Apartments in various cities (Mesa, Chandler: transfer, neighborhoods, school)

[ninjagrrl]

Yes, i'm another person moving to the PHX area from parts northeast. I've been searching and i can't seem to find what i want to know.

Here's the story:

I (and my family) are moving to the PHX area so that i can help to get a nonprofit that i'm a part of off the ground. My husband will be transferring his job, but they haven't given him the exact location yet (hes in retail management).

I'm trying to pin down suitable apartments in a few towns so that once we get an assignment we will know where to start applying for apartments. Thing is, i have to do it long distance so its hard for me to get ideas about the neighborhoods some of these places are in.I tried another website that rates apartments but there are so many good ad bad notes about each one! I guess what i want to know is the less desirable areas of these towns:

Tempe
Mesa
Chandler
Gilbert
Goodyear

We have two kids in school if that helps. I saw what i thought was a great apartment in Goodyear until i read about being north of the I10.This one was just south of it.

I've been to PHX before but the only part of it i really saw was Mesa around the Convention Center - which was kinda seedy.Lots of pawn shops check cashing stores and the like.

Thanks for the help.