to Phoenix from Minneapolis (Avondale, Surprise: school, art, move)

[pidgit]

Sablebaby,

Are peoria, thunderbird and dunlap suburbs or neighborhoods? I could deal with taking two buses if I had to; I do that to get to my job now when I don't bike.

Thanks for your help!
Nicole

[silverbear]

Originally Posted by pidgit

Silverbear,

Thank you so much for your help. This is the kind of stuff you would never learn from looking at a map! Are there any other streets or landmarks in Arcadia I could look for among apartment listings?

Thanks again!
Nicole

40th St., 32nd St., Campbell Avenue, Camelback Road, Indian School Road -- those are all in the west end of Arcadia.

[silverbear]

Originally Posted by sablebaby

You would have to take the 0 - central bus then transfer to the 3 to get to work with what was suggested above.

If living in Midtown, a transfer would be needed. But if you lived Downtown, no transfer would be needed since you'd be in walking distance of Van Buren already. No transfer would be needed for Arcadia either since the route goes up 32nd St. on selected trips.

[sablebaby]

They are major street names in a neighborhood. I'm thinking closer to I-17 for apartments though which is just about 5-8 blocks from 35th ave.

[HollyhockGarden]

Hello -- I'm a mom, and if my daughter told me she had accepted a job in that neighborhood, first, I would encourage her to keep looking for another position in a safer area, and second, if she had to take the job, I would agree to co-sign with her on a good used car so she would be able to drive back and forth to work. I would not want her waiting for a bus in that neighborhood. Then again, when I was young, I waited for a bus transfer in a questionable part of Milwaukee and never had a problem! I'm sure you must be a dedicated teacher and I wish you the best of luck in your new position. There are many safe areas in Phoenix -- just investigate the "going" rental rates and look around in person. If you want a new apt complex close to work, you might check out "The Bungalows" which are totally gated and are not too far from downtown and the Capitol campus. It would be a short commute and they look beautiful. But remember there is a reason it has to be gated! There also are no grocery stores nearby. But downtown Phoenix is coming back -- it is getting better all the time!

[sheena]

Originally Posted by pidgit

Sablebaby,

Are peoria, thunderbird and dunlap suburbs or neighborhoods? I could deal with taking two buses if I had to; I do that to get to my job now when I don't bike.

Thanks for your help!
Nicole

Peoria is an Avenue and Peoria is also a city. Dunlap and Thunderbird are names of roads.

[sheena]

Originally Posted by pidgit

Thank you to everyone for your help. I had a feeling it wasn't in the best of neighborhoods (that address is my school) but I thought I'd make sure.

I was planning to look for a place along the 3 line in Central Phoenix, as one of you suggested. I'm not sure how to go about it; if anyone takes the #3 bus frequently or has an apartment along there, I'd sure appreciate some help narrowing down my search!

Thanks for the feedback, and not to worry, I won't be walking to work.

Nicole

You know Phoenix is just not this type of place. I personally would not suggest anyone move here under these circumstances, seriously!
If you are not planning on a getting a nice little place in the burbs or in a pretty pricey area of Phoenix you are taking your life in your hands. Why move to Phoenix? Walking around Phx and taking the buses and waiting for buses with some of these people are scarey. I know I've done it. Why Phoenix?

[pidgit]

I am glad I posted here as I have learned a lot. I am wondering if perhaps I should drive to work until my fiance finds a job? Buying another car is just not an option for us as we are recent college graduates and don't have the financial resources (yet).

I bike and bus through most areas of Minneapolis; I know that the bus has a wide variety of people. I also know that Minneapolis and Phoenix are not the same city.

Are most of the apartments in the city gated?

Thanks again.
Nicole

[sablebaby]

No, most apartments in the city are not gated. They will have a fence around the complex, but will not have a gate at the entrance. The more expensive "luxury" apts are usually gated, but there are many more cheapo apts than expensive.

[Saulphx]

Originally Posted by silverbear

One other idea: If you look at a map of bus route 3, selected trips head north along 32nd St. into an attractive neighborhood known as Arcadia. That would be another part of town to consider.

It was a good idea to investigate before coming here and seeing what the neighborhood is like. I'd check out Arcadia, or else the area along 35th Avenue north of Peoria (about 9 miles north of Van Buren.) In any event, I'd recommend that you come out here and look around (either when you move or before) and not commit to anything until then. Also, it's likely that your husband's job will be in a completely different part of town. In any event, everyone's recommendations to stay away from 35th and Van Buren is right on. Unlike other parts of town, this is one area where you wouldn't expect the teachers to want to live near their school.