Where to settle in Arizona (Phoenix, Tucson: for sale, mortgage, mobile home)

[screamflickchick]

@Adamson520

Well specifically I am looking for a little bit of space and more peace and quiet. It would all depend on where I can get another healthcare job, also. I wouldn't want to travel more than 30-40 minutes from a job, or grocery stores (I like Sprouts, Trader Joes's, Whole Foods.) I dislike towns that are just mini mall after mini mall. Would be nice to be in a town with some mom and pop restaurants instead of chains. I don't mind a bit of cooler weather or even a mild amount of snow- but Flagstaff would be too cold for me. I love areas like Scottsdale- where I often go to hike- but it is very expensive there. Someone suggested Oro Valley- but I have read that it is a traffic nightmare to get in and out of there. Prescott is a possibility. There is so much conflicting information on these message boards that it is very confusing when I try to research an area. Since I don't know Arizona well- it is difficult to weed through all of the information on such a big state.

[gemstone1]

If Sprouts, TJ's and Whole Foods are on your must have list, you are stuck with the major metro areas, although Yuma now has a Sprouts.

Regards
Gemstone1

[WK91]

Originally Posted by screamflickchick

@WK91

I am renting in Goodyear at the moment. I don't feel unsafe here- I was just asking for recommendations on low crime areas outside of Phoenix Metro. I know that Fountain Hills, Paradise Valley and North Scottsdale are very nice areas. But I don't think I can afford them! I love going over to Scottsdale to hike. Thank you for the advice!

Goodyear is mostly fine, except some areas around I-10. But yea, if you want to live in safe areas outside of Phoenix, it’s gonna cost you. I think it’s worth the extra cost to live in those places, though.

[DetroitN8V]

Originally Posted by WK91

East valley is better. I’d stay in these 3 places: Fountain Hills, Paradise Valley, and N Scottsdale, near or beyond the 101. The further away, the better, is my motto.

Is anywhere truly safe anymore? Not really, always arm yourself and be ready for anything. Don’t just get a weapon, fire it regularly so you don’t freeze up when needed. It’s only going to get worse. No need to go into all the reasons why crime is on a serious uptick in the Valley, we all know why.

When you say you lived in the West Valley and need to find a lower crime area, what are we dealing with here? Maryvale? Avondale? Tolleson? I wouldn set foot in any of those areas without being armed and ready.

OP, take this level of paranoia with a grain of salt. Most aren’t like this and the fearful prepper mentality is way over the top and completely unnecessary. Won’t “step foot in Avondale without being armed and ready”! Come on. Deep breath.

[WK91]

Originally Posted by DetroitN8V

OP, take this level of paranoia with a grain of salt. Most aren’t like this and the fearful prepper mentality is way over the top and completely unnecessary. Won’t “step foot in Avondale without being armed and ready”! Come on. Deep breath.

I consider crime to be moderately high in Avondale. Not as bad as Maryvale or Tolleson, but still high enough that I wouldn’t want to live there and I don’t care to visit, either.

Perhaps you are ok with being a victim and will gladly hand over your possessions if it happens to you someday? That’s just not me, I can’t accept that without at least doing all I can to prevent it. If it then happens to me, as no person can prevent every crime, at least I can tell myself I honestly tried.

[screamflickchick]

Not "must-haves." Just stores I like. Must-haves are low crime, quiet, less population and traffic.

[screamflickchick]

@WK91- Yes- and I rent near the I-10. My rental complex has very....interesting characters. Definitely an element that I want to get away from.

[DetroitN8V]

Originally Posted by WK91

I consider crime to be moderately high in Avondale. Not as bad as Maryvale or Tolleson, but still high enough that I wouldn’t want to live there and I don’t care to visit, either.

Perhaps you are ok with being a victim and will gladly hand over your possessions if it happens to you someday? That’s just not me, I can’t accept that without at least doing all I can to prevent it. If it then happens to me, as no person can prevent every crime, at least I can tell myself I honestly tried.

No one wants to be a victim of crime but that doesn't justify the borderline agoraphobia. Chances are very high that you'll never need to shoot anyone in Avondale, to the point that it's not even worth mentioning.

[WK91]

Originally Posted by screamflickchick

@WK91- Yes- and I rent near the I-10. My rental complex has very....interesting characters. Definitely an element that I want to get away from.

I don’t blame you for wanting to relocate from that area. But since you aren’t new to the area anymore, you have a better sense as to what to look for and what to avoid.

The problem is that housing prices have skyrocketed, people are flooding into the area bringing crime and overcrowding, so it’s not so easy to find the perfect, affordable place anymore.

Good luck.

[grmi66]

Just throwing this out there, the commute from Oracle or Catalina to the hospital in Oro Valley would be 20-30 minutes and avoiding most of the nasty Oracle Road traffic in Oro Valley during rush hour. Oro Valley has most of the amenities you'd be looking for like Target, Home Depot, Sprouts and such. Both communities are slightly higher in elevation and would be 10-15 degrees cooler in the summer than the Phoenix area.