Best places to raise a family? Phoenix area (Gilbert, Cave Creek: buying a home, buying)

[cabolissa]

Originally Posted by Finger Laker

Verrado is very nice and a lovely community - although it's in Buckeye technically they tend to disassociate themselves - for example the schools aren't in the Buckeye district

It is a little further out though and the drive to downtown can be a little congested - I live in Goodyear and Verrado is even out past where I live

How long to downtown during rush hour? Any local businesses/jobs nearer to Buckeye?

[Finger Laker]

If you try to get in around 8:30 and leave at 5 your commute would probably be around 45 minutes to 1hr in the summer and 1 hr to 90 minutes in the winter - if you leave work later (after 6) it eases the commute and if you get out before 5 it makes it a bit easier ......... i try to show up late & work late because in my experience traffic is still pretty bad earlier in the morning so it's harder to get early leave early

I honestly do not know what would be available as a paralegal on the western end of the city - there are insurance agencies, title agencies, medical plazas, etc all over the place - but I really don't know about that particular line

[SOON2BNSURPRISE]

There has been some discussion on jobs and schools within this post. Let me discuss the education issue. Yes some schools are better than others. Don't let it bother you if your home is near a low performing school if you are willing to be a part of the process. Make sure that your kids teachers know who you are. On the first day take some time off to get to know the teachers, principle, whomever you can at the school. What will happen is they will realize that you are interested in your childrens education. Get there email accounts and contact them regularly. Join the PTA and become an active member. Yes schools slip up and don't do all they can for all the kids they have. If you follow the plan I have proposed you will have teachers and staf that will be there for your kids. All I know that it has worked for us. I have faith that it will work for us in Surprise as well this coming school year. As far as jobs, If you look at www.jobing.com you wll get an idea for your chosen profession and where the jobs are located.

[cabolissa]

Originally Posted by Finger Laker

If you try to get in around 8:30 and leave at 5 your commute would probably be around 45 minutes to 1hr in the summer and 1 hr to 90 minutes in the winter - if you leave work later (after 6) it eases the commute and if you get out before 5 it makes it a bit easier ......... i try to show up late & work late because in my experience traffic is still pretty bad earlier in the morning so it's harder to get early leave early

I honestly do not know what would be available as a paralegal on the western end of the city - there are insurance agencies, title agencies, medical plazas, etc all over the place - but I really don't know about that particular line

WOW! That's way too much for me. I though I'd seen that it was under 30 miles outside of Phoenix... That means you're only averaging 15-30 mph??? Are there any comparable suburbs w/in a 1/2 hr's drive downtown for about $200k?

[bisp21]

Originally Posted by Positiveone

What areas are considered the best places/ towns to raise a family within a 30-40 min drive to Phoenix? We live in Henderson NV, 25 mins from Vegas and out here the crime is getting pretty bad, the schools are incredibly overcrowded. And with the influx of Illegal Aliens gangs are on the rise!

I'm sure alot of Phoenix areas have the same issues, but are there any areas that are a drive away from Phoenix for work yet in an area with low crime, good schools and reasonable priced homes? We are in the 250-370,000 price range for a single family home.

Thanks!

This is easy. Gilbert, Mesa and Chandler.

Queen Creek as well, but it is about a 40 minute drive to Phoenix. If you don't mind the drive then this is the place to get the most house for your money.

[bisp21]

Originally Posted by cabolissa

I'm also looking for a family-friendly community, newer homes around $200K. We're considering Phoenix and Austin suburbs. We're leaving Orange County, CA cuz all we can afford here is a 2 bdrm condo, and that cost us $350K for under 1000 sq ft! Ridiculous!
What does everyone think about Madison Park at Verrado?
Verrado - Arizona new community - 26 miles west of Phoenix at the base of the beautiful White Tank Mountains- March 2 pictures from southwest photos on webshots
The new homes are selling from $165-200K now and I'd have to drive to Phoenix for work as a Paralegal.
Location Map

There is plenty of law offices in Gilber, Chandler, Mesa, Tempe so you wouldn't have to go to Phoenix to find work.

You can get a 6 bed 4 bath 3,700 sq ft house in Queen Creek for about $250K

[Finger Laker]

not that I know of - on the weekends or off peak times it's avery easy and pretty quick drive ......... i can get from my house in goodyear to the airport or tempe in around 30 minutes on the weekends ...... downtown is around 20-30 .......... the commute is something else altogether ...... i know some of my coworkers who live in N Phoenix have good luck driving surface streets in - but my coworkers who live in chandler/gilbert complain about similar drives as I do

in the winters with gridlock it can be hard just to get onto the highway ......... i timed the 2.2 mile drive from my office to I10 at around 20 minutes

[Finger Laker]

just pray you never have to commute from Queen Creek into central phoenix during rush hour .......... ever

if you did find a job in any of the suburban communities then it opens up your options around those areas a lot more

[sablebaby]

Originally Posted by cabolissa

WOW! That's way too much for me. I though I'd seen that it was under 30 miles outside of Phoenix... That means you're only averaging 15-30 mph??? Are there any comparable suburbs w/in a 1/2 hr's drive downtown for about $200k?

That would be correct as it's rush hour. It takes a while to get places with a few million others. Under a half hour you'd have to find something within 15 miles or so, depending on where it is.

[cabolissa]

Originally Posted by bisp21

There is plenty of law offices in Gilber, Chandler, Mesa, Tempe so you wouldn't have to go to Phoenix to find work.

You can get a 6 bed 4 bath 3,700 sq ft house in Queen Creek for about $250K

Hmm, sounding better. Will check out Queen Creek. Any pix anyone???