We're going to rent for awhile, but where? (Phoenix, Scottsdale: renter, mortgage broker)

[military spouse]

Thanks to everyone's responses on another thread, we've decided to rent for 6 months to 1 year. We're leaning toward Gilbert or Goodyear. Hubby will be working at Sky Harbor and we don't want an out-of-the-ordinary commute for the area, but I'm guessing 30-45 minutes is common. We would like a 3 bedroom, newer or heavily remodeled, 3 car-garage house. We would like a clean, friendly neighborhood with lots of kids. We would like to be close to a YMCA for swim team for our daughter and close to shopping. Actually, we would like to be REALLY close. Care to throw out any ideas on neighborhoods? Ideally, I would like to stay below $1,500 a month, but that would be negotiable for a really nice house. Hubby enjoys cycling and would like to be in an area where that is safe and easily accessible, but this is not mandatory. Hubby would work Mon-Fri at Sky Harbor.

[ibarrio]

Check Craigslist for rentals. And then match the homes available to the amenities you need (YMCA,Etc)...All can be found with a google search.

[Vinny536]

i like maricopa. nice new community, tons resonably priced of rentals available but its at least a 15 minute drive to about everything.


where in PA? i'm originally from wilkes-barre

[moughie]

Originally Posted by military spouse

Thanks to everyone's responses on another thread, we've decided to rent for 6 months to 1 year. We're leaning toward Gilbert or Goodyear. Hubby will be working at Sky Harbor and we don't want an out-of-the-ordinary commute for the area, but I'm guessing 30-45 minutes is common. We would like a 3 bedroom, newer or heavily remodeled, 3 car-garage house. We would like a clean, friendly neighborhood with lots of kids. We would like to be close to a YMCA for swim team for our daughter and close to shopping. Actually, we would like to be REALLY close. Care to throw out any ideas on neighborhoods? Ideally, I would like to stay below $1,500 a month, but that would be negotiable for a really nice house. Hubby enjoys cycling and would like to be in an area where that is safe and easily accessible, but this is not mandatory. Hubby would work Mon-Fri at Sky Harbor.

I suggest Ahwatukee ( southeast valley).

Good strong elementary, middle and high schools, pleasant community, a great YMCA and a wonderful 2 years old Pecos Community Pool and park open to all for free!!!

Check ahwatukee foothills newspaper on line for rentals.

Good luck to you!

[azsundevil]

Arcadia is a wonderul neighborhood. Nice mature area with excellent schools, close commute and the famous Brophy Swim Team (year round competitve)
Brophy Sports Campus is nearby. Plus all the shopping and dining of both Old Town Scottsdale and the Biltmore areas. Not to mention they have their own neighborhood market, coffee shop, pizzeria and wine bar. The three car garage may prove difficult as most of the homes are older ranch style homes. It may be worth the trade off though! You can find out alot about the neighborhood in their community paper Arcadia News - Your Source For Neighborhood News Since 1993 Their is a wonderful sense of community and the neighbors are very active in maintaining a great family neighborhood. You can defitinitly get a decent house for under $1500 a month.

[Huckleberry3911948]

Originally Posted by military spouse

Thanks to everyone's responses on another thread, we've decided to rent for 6 months to 1 year. We're leaning toward Gilbert or Goodyear. Hubby will be working at Sky Harbor and we don't want an out-of-the-ordinary commute for the area, but I'm guessing 30-45 minutes is common. We would like a 3 bedroom, newer or heavily remodeled, 3 car-garage house. We would like a clean, friendly neighborhood with lots of kids. We would like to be close to a YMCA for swim team for our daughter and close to shopping. Actually, we would like to be REALLY close. Care to throw out any ideas on neighborhoods? Ideally, I would like to stay below $1,500 a month, but that would be negotiable for a really nice house. Hubby enjoys cycling and would like to be in an area where that is safe and easily accessible, but this is not mandatory. Hubby would work Mon-Fri at Sky Harbor.

solicited advice where?
i know 3 tenants that have paid off all my mortgages.
i am so appreciative but i still keep charging them rent.
the only thing that happens with a renter is they get older, get a few more toys than me, usually new cars and big entertainment systems, and a few more parties and good times than me. they eat fewer tortilla and bean meals than me. actually now that all mortgages are paid, i cut back on the tortillas and beans.
not to appear too much the bad guy, but my motive is pure. its to encourage you to continue to be an owner rather than a renter.
so the advice is rent nowhere.
stephen s
san diego ca

[sirwinston73]

Goodyear to Sky Harbor airport will be a brutal commute, much longer than 45 mins and that stretch of I-10 is only getting worse by the day!

[sirwinston73]

Originally Posted by Bunky39

solicited advice where?
i know 3 tenants that have paid off all my mortgages.
i am so appreciative but i still keep charging them rent.
the only thing that happens with a renter is they get older, get a few more toys than me, usually new cars and big entertainment systems, and a few more parties and good times than me. they eat fewer tortilla and bean meals than me. actually now that all mortgages are paid, i cut back on the tortillas and beans.
not to appear too much the bad guy, but my motive is pure. its to encourage you to continue to be an owner rather than a renter.
so the advice is rent nowhere.
stephen s
san diego ca

Stephen,

For your "advice" you appear to be entirely ignorant of fundamentals and a little something important to investors called the P/E.

Right now it is cheaper to rent than buy. Like it or not it's cheaper.

In addition the Phoenix market isn't predicted to hit bottom until about 2009. Yes, in the long run "owning" is better (I put it in quotes because until you pay a house off in full you're just renting from the bank); however, when a house is going to be cheaper next month or next year, buying it today is S-T-U-P-I-D.

In addition, buying in a new city one doesn't know is really dumb. And it's especially dumb in a down market where you won't be able to get rid of your house if you decide you want to move. When I moved to Arizona I was told I'd love north Scottsdale so I moved there and boy did I hate it. Glad I rented and could bail out quickly.

7 years of living in Phoenix/Scottsdale left me with the impression that "owning" there is mostly about ego and status rather than fundamentals and your post only further solidified that for me. Either that or you're a realtor or mortgage broker, if there are any still in business.

[GirlinAZ]

If you are a nonsmoker, could you move downstairs? I would like to keep the windows open this year-haven't been able to for about 4 years now thanks to the smokers around me. Can't you people keep your cancer smoke INSIDE your dwelling? Why must it waft up into my window? Why can't we pass a law allowing for nonsmoking buildings for long terms rentals? Grrr.
This should have been its own thread. Sorry bout that.

[Huckleberry3911948]

Originally Posted by sirwinston73

Stephen,

For your "advice" you appear to be entirely ignorant of fundamentals and a little something important to investors called the P/E.

Right now it is cheaper to rent than buy. Like it or not it's cheaper.

In addition the Phoenix market isn't predicted to hit bottom until about 2009. Yes, in the long run "owning" is better (I put it in quotes because until you pay a house off in full you're just renting from the bank); however, when a house is going to be cheaper next month or next year, buying it today is S-T-U-P-I-D.

In addition, buying in a new city one doesn't know is really dumb. And it's especially dumb in a down market where you won't be able to get rid of your house if you decide you want to move. When I moved to Arizona I was told I'd love north Scottsdale so I moved there and boy did I hate it. Glad I rented and could bail out quickly.

7 years of living in Phoenix/Scottsdale left me with the impression that "owning" there is mostly about ego and status rather than fundamentals and your post only further solidified that for me. Either that or you're a realtor or mortgage broker, if there are any still in business.

wow. yes sir. did you want fries that?
stephen s
san diego ca