Questions on Gilbert (Phoenix, Scottsdale, Tempe: relocating, travel, work)

[splice40]

I am relocating to Phoenix in May from Tulsa, OK and just recently put an offer on a home at the intersection of Germann and Higley on the southeast side of Gilbert. I did a trial run from the home to my place of work on Broadway Road in Tempe (near the University) and it only took me 25 minutes in each direction (50 minutes down and back). This was Friday morning from 6:45 AM to 7:45 AM. I was wondering if this was a fluke or if this is normal. I went from the 202 to the 101 and then exited on Broadway. It didn't seem that bad after all the horror stories I have heard. I only have to travel on a mile or two of 2-lane roads within Gilbert and they were not bad at all. Just wondering if I can expect about the same or if this just so happened to be a good day with no stops in the traffic flow.

Also, what kind of impression do Phoenix residents have of Gilbert residents. I know that similar areas in Tulsa would consider perimeter towns to be full of rednecks, but then again, Oklahoma itself tends to be full of rednecks. Just curious. I currently live in a more urban area of Tulsa.

[sablebaby]

Well, I don't know about that side of town, but up north on the I-17 I am able to drive on it only Friday mornings. That may give you a clue. Many people don't work on Fridays, so I find the traffic a little lighter.

People don't care where you live. We all live everywhere and most will live out far. Gilbert is a nice place, so don't worry.

[sheena]

Originally Posted by splice40

I am relocating to Phoenix in May from Tulsa, OK and just recently put an offer on a home at the intersection of Germann and Higley on the southeast side of Gilbert. I did a trial run from the home to my place of work on Broadway Road in Tempe (near the University) and it only took me 25 minutes in each direction (50 minutes down and back). This was Friday morning from 6:45 AM to 7:45 AM. I was wondering if this was a fluke or if this is normal. I went from the 202 to the 101 and then exited on Broadway. It didn't seem that bad after all the horror stories I have heard. I only have to travel on a mile or two of 2-lane roads within Gilbert and they were not bad at all. Just wondering if I can expect about the same or if this just so happened to be a good day with no stops in the traffic flow.

Also, what kind of impression do Phoenix residents have of Gilbert residents. I know that similar areas in Tulsa would consider perimeter towns to be full of rednecks, but then again, Oklahoma itself tends to be full of rednecks. Just curious. I currently live in a more urban area of Tulsa.

In Az that's called Friday light. Friday tends to bit a lighter traffic day. 25 minutes from Higley and Germann and you taking those freeways is going to depend on what's happening on the freeways that morning. Make sure when you leave your house in the morning you tune into the traffic report. Az freeways are horrible!! Everyday the freeways have accidents.

The people in Phoenix will think you are a yuppie or you have money if you live in Gilbert. You have to be from Queen Creek or Apache Junction to be considered a red neck It's really not like that in Phoenix maybe years ago it was but not today.

[HollyhockGarden]

Hello -- Did you do the test drive this past Friday, 3/16 or was it a previous week? I know this week traffic seemed to be lighter all over -- ASU spring break and also some school districts. The previous poster was right about Fridays typically having lighter traffic in the Phoenix area. A fair number of people have the day off, or perhaps work 4/10's and get done Thursday. Good luck with your move!

[splice40]

Thanks for your input!

Yes, it was on the morning of 3/16. I did think about the possibility of Spring Break thinning it out, but it seemed like maybe Spring Training added some traffic. I did notice that the 143 near 60 was pretty jammed up during one point in the middle of the day. In either case, I guess it just depends on whether or not someone feels like having a wreck on the freeway and tying things up. From what I saw, it looked like 202 moved along better than the 60, but I only have a couple of days experience to base that on.

[aztoco]

Yes, I think that your test run is a bit on the optomistic side, but probably not by too much. My brother is on Dobson/Ray (RIGHT by the 101) and he can't believe how long it takes to get to I-10 and Broadway. Yes, 30 minutes doesn't sound bad, but if you actually look at how close he is to there, it's ridiculous. Surface streets are so bad too in that area.

I live in Gilbert and love it here. Married, with two kids, it fits us perfectly. Someone wrote that people assume you have money if you live in Gilbert, but it's not really like that. It's nicer than the west side of course, but very down to earth people - not the snobbiness like Scottsdale. Homes can range from conservative 200's to custom 600's, so it really varies. Definitely not a redneck area though - that definitely is more like Apache Junction just because of all the trailer parks, etc.

[irwin]

Gilbert is very Mormon I had always heard...probably why people consider it a family place. It's a typical suburb.

[Ponderosa]

Originally Posted by aztoco

It's nicer than the west side of course, but very down to earth people - not the snobbiness like Scottsdale. Homes can range from conservative 200's to custom 600's, so it really varies. .

Oh, please. Not to put down Gilbert, it's a nice place, but the development I live is just as nice (and more expensive)as anything in Gilbert. So is Litchfield Park, Pebble Creek, Vistancia, Verrado and more - all west side locales. Gilbert is just a burb like every other burb around here. It was the hot ticket in the late 90's and now the major action has moved to the west valley where there will be the next "Gilbert", probably Buckeye. And on and on it goes.

[MotleyCrew]

Gilbert nicer than the west side? Ouch. Gilbert would be a pick of ours if we had to live on that side of the jungle, but we found the west side to be more interesting. We like the newer communities and what they were offering new home buyers. I don't really consider Scottsdale snobby either and I love to shop there and have found the people we bump in to very nice. Maybe it depends on where you are hanging in Scottsdale.

[Boatdrinks]

Gilbert is fabulous. It's a great place to raise kids, everything is new, and people are very nice here. I wouldn't go as far as saying it's nicer then the west valley - there are beautiful parts of the west valley too and it's all a matter of taste. Personally I prefer the east valley, but that's just my opinion. I like that we have so many highways here - the 60, 202, 101 and 10. They're also widening the 60 which will help a lot. And this is kind of dumb, but I love that the highways in the east valley are decorated with all those cool murals. It just seems prettier here, overall, to me. JMO

Are you moving into the new Taylor Woodrow development on that corner? Or the one across from it? Either way, it's a great location. You're very close to the 202, to the SuperTarget shopping center, and the two new, high-end malls at Val Vista and the 202 and Greenfield and Williams Field (santanvillage.com is the Greenfield mall).

As for the "Gilbert is very Mormon" comment - it's not a relevant issue, IMO. There are many different religions and churches in Gilbert.

Gilbert's a great place to live and raise a family.