Single Mom Looking for Family Friendly Areas with Good School Districts (Mesa: cheap apartments, lease)

[islandgirl3]

I'm a mom of 3 in Chicago and am planning on moving to Arizona with my kids. I am looking to rent a house as my ex-husband has destroyed my credit. I've been doing some research on safe family friendly communities such as Gilbert, Mesa, San Tan area. Can anyone give me some recommendations on safe communities to raise my kids in that has good schools?

Also, how hard will it be to get a lease approved with my bad credit? My biggest concern is that I don't want to raise my kids in lower income areas or areas with high crime and I'm afraid I won't be able to rent a home in a decent area.

Can anyone help me out? Thanks!

[observer53]

You don't say anything about what your budget is. Where you live is going to be determined somewhat by where you are working, if that's your plan when you get here. Gilbert schools are good, many of the Mesa schools as well. San Tan is way out there, if you are planning on working, that could be a problem. I know nothing about the schools serving that area, which I assume may be Queen Creek.

I can't say how much trouble you are going to have with the credit issue. There are a lot of vacant properties, which sometimes opens up the market a bit. If you have an opportunity to discuss the situation with the landlord, and can show that you will be reliable with the rent payments, you may not be rejected out of hand.

[khuntrevor]

there are some cheap apartments in the Madison School District, which is way above average for AZ. Good North Central Location. If they were giving nice houses to single moms with bad credit, then they probably wouldn't be that nice to begin with. Be thankful you are rid of your ex--he is probably saying you ruined his credit on another forum. You're looking at about 700 per month, but I just saw a nice 2 br condo hit the market at 21,900--and that is about what you will get for 700.