Scottsdale or Chandler? (Phoenix, Mesa, Paradise Valley: crime rate, house, neighborhood) - Arizona (AZ) - City-Data Forum

mom4girls · 07-06-2007, 12:50 PM

My family is considering moving to AZ. I have visted Scottsdale and Chandler plenty if times and need help. I'm looking for honest opinions on both towns. The information I'm looking for is quality of people, crime, Catholic schools and location to live in both areas.
If we move we will be looking at gated communities. Some areas I liked were Gainey, McCormick, and Stonegate in Scottsdale and in Chandler was San Marcos, and basicly Ocotillo area. I don't know where to start to make a decision on which town to live in, any help is appreciated!

IMoveU · 07-06-2007, 01:21 PM

Hi Mom4girls!

Depending on the age of your girls, there are some great Catholic schools in both areas; however, if you are looking to live in a place where your kids can transition from primary (St. Thomas) to secondary education (Xavier, Notre Dame) without a ton of commuting, Scottsdale, Paradise Valley, Arcadia may be the better bet for you. Check out this link to the Diocese of Phoenix and it will give you some great info on their schools.

Catholic Schools

Chandler also has good Catholic schools, i.e., St. Mary's (primary) and Seton (secondary). If your kids are in high school or getting close, Xavier is an all girls school.

If you are looking for a more midwestern/homey/friendly feel, my opinion is Chandler (Ocotillo area) is your best bet. If you have more of a high-end lifestyle, i.e., country-clubs and the like, Scottsdale may be more to your liking.

I believe Scottsdale has a lower crime rate than Chandler (check the city data on this site) but Ocotillo is a really great area. Have you checked out Las Sendas in N/E Mesa? There are some spectacular areas there in a beautiful high desert environment. The only drawback is the travel distance to Catholic schools.

Please let me know if there is anything else I can help you with...good luck!!

SpeedyAZ · 07-06-2007, 02:10 PM

Both cities are great to live in.

Chandler is more of a "family type" atmosphere while Scottsdale has more wealthy singles and retirees. Don't get me wrong, Scottsdale has plenty of families too but Chandler is generally considered more family friendly.

Both have Catholic schools that are top-notch.

The gated communities you listed are all fairly affordable (except Gainey Ranch, that place is UBER expensive) and each are very nice.

Crime is lower in Scottsdale but neither place has a very high crime rate to begin with.

mom4girls · 07-06-2007, 05:31 PM

Thanks for the info. My girls are young so my focus is primary Catholic schools. Does anyone have info on San Marcos in Chandler. I know the development is nice but I heard the area is alittle shady. Has it gotten better or will it?

Leana76 · 07-06-2007, 05:41 PM

Scottsdale is very expensive to live at. I kind of like Chandler. The people aren't so snobby there, as some are in Scottsdale. But this is your choice, my dear. Go where you're heart desires to be.

IMoveU · 07-06-2007, 05:56 PM

San Marcos is not Scottsdale by a long shot but I have a few friends living in San Marcos and are quite happy. St. Mary's is a great primary Catholic school so I don't see any problem there. It really depends on where you want to live. The market for homes is certainly softer in the prime areas of Chandler than the prime areas of Scottsdale and that should be an indicator of the overall desirability of the respective areas.

You will get more house for the same money in Chandler and pay more money for the same house in Scottsdale. The north-Scotssdale area is a looong way from allot of things; Chandler is a pretty easy commute to most things. I would be at ease walking at night outside of Grayhawk; pretty anxious outside of San Marcos.

I guess I would echo Leana76 and say "go where your heart desires to be" :-)

sheena · 07-06-2007, 07:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mom4girls

My family is considering moving to AZ. I have visted Scottsdale and Chandler plenty if times and need help. I'm looking for honest opinions on both towns. The information I'm looking for is quality of people, crime, Catholic schools and location to live in both areas.
If we move we will be looking at gated communities. Some areas I liked were Gainey, McCormick, and Stonegate in Scottsdale and in Chandler was San Marcos, and basicly Ocotillo area. I don't know where to start to make a decision on which town to live in, any help is appreciated!

If you are wealthy and don't mind paying almost double for the exact same home in Scottsdale I'd choose that one.

mom4girls · 07-07-2007, 04:24 PM

I checked crime rates in both areas. If Chandler is "family friendly" why are there so many child molestation, sexual assaults and violent assaults? Not saying Scottsdale doesn't have any, but it is far less. I understand these are suburbs of a city and its not going to be crime free it seems more violent in Chandler than Scottsdale. Does anyone have any input on this subject?

IMoveU · 07-07-2007, 05:15 PM

People are not raped, murdered, kidnapped or assaulted in Chandler anymore than any other city with the same demographics. Most physical crimes are committed family on family, neighbor on neighbor or transient on transient (I don't mean homeless people, I mean people with no familial or property attachment in the area they reside, i.e., young male renters); property crimes do regulary cross neighborhood boundaries but even the most primitive in our society understand the concept of economic equillibrium and the imbalance that results driving from South Chandler to North Scottsdale at $3.00/gal to do their deeds.

So, Mom4kids, you might find walking to the liquor store at midnight in downtown Chandler may result in a higher likelihood of being r/m/k/a'd than say, Gainey Ranch; but the demographics of San Marcos v. Gainey Ranch isn't even close.

The question I think begs to be asked is the one you and your family should ponder... "based on the demographic disparities and relative crime statistics for the two areas we are considering...do we want more home and less peace of mind or viceversa?

As the old saying goes..."you can't have your cake and eat it too"! :-)

Steel87 · 07-14-2007, 01:29 AM

Quote:

If you are wealthy and don't mind paying almost double for the exact same home in Scottsdale I'd choose that one.

Its not just the physical home you consider when relocating. You should take into account community, proximity to activities, local parks, shopping, entertainment, etc. Scottsdale in general is much richer in these departments than Chandler.