Starting new job in Chandler - help/advice with moving (Phoenix: apartment complex, rentals)

[georgec84]

Hey all,

I'll be working in Chandler starting in early September. I'm a 27-year-old single guy who wants a nice, quiet, peaceful environment. I figure I'll end up in a one-bedroom apartment for the short term.

I'd like to be relatively close to work so that I may ride my bike (~3 miles) but also as equidistant from grocery stores, fashion center, etc. I also enjoy running and wonder where there may be running trails, hills, etc.

The center of what seems to be my desirable location is near the 101 (Price Fwy) and Ray or Warner Roads. I love my Trader Joe's, Costco, etc., and Sprouts seems like an amazing produce market. Having these things within a radius of a couple miles is ideal, I guess, but good housing/location for other reasons is also important and I'm open-minded.

I've checked craigslist here and there but many of the apt listings seem bogus - they all have the same one or two realty logos. Is that how it works out there? I feel that there are probably many more less-advertised landlords with few buildings.

I seem to come across posts about Chandler being unsafe, having gangs, etc. every now and then and am wondering what are the areas in which I wouldn't want to live?

Thanks everyone.

[observer53]

101 and Warner or Ray are very nice, safe areas. I don't know what to tell you about the searches you've been doing, as I don't know which sites you've been using or what "realty" companies are coming up. There's a nice complex at the 101 and Ray, San something (I forget the name). (northeast corner, or close to the corner)

[Jkgourmet]

That's a great area! I can't help with the search for an apt (I've owned since '91), but you will find lots of good choices. You should also include condo and townhouse rentals.
I know of several people who have found places on rental.com, though most people I know have used craigslist and just driving around the neighborhood.

When you settle it, also check out Whole Foods Market (like an upscale Sprouts), Lee Lee (probably the largest and most diverse Asian market you will anyplace) and Pro's Ranch Market (similar to Lee Lee except it emphasizes Hispanic and Latin American foods, with some other areas reasonably well represented. It's truly like spending a few hours in Mexico.)

You'll also find a huge variety of Thai, Japanese, Korean, Indian, Chinese, Vietnamese, authentic Mexican, gringo Mexican, chain restaurants within a 10 minute drive of that intersection. One of my favorite areas of Phoenix metro.

[georgec84]

Thanks for the info - from Google Maps those areas do seem pretty nice and serene. Compared to other parts of Chandler, is this area more expensive? I don't want to pay a significant premium just for a difference of maybe a couple miles.

I've been checking craigslist in the East Valley apartments for rent section, searching for "Chandler" and browsing all those results.

Are there better resources for Phoenix area housing/apartments besides craigslist?

RE dining, it doesn't seem there is much Middle Eastern/Mediterranean dining in Chandler. That mostly seems to be in Scottsdale.

[observer53]

Step over into Tempe for dining. More variety in ethnic dining choices there. I don't know that the area you are looking at is significantly more than other areas of similar age. There's probably older places nearer downtown that are cheaper, but they are also older and may not offer the same amenities. They are trying to revitalize downtown in some respects.

It depends on what you are looking for.

[georgec84]

I don't know much about the downtown area - how big is it? The center seems about 3 miles or so from the area I mentioned in the OP.

I'm looking for quality, affordability, and quietness. I'm a young, single guy so while I don't want to be secluded I also don't want to be in a rowdy area with mostly young people who party, are noisy, etc.

In general what are the best areas of Chandler from the perspective of things I've mentioned? I'm sure there are locations or aspects of the town's layout that I have not considered or come across, so I'm happy to hear any suggestions you all have!

[observer53]

I don't think Chandler has any particular area or apartment complex that is overrun with young partiers. The area you mentioned to start with, as well as what you'd call west Chandler, say from Rural over to 1-10, are both nice areas.

[georgec84]

Cool. How about East and South Chandler? Any distinction among the different areas?

Really appreciate the discussion!

[AZAllison]

The area you are looking in is nice, and safe. Chandler doesn't have "big crime" so you don't have much to worry about. You are close to a Whole Foods, like a previous poster said, which is on Ray & the 101. Sprouts is a fabulous place!!! I shop there weekly just for the produce. The main difference between the area of Chandler you asked about and East/South Chandler is mostly age. East/South Chandler tends to be newer, especially along the 202-San Tan corridor. But there are many, many nice apartment complexes here. I wouldn't use Craigslist, since it sounds like you aren't finding much there. Try an apartment search finder (just Google "apartments in Chandler, AZ" and you'll find the big ones). They show you pictures of the nice complexes and price ranges. Good luck!

[asufan]

Check out the san ventura apartments on ray road, west of 101. There's several apartment complexes on federal way, just south of ray, you can find them on various websites. There's also a nice complex just a few blocks south of whole foods on the east side of 101. A google map search in that area may give specific apartment names.