Moving to Phoenix. point me in the right direction (Scottsdale: custom home, landscaping)

[aarona3184]

My wife and i are pretty serious about moving from richmond, va, to phoenix. I want to live in north phoenix, and was wondering what "towns" should we look at. We want large lots, because we have a good size lot now, preferably 1+ acre. We also know some homes can be right on top of each other. We are not against living rurally, but when we do move i will be opening an hvac repair and installation company, so we would need to be close to interstates. I would appreciate some help. thanks!

[AZJoeD]

The Desert Hills/New River area will work well for you. Just east of I-17 and along Carefree Hwy it is a mix of horse properties and custom homes. This was a very popular area before the downturn many nice custom homes were built between 2001 and 2006. Most of the area is zoned at one acre minimum, but many with 2.5 or 5 acre lots. This area is predominantly county jurisdiction (no problem parking trucks and equipment). Close to shopping, dining and not too far from entertainment.

If you want something a little more upscale you can go east to Cave Creek, similar makeup at a slightly higher price point.

[BuckeyeBoyDJ]

If you want to live in North Phoenix(the actual city limits) then you're going to have to compromise on a 1 acre lot. They're very few and far between. You didn't give us a price range but the areas of North Scottsdale, Cave Creek, and Carefree can definitely offer you a home on a acre lot but you will pay for it. Your best bet will be to seek out a rural area that's close to the Phoenix metro. Rural cities off of I17 that are relatively close to Phoenix are New River and Black Canyon City. You can easily get an acre lot in both areas. IMO I think your business would be much more profitable if you lived in the metro area. There are plenty of areas where you can get a decent sized lot. It might not be an acre but your neighbors won't be breathing down your neck. Good luck to you!

[Zippyman]

Just an opinion, take it for what it's worth, but a full acre here might be more trouble than it's worth. If you want it grassed in, you'll be paying for water, and if you want desert landscaping you'll have to deal with weeds. If you just let the land run wild, you might get to see a few snakes up close and personal.

An acre is about 33k square feet, if I remember correctly from re school - and if it were me, I'd be looking for perhaps 10k-ish square feet of dirt. That's enough land that you shouldn't hear your neighbor's toilet flush, but you also won't have a full-time job patrolling for weeds. It'll also give you a lot more homes to pick from. North Phoenix might be a good area for an Hvac business - if you look somewhere around where the 101 meets the 51/ I17, you can get all over the valley pretty easily at off-peak hours.

[pbenjamin]

There are 1 acre horse properties in various locations around town. I remember a bunch of them in proximity to 56th Street and Sweetwater.

[aarona3184]

Around 200k, but could swing 225k. That is our range. Thanks for the helpful responses.

[maverick974]

Originally Posted by Zippyman

Just an opinion, take it for what it's worth, but a full acre here might be more trouble than it's worth. If you want it grassed in, you'll be paying for water, and if you want desert landscaping you'll have to deal with weeds. If you just let the land run wild, you might get to see a few snakes up close and personal.

An acre is about 33k square feet, if I remember correctly from re school - and if it were me, I'd be looking for perhaps 10k-ish square feet of dirt. That's enough land that you shouldn't hear your neighbor's toilet flush, but you also won't have a full-time job patrolling for weeds. It'll also give you a lot more homes to pick from. North Phoenix might be a good area for an Hvac business - if you look somewhere around where the 101 meets the 51/ I17, you can get all over the valley pretty easily at off-peak hours.

Actually an acre is 43,560K square feet.

[scocar]

Originally Posted by aarona3184

Around 200k, but could swing 225k. That is our range. Thanks for the helpful responses.

Finding a home on a one acre lot for under $250K seems virtually impossible to me. Unless you purchase on with a trailer on it.

[AZJoeD]

There are 18 in the Desert Hills/New River area. Some very nice ones.

15 in Wittman/Surprise and 1 very nice one in Peoria. All 1+ acre. Some built as recently as 2007. No trailers.

[Zathras]

Originally Posted by Zippyman

Just an opinion, take it for what it's worth, but a full acre here might be more trouble than it's worth. If you want it grassed in, you'll be paying for water, and if you want desert landscaping you'll have to deal with weeds. If you just let the land run wild, you might get to see a few snakes up close and personal.

On the contrary I think land here is much easier to take care of than back east. Most people do not have grass. Just landscaping rocks & dirt. We have 1.25 ac here and had .61 ac back in Ohio. I spend FAR less time with yardwork here than I did back there. Here I occasionally spray for weeds in a few places but that's about it. No mowing, raking, etc. Very easy to take care of.