House in Chandler or Gilbert? (Mesa: high crime, investment, buying)

[nehazaidi]

Which has better chance of "holding" its value?

[Boatdrinks]

Depends on where in Chandler or Gilbert, the specific neighborhood you end up buying in, what kind of house it is, etc. Overall they're both great cities, but there are great areas in both cities, and not so great areas in both cities. I've lived in both cities and, to me, you can't make a blanket statement about one being a better investment then the other.

[nehazaidi]

What are the great areas in those two cities and how for is it from Mesa? I just heard that in Mesa crime rate has gone up so much that it is intolerable and they are asking for Feds to help!!! Thanks in advance!

[Ponderosa]

Originally Posted by nehazaidi

What are the great areas in those two cities and how for is it from Mesa? I just heard that in Mesa crime rate has gone up so much that it is intolerable and they are asking for Feds to help!!! Thanks in advance!

There was a story in the paper this morning that violent crime had gone down in Mesa - the only city here where that happened. I think they said it went up most in Gilbert and Chandler. I'd still pick Gilbert and Chandler over many parts of Mesa. But Mesa is a big place, 1/2 a million or so and not all (or even most) of it is crime-ridden.

[Nice Nice Baby!]

High crime areas are found in pockets, usually. Chandler, Gilbert, and Mesa all have plenty of great neighborhoods to choose from.

[nehazaidi]

Originally Posted by Ponderosa

I think they said it went up most in Gilbert and Chandler.

WHAT!!! OMG!

[Boatdrinks]

Originally Posted by nehazaidi

WHAT!!! OMG!

I didn't read the article, but I think that even with an increase in crime in Gilbert and Chandler, the numbers would still be significantly lower then Mesa. Mesa is huge compared to Gilbert and Chandler, has a LOT more people and has a lot more "bad areas."

Chandler and Gilbert are great places to live and very safe for most people. Gilbert was rated as the 13th safest city in the country to live recently (this was in one of those ratings lists that I really hate and bash constantly on this board, yet still refer to when it suits my needs )

[sablebaby]

Yes, you will find crime (even violent crime) in EVERY city. But I am seeing a lot more on the news in Chandler and Gilbert.

[Nice Nice Baby!]

Reasons you are seeing more crime are because of population growth which creates more opportunity. If you look at per capita, the crime rate has actually decreased from 20 years ago. This was reported in the news today. Chandler/Gilbert population gains have been significant.

[nitram]

On the TV news last night it was announced that Gilbert had the highest increase over last year in crime than any other valley city especially in murders.
Chandler would be my first choice.
But as other have said, crime can be anywhere and some areas have more than others in the same city.