How to choose between Scottsdale and Tempe? (Phoenix: apartments, neighborhood)

[algia]

I've been re-searching for a while now the Phoenix metro...now I am stuck, we like both these areas and they both seem to have good schools for our kids and also good housing opps.....now, how to choose one is the question?

Can you guys share pros and cons, but no venting, I am seriously trying to decide here.....mind you the school my hubby wants to go to is in Scottsdale, but Tempe is not that far either! hmmm!?

What would make YOU choose one over the other?

Thank you,

[observer53]

I've lived in both, though I haven't lived in Scottsdale since 1973, well before the massive expansion of Scottsdale to the north. I prefer Tempe, I don't really care about all the restaurants and high end shopping in Scottsdale, (there's plenty of shopping and restaurants in and close to Tempe). Tempe is convenient to everywhere I need to go, (including Scottsdale) things like gasoline are cheaper, the city government doesn't land on the front page of the paper as often, it seems. Better public transit, good parks and rec department. I like the proximity of the University for entertainment, educational, and volunteer opportunities.

[algia]

that was kinda what I thought too.....the only question I would have is how is the "student" population? is it nuts? loud music type stuff? robberies? here next to USF is impossible to live....total crack town!

Thanks,

[observer53]

In most of Tempe, we don't even know the University is there, unless we want to go there. So no, the student population is no problem outside the immediate area of the University.

[algia]

that's good to know...Thank you...

BTW where would I be able to get the light rail path through town? do any of the sub divisions there have access to it? what other public transit is available? AND is it filled with homeless ppl? here in FL it is unusable because of that.....

[LocoAZnative]

I live near ASU and you can't even tell it is near. The students live in the apartments directly to the east of ASU. About the schools the Kyrene school district is pretty much top notch here is a recent article about it on azcentral.

Tempe, Kyrene schools excel in annual report card

I would say if you need to have exclusive upscale shops then pick Scottsdale, otherwise Tempe is much better.

[observer53]

The light rail map and other public transit info is here:

www.valleymetro.org

The rail doesn't pass through the areas that you've been looking in, but other buses will get you to the light rail. And no, buses in Tempe/Phx are not "full of homeless ppl".

[observer53]

Actually, it hasn't ALWAYS had that reputation. It was "the West's Most Western Town" for a LONG time. The expansion north and the higher end shopping, residential and resorts helped give that reputation in the eyes of some people.

[sidrah]

I'd pick Tempe. BUt, I like to go to the stores and events near ASU. Scottsdale is kind of far out from where I work and I really don't shop in those kind of stores that it is known for. When people come inot town to visit we go to Old town Scottsdale, but otherwise, I don't really end up there.

[impala666]

That's right there ain't no shops in my neighborhood.