What's Goodyear like? (Phoenix, Glendale, Chandler: real estate, foreclosures, houses)

[GTown Girl]

What's Goodyear like?
I'm tossing around the idea of relocating from the Midwest.
I'm used to living in the suburbs although the very small lots and "sameness" to the look of each house would take some getting used to.
Was looking at Chandler and Gilbert which I hear good things about but then Goodyear popped up in one of my real estate searches. Seems like there are very nice houses and are cheaper per sq ft. than Chandler or Gilbert. But there appear to be A LOT more foreclosures, which may not be a good sign. What's Goodyear got goin' on?.....if anything?!?

[Finger Laker]

a lot going on, it's a little behind chandler/gilbert in development which is the main reason why the prices have been lower (even during the recent boom)

a big factor would be where you'll work

all 3 cities will have the same issues with tract homes, lots, etc - i'm sure that the SE valley cities also have the same type of community events that goodyear has

if you like to attend sports/concerts with regularity goodyear is a decent spot to be in ..... aside from their own spring training park there is easy access to 4 other parks (including 2 that host fall league games), also really easy access to jobing.com arena, university of phoenix stadium, cricket pavilion and phoenix international raceway

i really enjoy living in goodyear - i like sports, i like the parks system, i like being real close to the white tanks & estrellas, i like being able to sit in my backyard and have it be quiet, dark and able to see the stars, there are good restaurant options, good freeway access and a pretty good quality of life

however, if I had to work in Tempe or some place like that I probably would look to live elsewhere

[rambrush]

You really need to get a feel for how huge Goodyear is. From Camelback Road on the North all the way south to Mobile on Hwy 238.
They have fairly recent subdivison there outside of Mobile with a new firestation. From there you could work in Gila Bend Casa Grande or Chandler with not to much commute. The rainbow valley area is still mostly farm land and very rural.
After living in and working in Goodyear I was ready to get out because of the mass development going on and the increase in traffic congestion, but there was not a lack of much of anything in the area. Did not have to go into Phoenix for much.

[GTown Girl]

How do schools compare to Chandler or Gilbert?
How does medical care compare to the rest of the valley?
TIA

[Finger Laker]

medical care is fine - west valley hospital is in very close proximity to most of goodyear and banner estrella is a little further, but still within easy distance

there are also a couple different urgent care options, dentists, specialists, etc

if you stay north of the I-10 the litchfield elementary school district compares favorably with other elementary districts in the metro - also the schools at the estrella development are pretty solid in both regards

i'm not 100% on the high school districts, but they seem to be pretty decent

[rambrush]

I would also say West Valley is a very good medical facility and Estrella is very close by. The doctors,Dentist and eye doctors in the area are pretty good I had no complaints. The Goodyear fire department is tied in with Phoenix fire dispatch system and the closest medical unit will respond. So even though you live in Goodyear you could have a Glendale fire paramedic unit show up on your door step. This is a good thing of course.

[andrzejn]

I really like Estrella Mountain Ranch in south part of Goodyear. Right now there are lots of foreclosures in that area but I believe this area will recover sooner than other parts of the valley because of the affordability. Check out ASU research Realty Studies for more information.