Any safe areas within walking distance to everything? (Phoenix, Mesa: apartment complexes, to rent)

[khuntrevor]

try Midtown--what's your budget?

[Finger Laker]

i'd still say downtown .... best option in a city that isn't very walkable for what you are looking for

definitely safe as well

arrowhead area could work - you have the mall, a variety of stores, the AMC & the harkins, a good density of restaurants and the mall has a little transit center there as well

we would occasionally walk to some places - but honestly still drove for most everything

[pandaundercover]

I second the Arrowhead Mall area. There's a handful of apartments directly behind that mall, making it short walk to the mall for shopping, or the movie theater. There's plenty of places to eat in the same area and more shops, such as target, michaels, hobby lobby, etc.

I'm not super familiar with Scottsdale, but I'm driven in the NW portion of it and it is REALLY nice and safe feeling there. I'm sure it's probably got a mall somewhere with more upper end shopping, with places to live nearby somewhere.

[Jukesgrrl]

Originally Posted by Kimballette

Regardless of what you decide, this statement is not correct.

I'd like to chime in and say I agree. I'd also respectfully like to ask the OP to describe how s/he defines "safe."

[M74]

Um? The Phoenix area is not really a walkable city. Sure there are pockets of neighborhoods that you could TAKE a walk. But since you've said you will be snowbirds I'm not sure you'll get what you wish for. Of course this is my opinion, others here seem to differ but I've lived in walkable cities and I wouldn't necessarily call walking to the mall a selling point.

Maybe it would help if you could clarify what you mean as "walkable." But in general the metro and all surrounding cities are car dependent.

[Finger Laker]

I don't think anyone isn't saying that the city isn't car dependent .... it also wouldn't matter if you think walking to a mall makes a city "walkable"

They were looking for low crime and walking distance to at least:
- LRT or regular bus
- Shopping (preferably malls)
- Restaurants
- Cinemas
- Libraries
- Museums
- etc.

There are concerns about downtown for safety from the OP - although I would disagree ... aside from that it would have all those other points except some of the shopping

Arrowhead isn't as walkable - but if positioned on the right bus line axis you could make it work and get access to everything except museums

Being a snowbird they are probably looking at places with warm weather during the winter months ... these will mainly fall in the sunbelt in cities that really aren't known for their dense builds and public transportation

[khuntrevor]

My neighborhood is like that in 85014. I do fine without a car. It's 3.4 miles to work, and the bus sucks, so I walk it (temp permitting), but am considering biking on the sidewalk like many others.
What a relief not having a car parked in a school parking lot! Sheeesh! Live near the nicer LR stops. I like Osborn, and I'm actually a little closer to IS, which is a little busier/rougher, but much better than 19th Ave, and perfectly doable.

[RCR]

Originally Posted by Kimballette

The only correct statement in that post is that you moved here from Chicago.

We don't even know that for sure.... What a first post

[TootsieWootsie]

I came from Chicago. Phoenix is MUCH safer feeling than Chitown for sure.
There are all sorts of safe, decent areas that you can walk to stores in if you look. Ignore the stupid comments.

[caryberry]

The Scottsdale Old Town and Indian School/Camelback/Hayden areas are very walkable. Not to mention that Scottsdale has a free local bus service that is very convenient.