Good areas in this price range (Phoenix, Mesa: condo, how much, buying a house)

[moving from NE]

My wife and I are thinking about moving to the Phoenix area and need some help! I have researched and found some good areas in Phoenix but I don't really know what you can get for the money. Our price range for buying a house is $160,000-$185,000. What areas would you recommend in this range? We have a 14 month old daughter and we're looking for newer (10 years) homes. Thanks for any help!

[sh9730]

As is the standard question most of us ask in these posts - do you have work lined up? If so, where? Makes a big difference on the reccomendations depending on your desire for commute etc. Phoenix is a BIG place. At that price range almost assuredly you will be on one of the fringes, but not neccessarilly tooo far out there. But, will make a big difference whether you are on the west end, east end, or south of the downtown Phoenix area.

Can you provide any further details on your situation?

[moving from NE]

My wife will definitley be working from home and I'm not sure where I will be working yet, but it is possible I will be working from home as well. I will probably be traveling so not too far from the airport would be a plus.

[sh9730]

Well, then the choice is how much house do you want for your money - the further out from downtown the more house for your money. For example, in my town, Casa Grande - 45 mins from airport - you could get about a 2000 sq ft house (possibly larger) in a good area for that price range. In some other areas (Queen Creek, Buckeye, Maricopa) even more, but those towns are less developed with infrastructure so far.

You could probably get something halfway decent for that money even in Chandler/Gilbert on the east side or Goodyear/Surprise on the west side - (all about 20 mins from airport from different directions) - but not quite as large as further out from the core.

I work from home also, so I decided that more house for the money - BUT - with decent infrastructure - My town has a hospital/mall/most of the chain restaraunts etc.... - since commute was not a factor for me.

[wng]

Lots of choices in that range in the East Valley. Queen Creek, Glibert, East Mesa, parts of Chandler.
Bear in mind, there is 2nd airport, Mesa-Gateway south of Basline Rd. in the East Valley. There have hopes to expand with a major carrier in the future.
The bad economy and sub-prime mess has property bargains popping up like weeds. So, enjoy the buyer's market.

[MotleyCrew]

There are many nice areas in N. Peoria to choose from in your price range and our school system is one of the best. You should make a trip out and drive around to see what fits your lifestyle and your families needs. You can google on realtor.com 85383 and see what you can afford here. Best of luck in your hunt.

[Cyborg13]

85383 is quite far from the airport. 85381, 85308, 85310, and 85027 are N-NW options that are a little closer and are nice areas. You may also want to check a little farther to the east, in Scottsdale, or in the southeast like Mesa, Chandler, Tempe. The airport is towards the southeast.

[moving from NE]

Thanks for all of the helpful information! Can you get something decent in Scottsdale in this price range? My sister lives there and from the small amount of research I have done it doesn't seem like this price range would buy much in Scottsdale. Your thoughts?

[altus2006]

Originally Posted by moving from NE

Thanks for all of the helpful information! Can you get something decent in Scottsdale in this price range? My sister lives there and from the small amount of research I have done it doesn't seem like this price range would buy much in Scottsdale. Your thoughts?

You might get a one bedroom condo in Scottsdale for your price range.

aqltus2006

[LesterBurnham]

Originally Posted by moving from NE

Thanks for all of the helpful information! Can you get something decent in Scottsdale in this price range? My sister lives there and from the small amount of research I have done it doesn't seem like this price range would buy much in Scottsdale. Your thoughts?

6 months ago - No.

Now - there are quite a few nice 3+ BR, 1200+sf houses available in south Scottsdale in this price range. Heck, the median price for house in 85257 is currently around $180K.