moving to arizona,to work in downtown phoenix (Gilbert, Surprise: houses, invest)

[sheena]

Originally Posted by amoeba

Thank you all for your input.

I would like your input on the are that is to the north-east o the I-17 and loop 101 intersection in the zip code 85085.
i found some homes that we like and i think that we might check out that area when we come down to phoenix.

Ok take the express bus then if you can. I live in Charlotte now and have been taking the express bus here to uptown Charlotte and it's like the other Phoenix poster said just profeassional people. I just don't like downtown Phoenix that's probably why I just wouldn't go down there. That's just me.

[CentralPhxLvr]

I think the gentleman who recommended the North-Central corridor was most realistic but overall, you have received some good advice. Except for the comic who recommended Arcadia where $1 million is the average price.

But first and foremost, don't be in too much of a rush to buy property in a new state. You will only know if the neighborhood and commute are acceptable once you have spent some time here.

I went through the Open House listings last weekend and sad to say, the $200-300K price range was not well represented.

[amoeba]

Hello all,
Just for discussion, How well do you think will a Light rail system work for people in Phoenix. I heard from many of my friends who have been to phoenix that the meentality of people is still to live in big houses away from downtown areas, crib about driving however not willing to give up. do you think this view will ever change in a place like phoenix

[KCHere]

We're sort of in the same boat as the person who started this thread. We are looking for good schools and want to spend around 300K. What can you get in North Centra Phoenix? Also, looking at maps, what's a good benchmark for commute times? Looking at Peoria, for instance, there are parts of Peoria that look like they're practically Glendale, and parts that are Sun City. So it's hard to figure these things. Or Tempe -- same thing. We've heard good things about Kyrene School District and Peoria as well. And Madison, but that looks to be out of our price range.

What would anyone suggest?

[balderdash]

Hi All,

Phoenix does have affordable housing. The problem is that people here like a lot of space, walk in closets, 3 or 4 car garages, etc. These homes are more expensive. There are some infill homes here and there in some rather nice quieter areas of Phoenix. Infill meaning that the old homes in several blocks are torn down and new homes built on same lots. Osborn & 3rd Street did that about 10 years ago and the homes appreciated nicely and are probably still affordable, at under $300k. They are not new, and not 3000 sq ft. They do have yards though.

How well light rail will work is yet to be seen, but I rode the express bus from Tempe to downtown Phoenix daily to work and found it to be the most relaxing and fun way to beat the commute. Many employers are willing to subsidize the cost (or like mine did - pay it all completely). The seats were nice the buses were overall on time, and clean, and the people riding were all professionals so it was great for networking, etc. When the bus did break down for whatever reason, we were taken care of, and the repairs were on them, not out of my savings. When the fuel prices went up, the buses were full. As soon as the fuel prices stabilized or went back down, the ridership fell. Even before the high gas prices, there was standing room only at times. Us regulars wondered what would make someone want to sit in traffic all alone day in and day out and burn the gas, and get angry at the major and continual delays. Some of the bus riders would actually fall asleep on the way home (and probably on the way in). Believe me, once a person gets used to the bus, we all think it's a hardship to have to drive and pay to park.

So, if people are smart, they will try the light rail with an open mind. Decide they like it, or don't, and those that do will fill the light rail and smile all the way to the bank, and the others will continue to shout, honk, flash their hand guns, etc. and grow old sitting in their cars, just like the competition sitting in the next lane trying to move a few inches, waiting to cut someone off rather than give them a chance to move over.

Phoenix is a wonderful place to live if you don't have to commute. It's a big city with it's problems, but a lot newer and cleaner than any of the other top 5 largest cities in the US.

Great discussion here on this thread.

[jco]

Originally Posted by amoeba

Me and my wife plan to move to arizona. Our jobs are in downtown phoenix.Could anyone suggest good areas to live where we could buy a house .Our price range is $200K-$300k.we looked into the areas of buckeye, surprise ,laveen. Could anyone give us some pointers.

thanks

It seems from your other posts that you're willing to drive farther to get more for your money in the house. I, too, have to recommend crossing off Laveen. I've never lived in Buckeye, but we have friends that live at the I-10 and Cotton Ln. They really like it out there, although there is little there as far as gas stations, supermarkets, etc. I live in Surprise and there are ways of getting through traffic much faster, but everyone's right... we're a ways out here! I tested several ways and taking surface streets is the best bet. You can PM me if you want my little turn-by-turn trick to getting there faster. I'd say that you'll want to be in east Surprise if you're going into Phoenix. I think the best part of Surprise for commuters and those not wanting to buy into the old Surprise where houses went for 100k need to stay South of Greenway, North of Olive, West of Litchfield and East of Reems (there's a lot that's nice and new west of Reems, but it's just a longer commute from that area).

[sablebaby]

Originally Posted by KCHere

We're sort of in the same boat as the person who started this thread. We are looking for good schools and want to spend around 300K. What can you get in North Centra Phoenix? Also, looking at maps, what's a good benchmark for commute times? Looking at Peoria, for instance, there are parts of Peoria that look like they're practically Glendale, and parts that are Sun City. So it's hard to figure these things. Or Tempe -- same thing. We've heard good things about Kyrene School District and Peoria as well. And Madison, but that looks to be out of our price range.

What would anyone suggest?

All of the cities you mention are next to each other and oftentimes you will never really know which one your in. We have nothing separating our cities to make it easy to know where you are. Phx metro is just ONE large suburb city. You can find a lot more for $300k these days, all over the valley. Take a trip out and just drive all over until you find an area that feels like home. I think that's the only way to do it.

[yukon]

People first turned up their noses at the idea of light rail in Dallas, but once it was built, the first leg was so successful they were able to expand the schedule and lower the fares. The voters in years since have approved at least two extensions to the transit sales tax (that I know of, they may have approved more) and Dallas has a very good transit system now. It just takes time and educating the consumer. One of the reasons I'm considering moving to Phoenix is because of the planned light rail.

[nitram]

If you're working downtown Phoenix, anywhere in the central area is preferred, especially if you live near the rail system.
Anywhere else is a crapshoot as the traffic is a mess in any direction.

[jjguthrie]

We looked for a couple years and everything was either too pricey or too far out from everything. We decided on Peoria, just next to Glendale, about 1 mile from the Arrowhead Mall and close to all kinds of shopping and restaurants. We paid $230 for a 3 bdm 2 ba 2-c gar Ranch in a gated community with a pool, only 1 1/2 yrs. old. Great area, safe for bike riding, walking the dog at night, etc. It's called Running Horse at Arrowhead, just off of 75th a little south of Bell road. Take a look! They offer several different models, including two stories. good luck.