I saw Apache Junction.... and I liked it (Phoenix, Tucson: houses, living)

[Guitarmaan]

as per title

On our daily tours of the area, we went to Apache Junction today. I know many don't like the place, calling it slummy and run down. We almost didn't go because I was against living there, especially considering it's distance from central.

But I have to say I thought it was awesome. Trailer parks aside, it's nicely spaced out, has beautiful surroundings, many new housing developments and the locals seem exceptionally polite. I was very pleasantly surprised

All in all I'd describe the place as "undeveloped" rather than "run down". I suspect it has a great future. As Phoenix fills up and people move farther and farther out to avoid inner city culture, Apache Junction may transform. I don't know, just my opinion.

One of the reasons we went out there is due to inventory being so short in our price range now. Damn it's tough. We'll probably have to up our expenditure and lower our expectations. Mesa has been disappointing unfortunately. We're still considering it, but what we've seen is a lot more run down than Apache Junction!

[maverick974]

Wow, I've been saying the same thing for a few years now. I liked AJ for the most part. Some of the nicest homes I've seen in the valley are up against the Superstitions. Fabulous custom built mansions.
There are some not so great areas but nothing I would feel unsafe walking through at night unlike parts of Mesa I've been through. I ended up getting a place not far from AJ but it's in Mesa. Just barely but it's in Mesa.
I loved the views of all the mountains, the proximity to the lakes and character surrounding this area. It just feels a bit more "historic". Maybe it's the gold mines or just the open desert. It feel more "Arizona" to me and my perceptions on things.
In my opinion, one of the reasons people feel the way they do about AJ is because it's just not the same as the rest of the valley. Most other areas are generally the same. Newer homes, lots of strip malls, houses packed up against eachother in the name of builder profits, straight grid like roads and a convenience store on every corner. AJ just isn't like that. It's more rural, more western. Rodeo's, people on horseback, lots of golf carts on the streets particularly in winter and a little cooler weather than the rest of the valley because it's a bit higher.
I've seen a few edgy characters roaming around but that's not the norm. It's a very slow town until the snowbirds arrive in late fall and that's when it's a happening place. Not just for the snowbirds but the entire town seems to brighten up a little bit.
Well, it's a quaint, not so quiet town with some great views of the Superstitions.
When I first arrived here, I had negative vibes about AJ because of all I've heard. One of the first things I did was go to the police station and talked to the guys that see the worst of the place. I asked a couple of them what they thought of AJ and their answer surprised me and I'll never forget what they said. I quote, "It's a hidden jewel in the desert." They went on to say that it used to resemble that horrible, drug infested place that you've heard on this forum but they said the city and Police Dept. has done a great job of cleaning up the city to get rid of the stigma that it had from the past.
Anyway, it's a nice place with nice, down to earth people. It's certainly not as fancy as other towns in the valley but it's a pretty fun place if you forget the past.
Anyway, with a few exceptions, I like the place.

[cacto]

AJ has a reputation due to it's past which conflicts with it's present. A long time ago it was known for bikers, meth, and trailer parks.

The advantage AJ has over any suburb in the metro is it's access to nature. The Superstitions are right there and the town is the closest to the Salt River lakes.

It's almost 1000' feet higher than PHX and stays a little cooler, as well as averaging about 5 more inches of rain a year. Which is a lot in the desert.

Most importantly, it's really pretty out there.

[boolouwho]

I like AJ, especially because it is so close it is to one of the most beautiful mountain ranges in AZ. I always liked going through there on the way to Tortilla Flat. There is a pretty cool museum there too. It's small, but it if you are into history or mining it's really interesting.

[ShampooBanana]

AJ certainly has it's beautiful parts. Just drive along Mountain View Rd and you'll see some very spacious homes that are in much more rural and "deserty" surroundings than what you'll find in most other areas. It reminds me of some areas around Cave Creek, etc, with rough and tumble old taverns, plenty of cacti, and the mountain scenery mixed in with the homes. Stay away from the trailer parks and you'll be pretty safe, too. If you don't mind being farther away from the City amenities and prefer a feel that is more Sonoran Desert and is right close to the mountains and man-made lakes then it's definitely a decent place to live.

[AZ Tracy]

Apache Junction has beautiful mountain views, for sure. Here is the newspaper: AJNEWS The Area's Leading Newspaper Since 1997

It just seems to have the usual stuff - home informaiton, politics, local football, etc. Its reputation has definitely improved over the years.

[Steve Pickering]

AJ is one of the jewels of the Valley of the Sun. Don't let the snobs and naysayers tell you any different. There is also some really upscale housing in AJ and around the Superstion's west end.

[Property Cupid]

It will be interesting to see what AJ is like in 10 years. Looking at Queen Creek 10 years ago, with no infrastructure and four way stops everywhere, who would've thought it would be so developed? AJ will most likely become the same way.

[azdr0710]

Originally Posted by Property Cupid

It will be interesting to see what AJ is like in 10 years. Looking at Queen Creek 10 years ago, with no infrastructure and four way stops everywhere, who would've thought it would be so developed? AJ will most likely become the same way.

don't forget Queen Creek boomed only because prices got so high in the early-mid 2000s everywhere else that people/builders looked for some place cheaper on the fringes....I presume AJ will continue to grow in an orderly way of sorts, but not in some hyper-boom way a la 2003-2005....

[themudpuppy]

I love the Apache Junction area. I've been keeping my eye on homes there. I have a contract on a house outside of Tucson but I don't know if the deal is going to go through, so I'm looking for a backup, and Apache Junction is one of the areas I've been focusing on, although I haven't found the right house at the right price there yet.