Glendale (Peoria: houses, to buy, elementary schools)

[sablebaby]

I also heard that Goodyear was more wealthy than Scottsdale. I really think that PV is wealthier than Arrowhead. (nothing to back that up).

[ajgranda]

I can't wait to spend time in Scottsdale and the entire Pheonix area next month. I will make sure to comment on my true experiences, good and bad. Also, look up Goodyear on City-data or Sperling's best places, it is not wealthier than Scottsdale by any means.

[brittZ]

I spent my junior high and High school years and early 20's in Belair which is at 45th ave and Bell rd. The school there is Belair elementary, the junior high is Desert Sky, and Deer Valley HS. It is a great community built around a golf course and is not quite as affluent as Arrowhead Ranch but probably a better deal. I own a 2100sq ft 4bd house with a 12000sq ft lot on the golf course and it is worth $280-300. Compare that to what you find in Arrowhead. Overall the entire area is great. in 26 years we have never locked the front door of the house and never once had any type of problem. It is also close to both I-17 and the 101.

[Ponderosa]

Originally Posted by ajgranda

Guess who's back with his negative comments on Scottsdale. Here we go again........... I can't wait to spend time in Scottsdale and the entire Pheonix area next month. I will make sure to comment on my true experiences, good and bad. Also, look up Goodyear on City-data or Sperling's best places, it is not wealthier than Scottsdale by any means.

Goodyear is sometimes cited as having the highest median income in the Phoenix area in the papers and such. I looked at the figures for Scottsdale and Goodyear in 2005 and was surprised to see that it is indeed slightly higher in Goodyear. I don't think that translates to the wealthiest -the wealthiest people here tend to live in North Scottsdale and Paradise Valley - but it should suggest to people looking for places to live that you don't have to restrict your search to Scottsdale. There are nice places to live throughout. Focus on the commute.

In any case, the topic is Glendale not Scottsdale or Goodyear.

[brittZ]

Scottsdale is a nice place but my guess and only my guess is that inspite of the higher incomes many of the people in Scottsdale would be bankrupt if their credit cards and car loans suddenly became due. Sure their are many people in Scottsdale that are truly wealthy, but the vast majority live in debt up to their eye teeth just so they can say they live in Scottsdale. You will find people with far more actuall wealth in many other partsof the city such as the Central Corridoor, Northwest Glendale, Cave Creek/Carefree, and a few other locations.

I guess the difference is whether you measure wealth by debt and brand labels or money in the bank and networth.

[sugarlips]

We used to live in glendale - north of Arrowhead Ranch (zip code 85310). At the time, it was a nice secluded neighborhood. It's called Entrada North. We had a small mountain to the directly to the east and reservation to the north. I often drive by the "old house" on visits to the valley. Other than lots of new homes to the west, the neighborhood still looks the same. From what I understand, the area has good schools but more research would need to be done...don't take my word on it.

We are just kicking ourselves that we sold that house years. We only paid $117k brand new in '98. I wonder what it's worth these days?

[Creflo]

We are moving from out of state and are considering two rental houses. One is located near 67th Avenue and Bell Rd. and the other is north of 101 in Hillcrest subdivision (Louise Drive). We are leaning towards the lower cost one near Bell Road. Is 67th and Bell too far south to still be a safe area?

[sablebaby]

Originally Posted by Creflo

We are moving from out of state and are considering two rental houses. One is located near 67th Avenue and Bell Rd. and the other is north of 101 in Hillcrest subdivision (Louise Drive). We are leaning towards the lower cost one near Bell Road. Is 67th and Bell too far south to still be a safe area?

The house near Bell looks like an older one. I have an associate that just moved there and I guess likes it, but it was a lot cheaper than the rest of the area. The Hillcrest is a VERY nice area and is HIGHLY suggested. What is the difference in price? Just remember, you get what you pay for!! But I think the bell one is still a fairly safe area, but really don't know. The more south you go it gets pretty run down. Another mile south and it's mobile homes.

[Creflo]

Difference in price is $75/mo. Advantage to Bell seems to be the access to restaraunts & grocery (and the community pool). One of us will be attending Midwestern so we are trying to stay as close as possbile without spending too much on rent. Do you know if it's possible to ride a bike to Midwestern from either location on back roads? Also, we are a bit more urban oriented and are worried about being stuck in suburbia with nothing around. Thanks for the advice.

[sablebaby]

Wow, it's only a $75 difference? I'd take Hillcrest, hands down!!! There is plenty of shopping around there and it's a very easy bike ride to Midwestern. Since the school is on 59th ave and both of the homes you are looking at are on 67th ave, you will have some safe streets to ride on. You will have to go over the freeway from the north but then you can take the freeway frontage road to 59th ave, then you're almost there. I think it would be fine, just look where the cars are as it gets busy. I think it's closer from Hillcrest also. There's also a Bashas and a Walgreens next door (walking distance) and a Safeway down the street, with lots of other shops.

Well, north Glendale is suburbia for sure. There's LOTS of shopping all around. We are just one shopping strip after another. In the Phx metro areas we are not like other suburbs from other parts of the country where you have to drive far to get to shopping. We have shopping on every corner of every major roadway. We just have so many people that we need every little bit of shopping and restaurants. Other than shopping and eating, there's not much else to do, except go to a movie. If you like going on mtn trails then you're in luck. But for other things, everyone just drives. If you find something in Tempe to do then you'll drive there. Most people don't have a problem driving all over for things to do. Some will just complain that it's too far. But that's just phx.

Good luck and if you have any other questions, just ask! If you need any info of the areas I can always find out as I drive through that area all the time now (I'm moving my office over to that general area as we speak).