Relocating from VA - job and real estate market ?? (Phoenix: middle-class, house)

[procwaad]

Hey all - I am considering relocating from Northern VA to the Phoenix area (we have relatives in Gilbert) next spring. Does anyone have any information on what school districts are decent in the Gilbert/Chandler area? Also, how is the market doing for real estate - it looks like things are a bit flat, but either way a lot cheaper than here! We purchased a home 2 years ago for $260K and sold it 18 months later for $580K, and moved up into our currrent which is about $800K, so it seems affordable to pick up a $350K home with a pool in Gilbert, but I just do not have a great feel for where prices are going (will the same home be $450K next year?). Also, the salaries do not seem a ton lower there - I spoke with a company today that did not balk at $110K/yr which is a cut from salaries here, but not a 50% cut or anything, more like 30%. Any help will be most appreciated!!

[Andre5140]

Procwaad: Check out my most recent post in the "Relo from Mich...lots of ??" thread. It might be of some help to you, albeit it was catered to a more middle-class income.

Consider also: Fountain Hills, Cave Creek, and northern parts of Scottsdale.

And yes...coming from Michigan, I can attest to AZ wages being much lower. I guess you have to consider the weather and the fact that they don't need to offer tons of money when people are flocking there.

Best of luck to you.

[procwaad]

Thanks, Andre - I will check that out - everything I have read about Gilbert/Chandler, etc. seems pretty positive, so hopefully everything works out. Thanks again!

[JMX]

Originally Posted by procwaad

...so it seems affordable to pick up a $350K home with a pool in Gilbert, but I just do not have a great feel for where prices are going (will the same home be $450K next year?).

$350K for a home with a pool in Gilbert sounds about right. I don't think you'll see it at $450K next year though (that's a 29% gain). I'm guessing we'll see a 7-10% rise, or maybe 15% if we're lucky.

[Boatdrinks]

You can find a house for 350K with a pool in Gilbert....depends on how big you want it, how new, which neighborhood, etc, but you can definitely find it. Gilbert is a great place to live and raise a family. We moved here from NoVa and have been very happy here. You'll find the lifestyle to be completely different from NoVa. For most people, work isn't their number one priority as it is in the DC area. For the most part, people here in Gilbert don't drive straight into their garages, never to be seen until they drive out again in the morning to go to work like in DC. There are tons of kids, people are friendly (MUCH friendlier then in DC), everything is pretty and new, compared to DC traffic, Phoenix traffic is a breeze, cost of living is lower - it's really great. Salaries are slightly lower, but not as much as you'd expect. And with real estate being drastically lower, you'll make out better in the end.

Chandler and Gilbert both have great schools (check greatschools.net for comparisons to VA schools, etc). We have had huge population increases here, so schools are bursting at the seams and they're scrambling to build new ones to keep up. However, I rarely meet anyone who's not happy with the education their kids are getting.

The Phoenix area gets a bad rap on this board - obviously AZ isn't for everyone, but neither is DC or Denver, or Boise. However, we've been very happy since we moved here and haven't regretted it at all. I do miss many things on the east coast, and we'll actually probably be moving back east due to work, but I'll be very sad if we do leave - we really like it here.

Best of luck to you.

[sheena]

Originally Posted by procwaad

Hey all - I am considering relocating from Northern VA to the Phoenix area (we have relatives in Gilbert) next spring. Does anyone have any information on what school districts are decent in the Gilbert/Chandler area? Also, how is the market doing for real estate - it looks like things are a bit flat, but either way a lot cheaper than here! We purchased a home 2 years ago for $260K and sold it 18 months later for $580K, and moved up into our currrent which is about $800K, so it seems affordable to pick up a $350K home with a pool in Gilbert, but I just do not have a great feel for where prices are going (will the same home be $450K next year?). Also, the salaries do not seem a ton lower there - I spoke with a company today that did not balk at $110K/yr which is a cut from salaries here, but not a 50% cut or anything, more like 30%. Any help will be most appreciated!!

Gilbert is a nice nice place. I was pretty impressed with the Gilbert school district especially in the Highland High area. You can find a home for 350,000 and don't expect a 100,000 increase in one year, those days are over the boat left. Your lucky if it doesn't continue to drop a little more. Phoenix has low wages compared to just about anywhere.

[SpeedyAZ]

Gilbert and Chandler are great areas; very good for young professionals or a family. Both have great schools, tons of recreational activities, and the commute is do-able. Everyone that I know who lives in either city loves it there and the real estate is very affordable. $350,000 should get you a nice home in either city probably a newer one with all the features.

Chandler is quickly becoming more and more upscale. The quality of life is great, school's are top-notch, and most people seem to want to move there. You don't have the "entry fee" of Scottsdale either. I'd definetly check out Chandler if I was moving here but don't expect a $100K/ year gain on your home.

[MicheleVanDetti]

Gilbert, Chandler, and Southeast Mesa are all great areas. Most of the Southeast Mesa area is in the Gilbert school district, so you're getting Mesa's lower taxes and Gilbert's great schools. It's a win-win for sure. It just depends what you are looking for. You can find a great home for 350 with a pool, it just depends what you want. Moderator cut: Realtor site

It's definatley a buyer's market here right now. We're expecting things to be pretty level throughout 07 and start moving again in 08. I don't expect 20-30percent appriciation rates, but I wouldn't be surprised to see double digits. It's just a great place to live and still relativley affordable.

[procwaad]

Thanks, everyone - this is very helpful! I think Gilbert area is where we will focus, now really just need to see what we are willing to spend (and if I can sell this house here