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Old 05-03-2009, 01:50 PM
 
Location: Cold Canada
62 posts, read 135,428 times
Reputation: 12

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I'll be in phoenix in two weeks for the first time, with my wife and young child, and I'm just wondering what the really, really bad area's are that we should avoid even driving through, if there are any, etc. Just don't want to wind up breaking down in some ghetto....
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Old 05-03-2009, 03:29 PM
 
Location: Scottsdale, Arizona
1,270 posts, read 5,206,908 times
Reputation: 1131
You'll be fine. Now where I moved from (Cleveland) we had plenty of places like that. Seriously. We went out with some folks from work and had to cut thru a nasty neighborhood to get to the destination. We were told (this was before the age where everyone had a cell phone): "Even the police will not pull you over in this part of town being young white females-they will escort you back to the police station. Do not stop for anyone. Even if someone hits your vehicle-keep your windows rolled up and keep moving and drive straight to the police station at X street. Red lights are optional if there is no oncoming traffic." I am not kidding. And they were right! Folks walking out in the STREET carrying handguns, children in diapers playing unsupervised in traffic, folks living in homes without windows or doors. That was probably the scariest 10 minutes of my life.

The good news for you: I don't believe Phoenix does. Granted there are some "less than inspiring" neighborhoods, but just driving through you would be ok.

Take your hints from the scenery: if you see nice landscaping, plenty of people mulling about and nicely dressed, filled parking lots, clean walkways-get out and walk around if you want. If you see trash and broken down vehicles and tons of graffiti and bars on windows, payday loan places and strip bars lol, empty lots, a few "questionnable" characters walking around, broken up signs etc-you will be ok driving thru, but I probably wouldnt stop for lunch with the family without knowing the area.

And another point of note: back in Cleveland, neighborhoods transitioned very gradually over long distances. Out here, neighborhoods can transition within a couple blocks. So even if you arent entirely comfortable with the area, just keep driving a few minutes and you'll be somewhere you are.

Hope you enjoy your visit!
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Old 05-03-2009, 03:38 PM
 
Location: Denver, CO
1,627 posts, read 4,216,816 times
Reputation: 1783
Literally south of the railroad tracks downtown can be a little hairy for a few miles, and a few areas downtown can feel sketchy late at night (lots of homeless and former mental hospital patients), but I've never actually been bothered by anybody.

Most of the problem areas scattered around town I think you're highly unlikely to travel through on your way anywhere. For starters, if you stay on the main streets and avenues, you're usually pretty safe (and probably at more risk from summer road rage on the freeways.)

Anyway, overall it's not that bad so unless someone else has a specific area I didn't think of, I wouldn't worry about it too much. Phoenix is a town that is all about starting in one place, being on a major road for a while, and then being in another place. If you know where you're going (and it's really easy to navigate Phoenix) you shouldn't have a problem.
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Old 05-04-2009, 07:37 AM
 
Location: Cold Canada
62 posts, read 135,428 times
Reputation: 12
that's great guys, I appreciate the info. We're staying in scottsdale but we're planning on driving out to the goodyear/avondale areas and I don't think we'll have any reason to go through downtown.
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Old 05-04-2009, 08:59 AM
 
Location: Metro Phoenix, AZ USA
17,914 posts, read 43,391,186 times
Reputation: 10726
Other than driving through downtown on I 10, no, you won't. You will be fine.
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Old 05-04-2009, 12:14 PM
 
Location: Scottsdale, AZ
82 posts, read 210,371 times
Reputation: 54
Sean, Are you moving here or just visiting?
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Old 05-07-2009, 05:53 PM
 
117 posts, read 293,474 times
Reputation: 87
Van Buren Street, unless you want to see prostitiues, pimps, crackheads, and weirdos. Oh and you definitely won't want to park on the freeway if your vehice looks like a photo radar van, everyone hates those things and God knows who what people will do.
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Old 05-07-2009, 10:30 PM
 
Location: Cold Canada
62 posts, read 135,428 times
Reputation: 12
hehe that's a great idea. I'll rent a minivan and tell the wife we're going to play a little game the locals play called Park & Picture, then get her to snap pictures of people driving by.......should make for an entertaining trip....
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Old 05-07-2009, 10:31 PM
 
Location: Cold Canada
62 posts, read 135,428 times
Reputation: 12
Quote:
Originally Posted by NJ2AZSusan View Post
Sean, Are you moving here or just visiting?
we're coming down for a vacation/job interview. Won't know till the interview if we're moving or not.
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Old 05-07-2009, 10:41 PM
 
Location: Metro Phoenix, AZ USA
17,914 posts, read 43,391,186 times
Reputation: 10726
Unfortunately, Sean, there's nothng funny about the phoro radar van issue, after an operator was shot and killed in a van parked beside a freeway a week or so ago.

Good luck with the interview!!! Hope everything works out the best for you!
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