East Kathleen Rd. Pheonix, AZ 85032

[MaxPower123]

Those apts seem a bit too cheap.

[observer53]

If it were a "nice area" I don't think a 2 bedroom would go for 425, even in this market. Unless someone can speak specifically in good terms about that complex and the immediate area, I'd keep looking.

[ivanabacowboy]

$425 for a 2br/2ba? That is just about unheard of in any "decent" area in town. Which tells you that neighborhood is not desirable. Judging by your name I assume you are a female (if I am wrong, apologies). Put it this way: you would not want to go walking out alone at night in the area you identify.

One thing about Phoenix which is noticable to an outsider (I have only been here about 2-1/2 years) is that neighborhoods transition very quickly and very dramatically. Come during daylight hours. Stand at the intersection of the 51 and Greenway. Look west. Then look east. Drive a mile or 2 in either direction. The difference will be very obvious.

Try to get east of the 51. The further east the better, closer to Tatum and heading east you are in a very desirable neighborhood. Generally the area near Kierland and if you head a few blocks north (ie Bell & Tatum), Desert Ridge. A couple miles south (say Tatum & Cactus) puts you near Paradise Valley Mall. These will definitely be an area you would feel much more comfortable in. This doesnt put you very far from the Kathleen address you identified. Ie at 28th & Greenway vs Tatum (which is 40-somethingth-I want to say the equivalent of 44th maybe?) & Greenway.

However, you will not touch an apartment in these areas for $425-guaranteed. The cheapest 1 br rentals you can find will be in the $600-700 +/- range. True they may not be the most prestigious complexes at that price point, and you may not have things like granite countertops and so forth, but they will be in a nice area. If price is a concern, the cheapest I am aware of in this area are:

Tatum Gardens: at the intersection of Tatum & Greenway.
Bellagio: at about 56th & Bell.
Broadstone Desert Horizon: right next to Bellagio.

I actually looked at Bellagio when I was moving here. I would have lived there, but ended up choosing somewhere else for numerous reasons.

If the $425 was just a "wish" item and you can afford more, once you get up into the $800-900 range, you would be able to get into most of the REALLY nice apartments in the area for a 1br. And there are a number of them. Depending what specials they offer (be sure to ask!), if they "prorate months off" the rent, your "net" may put you well below $800.

I live fairly near the general area (a few miles east, basically near Scottsdale & Bell/Frank Lloyd Wright-Bell changes names at Scottsdale). So if you need more apartment options, just post back. But nix the "square" area off the bat. To give you an idea, I have a 2br/2ba about 1100 sf or so. Market rate (the rate their website will quote) is some ridiculous number around $1400. After concessions of course I pay a bit less than that, but not as less as I would like lol! When I looked at Bellagio, I want to say they were quoting in the mid-$900-something range for a 2br (which would be less for a 1br). So there are various price points-unfortunately none of them are $425.

I am leery of private landlords, but you may be able to find a room to rent rather than an apartment which would be a lot less.

Suggestion if you are not at all familiar with the area: pick one of the cheaper places I identified (or if others know of any others in those price range in this part of town I am sure they will add them), get in one a fairly short term lease, get a feel for the area, and then you can always move later.

Good luck with your move and school. I personally would love to do a culinary program. If I weren't a banker, I'd be a pastry chef. ;-)