Moving to Phoenix - some advice needed (Scottsdale, Tempe: apartment, condos)

[ibiza_girl25]

Hi,
My husband and I are planning on moving to Phoenix, we are in our mid 20's and very active.
We are looking for an area in downtown/centrel phoenix to live. We want a lively area that has great night life that doesn't require driving to (since we will be drinking), we would like to be in an area that has a grocery and drug store near by and maybe a movie threatre also in walking distance. We know that we will need a car in Phoenix but we are trying to find an area that will help reduce the amount of drivinig we need to do!

Also the area we want to live in needs to be safe as can be.....I've read all these threads about the bad areas and I want to feel comfortable walking around my neighborhood late at night or early in the am!

Any advice would be great!

Thanks

[silverbear]

The downtowns of Phoenix, Tempe, and Scottsdale are the three most viable choices. All have lots of promising new apartment and condo developments, although I think it would be an exaggeration to say than any of the three, taken alone, have great nightlife. Each one has some good places, but you'll need to look broadly at the entire metro area to find everything you seek.

DT Phoenix:

+ near multiple bus lines, near future light rail line, genuine feel with new indy businesses making their mark, movie theaters at Arizona Center

- no grocery or drugstore within walking distance -- maybe on the way, little high-profile nightlife -- although getting better

DT Tempe:

+ near multiple bus lines, near future light rail line, bars and restaurants on Mill Avenue, Valley Art and Centerpoint theaters

- no drugstore or grocery -- Whole Foods on the way, some of the college-town feel has been replaced with a more gentrified and corporate feel

DT Scottsdale:

+ Current nightlife center of Phoenix metro area, trendy and fashionable area

- A few bus routes but much less transit than Phoenix and Tempe -- Scottsdale is sitting out the light rail project, Scottsdale night life is sometimes perceived as phoney and nouveau-riche

[nitram]

The silverbear pretty much nailed it.

[Boatdrinks]

I love the condos they're building right on Mill Ave in Tempe, by ASU. I think that would be a really fun place to live if you're younger and enjoy going out.