Moving from Central PA to Scottsdale (Phoenix, Hayden: low crime, houses, maintenance)

[PoolGoddess]

Hi

I'm hoping to move to AZ in the next year or so. My husband is in the I.T. field and his company has a office on N. Hayden Road and E. McDowell Rd in Scottsdale. I have a few questions.

1. What would be a good area to live around $300,000 to $450,000, I'd like to have at least 3 bedroom, 2 bath, a small yard with a pool in a low crime area. I don't know if there are housing developments old or new that are nearby to his potential work. Also, if he can't get a job there, he has about 12 years experience in the I.T. field. I don't know what how the I.T. market is in Scottsdale/Phoenix area.

2. About the pools, is there much work involved in the maintenance? How many months out of the year can you swim in the pool?

3. I see ranch houses and in the back yard there are what I call stoops, or small porches without screens. Why don't the porches have screens? Does that mean no bugs/mosquitoes? Does that mean you can have a picnic in the yard without bugs fighting you for your lunch?

4. Are there hiking trails near N. Hayden Road and E. McDowell Road?

5. Why are all those stones in people's yards? Do you get stone brought in every year like laying mulch?

Thanks for your help.