help where to live- chandler area (Phoenix, Gilbert: 2010, foreclosures, HOA)

[kcb2009]

I'm hoping y'all can help. Sorry super long post.

We have lived almost everywhere in the Great State of Arizona and looks like we get to move moving back there sometime between now and spring 2010.

We will be coming out to visit over labor day to rule in/out areas.

This time we will be looking at the Phx metro area. My husband's office is South Chandler (Price/Ray).

Our question is where to live... our first answer was Chandler - close to his office, but ( isn't there always a but...)...it's so BIG - this will be the biggest place we ever lived.

Here is a few things about what we are looking for:

don't care what age/style home is - good community/ friendly community/safe community -

not really into shopping - (except groceries) - do love to eat out, hike, movies, etc.

Can't spend more than 220K

4 bd + den (hubby works from home 1 day /week)

swimming pool - not a community pool. We are stuck in Texas right now and live with a community pool - hate it! Seems like its closed all the time due to "bacteria" issues.

large yard or at least not crammed into a neighborhood ( I don't want to hear my neighbors every move). Once lived in a place that I could hear them sneeze, cough, etc. So a little space is desired.

community feel - have kids so looking for a place that you can get to know your neighbors.

schools - looking for small schools. I hate big schools ( I know welcome to metro living) Am considering continuing their catholic schooling, but geez it is so expensive at all the az catholic schools!

we have ruled out North - West side of Phx metro - from a commute aspect. Have considered Casa Grande and Apache Junction, but have heard both good and bad about them - plus worried about commute from either. Have heard good things about chandler - but again so big.

I am a SAHM currently - most likely will work once we move ( if can find job). So not sure where to locate for the future aspect of my employment.

So any advice would be great.

[observer53]

I'd find myself a nice perhaps older neighborhood in Chandler or perhaps Gilbert and stay right there. I've seen some older neighborhoods in both cities where the houses aren't bumped right together -- you should start working with a realtor to look around for you.

Commuting from CG or AJ just because they are smaller doesn't make good sense to me. And the schools are better in Chandler. You can't avoid larger schools in most areas of the Valley unless you go with a private or charter school.

[sh9730]

Seems like you have a good handle on the decision factors....so in the end of course it will be a matter of your choice. I can only offer my information on Casa Grande. If your husband is going to be willing to do any commute at all, the one from CG wouldnt be bad to there. Depending on exactly where you end up in CG the commute to Ray/Price will be about 35 mins each way and there shouldnt be too much traffic as he ll be getting off before the major into town backup starts. There is of course the chance of a major accident on I 10 between here and there since it is still a 2 lane freeway for that stretch, but it doesnt happen that often, and there are alternate routes when it does.

As for the town....not sure for you. You will definetely get more house for your money here than in Chandler, but then you may actually prefer some of the smaller outlying suburbs like Coolidge or Florence. The drive into Chandler would be a few minutes longer than directly from CG, but they are much smaller in size and feel. You would still only be 20 mins or so from all the shopping etc in CG (Mall, movie theatres, restaraunts etc), but can get a little bigger lot for less money than you even could in CG (but again for 200K you can get a VERY nice place in CG right now with a pool).

If you have any specific questions, let me know.

[andrzejn]

If you really hate big city feel you should consider Maricopa. The drive to south Chandler shouldnt be that bad unless there is an accident.
Chandler has lots to offer and I'm sure you can find what you looking for.

[PhxBarb]

I live in Ocotillo, right off Price (which is the 101) and Dobson. we have a really nice community and many homes have pools. The schools are very good. Bogle and Jacobsen and very close. there are a nice mix of people here, our HOA is cheap, we have tennis courts, walking paths, and its very convenient to the Chandler Mall. Also close to I 10 into Phoenix. You might like it alot.

[twiggy]

Originally Posted by PhxBarb

I live in Ocotillo, right off Price (which is the 101) and Dobson. we have a really nice community and many homes have pools. The schools are very good. Bogle and Jacobsen and very close. there are a nice mix of people here, our HOA is cheap, we have tennis courts, walking paths, and its very convenient to the Chandler Mall. Also close to I 10 into Phoenix. You might like it alot.

I live out a little further Ocot/McQueen. Zip is 85286. Your in a great area too Barb! I love Ocotillo and Gilbert right next door is nice too! They are building some huge parks out here were the dump use to be and also widening the roads a bit. It's right down the street from Tumbleweed park were they have all the festivals for Chandler so it's very convienent. Sort of a small town feel but surrounded by everything and more affordable.
Should be a small commute for your husband, nothing he would even blink at and he would be going opposite rush hour traffic.
If I wasn't moving out of here I would be very happy to stay in this area for quite awhile. I like it a lot.
PM me if you need any specifics. Good Luck!

[Java Jolt]

When I lived in Chandler my house was near Chandler Boulevard and the 101 Loop, right near the fashion center.

You wrote that you're not that much into shopping but that area contains just about everything you could ever need, it's not all high-end stuff just because it's named the fashion center.

Chandler is pretty big but it's not big as in crowded or too urbanesque. I think my old neighborhood would be the closest thing to what you're looking for but not catering to your every wish. It's very close to your husband's work.

[asufan]

Ocotillo is the closest community to where your husband will work, but it is too pricey for the $220K range you have. I live a few miles east of price road near Gilbert Road and Ocotillo in Chandler, and a 2,000 square foot house with a pool will run about $250-$275K with prices deflated as they are. Consider looking at the Sun Groves area of S. Chandler, which is approximately 10 miles from where he will work, and prices of the home stated above can be had for about $200K. Also consider the Spectrum community in Glibert which is North and South of the San Tan Freeway at about Val Vista road. These are both in relatively high income areas, which means plenty of shopping and dining. Youth sports are top notch in Chandler, and so are the Public schools. There's also a lot of private schools around, and more under construction every day it seems.

I would avoid Maricopa and Casa Grande like the plague. Too many foreclosures, too many renters, poor schools, and it's further from work. The traffic to and from Maricopa is nuts, as there is one way in and one way out. Sure, you can get a great deal on a house out there, but you probably won't see appreciation on a resale like you would in Chandler/Gilbert.

[kcb2009]

thanks for eveyone's help.
We connected with an old college friend who is a realtor in Az. So we are going to start working with him in regards to Chandler/Gilbert area.

We have crossed off CG and Maricopa off our list, but still wondering if anyone has any personal thoughts about Apache Junction or Higley.

Just still worried about the size of it all - anyway we'll be there in a couple of days to check it out. Thanks Again!!!!!

[asufan]

Originally Posted by kcb2009

thanks for eveyone's help.
We connected with an old college friend who is a realtor in Az. So we are going to start working with him in regards to Chandler/Gilbert area.

We have crossed off CG and Maricopa off our list, but still wondering if anyone has any personal thoughts about Apache Junction or Higley.

Just still worried about the size of it all - anyway we'll be there in a couple of days to check it out. Thanks Again!!!!!

Apache Junction = Not so good. To paint the picture for you, it's about 50% manufactured homes (not typically nice ones), 25% run down older homes, and 25% newer construction. It's somewhat popular for retirees, and people that need affordable housing. Fair or not, it has a stigma for being the least desirable place to live in the East Valley. It does have great views of the superstition mountains, though, and there are some really nice houses sprinkled in there too.

Higley - I assume you mean the area of Gilbert (I think Higley is part of Gilbert now) that is East of the San Tan Village shopping mall? This is a few miles East of the Spectrum area I mentioned, and probably a little more affordable. Most of the houses seem to be on smaller "cluster" type lots (See 'Lyon's Gate' as one subdivision). It's a nice, safe area that should fit your needs.