Moving to Tempe from Chicago ...where do I live? (Phoenix: wood floors, fit in)

[dreamingofwarmerweather]

I'm moving from Chicago to Tempe for a job. I'll be starting the day after labor day so i need to find a place to live asap. I'll be working in South Tempe (on Warner). I'm 23 so I can still fit in with the college scene, but it seems like a lot of the places near Mill are unsafe and have terrible reviews. I want to be able to walk to bars, restaurants, shopping, etc. and be within a 15 minute drive of work. My place in Chicago is the granite countertops, stainless steel, wood floors luxury type (loooove loft style industrial look too) and I don't want to downgrade too much. At the same time I'm taking a big pay cut to move so I'd like to keep it around $1300 per month with all utilities (electric, water, gas, internet, etc.). I liked West 6th, but they only have 2 bedrooms so it's above my price point. I have a small dog (15 pound dachshund) so pet-friendly is a must.

Can anyone suggest apartment complexes or condos for rent that might be a good fit for a young professional with slightly high end taste, a dog, a budget, and desires for both walkability and safety?

I know I'm asking a lot.

[Scottay]

You might be able to buy a loft but I think most lofts are in downtown Phoenix, not in Tempe. Just buy a house in Tempe, they're pretty cheap right now.

[Goober13]

Subtract your utilities and you are basically looking for an apartment in the $900-$1000 a month range,which can get you a 2 bedroom or above average 1 bedroom, although not ultra high end. Just do a search for Tempe AZ apartments. Punch in the zip code 85282 for starters. That will give you listings with websites and pictures, tell you if they are pet friendly, you can call some for vacancy info and details.

Then come back on here with the options you have, or the names of the complexes with immediate vacancies in your price range that accept pets, and we can give you our "opinions" of what may be your best options.

[observer53]

Originally Posted by Goober13

Subtract your utilities and you are basically looking for an apartment in the $900-$1000 a month range,which can get you a 2 bedroom or above average 1 bedroom, although not ultra high end. Just do a search for Tempe AZ apartments. Punch in the zip code 85282 for starters. That will give you listings with websites and pictures, tell you if they are pet friendly, you can call some for vacancy info and details.

Then come back on here with the options you have, or the names of the complexes with immediate vacancies in your price range that accept pets, and we can give you our "opinions" of what may be your best options.

Actually, I'd punch in 85283 or 85284 if you are looking for higher end, as the newer complexes are to the south part of the city, not in 85282. Then, come back with specific questions, and we can help you out.

Walkable in Chicago and walkable in Phoenix or its suburbs are very different things-- this is a more spread out type of environment, and finding a number of places (bars, restaurants) within a few blocks of any apartment is just not going to be as common, except in the area adjacent to the university.

[synapse]

I'd strongly consider downtown Phoenix. There are several loft buildings and apartments there (Skyline, 44 Monroe), you'd be an easy light rail ride *or* drive to Tempe, and downtown Phoenix is increasingly walkable, with lots of restaurants and Chase Field and US Airways Arena nearby. It's not Chicago, but it's as close as Phoenix gets.

[observer53]

Originally Posted by synapse

I'd strongly consider downtown Phoenix. There are several loft buildings and apartments there (Skyline, 44 Monroe), you'd be an easy light rail ride *or* drive to Tempe, and downtown Phoenix is increasingly walkable, with lots of restaurants and Chase Field and US Airways Arena nearby. It's not Chicago, but it's as close as Phoenix gets.

It would be a reverse commute to Tempe, true, but it would likely have to be by car, as it would take a light rail and the bus to get to and from Warner Road.

[ShampooBanana]

There are a few "loft" style apts right near Tempe Town Lake and just west of Mill. I think it's going to be very tough to find something like that in the price range the OP is lookng for, though. Proximity to ASU and the employers there means they command a premium. Liek others said, there are plenty of newer garden style apts in the price range really close to Warner in South Tempe. That's a newer area of town (and a bit nicer IMO), but still only 10-15 minutes drive to things to do on Mill Ave. Another option would be to check out some apts just north of the lake near Priest/Center Parkway or in South Scottsdale. You still won't be that far from work and between both Mill Ave activities as wll as Old Town Scottsdale.

[bellafor20]

Get a car, theres no walking in AZ...unless you want to die of heat exposure. Winters not bad but the area you working to walk around but not much to do out there.

[Valley Native]

Downtown Phoenix would be a little too far for the OP ... based on what he/she said about wanting to live no more than a 15 minute commute from work. If I'm not mistaken, there are some condos along the lakefront, and also some lofts along and near Mill Avenue: good walking distance to bars, restaurants, and shopping.

[Java Jolt]

What's unsafe about living near the Mill district?

There's lots of college students and a pretty diverse crowd but that doesn't make it dangerous or crime-infested.

I never feel unsafe on or around Mill Avenue, just a little bothered by some of the homeless panhandlers but I learned to ignore them.