Best Phoenix Neighborhoods for NY transplants (Scottsdale, Tempe: home, buy, school districts)

[gsheridan]

Thanks again everyone for all the info. I've been busy and haven't even had time to
follow up on all the info everyone has responded with.

It sounds like Ahwatukee, Arcadia, Biltmore, Tempe, and some of the neighborhoods
in Scottsdale/Northern Scottsdale(like McCormick Ranch, McDowell Mountain Ranch, and
Grayhawk) might be our best bets.

Since I've already sparked a mini religious war in the desert, I thought I'd proceed to politics:-)
Just kidding. Seriously though, I am interested in the kind of people I might find in these
neighborhoods. I know we can only deal with big generalizations here, but I'm wondering
what the political leanings are in some of the areas discussed in this thread. I'm not so
interested in who people voted for. Maybe it's not even politics I'm talking about. I guess
what I'm looking for is a place where people are open-minded, or at the very least,
intellectually curious enough to consider opposing views.

I don't need to live near people who think exactly the way I do. I'm definitely a minority
in my neighborhood politically, and on many practical issues, and I still get along well with
everyone. But it would be nice to live around people who share some of my values. I think
I'm right smack in the middle. I'm an atheist, not homophobic at all, pro-choice, and seriously
concerned about the environment - sounds like a lefty, right? But, on the other hand, I feel
like our culture is kind of filthy, and classless. I wish I could stop people from creating the
garbage they dream up for our kids to watch on TV. I wouldn't condone government control
of such things, but the idea of trying to eliminate some of the bad influences in our culture is probably much more appealing to me than many on the far left.

Also, the far left's approach to international affairs makes me very nervous. I think they're
politically correct to the point of insanity, and although I agree with their willingness to look
at things from the other side's point of view, and engage people we disagree with, I think they
sometimes take it to such extremes that it borders on naiveté - some people really are ruthless
and looking to hurt us, and no amount of sweet talking and owning up to our sins is going to
convince them otherwise.

Sorry for the rant - I just wanted to convey a little bit about where I am politically. I don't
need to live with people who share all my views. I don't now, but I just wouldn't want to live
in any area that was really extreme either way. And practical things are probably more important
than politics, anyway.

For example, where I live, people are kind of obsessed with their houses. I'm all for being in nice
surroundings, but it seems like that's the most important thing in many people's lives. Of course
they all care about their kids, but they seem overly concerned with material things and how
their lawn looks, etc. I'm not saying I want to live in a shanty town where nobody takes care of
their homes. It's just depressing to see people spend every spare minute of free time they have
cutting their lawn and planning the next upgrade on their house. This economic downturn has helped
a little, but I feel like 90% of the conversations I've had with neighbors over the past few years has
been nothing but suburban home improvement chatter.

I think my wife is leaning toward Scottsdale/North Scottsdale, but all the talk of fake boobs and
materialism on this forum has worried me that it's not our kind of place. Tempe sounds a little
more interesting to me. I guess that's where many of the teachers and people who work at the
college live? That sounds like fun to me - living around intellectual types. Does anyone know
if there are certain areas where many of the college employees live? Tempe? Ahwatukee?
Scottsdale?

Any feedback would be very much appreciated. Deciding where to live is a huge decision. It would
be nice to live around interesting people, but in the end, my biggest concerns are the schools my kids go to, and their ability to make friends at school and in the neighborhood.

This forum has been a great find for me. If the people on here are any indication of the friendliness
and helpfulness of people in Phoenix, we're going to love it.

Thanks.

[observer53]

Originally Posted by gsheridan

I think my wife is leaning toward Scottsdale/North Scottsdale, but all the talk of fake boobs and
materialism on this forum has worried me that it's not our kind of place. Tempe sounds a little
more interesting to me. I guess that's where many of the teachers and people who work at the
college live? That sounds like fun to me - living around intellectual types. Does anyone know
if there are certain areas where many of the college employees live? Tempe? Ahwatukee?
Scottsdale?

Any feedback would be very much appreciated. Deciding where to live is a huge decision. It would
be nice to live around interesting people, but in the end, my biggest concerns are the schools my kids go to, and their ability to make friends at school and in the neighborhood.

This forum has been a great find for me. If the people on here are any indication of the friendliness
and helpfulness of people in Phoenix, we're going to love it.

Thanks.

Well, I'm biased, I've lived there for all but two of the last 36 years, but I think you would love Tempe. It has ethnic, cultural and political diversity, very good schools, and yes, the influence of the university on all of that. A lot of university faculty live here. The schools are very good, there are lots of nice family oriented neighborhoods that are attractive but don't reflect people overly obsessed with their yards.

We have good freeway access, the best public transportation system in the Valley, good shopping, nice parks.

Hope you find what you want... your family sounds like the kind of people I'd love to have as neighbors. Feel free to PM me if you need any other info.

[NJ2AZSusan]

Originally Posted by gsheridan

I think my wife is leaning toward Scottsdale/North Scottsdale, but all the talk of fake boobs and
materialism on this forum has worried me that it's not our kind of place.

Any feedback would be very much appreciated. Deciding where to live is a huge decision. It would
be nice to live around interesting people, but in the end, my biggest concerns are the schools my kids go to, and their ability to make friends at school and in the neighborhood.

Fake boobs? What fake boobs? PLEASE do me a favor and read this before you rule out Scottsdale:
Transplants To Phoenix Examiner: Beautiful Scottsdale is more than skin deep

Believe me, I understand where you are coming from as a soon-to-be-ex-New Yorker, but while the whole fake thing is not exactly an urban legend, I do think it is blown out of proportion. There are lots of very nice and down-to-earth people in Scottsdale and it is a great place to live!

[gsheridan]

Observer53,
Thanks very much for the info on Tempe, and for the offer to provide more info.
If you don't mind, I might take you up on that at some point very soon - we might
be flying out this weekend to look at houses and would love to hear what areas of
Tempe you think are best. btw, do you know how long it takes to get from Tempe
to the Desert Ridge area? We'll be visiting a friend there regularly - he's very close
to the intersection of 51 and 101.

Are there nice areas of Tempe close to the highway? I'm sure there are many houses for sale
all over the area, but have you noticed any houses for rent in your area?

Susan, sorry about that. I didn't mean to offend you and the other Scottsdale residents on this board. I threw that comment out there without thinking much about it. I had already read your
article after you posted the info about your site a few days back - thanks for that.

Ironically, I think the "fake boobs" image I had in my head may have come from reading your
article - clearly not your intent, but I've been reading so much about Phoenix, it's all mixed
together in my head at this point. I haven't been out there to look around yet(although I was
in Desert Ridge 2 years ago for a party, and passed through downtown 20 years ago). My wife
has, though, and she really liked the feel of Scottsdale/North Scottsdale - maybe she was in the
"fake boob free zone" of Scottsdale:-) She called me from an outdoor bar in the McDowell Mountain
Ranch area, and said it felt like the kind of place she'd like to live. I'm sure it's a beautiful area -
that's what everyone says. I like to go out to nice restaurants, so I can see myself liking that
aspect of it. I just don't have much of an interest in the "glitterati", as you affectionately referred
to them.

After reading your article again, though, I'm optimistic that there are areas of Scottsdale
that we would be comfortable in. Are there any that you would recommend? My wife already
has a job in Phoenix. I haven't found a job there yet. Since she'll be there alone for at least
the first couple of months, she'll probably win the Tempe/North Scottsdale battle I see in my
not so distant future:-)

Thanks. Can't wait to get out there and look around.

[observer53]

Desert Ridge is about 35-40 minutes from my house in south Tempe if there's no traffic, I am close to the 101 freeway loop, which is a direct route to Desert Ridge.

South Tempe, from Guadalupe Road south, is newest. (ZIP 85284) The Lakes is a lovely area, somewhat further north, ((ZIP 85283) an older, where I lived previous to where I am now. There are some lovely older neighborhoods directly south of the university, very good elem and jr high there (Broadmor/McKemy). North of Guadalupe, it's Tempe Elem Schools, south of there is Kyrene District. One high school dsitrict (Tempe Union)

There may be a house for rent in my area-- (I've been house and friend/sitting for a while and have not spent much time in my neighborhood looking at signs.). I'm in the square half mile between Elliot and Warner and west of McClintock. Lots of nice homes there, and I do see occasional rental signs... (I don't drive the whole area regularly, and don't have a dog to walk right now -- I knew that sort of thing so much better then!)

McDowell Mountain area is pretty, in Scottsdale. Depending on work location, it's a long commute. Take a look in McCormick Ranch and see if there are any rentals... I think you would like that, if you end up with Scottsdale, and it's closer in and sort of "central" to all of Scottsdale-- not far from the north side, if you want to go eat or shop or hike in McDowell Mtn Park. And, the rents MAY be somewhat lower.

The nice thing about renting is that it is not forever. Whereever you start out, you will get to know the general area, and if you find a place you like more, you can change. I know with kids it's harder to move around even within a metro area, but I think ultimately you will love this area, Scottsdale or Tempe.

[NJ2AZSusan]

Originally Posted by gsheridan

I haven't been out there to look around yet(although I was
in Desert Ridge 2 years ago for a party, and passed through downtown 20 years ago). My wife
has, though, and she really liked the feel of Scottsdale/North Scottsdale - maybe she was in the
"fake boob free zone" of Scottsdale:-) She called me from an outdoor bar in the McDowell Mountain
Ranch area, and said it felt like the kind of place she'd like to live. I'm sure it's a beautiful area -
that's what everyone says. I like to go out to nice restaurants, so I can see myself liking that
aspect of it. I just don't have much of an interest in the "glitterati", as you affectionately referred
to them.

After reading your article again, though, I'm optimistic that there are areas of Scottsdale
that we would be comfortable in. Are there any that you would recommend? My wife already
has a job in Phoenix. I haven't found a job there yet. Since she'll be there alone for at least
the first couple of months, she'll probably win the Tempe/North Scottsdale battle I see in my
not so distant future:-)

Thanks. Can't wait to get out there and look around.

I think I probably know the very outdoor bar your wife was calling from! Was it Cafe Portobello by any chance? Great place.
Personally I do like North Scottsdale, which includes McDowell Mountain Ranch. When we were moving out here, we were guided to stay within the triangle outlined by Shea Blvd, the 101 (though back then it was just plain old Pima Road) and Frank Lloyd Wright Blvd. And I am glad we chose to listen. Though McDowell Mountain Ranch falls outside that triangle, it is also a very good area.

And no, I did not take offense at what you said. I just wanted to make sure you knew there is another side to Scottsdale.
It's refreshing to hear a man say he is trying to AVOID being surrounded by fake boobs!

[ivanabacowboy]

We have a lot of nice restaurants and outdoor places to hangout with a drink or meal. This part of town has to have the highest per capita number of both restaurants and grocery stores I have ever seen.

PS All my parts are 100% natural thank you very much lol!

[gsheridan]

Hmmm.... lots of outdoor watering holes and real people with no plastic parts - it's sounding
better and better:-)

Susan, I forgot to ask my wife last night, but I'm sure that was the place. Sounds very nice.

Still deciding whether we should hop on a plane tonight. It's hard to tell how dangerous this
Swine flu thing is. Anyone know if the cases in Arizona have been as mild as the ones in NY?

The biggest risk is probably not going to Arizona(we have cases right here in my county in NY),
but getting on a plane with everyone breathing all over each other. Yuk:-( I'd rather be
surrounded by a bunch of bimbos with fake boobs, babbling about their new cars and big
bank accounts:-)

Not to bring the level of discourse down even further, but we've come this far, so just for the
record - ALL real ones are more beautiful than ALL fake ones.

OK, I said it, now onward and upward.... what museums should I visit when I'm in Phoenix:-)

[observer53]

Plane travel always has the risk of "catching" something, doesn't it? The cases here have been mild, the confirmed ones were never hospitalized, recovered normally, etc. I think the media is not helping with the whole issue.

If you only see one museum while you are here, go to the Heard Museum www.heard.org in central Phoenix. World renowned for Southwestern/Native American art, history,etc. Phoenix Art Museum www.phoenixartmuseum is just down the road, I'm not sure what their major exhibit is now.

You should also, if you can make a trip to the Desert Botanical Garden, which is in Papago Park on the Phoenix/south Scottsdale border. Should be lots of things in bloom, and there is an incredible Chihuly glass sculpture exhibit throughout the garden that is here through May, I think. www.dbg.org .

[gsheridan]

Thanks for all the great info observer53. Turns out my wife wants to wait until next week to fly
out for work reasons, so I'll have to spend another week just reading about Phoenix.

But once I get out there, I plan to hit some of those spots you mentioned. Thanks for all the details
on neighborhoods in Tempe, too.

I've gotten great, detailed info, down to the cross streets from so many people on this forum.
Thanks everyone - I'm going to print this whole thread out before I get out there, so I can check
all the specific areas people have mentioned.