Laveen - What are your thoughts? (Phoenix, Scottsdale: new home, neighborhoods, buy)

[sheena]

Originally Posted by LivinInLaveen

I live in the area around 51st Ave and Southern and have had terrible experiences here in Laveen in the past 7 months since I moved into my home. There are packs of juvenile delinquents roaming the neighborhood cursing and smoking pot at the local play area, and I am sure that we have section 8 renters throughout the neighborhood and they have no investment in keeping the area safe and clean. I am not a prejudiced person and happen to be of the race that I am speaking about, so with that said, there are many intimidating young black men hanging out in front of homes and businesses in the area and will actually swear at you and ask you “what the F*&^ are you looking at” if you happen to look in their direction. This is something we should not have to tolerate.

Now for the dangerous stuff…I have had my home and car vandalized, my home was burglarized in broad daylight just a few days before Thanksgiving and the police officer told me that Laveen IS NOT a good area in terms of property crime, he was out on many burglary calls in the same area, that same day.

Please look at the statistics this area of the South Mountain Precinct #425:

http://phoenix.gov/

When you look at the numbers compared to the rest of the beat, our area is much higher in property crimes than other areas of South Mountain. The policeman told me that we are under attack by the South Mountain gangs, poor Gila River reservation residents, and then we have the teenaged children of the section 8 renters that break into our homes looking for fast money. If and when they are caught these are the groups that they find are perpetrating most of these crimes, this is from an officer that works in the area all the time.

So, get an alarm, a gun and a big dog and hope they don’t target your home next. This area is going downhill fast!!!

But the houses are cheap and it's close to downtown and all the action.

[LivinInLaveen]

Originally Posted by sheena

But the houses are cheap and it's close to downtown and all the action.

That makes it okay? So you are okay living in an area that is becoming overrun with criminal activities?

[ibarrio]

Originally Posted by LivinInLaveen

That makes it okay? So you are okay living in an area that is becoming overrun with criminal activities?

No sarcasm meter?

[sheena]

Originally Posted by LivinInLaveen

That makes it okay? So you are okay living in an area that is becoming overrun with criminal activities?

Not me!!! I rather pay more money and live in a better area, I was just saying why people choose Laveen. Is that why you bought there?

[LivinInLaveen]

I am living with my mistake and posted here so that anyone thinking of moving to the area would know what truly lurks beneath the surface in Laveen. My point is that it is not okay for anyone to have to live under these conditions. No matter where they live. I bought in the area, because I thought that the area was nice and quiet, and it is on the surface, but the undesirables come into the area and victimize law-abiding people with no consequences and that is the true nature in the area at this point in time. Maybe if the police presence increases, this will change, but I am not going to hold my breath.

[LivinInLaveen]

Sarcasm should be reserved for a less serious topic.

[artvandelay]

Originally Posted by LivinInLaveen

I am living with my mistake and posted here so that anyone thinking of moving to the area would know what truly lurks beneath the surface in Laveen. My point is that it is not okay for anyone to have to live under these conditions. No matter where they live. I bought in the area, because I thought that the area was nice and quiet, and it is on the surface, but the undesirables come into the area and victimize law-abiding people with no consequences and that is the true nature in the area at this point in time. Maybe if the police presence increases, this will change, but I am not going to hold my breath.

I feel your pain. I made the same mistake in Tolleson. I knew what I wasn't getting (good schools, lots of friendly neighbors), by moving there, but I didn't realize how a place that looked so promising could be so dangerous. Live and learn, and lose some money when it's all said and done, but hopefully be safe.

[Ponderosa]

Have you guys been shot or mugged or something? Have your kids been molested or your house burglarized (that's a trick question because it happens in Gilbert and Chandler too)? I lived in South Phoenix (gasp!) when I first moved here. I did not do my homework and did not know it was a bad area. It was cheap and I could afford it. There was some bad stuff around, but none of it personally affected me at all - well, my lawnmower got stolen but that's it. Heck I used to stop at Keys Market for milk and bread (old timers will remember the name). I even got married to one of the south Phoenix natives. So is there anything bad actually happening to you or is it that you just don't like the "look" of your neighborhood?

[artvandelay]

Originally Posted by Ponderosa

Have you guys been shot or mugged or something? Have your kids been molested or your house burglarized (that's a trick question because it happens in Gilbert and Chandler too)? I lived in South Phoenix (gasp!) when I first moved here. I did not do my homework and did not know it was a bad area. It was cheap and I could afford it. There was some bad stuff around, but none of it personally affected me at all - well, my lawnmower got stolen but that's it. Heck I used to stop at Keys Market for milk and bread (old timers will remember the name). I even got married to one of the south Phoenix natives. So is there anything bad actually happening to you or is it that you just don't like the "look" of your neighborhood?

If you define "something bad" as only violent crime, I am all good. But what gives the ugly look is ugly people with ugly behaviors. If I hear gunshots in my neighborhood, I don't think "doesn't affect me personally". Is it comfortable walking a toddler through a park where 6 thugs are smoking weed right in the walkway? What about more neighbors who would steal from you than would say hello. But since my family and I haven't been shot, raped, or beaten, we feel we're livin large.

[sheena]

Originally Posted by LivinInLaveen

Sarcasm should be reserved for a less serious topic.

Sarcasm or not that's the reason why people buy there. It's cheap and it's close to downtown. Sorry you were duped. Ponderosa is correct though, crime happens all over and that includes Gilbert and more than anyone thinks but still in my opinion the better choice for schools and everything else.