doing tons of research online and am getting more confused the more research I do. I would like your opinions on where you think we should concentrate our home search.

Like I said my Husbands only work commute will be to the airport once a week. I am a stay at home mom right now, but work in the Veterinary profession and will return to work in the next 2 years. I have a son who will be in 1st grade next year and a daughter who will be in Pre-school next year. Good schools either public or private are a must. A nice smaller family oriented safe neighborhood would be great. Homes on a little larger lot not so close together would also be great. Any Suggestions would be so very helpful. We plan on taking a trip out soon to see the area for ourselves, but our trip will be short and we really want to concentrate on specific areas. Also any advice on which realestate company to use. Thanks for your insight.

[homesweetazhome]

ARVT, You are going to love it here. The communities with the best schools closest to the airport would be Chandler, Gilbert, South Tempe and Ahwatukee. Chandler and Gilbert particularly are known for their family oriented emphasis with loads of Parks and Rec activities, town parades, pools etc... Many neighborhoods are planned communities with the elementary school in the center of the neighborhoods and parks and playgounds interspersed througout then neighborhoods. My family moved here from PA 10 years ago, and we've never looked back! There are so many events, sports, concerts, festivals, plus outdoor activities, golf, tennis, and hiking to name just a few. Most of the people you'll meet are not AZ natives and are open to meeting new people. Let me know if I can help you out. Good Luck and enjoy your first visit here!

[arvt]

Thanks for your help homesweetazhome, I appreciate your quick response.

[lyzzard]

homesweetazhome is pretty accurate in their response. Those areas are the best for you to look at imo, and I've been here for over 20 years. It's more than likely going to be very different from what you're use to! sooo brown! lol

[SamColt]

Welcome : Home Page | Estrella | Goodyear, AZ in Goodyear.

30-60 minutes to Sky Harbor, depending on time of day.

If some of the your husbands west coast traveling includes driving, Goodyear is in the SW Valley and misses most of the traffic if you are going west to California.

Estrella schools rank excellent.

The decision on which part of the valley to live in will be the one that is most important. While the east valley, Chandler, Gilbert, Tempe, has the most amenities, it is the most densely populated, the SW, Goodyear, Litchfield Park, has significantly less density and less traffic. NW valley i.e Surprise is a combination, but lacks much in the way of highways. Many areas NE are upscale, but not too many roads. The interesting thing about the Valley is that which ever direction, the entire area is the most economically integrated metro area I have ever seen. Most towns, including Phoenix, have very expensive areas and very poor areas not far away. One key is knowing which part of a particular town to buy in.

[arvt]

Thanks lyzzard and SamColt for your help as well. I am pretty sure my husband will be using the airport more often than driving. His work territory will cover the entire western portion of the U.S. I saw that the Suprise area has homes with bigger lots not right on top of each other. The homes being so close is what is going to take some getting use to for me. Our price range is only in the $200,000 range. I was looking at Casa Grande area too, how far of a drive is that from Pheonix airport? Still for me good schools are the most important factor for our home search. Does anyone know how the Catholic School rate in Chandler? Would Peoria be worth looking in to?

[lyzzard]

I would suggest skipping Peoria altogether. It's just not what it use to be anymore, as are many inner suburbs in Phoenix. If I had a choice to move to a better area, I would go to the first areas suggested (probably Chandler as it's in your price range). Surprise is nice, but it's probably a longer drive than your husband will want. It needs a good east/west freeway running through the middle (which will never happen) before it becomes a decent drive to the airport. You have to go all the way north or all the way south to hit one.

Casa Grande is about a 30-45 minute drive to Phoenix, but you have to add 10 minutes to get to the airport (the airport is a city unto itself). While the SW of Phoenix may seem appealing, as the prices maybe lower, the crime is higher due to the proximity of Buckeye (crime is reknown there). We had considered that area, but dropped it when the crime just started spreading out.

I don't know about the schools in the Chandler area, but I know that as long as you stay out of the Phoenix school districts you'll be fine.

With the high forclosure rate and the drop in interest, you could probably find yourself a nice deal on a home right now. 6 months from now might find you better, but it's still a much better deal than if you had tried moving here a year ago.

[sablebaby]

If he's only driving to the airport once a week I'd say it shouldn't matter how far out you live. Find a place that's right for you and worry less about the commute. Surprise is not known for having large lots. I never would have thought that. There may be some, but the majority are very small. I did a ton of research and looked at probably 50-100 homes for rent and sale a few years ago. I decided against it because of the commute, but I would be doing it daily.

N. Peoria is very nice and a little closer than Surprise.

[drb85650]

depending on your budget, your adjustment to the desert area may be eased by a green tree covered neighborhood.
If you can afford 300,000 and up, zip codes 85012, 85021 may be appealing. Older(1960's)homes, larger lots than suburbs.
Google Map street view of 6000 north Central, Phoenix and street view from their north. These area mostly million plus homes you'll view on Central proper, but the area to the west and east 3-6 blocks is very desirable up to a tad north of Northern Avenue. Good private schools, safe area, walkable(the bridle path is along north Central from Bethany Home Road to just before Dunlap), and is likely to be the closest to northern Ohio that you'll find here in Phoenix.

Additionally, 85016 is a good zip, and has VCCS(Valley Classical Christian School), a private school on north 20th street. Very good reputation.
There are several vet clinics in the neighborhoods surrounding these zips, alot of very pampered pets.
If you're interested in little league activities, North Phoenix Baptist Church has a league in cooperation with the city that is great for T ball.
These are very family oriented zip codes, alot of upper class mixed with middle and folks like we were, just working class. Not snotty, you can walk the bridle path and run into the exGovernor, chief Justice of the state supreme court, or sports celebs. McCain had his house on north Central for sale recently....13.5million, interested?

[arvt]

Some green would make for a better adjustment for the kids anyway. With our budget of $200,000 sounds like we should stick with Chandler. Well, back to the real estate websites...... Thanks to all of you for your replies. They do all help tremendously since I have no clue what the area is like. We look forward to our first visit out west!