Looking to move to Phoenix from Denver - anyone done the same move and have any regrets? (Chandler: daycares, houses)

[chall100]

I would first of all like to thank everyone who actively posts on this board. I have read a lot of posts on this board and appreciate all of the informative posts.

My family and I (wife, 23 month old, and baby due on 4/20/13) are looking to move down to Phoenix from Denver.
The reasons for the move
-Cheaper housing (of course depending on where you go). My wife has family in Queen Creek so we would be looking to move close to that area (Gilbert, Chandler, maybe Queen Creek). My wife would do stay at home daycare and I would be working in the downtown area. I would like my commmute to stay 45 minutes or under so that is why Queen Creek is not a preferred place to move to.
-We have family in PHX area and my parents will likely be retiring in the next few years and be spending approx half the year in PHX. We have no family in Denver (we are both originally from South Dakota) so it would be nice to have some family around.
-No winters in PHX (although the winters in COLO are still mild compared to the Dakotas). But I would not miss scooping a foot of snow like I had to do a couple of days ago.
-My family and I love to swim so we loved that a lot of houses come with pools in PHX. Yes I have visited before and I have been in the pool when it is 120 degrees outside.
-Close proximity to San Diego, LA, Las Vegas

I would have no problems transferring jobs. In fact I would pry even be able to get paid more by moving to PHX since it is a bigger area and my company pays more in the PHX area even though housing is less expensive.
Anyone have any thoughts? Are daycares needed in the Gilbert, Chandler, Queen Creek areas? It is very important to my family that my wife stays at home so she can raise our kids during the day.
Thanks

[hikernut]

Hi,

We moved from Denver area to Gilbert recently. My wife has been worried about the hot temps in the summer, so it has been ironic to see her wearing her down jacket since we moved. Well, it did drop into the low 20s for a few nights in January.

A pool is a necessity if you want to spend any time outside in the summer. That was a "must have" on our house list. Sounds like you figured that out.

Phoenix is big. If you are commuting to downtown, be really careful about living too far out. I drive from Gilbert, a couple miles south of the 202, over to the Chandler Mall area, about 14 miles. If I leave the house at 8am it's about 25 minutes, but longer if I leave much earlier. Hopefully some others will chime in about the commute to downtown area.

Cheaper housing in Phoenix area? Maybe, but then again maybe not. The devil is in the details on this one, as it depends on the price range and the exact location you want to buy.

Best wishes,

hikernut

[silvermountain]

I would skip Queen Creek it has gone downhill in recent years. I would consider it borderline ghetto. Gilbert is a good bet and parts of Chandler are nice as well. While housing may be cheaper dont for get to calculate the cost of gas for commuting. If you live in Queen Creek and work on phoenix expect 1.5 hour commute one way.

[Foreverking]

I did this move. I moved from Denver area to Gilbert. The summers are brutal, but I thought the winters were brutal in Colorado. I don't ski so Denver was more or less useless to me a good majority of the year. I do however like to hang out in a pool, but I have to wait until nighttime because I am so darn pale. Other than better sports (which are HORRIBLE here) I can't think of a reason I would choose Denver over Phoenix, especially my home of Gilbert. The desert landscape sure is a site compared to the ugly brown plains of Colorado.

[azriverfan.]

If you have a choice to move and you have concerns about moving then you shouldn't move here. It's that simple. People who move here want to come here. They can't wait to come here. They know the negatives (summer heat) and still want to come here despite that.

If you are unsure about marrying someone then you probably shouldn't get married. If you are unsure about a job, you shouldn't take that job. If you are unsure about purchasing a car, you shouldn't get that car. If you are unsure about having kids, don't have kids. There is a reason you have concerns and it's probably a good idea to listen to your instincts and not move here. That doesn't mean Phoenix is a bad city, it just means it may not be right for you.

I love Phoenix but it's not for everyone. If you have concerns, you probably shouldn't move here. In my experience, the people who have doubts or concerns end up dislking this place after some time. Initially, they like it but then after 5 years, they get tired of the city for the same concerns they initially had.

[goolsbyjazz]

I agree with the other poster who cautioned you not to move too far out if your job will be downtown. Gilbert/Chandler may be about as far out as you want to go. I have friends who live in downtown Phoenix who absolutely love it! More of a community feel and things are in close proximity and people are more neighborly (is that a word?). One couple just had a baby and they enjoy being near the light rail and within walking (or biking) distance of events.
Good luck and don't hesitate to DM me if you have more questions.

[hikernut]

Originally Posted by goolsbyjazz

I agree with the other poster who cautioned you not to move too far out if your job will be downtown. Gilbert/Chandler may be about as far out as you want to go.

Not all of Gilbert and Chandler will be 45 minutes or less to downtown. Certainly the far south and east areas of Chandler will be a longer drive during rush hour, for example.

hikernut

[Scottay]

Originally Posted by hikernut

Chandler will be a longer drive during rush hour, for example.

Yeah. That backup at the US60/I-10 interchange is total nightmare in the morning unless you're on a motorcycle or in a carpool and can jump into the HOV lane.

[Foreverking]

I live in Gilbert, only takes me 38 min to get to north phoenix in 9AM traffic every morning.

[chall100]

Thanks to everyone for the replies.