Moving to Phx area from WI: Honest Opinion (Phoenix, Scottsdale: relocating, tornado)

[a1m1700]

Originally Posted by gigi927

Tismekll,

There are many areas, especially far out in Chandler and Gilbert, that are still rural in feel. As far out as Seville Country Club (which, incidentally, we almost bought a home in, so kindly refrain from the outright accusations that I don't know what I'm talking about) there is still a lot of open farmland.

Sure, on Price Road there are tons of high tech companies and a lot of retail, but Chandler is much larger, as you know, than the area near Price Road. And you still have to drive to it all.

And you make an excellent point. Chandler and Gilbert have plenty of shopping. Strip malls as far as the eye can see - if you like that sort of thing!

Have a pleasant day.

I live in Gilbert and I live 3 miles from the Superstition Springs Mall where they have a PF Changs, BJ's Brewery, and so on. They are building the new SanTan Mall that will be 5 miles from my house. It's suppose to be like Chandler Mall. I can't even think of rural area's anymore. Even Seville doesn't seem rural anymore. North Scottsdale has tons of strip Malls too. Have to drive to Scottsdale Fashion Square, lots of nice resorts there though, if you need to stay some place in town.

[irwin]

Originally Posted by a1m1700

North Scottsdale has tons of strip Malls too.

The entire Valley is strip malls. This place wouldn’t know a commercial district if it hit them in the face. Old Town Scottsdale is the only thing close to a central live-work-play area, but even there the urban planners build hotels instead of condos.

Chandler and Gilbert may be fine for families with small children (not sure what the schools are like) but the area is still full of open, barren, undeveloped lots. Right across from the Intel plant down in Chandler are dairy farms and trash strewn empty lots. That is one of the ugliest things about the Phoenix area and the reason the area is so terribly spread out.

[a1m1700]

Originally Posted by irwin

The entire Valley is strip malls. This place wouldn’t know a commercial district if it hit them in the face. Old Town Scottsdale is the only thing close to a central live-work-play area, but even there the urban planners build hotels instead of condos.

Chandler and Gilbert may be fine for families with small children (not sure what the schools are like) but the area is still full of open, barren, undeveloped lots. Right across from the Intel plant down in Chandler are dairy farms and trash strewn empty lots. That is one of the ugliest things about the Phoenix area and the reason the area is so terribly spread out.

I have to agree with the strip mall thing and no commercial district.

Gilbert is mostly all developed now the land that's rural is the Queen Creek area it runs into Gilbert. Gilbert schools are among the best.

[gigi927]

I was out in Chandler (Sun Groves) 2 weeks ago and on the way to Sun Groves, we drove by two operational dairies and saw plenty of open farmland, still....

[a1m1700]

Originally Posted by gigi927

I was out in Chandler (Sun Groves) 2 weeks ago and on the way to Sun Groves, we drove by two operational dairies and saw plenty of open farmland, still....

Plenty of open desert North Scottsdale Cave Creek, plenty of open farm land what's the difference.

[gigi927]

Originally Posted by a1m1700

Plenty of open desert North Scottsdale Cave Creek, plenty of open farm land what's the difference.

Well, one difference is that open desert in north Scottsdale/Cave Creek is much more interesting and pretty to look at!

[jenlyn]

Hello, Im 33 and have a 4 and 6 yr old. Im not sure why a realtor would say that homes in Anthem are not expensive(compared to what?? maybe Scottsdale?)..and that the Deer Valley School District is not rated very well..Not a very good realtor.
Im very pleased with my sons school, Anthem Elementary..However, the school systems in the Phoenix area are rated very low. My sister is, or was a teacher here and complained all the time about the lack of support from the principals, etc. We are moving for many reasons, but lack of a quality education is the main one.
We live in Anthem by Del Webb which is the only place I would live. Most of PHoenix is very spread out with nice communities being built right next to trailer parks..not very nice. There is alot of crime here, even away from the city. I would just really, really research as much as possible and definitely take a trip out here..And yes it is hot..so that is what I heard prior to moving here..but I dont think I really understood that they meant..hot like sticking your body in an oven hot!!
Obviously, this is just my opinion..you may love it out here..There seems to be more people moving here everyday..which is just great..but that also means more pollution and the heat will rise each year..I just think Phoenix, Arizona and surrounding towns are highly overrated. If you want to live in a decent area, Im assuming you need to spend some money on a home..depending on what size you are looking for..But, good luck with your journey and ask me anything youd like!

[Wiley Coyote]

Leaving Wi and moving to AZ will be a huge change. We moved from Madison to N. Scottsdale in 1992 and back to Madison in 1998. Now we are headed back, but to Bullhead City. During my many visits to the valley I have basically checked it all out. The central area of S. Scottsdale-some of Tempe-and near west are often under the brown cloud due to Sky Harbor, motor vehicles and homes/industry. Bad news, this is pollution. The valley is expanding at the rate of 4000+ per month. There is so much demand that the desert is being cleared and developed at the rate of 1 acre per hour! You will find there is such a wide variety of demographics that you can find housing to meet your wants and needs. REMEMBER-REALTORS HAVE THEIR OWN AGENDA. If you are serious about relocating to the valley you need to do your homework and visit in the summer, try July or August. There are so many areas and homes that Realtors usually concentrate on their own favorite sections and miss great deals elsewhere. If I were to move to valley I would head towards Goodyear, Litchfeild Park, Youngstown or Glendale areas. If money is no object try very N. Scottsdale, Carefree or Cave Creek.
Property taxes are about 1/3 of Madisons and homes are much more affordable. Because of 101-202-303,
51 and I-17 commuting is easy. Realize there is lots of traffic, tons of people, big time pollution and CRIME. California and Mexican gangs have discovered the lucrative valley, so be careful. Very careful. Just a note, with the proper CCW license adults can legally carry a concealed (and loaded of course) gun in public, thousands of men and women do. Hope this helps a bit. Happy Howling.......

[gigi927]

Dang, you guys are so incredibly rude about realtors. I've posted several times in this forum trying to be helpful - I've been very open that I am relocating to Austin and therefore NOT trolling for business. I have no agenda other than to share my experiences as a resident and as a person who has spent most of the last 2 years looking at real estate.

Jen, Anthem housing is NOT expensive compared to many parts of the Valley. Price is relative, and can only really be assessed by looking at surrounding areas. It is cheaper than Chandler, Gilbert, Scottsdale, Cave Creek, Peoria and many other parts of the West Valley. It is a fantastic community! But the bottom line is, you can get more house in Anthem than you can in most parts of the Valley. Why you think my stating what is a fact is being a bad realtor is beyond me.

We considered living there ourselves. Additionally, I did not say Deer Valley SD was poorly rated, I said it was not rated as highly as certain other school districts in the Phoenix area. Again, it's all a matter of comparison. Certainly, there are outstanding schools in many districts, but as you stated yourself, AZ is not known for having great schools and you are leaving due to lack of quality education! Talking about talking out of both sides of your mouth.

It's unfortunate how many of you have either had such horrible experiences with realtors that you can do nothing but speak so negatively about them, or you have no concept of internet forum etiquette. Or more likely, this is just a validation of the overall rudeness of people living in Phoenix and why I am moving to a nice, friendly place like Austin. Even the Austin forum on this website is chock full of helpful people who are welcoming of differing opinions. I can't leave Phoenix, and the likes of you people, soon enough.

[Bossanovawitcha]

Gilbert is the place to be.

I've posted a lot of info on some other threads about the Valley. You'll like it here - just find a good area.