Central location (Phoenix, Mesa, Scottsdale: houses, rent, work)

[tomahawk]

My wife and I used to live in an apartment complex in Mesa near Southern and Dobson about 5 years ago.
We moved back east when she got pregnant to be near the grandparents. We are now ready to move back to Phoenix. At the time we were there we never felt unsafe or anything like that. But from what I've been reading here it seems to be a very bad area to live in now. I used to visit a friend who lived in a complex at Dobson and University. His place seemed shady but I was never scared.
My concern is that we want to live in a central location not east Mesa or way out somewhere else. I don't know where I will work so we want to rent.
We can't really afford to spend more than around $1100 a month on rent.
Is there really no where in central or west Mesa or Tempe to live that is safe and okay for a young family?
It seems like everyone complains about crime on here. I don't know if it's because they come from small towns or what.

[Cj81]

I have no idea why people complain so much about crime on this forum, you would think they were all recently shot at , raped or robbed. There are a few of us that will tell you Phoenix is safe and so is Tempe. But in a matter of hours I'm sure this post will be flooded with people talking about how bad the crime is and how they are afraid to leave home. So just beware. I live in central Phoenix and I will be the first to say that I feel very safe here. In the last 4 years the only crime I have seen is the occasional car break in. I don't have kids, so I can't tell you where a good place is for a family. I think Tempe would be great for a family, lots to do, lots of young people but thats from a "no kid" perspective. You should be able to rent almost anywhere for $1100 except Scottsdale. Hopefully someone will give you some better advice, but beware the "crime advocating troopers" are probably already plotting on how to flood this post with negativity. If you lived here 5 years ago then not much has changed in terms of crime. Good luck

[silverbear]

Dobson Road in Mesa has changed, but I wouldn't say it is blighted. Starting at the south end, near the Chandler border, there is Dobson Ranch, which is a nice residential area. Up a little bit at Southern and Dobson is one of the area's biggest clusters of Asian restaurants. On the NW corner, the shopping center contains some of the area's best Chinese, Korean, and Vietnamese restaurants. Farther north at Dobson and Main, there is the new light rail going in and the new Mekong Plaza, which will be an Asian-themed shopping center. Even farther north at Dobson and the 202 Freeway, there is the new Riverview shopping center anchored by Bass Pro. The new Waveyard waterpark is also planned for that area.

I'm not normally a huge fan of Mesa, but the west end along Dobson is definitely where some of Mesa's most interesting and diverse areas are. As for crime, I don't know the specifics of the area, but I think the observation about some Phoenicians' origins in small towns and rural areas is apt. I've seldom heard people who have moved here from other major cities complain about crime, but to people who have relocated from small communities and to long-term residents who remember Phoenix as a smaller city, the crime rate may appear out of control.

[tomahawk]

Thanks for the replies.
I'm very undecided as where to live. I like more of an urban/suburban environment but I'm concerned about schools.
Maricopa and Queen Creek have very affordable property that will eventually rise in value as freeways are built.
But I'm not sure if I want that kind of commute.

[Cj81]

If you are looking for a good urban/suburban mix, then I would suggest the Arcadia neighborhood in Phoenix. The neighborhoods are very nice with mature trees and big yards. Plus you are ony 10 minutes from downtown , 5 minutes from the Biltmore area and 15 minutes from Tempe. I don't know how much the houses would rent for though nor do I know anything about the schools in the area.

[tomahawk]

Thanks, I'll look it up.

I can't imagine that there aren't any decent middle class people not living all over the metro area. Instead of just on the outskirts of the metro area.

[aj661]

Originally Posted by tomahawk

My wife and I used to live in an apartment complex in Mesa near Southern and Dobson about 5 years ago.
We moved back east when she got pregnant to be near the grandparents. We are now ready to move back to Phoenix. At the time we were there we never felt unsafe or anything like that. But from what I've been reading here it seems to be a very bad area to live in now. I used to visit a friend who lived in a complex at Dobson and University. His place seemed shady but I was never scared.
My concern is that we want to live in a central location not east Mesa or way out somewhere else. I don't know where I will work so we want to rent.
We can't really afford to spend more than around $1100 a month on rent.
Is there really no where in central or west Mesa or Tempe to live that is safe and okay for a young family?
It seems like everyone complains about crime on here. I don't know if it's because they come from small towns or what.

Southern and Dobson sucks, IMHO. My sister used to live at the Emerald Apts, 1030 S. Dobson. I loaned her my truck for a week in Dec, 2005 and it was stolen from her parking lot. (merry Christmas, huh?) Recovered ten days later outside Casa Grande. It had been used to run at least one load of UDAs (illegals) up from Mexico. $11k in damage. The things I do to help friends and family...no good deed goes unpunished!

Professional opinion: Not too much violent crime, but almost exclusively lower class neighborhood with plenty of drug traffic as well as the property crime. Stay away.

[tomahawk]

I know I don't want to live in that exact area. I'm just trying to find good areas and school in Mesa that isn't way the heck out east.

[aj661]

Originally Posted by tomahawk

I know I don't want to live in that exact area. I'm just trying to find good areas and school in Mesa that isn't way the heck out east.

Try Gilbert. I don't know what apts are going for there. Most areas are pretty nice. There are a couple Section 8 apt. units on Gilbert Rd south of Baseline I'd avoid though.