Questions on Scottsdale (Phoenix, Glendale, Tempe: condo, income, new home)

[Nature Girl]

That's a great idea! Can you give me the name of the one you end up with and like? Finding someone very knowledgable in that area is important. But yeah, we will definitely do our homework prior to buying.

[nevercoldcall]

Originally Posted by SpeedyAZ

Most people I know love Scottsdale.

You say that people from Scottsdale are unfriendly but I've had numerous instances when I'm talking to some person and they ask "So where do you live?" I reply "Scottsdale" and they usually become very cold and just cut off the conversation. I couldn't count the times I've had this happen! Many people who don't live here are very mean-spirited to the ones that do. They don't want anything to do with you even if they don't know you.

People do that because 80% of Scottsdale residents are obnoxious jerks and everyone becomes conditioned to avoid them after a while. Scottsdale people love to start conversations just so they can lead into bragging about themselves. That's why I don't talk to them anymore myself.

Another brash, generalizing statement. Most homes in Scottsdale for in excess of $600K+ so don't you think they'll need a fairly large income to get the loan? Yes there are $30K/ year millionaires but the majority are quite wealthy.

Actually, here and now in March 2007, the median home price is still only $250k. As for the $600k+ loans, no, in Scottsdale they didn't take a high income to get. From 2001-2006, Scottsdale along with Las Vegas was World Headquarters of the ez-qualify, no-income-verification, interest-only, no-money-down funny-money loans. Scottsdale and Vegas are now on track to be the top foreclosure markets in the nation. In fact, the wild stock market fluctuations the past few weeks have been due to mortgage companies going bankrupt and it's been all over the news that Arizona and Nevada are the leading cause of it. Nowhere is this more true than in Scottsdale.

Sorry pal but people with money can afford much better than Scottsdale. They live in places like Newport Beach where I'm moving in exactly 2 days.

See my blog at removed

After 7 years in Arizona I've absolutely had it with Scottsdale people in my face always trying to tell me how rich they are.

[Nature Girl]

I was wondering the same thing. I cannot believe how much negativity I read about the whole Phoenix area on this forum. If it is so bad, then why is it growing like crazy, and so many people retire there? I don't get it. Is it the locals complaining, or the newby's moving in and having a problem handling the heat???? Hmmmm...

[Robin Holland]

Originally Posted by Nature Girl

I was wondering the same thing. I cannot believe how much negativity I read about the whole Phoenix area on this forum.

It's more than any other city on here it seems. Why is that so though? There must be some truth behind this feeling surely.

Originally Posted by Nature Girl

If it is so bad, then why is it growing like crazy, and so many people retire there?

From what I have researched and read on this forum, my opinion is that people move to Phoenix because of it's geographical location, and the climate. It is close to Los Angeles and the Mexican border, so many people that are struggling with the cost of LA, even the bad parts, find the cheaper cost of living more desirable. For the people in Mexico, it is simply a step-up from the quality of life they were experiencing beforehand. What does this do though?

Are the people that are coming from the bad areas of LA for a cheaper lifestyle, and the people coming from Mexico for a better life, going to improve the quality of life in Phoenix, or lower it? A lot of retirees are attracted to Phoenix for the climate, and also because the city is set-up for them. There are many retirement communities in Phoenix at a less expensive cost than where they are from. Of course this is a generalisation because many people also move from the cold midwest and other areas for work, but there is no doubt that because of it's location and proximity to LA and Mexico, most are coming from these areas.

Originally Posted by Nature Girl

Is it the locals complaining, or the newby's moving in and having a problem handling the heat???? Hmmmm...

Who is a local in Phoenix? In 1960, the metropolitan population of greater Phoenix was about 664,000, and in 1970, it was 971,000. In March of 2007, it is now approximately 3,900,000. These figures indicate that the majority of the population were not born in Phoenix.

I'm sure that summer is purely awful, but I think that people are complaining about more than just the heat from what I've read. To me it seems that many have problems with the high random crime, the lack of urban culture, the dust, the pollution and brown cloud I've read about, the traffic, the reliance of a car more than any other major city in the country, and the horrible education and health care system. Despite being cheaper than LA, Phoenix also seems to be an overpriced city for what you get.

[sablebaby]

Originally Posted by Nature Girl

I was wondering the same thing. I cannot believe how much negativity I read about the whole Phoenix area on this forum. If it is so bad, then why is it growing like crazy, and so many people retire there? I don't get it. Is it the locals complaining, or the newby's moving in and having a problem handling the heat???? Hmmmm...

I think there's definitely other forums that are more negative than Phx/AZ.

I do think more people complain about the heat during the summer. IT IS HOT! I think during other times it could be just be the traffic and reckless drivers. Now combine all three and it just sucks!

But you also have to look at the fact that some people are just negative people. They will complain at just about anything!

I see all the time people moving here from cold places. To me it seems to be the exact opposite (but the same in some ways) from where they're coming from. Extreme Cold to Extreme Heat. Staying inside in the winter, staying inside in the summer. It's almost the same thing. However, I think people believe that it "can't be that bad" out here (at least heat wise). I do know many move out because they can't stand the heat.

If I was tired of a lot of snow, I would either become a snowbird, or I would find a place that isn't as bad as where I currently live. I would NOT find the hottest place in the country and move there. Are you crazy?

[MiasM]

Originally Posted by Nature Girl

That's a great idea! Can you give me the name of the one you end up with and like? Finding someone very knowledgable in that area is important. But yeah, we will definitely do our homework prior to buying.

Check your private messages - don't want to post her information publicly.

[scottie]

Scottsdale is AWESOME! Like others have said, it is a bit pricey but theres is so much to do and it is so nice. Its great and I highly recommend it!

[Nature Girl]

Scottsdale sounds very nice, as well as Fountain Hills! I just worry about the commute time into Phoenix. How about Tempe? Is that also a nice area? Lower crime?
Thanks again for that info MiasM!

[AZ_singlemother]

Originally Posted by ajgranda

Enough already with all the negative remarks about Scottsdale, get a life. Glad to hear you're moving to California. Does that mean you won't be posting your negative useless comments on THIS forum anymore?

Live in Scottsdale for a year and you will turn into a negative person without a life

[AZ_singlemother]

Originally Posted by Nature Girl

Scottsdale sounds very nice, as well as Fountain Hills! I just worry about the commute time into Phoenix. How about Tempe? Is that also a nice area? Lower crime?
Thanks again for that info MiasM!

Scottsdale has it's pros and cons. If you earn more than $45,000/year, you could afford to rent in Scottsdale. You would need to earn at least $100,000/year to buy a 2 bedroom condo.

The commute is horrible in Scottsdale. I live and work here and it takes sometimes 45 minutes. I love the summers when the weather is in the 100s to get some commute relief.

Like you, I am concerned about crime and education systems when I moved here but I regret moving to Scottsdale - now my kids are established and would hate to relocate them again

Crime is increasing in the Phoenix area. There's no real area free from crime. If I had a chance to move all over again, I would have selected Gilbert. Also try Paradise Valley, North Phoenix, Tempe, Chandler or Mesa.