I will be working in North Mesa... (Phoenix, Gilbert: bank owned, for sale)

[newazres]

I will be moving to Arizona soon and will be working in North Mesa. Can anyone provide insight to nice and safe, family-oriented place to live close by? My budget puts me under 200,000 for housing. Safety, education, and nearby shopping are priorities. I am not a busybody, and may never travel into Phoenix, except for a quick one-time visit or a trip to a restaurant. I appreciate any response as some of the other threads I reviewed were started 3 or more years ago.

[asufan]

Originally Posted by newazres

I will be moving to Arizona soon and will be working in North Mesa. Can anyone provide insight to nice and safe, family-oriented place to live close by? My budget puts me under 200,000 for housing. Safety, education, and nearby shopping are priorities. I am not a busybody, and may never travel into Phoenix, except for a quick one-time visit or a trip to a restaurant. I appreciate any response as some of the other threads I reviewed were started 3 or more years ago.

North East, North Central, or North West Mesa? (it's a huge city) If you're in Northeast Mesa, I would look near the US-60 and 202 interchanges. Maybe somewhere around Augusta Ranch, or some of the newer developments around there. Of course, I don't know how much square footage you need for under 200K. If you only want a small house, you can probably afford something in Las Sendas closer to work.

[newazres]

Thank you for your quick response! The job is at Boeing - more on the North East side than North Central. Las Sendas is not far from there - how are the schools in that area? I have a little one that will be starting soon. Right now, a smaller house would be fine - I would just like to live in a nice and safe area.

[Maroon197]

I don't think you can buy into Las Sendas for under $200k

[asufan]

Originally Posted by Maroon197

I don't think you can buy into Las Sendas for under $200k

You are correct. I just looked at the listings/pendings in Las Sendas, and out of 100+ results, only 3 were under $200K, and then the prices seemed to jump to a base of $250K.

I checked Augusta Ranch, and there are many between $160K and $200K. I don't know too much about the Mesa area, but it is my opinion that if you are in far East Mesa, it is more desirable to be South of the US 60 rather than North. Closer to Boeing, I don't know that area at all, but I think it is mostly older homes and probably also affordable.

[andrzejn]

Originally Posted by newazres

Thank you for your quick response! The job is at Boeing - more on the North East side than North Central. Las Sendas is not far from there - how are the schools in that area? I have a little one that will be starting soon. Right now, a smaller house would be fine - I would just like to live in a nice and safe area.

You want to be in Gilbert School District part of Mesa which is south of 60 in places like Augusta Ranch.

[Captain Bill]

There are several communities there that will fit your needs. The Desert Ridge Schoold District is a great school. The kids love it. My grandkids go there.

Near Las Sendas there are a couple of communities that are in lower price ranges than LS.

Augusta Ranch has been mentioned. It's a nice area in a golf course community.

Just east of there and just to the north of the high school is Villages of Eastridge, a great community. I rehabbed a home in there last year, and have a short sale listing there now. The price is listed above your price range but the bank may take a lower offer. There is a lower offer in there now that the bank is working on, but I think the buyer is going to back out, having found a home in Las Sendas that he is interested in. There are several that are listed at $199 up to $210.

Just west of the 202 is a nice gated community, Marbella, with smaller yards. They're in the Mesa school district. A couple months ago they had some real bargains. You could get a 2370 sf move in ready reo for less than $150. But now there is only one for sale and it's for $229k. No bank owned in there at the moment.

The supply of homes in the under $300k has drastically declined to around a 3 month supply. When a bargain home crops up now, it usually has several offers. So as you begin to look, I suggest that you select a realtor to work with; get yourself pre-qualified with a lender and be ready to act quickly.

As soon as you find a house you like, you need to make the offer, because tomorow it may not be available.

[jwest09]

Originally Posted by newazres

I will be moving to Arizona soon and will be working in North Mesa. Can anyone provide insight to nice and safe, family-oriented place to live close by? My budget puts me under 200,000 for housing. Safety, education, and nearby shopping are priorities. I am not a busybody, and may never travel into Phoenix, except for a quick one-time visit or a trip to a restaurant. I appreciate any response as some of the other threads I reviewed were started 3 or more years ago.

A yes for the Augusta Ranch area. Nice new safe clean area with good schools, and close assortment of shopping. Everything you would want. Get off the 60 at Elsworth and head south to Baseline. Drive a few miles east on Baseline to Signal Butte RD. for more great shopping, activities and entertainment.

[newazres]

How are the schools closer to Las Sendas? This would put me much closer to work. I do have more than 200 to work with, but was trying to be more conservative in these economic times. I have also been looking across the highway at the Red Mountain Ranch area - how is that in comparison? Again, I do appreciate everyone's help!

[AZ Tracy]

The homes in Red Mountain Ranch are a little older than in Las Sendas. I understand the schools are very good. www.greatschools.net Red Mountain Ranch offers many optional amenities including 6 lighted tennis courts with a full program of leagues and clinics, a Jr. Olympic swimming pool that is heated in the winter, a fitness center with circuit weights, personal training and classes, a clubhouse with dining and banquet facilites plus a championship 18 hole Pete Dye designed golf course. There are a few homes in Red Mountain Ranch under $200,000.