Where should we move in the South West suburbs of Phoenix??? (Glendale: middle-class, rental)

[azadventure]

HELP... We are trying to figure out where we should move in the Phoenix Suburbs. We have never visited the area, so any insights would be helpful. My husband will be working near N 44th Ave and E Camelback Rd on the West side of Phoenix. We have 3 young children (7,4,1) and need a nice, safe, well rounded community for family living. We want good schools, nice parks, safe streets.... Our housing range is around $175,000 to $200,000... We have been looking in the Palm Valley area of Goodyear. Glendale is tempting because it is so close to his work, but the crime rates seem very high. Peoria seems beautiful, but we are are worried about the traffic on W. Grand Ave???? Any ideas that you may have would be helpful... The good, the bad, the ugly... Thanks.

[altus2006]

I live in Palm Valley and really like it. The town of Goodyear is nicely laid out with beautiful parks and roadways. The crime is low and the schools are good. Sounds perfect for you.

altus2006

[Ritchie_az]

You should at least visit Estrella Mountain Ranch (Goodyear) and Verrado (Buckeye), although both might be a bit far away for your liking.

[Finger Laker]

goodyear would be a good call - i live there and like it

[LBTRS]

I can highly recommend Goodyear. I live in Goodyear with my wife and two children and we're very happy here. Palm Valley is nice but Canyon Trails is a bit better in price and is developing nicely. I live in Canyon Trails.

[homlish560]

Avondale, Glendale, Litchfield Park, or far west Phx. might be to your liking too.

Don't pay attention to the west valley haters here, it's not all ghetto or high-crime. There are some really nice Suburban sections of the s.w. valley, even some of the older neighborhoods like Litchfield Park are kept up really well!!!!!!!

[foma]

Love, love, love Verrado. Litchfield Park, Palm Valley are all good areas but with youngins, I can almost guarantee you will fall in love with Verrado, too. Definitely check it out. Good luck!!

[Java Jolt]

Pretty much anywhere in Goodyear or Avondale. Just avoid the older parts, they're kind of yucky. I live in north Avondale, it's a very nice area. Far cry from old Avondale.

I agree Litchfield Park is a good option. It's an older area but it's retains its charm, mostly middle or upper middle-class.

Don't even think about Tolleson! It's like a ghetto version of Mayberry. The local police force there is more obsessed with enforcing the slow speed limits than busting the drug dealers and the thieves.

[Ponderosa]

Originally Posted by Java Jolt

Pretty much anywhere in Goodyear or Avondale.

Almost all of Avondale south of I10 is a questionable area no matter how nice it looks driving through. IMO, this area will be a future ghetto with rundown rental houses, failing shopping plazas, drug use and crime. I would never suggest anyone move there unless they understood that and went in with eyes wide open. Much of Avondale north of I10 is OK, but one has to be cautious there as well because some of it is not. A lot of Avondale is in the "DMZ" and serves as a buffer between the riff-raff and Goodyear. Goodyear is a safe bet except (maybe) the old town site east of Litchfield that borders Avondale. Goodyear and Avondale (with exceptions) have a very different demographic and vibe.

[artvandelay]

Avondale is OK West of Dysart and North of Thomas. I really like the area around Thomas and Litchfield road, which is Avondale but in Litchfield school district I think.It's more like Goodyear there.

South of McDowell and East of Dysart is more like Tolleson.