Where should I live with a job in Scottsdale? (Phoenix: apartments, renters)

[UtahGrad]

I'm relocating from out of state and will be working near the intersection of 101 and N Scottsdale Rd. I'm not terribly familiar with the area (I've only been in Phoenix and Tempe), and so I was wondering where would be a good place to make home. Ideally I wouldn't ever commute more than 30 minutes.

I'm only 22, and my requirements are few. I seek cheap rent, and a safe area. That's about all. I feel like anywhere in the metro that'd reasonably be suggested here would be close enough to suffice for my other needs (leisure, etc), so no pressure on that front.

I appreciate the help! Thanks!

[observer53]

What is "cheap rent" in your budget?

[DetroitN8V]

Congrats on landing a job in a really nice area. It's suburban but fairly upscale with tons of shopping and dining options. Safety will be the least of your concerns. What do you consider "cheap rent"? That may be hard to come by in the immediate vicinity of your job. You're right by a 5 star resort and the TPC courses so that may tell you something about the area.

[UtahGrad]

Well living in utah, I've been paying $340 and $350 for the past year to room with two other guys. I realize that's probably not going to happen there, but I'm thinking somewhere around $500, give or take $50 could land me a similar arrangement. Once I get settled, I could probably do double that...so I'm thinking that I'd just look for something in the lower end of the spectrum for 1-3 months, and once I'm getting my paycheck a and have recovered from moving expenses, I'd be able to just get a place by myself in an area I'd know by then.

Thanks for the congrats, by the way

[asufan]

Be careful, this isn't Utah and $500/month will likely put you in a high crime area. You really need to be at at least $700 to be in a "safe" area you want, IMO

[UtahGrad]

Originally Posted by asufan

Be careful, this isn't Utah and $500/month will likely put you in a high crime area. You really need to be at at least $700 to be in a "safe" area you want, IMO

Well I'm looking to room with 2 or more people; do you think $700 would really be necessary? That's pushing $3000 for a 4 br to be safe. I had been seeing between $300 and $600 for rooms on craigslist... I'm not too sure what the going rate is there, but is that right? $700? It's doable for me, but the first couple months may be tough!

[Jukesgrrl]

You might be able to get a roommate situation where you had your own bedroom within your budget and in Scottsdale. Check Craigslist. There seem to be quite a few in Scottsdale or Chandler that are in the $400 range.

Also, Airbnb is a possibility. They list rates by the day and even the low end would exceed your budget. But maybe someone who is unlikely to book their space regularly with daily renters would take less to have it rented by the month. Probably worth a phone call to ask if you see something where the location works for you. There's a map on the airbnb website, so you can check the location related to your workplace.
https://www.airbnb.com/s/Scottsdale--AZ

[asufan]

Originally Posted by UtahGrad

Well I'm looking to room with 2 or more people; do you think $700 would really be necessary? That's pushing $3000 for a 4 br to be safe. I had been seeing between $300 and $600 for rooms on craigslist... I'm not too sure what the going rate is there, but is that right? $700? It's doable for me, but the first couple months may be tough!

With a roommate yeah I think you could swing $500, I misunderstood and thought you said you couldn't do the roommate thing here.

There's lots of apartments around Raintree and 101, you shouldn't need to go much further than that

[azdr0710]

find a CL gig with a roommate for the <$500 for a couple months....spend your off hours scouring the area for a place you like for $700 when on your own.....watch out for weird neighbors, property maintenance, the usual.....

lots and lots of choices....if you're working regular M-F 9-5 hours, that entire Scottsdale Airpark/101 area gets very busy with, sometimes, very self-important drivers....be careful behind the wheel!

[AZJoeD]

Fortunately working near the 101 gives you some flexibility. I would look anywhere within a mile or so of the 101, you can go pretty far west and still be in good areas and easy commute. I would definitely look for a sharing arrangement. I saw a couple on Craigslist that might be worth a phone call (I can't vouch for the roommate).