Living near or around the ballpark (Chase Field). (Phoenix, Tempe: relocation, transplants)

[MidwestIrish]

Please provide some information on the neighborhood near or around Chase Field. (Is there a distinct neighborhood?) I have not seen any discussion on this area. I would be looking to rent an apartment for around $800 per month. Any feedback would be appreciated.

(Side note: this discussion board is pretty negative on Phoenix. Is it that bad?)

[Steve-o]

Originally Posted by MidwestIrish

Please provide some information on the neighborhood near or around Chase Field. (Is there a distinct neighborhood?) I have not seen any discussion on this area. I would be looking to rent an apartment for around $800 per month. Any feedback would be appreciated.

(Side note: this discussion board is pretty negative on Phoenix. Is it that bad?)

Ive only been down there twice so Im sure someone whos been there more than I have can help out. There were some new nice lofts/condo things going in not far from Chase, but Im sure theyre a bit more expensive than $800 a month. The neighborhood immediately outside of downtown is quite run-down. Lots of homeless in the area, but it didnt look too unsafe, just a little uncomfortable. I also noticed an abundance of Spanish storefronts, leading me to believe the area has a large Hispanic population, which isnt a bad thing but some people just dont want to live in it. You might want to look into Tempe.

[sablebaby]

Originally Posted by Steve-o

Ive only been down there twice so Im sure someone whos been there more than I have can help out. There were some new nice lofts/condo things going in not far from Chase, but Im sure theyre a bit more expensive than $800 a month. The neighborhood immediately outside of downtown is quite run-down. Lots of homeless in the area, but it didnt look too unsafe, just a little uncomfortable. I also noticed an abundance of Spanish storefronts, leading me to believe the area has a large Hispanic population, which isnt a bad thing but some people just dont want to live in it. You might want to look into Tempe.

All true from my experiences of downtown. There are many new developments down there, but yes, they will be MUCH more than $800/month. The area isn't all bad, and is kept up clean. However, go over a couple of blocks and it's rundown. I do know if you go up Central a few miles (say, indian school) you can find some nice places (unless they have all gone condo) that are in your price range. Then the new light rail (next year) can take you to the ballpark. But, maybe there's someone else that is more familiar with the area than I?

I'd say most things said on this forum are pretty true, even if negative, and I'm a native. It used to be a lot better, but with the influx of people, it just got out of control. But I'm sure there are people who really like it here. I don't mind it as much as I used to. I just haven't found another place yet. Whenever we go away for an extended trip, I have found myself eventually really missing phx. It's my home.

[silverbear]

Originally Posted by MidwestIrish

Please provide some information on the neighborhood near or around Chase Field. (Is there a distinct neighborhood?) I have not seen any discussion on this area. I would be looking to rent an apartment for around $800 per month. Any feedback would be appreciated.

(Side note: this discussion board is pretty negative on Phoenix. Is it that bad?)

Downtown housing is in transition. There are some new loft and condominium complexes under construction, but those are fairly upscale and expensive. There are some nice apartment complexes downtown, too, but $800 may be a little low for rent, and many apartment complexes have recently converted to condos. A friend lived for a while at the Post Roosevelt complex and was very pleased, but I don't know the rent. As you travel outward from downtown, you will find some less expensive apartments, but be careful because some (not all) are in dodgy areas. If Downtown doesn't work out, I would suggest continuing your search north along Central Avenue into Midtown and northeast toward the Biltmore area. You'll find some good complexes there with easy access to Downtown.

There's an interesting article about Downtown development in today's Arizona Republic:

http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/0408downtown0408.html (broken link)

As for the negativity, I suggest the following explanations:

-- Phoenix attracts a huge number of transplants. Not everyone relocates successfully; some never stop comparing their new city to their cities of origin, and as a result remain chronically unhappy until they leave. Other miss their hometowns, families, etc., but vent their discontent by criticizing their new city. In any high-growth city, the high number of new arrivals is partially offset by a high number of departures. That's actually a good thing since without that offset, population growth would be unmanageable.

-- I've been astonished by the number of people on these boards who contemplate relocations to places they have never visited. That's never a good idea. Some of the most negative voices on this board seem to be people who came to Phoenix without sufficient advance knowledge of the city. They may now feel a duty to warn others. In actuality, that energy might be better expended learning to appreciate Phoenix on its own terms.

-- Phoenix has changed so quickly that the city of 2007 is strikingly different from the city of 1997, 1987, etc. As a result, some natives and long-term residents no longer feel comfortable in a city they once liked. If you're going to be happy in Phoenix, you have to be comfortable with constant growth and change.

Phoenix has worked well for me for nearly two decades, but it's certainly not for everyone. Do your research and by all means visit before making any decisions.

[HX_Guy]

You're not going to find much at that price range. I just ran a quick MLS search for the area and it going to cost around $1100 at a minimum (plus HOA fees) for a 750 ft loft in the Orpheum Lofts, which is really about the only thing available that came up.

[innergize]

We own at Orpheum, and when we lease it we pay the HOA fees. Most owners due in condos, lofts.

[Dime49]

I just got a 1 bedroom apartment at Roosevelt Square, just a little up the road from the stadium. It seems to me to be in a nice area - lots of little restaurants, bars and stores around, and you could find something here for around $800. Also, the Met on 3rd and Filmore has 1 bedroom apartments around that price range...maybe a little more expensive.

So there are options at that cost. Though, as has been mentioned, things change block to block in terms of going from nice to less nice areas.