What is it like to live in or near Phoenix? I want to know... (Mesa: transplants, apartment complex)

[PatrickG2008]

Hey Guys, I'm looking for people from the Phoenix, Arizona area to answer some questions I have about how they like living in Phoenix.
I have a shot at a really good job offer in Phoenix, but I am kind of on the fence about it, because I live in Ohio now and it would involve quite a relocation.
Here is what I want to know about specifically:

1. In general, is it safe in Phoenix? I realize that Phoenix is a huge city, and all big cities have a certain amount of crime, but how would you rate the crime? Is a person able to go about their daily business for the most part without feeling like they are going to be mugged by a gang?

2. I have heard from various sources that the nearby town of Mesa is VERY corrupt, with a police force that arrests random innocent people and charges them with bogus crimes. Is this true?

3. How much, on average, can a family of 3 expect to spend on groceries? Here in Ohio, we usually spend about $150 per week, and we have more than enough to eat for the week.

4. What is the health care system like? Does Phoenix have good hospitals that provide good quality care? This is my main complaint where I live now. We have to drive 45 minutes to find a hospital that will do their job and not turn somebody away because they don't have $100,000 cash in their pocket.

5. What is the public assistance system like? Do you have to be an illegal immigrant with 5 kids by all different fathers to get any kind of help, or can the average person experiencing hard times get help? What about disability? One of the people that might be moving to Phoenix with me has MS and can't work because of a doctor's order. Would her benefits stay the same, increase, or decrease?

6. I looked around online and I think I found an apartment complex that looks nice, and I think if I do move to Phoenix, I want to live there. Does anybody know about this complex? It's called Fountains in the Green, and it's on 14th Street in Phoenix, in the 85014 Zip Code. Is this a nice place to live, or should I look around some more for a different place to live?

Thank you in advance to everyone who answers these questions for me.

[greendesert]

1. In general, is it safe in Phoenix?
Depends on what part of phoenix you're in, but I've been here since 2007 (moved because of job) and I have not had any problems at all as far as safety. No, you're not all that likely to get mugged by a gang. Some areas in South Phoenix are considered not so good, but I've been there and I didn't encounter anything horrible. Nothing like Detroit or some of the big cities up north. A lot of the crime here and kidnappings, actually have to do with the illegals. So yes, there are kidnappings, but I would say probably almost all of them happen within the latino community and have something to do with people trying to get here illegally.

2. I have heard from various sources that the nearby town of Mesa is VERY corrupt, with a police force that arrests random innocent people and charges them with bogus crimes. Is this true?
I don't hang around Mesa, Phoenix area is huge and I tend to spend most time on the north side, but I really doubt they're that corrupt. I've been stopped by police once and they pulled a gun on me (because I stopped and then I decided to move the car just a few yards to a paved area off the gravel and I didn't hear what they were shouting because I'm almost deaf. They thought I was going to run away or something, but once they realized I was not going to do anything, they calmed down and the judge even dismissed the ticket in court.

3. How much, on average, can a family of 3 expect to spend on groceries? Here in Ohio, we usually spend about $150 per week, and we have more than enough to eat for the week.

I think groceries might cost a bit more here, but I might be wrong. Gas is probably cheaper. Actually moneyise groceries would be the least of my concerns. One of your biggest expenses here will be your electric bill because of Air Conditioning which you will need to run 24/7 for at least 4 months (more like 6) in the summer.

4. What is the health care system like?
There are plenty of hospitals, my experience with them hasn't been great. The illegals have really screwed us on that one. We end up paying for their share too and it is expensive.

5. What is the public assistance system like?
Public assistance, I haven't been on it, and I don't know the details, but my guess is that it sucks.
Again, we can thank the mexicans and other illegals for clogging up the system.

6. I looked around online and I think I found an apartment complex that looks nice.
I can check out (in person) that particular apartment complex for you if you want. There are lots of places to live. the main thing is to be close to the job. where is the job located? and then we could suggest good areas to move.

[ohio dave]

Search Forums (Advanced) at the top of the page is your friend .

[Finger Laker]

since you have an offer in hand a lot of guidance would be based on where they are located.

if you are working and living in central phoenix, then I wouldn't be too concerned about what is happening in mesa .... i don't have a ton of experience there so I can't validate what you've heard, i find it to be a mixed bag from my visits, but nothing horrible

for me crime here is nothing - i've been here 7 years and have never really felt threatened - i've lived in a city of comparable population (philadelphia) and it definitely felt a lot more dangerous there

public assistance isn't great here - although you should look into this independently, my gut feeling is that you'll probably take a step back in this regard

i find healthcare access here to be adequete - primary care physicians are hard to interface with, but there are a lot of specialists, emergency clinics, and hospitals ... i think the hospitals are bit behind what we had in philly (which has a ton of really good med schools and corresponding facilities), but all in all not bad and they cover a wide spectrum from Phoenix Childrens to the Mayo to the Cancer Treatment Center

I find the grocery selection to be better than any place i've ever lived - a lot of options - some things run less expensive, some more expensive - i think it washes in the end from what I was used to

i've driven by that complex, but don't know it - location has good access to the airport and downtown (it's at 16th st & thomas) - near St. Joes Hospital and Phoenix Childrens ..... honestly not my favorite part of town though

[intmd8r]

Originally Posted by PatrickG2008

1. In general, is it safe in Phoenix? I realize that Phoenix is a huge city, and all big cities have a certain amount of crime, but how would you rate the crime? Is a person able to go about their daily business for the most part without feeling like they are going to be mugged by a gang?

I lived in Ahwatukee, Chandler and Goodyear while there and in 11 years, I never felt unsafe. I didn't really give it any thought and for awhile I was a single female.

Originally Posted by PatrickG2008

2. I have heard from various sources that the nearby town of Mesa is VERY corrupt, with a police force that arrests random innocent people and charges them with bogus crimes. Is this true?

Don't know too much about Mesa, but I was never a fan of the area.

Originally Posted by PatrickG2008

3. How much, on average, can a family of 3 expect to spend on groceries? Here in Ohio, we usually spend about $150 per week, and we have more than enough to eat for the week.

Should be comparable. Mod Cut: Competing sites against City-Data TOS.

Originally Posted by PatrickG2008

4. What is the health care system like? Does Phoenix have good hospitals that provide good quality care? This is my main complaint where I live now. We have to drive 45 minutes to find a hospital that will do their job and not turn somebody away because they don't have $100,000 cash in their pocket.

That was one of my biggest complaints living there. I thought the health care was TERRIBLE. We found a few good doctors, but for the most part they were all too eager to rush you in and out and just give you some drug to "fix" whatever your issue was. Not a fan. Now that we're back in Minnesota, the difference is GLARING. The health care here blows it away down there.

Originally Posted by PatrickG2008

5. What is the public assistance system like? Do you have to be an illegal immigrant with 5 kids by all different fathers to get any kind of help, or can the average person experiencing hard times get help? What about disability? One of the people that might be moving to Phoenix with me has MS and can't work because of a doctor's order. Would her benefits stay the same, increase, or decrease?

No real experience with this other than both my husband and I collected unemployment when we lost our jobs without any trouble at all. Filed and did everything online. Never had to talk to anyone live or in person at all.

Originally Posted by PatrickG2008

6. I looked around online and I think I found an apartment complex that looks nice, and I think if I do move to Phoenix, I want to live there. Does anybody know about this complex? It's called Fountains in the Green, and it's on 14th Street in Phoenix, in the 85014 Zip Code. Is this a nice place to live, or should I look around some more for a different place to live?

Sorry, not familiar with this complex.

Good luck!

[HT2010]

1. In general, is it safe in Phoenix?

Generally, NO, you will find that even some of the so-called "desirable" parts have crime. When I first moved here (without checking these things) i lived near 44th st. and Indian school and a year later, the "Serial Shooters" were running wild through the area, gunning down several victims near the Fry's grocery store where I shopped. The next year I was robbed, had a driveby, and had a random 4am visit from police looking for someone else. And as people know, there are much worse areas! Of course crime here is better than Detroit, better than the south side of Chicago, but is that really saying much? Try instead Scottsdale, Chandler, Gilbert, south Tempe, Ahwatukee, areas like that... Once you have lived here for a while, THEN see about areas that are closer to work and/or will help you save a bit more money.

2. I have heard from various sources that the nearby town of Mesa is VERY corrupt, with a police force that arrests random innocent people and charges them with bogus crimes.

It's not the Mesa police force, but the Maricopa county sheriff Arpaio, who went down there stopping people who looked Hispanic for bogus traffic violations in hopes of catching illegal immigrants. This is controversial for obvious reasons: on the one hand it violates due process; on the other hand we really *do* have a problem in terms of mass illegal immigration, a problem that begins to show up in terms of paying for education, health care, other services that they are obtaining illegally, also in terms of competition for jobs. I am NOT a fan of Arpaio or his methods (which are mostly grandstanding anyway and have very little effect), but sometimes I think, does anyone have a better solution?

Bottom line, if you don't look Hispanic, or you do but dress well and/or live in a nice area, you won't have any problems.

3. How much, on average, can a family of 3 expect to spend on groceries?

About the same as everywhere else, but not less. Food quality is noticeably less. Most everything is trucked in from all over, frozen for days, not fresh. There is very little local agriculture here.

4. What is the health care system like?

In my limited experience, the actual quality of care has been good. There are a lot of hospitals and doctors, all competing for business. Of course, what you can get is totally dependent on your employer.

5. What is the public assistance system like?

Nonexistent. The state is beyond bankrupt, so you can't count much on that. You need to make sure with your employer that you are getting the benefits you and your family need. If that's not the case, then it's not really a good offer.

6. I looked around online and I think I found an apartment complex that looks nice, and I think if I do move to Phoenix, I want to live there.

The ratings for this complex look good, sounds like the management is actually decent. However, it's close to 16th st. and Thomas which is again, a horrible area unless you like being surrounded by pawn shops, payday loans, liquor stores, dollar stores and so forth.

[Ritchie_az]

"1. In general, is it safe in Phoenix?"

Phoenix metro is a very safe large metro area. Are there "unsafe" areas? Yes. But, by-and-large, the area as a whole is very safe.

"2. I have heard from various sources that the nearby town of Mesa is VERY corrupt"

I have no idea, but I've never heard that before.
Note: take this response with a grain of salt: "It's not the Mesa police force, but the Maricopa county sheriff Arpaio...."

"3. How much, on average, can a family of 3 expect to spend on groceries?"

I've never lived in Ohio to know comparables for you, but groceries are not unreasonable here.

"4. What is the health care system like?"

There are many good and great hospitals and doctors in the local area.


"5. What is the public assistance system like?"

If you are poor enough, you may qualify for AHCCCS for healthcare.

"6. I looked around online and I think I found an apartment complex that looks nice"

I don't know anything about that place, but there are areas on 14th Street that I personally would not want to live.

[Ghost of the Desert]

I'm going to go ahead and echo the other posters here.

I wouldn't live at that complex.

Here are some of my favorite areas (just my personal preference though):

North Central Phoenix: North of Glendale and East of Central. I lived near 7th St. and Northern. Cool spot. Lots of things to do, hike Squaw Peak, get your car repaired...lol.(anyone thats been on 7th street N of Butler, knows what I mean)The prices for house rentals are pretty fair too. A couple of iffy spots here and there, but overall, not bad. Friendlier people than most parts of the city.

Tempe: Love Tempe. Great town, tons to do and see. Smaller area, easier to get around (rail) I'm moving back to AZ this Friday, and I can't wait to live in Tempe (lived in PHX for some time) Pretty much all of my friends live in Tempe, so I have been around the area plenty.

Scottsdale: Pick your poison here. I prefer the central part of the city, more "regular" folks. Old town is hella fun (expensive though) and its a place you really should check out first.

I'm done. These are places I know very well. I excluded 44th St. and Oak (for obvious reasons)

Good luck, sir. Get ready for eye-melting sun.

[DR1665]

For the most part, there are two types of people on these forums:
- Those looking to move somewhere else, and
- Those looking to help people move to their location.

The people looking to leave are often quick to "warn" others about how "terrible" Phoenix is. Their lives are all f*ckered up and they're running away. You can ignore them. If Phoenix was so terrible, it wouldn't be the 5th largest metro in the country.

Next, please share major cross streets where this potential job would be located so that we can offer more specific insight into areas which could be of interest to you.

1. In general, is it safe in Phoenix?
How safe is Cleveland? I suspect you know of some nice areas in the Cleveland area, right? Phoenix is no different. You've got the good and you've got the bad. It's part of the deal when you move to a major metro area.

2. Mesa
Even if Mesa was a state-run penal colony, Phoenix is so spread out, you could live here for years and never even see it. Such is the case with nearly any of the valley cities. I have friends spread out all over "Phoenix," many who live more than an hour away. Don't sweat Mesa unless your job would have you living in or around it. We'll figure something out.

3. How much, on average, can a family of 3 expect to spend on groceries?
Depends on where you shop and what your eating habits are like. My wife and I spend about $100/wk, but we're on this healthy/organic kick lately and buying specialty products at Sprouts.

4. What is the health care system like? Does Phoenix have good hospitals that provide good quality care?
I've had good experiences in a number of Phoenix hospitals, mostly in the NW part of town. Banner Thunderbird is one minute away from me and clean. I'd go there without a second thought. I've also had good experiences at John C. Lincoln up at I-17 and the 101, as well as at Boswell in Sun City.

5. What is the public assistance system like?
Can't help you there. I suspect it's spread pretty thin, as there are, last time I heard, more than 300,000 illegal aliens living in Maricopa County. It's a fact of life. I believe Ohio benefits would be transferable for a period of time. I don't know how Arizona views transplants. It would seem poor fiscal sense to allow those who have not otherwise contributed to the program to participate. I dunno.

6. Fountains in the Green, and it's on 14th Street in Phoenix, in the 85014
This might be a well run community in a wonderful little pocket of older Phoenix, but it's proximity to Thomas Rd would keep me away, personally. My wife used to live up off 16th St and Camelback and that remains a great part of town. Again, if you can share some info on where you might be working, we can better help you out.

[MotleyCrew]

If you need public assistence, then please stay where you are. I am not being mean, just realize that AZ is in pretty bad shape and we really do not need another mouth or two to feed. Sitting in the ER with my 94 year old mom on Sunday and watched a constant stream of people getting helped without any means to pay, so we will pay in the end. We have enough needy to help right now. Unemployment will not cover your bills. Go to CA where unemployment is at least a living wage...sort of.