Safe Family_Oriented Suburbs near Mesa? (Phoenix, Scottsdale: homes, neighborhood, school district)

[knicksin8]

I'm coming to the Phoenix area next week for 3 days for a job interview in Mesa, AZ. Any recommendations for nice, safe family-oriented suburbs within that radius for me to explore if I accept that job? Thank you in advance.

[observer53]

Well, there's some nice, safe, family oriented areas within Mesa itself. Beyond Mesa, what "radius" (in terms of miles/time) are you looking for? You could also look in Gilbert or Tempe. Mesa is a large city in terms of area, so more of an idea of the location of your potential job (cross streets, not the address) would help, as well as your budget.

[boygirlmama]

I have lived in Tempe, Chandler, Gilbert, and Mesa. Of the four, my favorite area is Tempe because you are close to everything including the 10 if you commute into Phoenix. Gilbert is very nice. I lived near Val Vista Lakes. It's very family friendly in Gilbert. Chandler is the same, but my experience living there is in the far South portion of Chandler. If you're more in the central area, it's a great area with good schools and shopping, easy access to everywhere else.
I have lived in two parts of Mesa. Central Mesa when I was in my "I'm not sure what I am thinking" phase in my very early 20's. Even there it wasn't terrible. You hear a lot of horror stories, but I never had a problem. However, in Mesa, I much, much prefer the last area that I lived- Northeast Mesa. I was very close to the Red Mountain Ranch area. I loved living there. It definitely felt family friendly. It's a little further out and more off the "beaten path" or at least it was. I moved to NY in 2005 and haven't lived in Arizona since. I am moving back in the next few months and will likely be in Ahwatukee or Tempe.

[knicksin8]

Thanks for the reply.

Looking for no more than a 30 minute commute at most.

Looking for a 4 or 5 bedroom, 2 to 2.5 bathroom, single
family house, at least 2600 sq. ft, newer is preferable.

Good public schools would be nice but I'm not opposed
to a good Catholic or private school.

The potential job is near the Polytechnic campus of ASU.

[boygirlmama]

I feel like guiding you towards Chandler then, although a lot of places are within 30 minutes. I personally do not like a long commute at all and prefer to be as close as possible to where I work, shop, etc... Parts of Tempe could be good. but Tempe is generally more known as a "college town". I have 2 children and will likely be living in Tempe partly because of the great Kyrene schools, but I also know Tempe from having lived there before. I don't mind college town atmosphere and am getting ready to begin graduate school myself.
I'd say if you want easy access to everything, look more in central Chandler. If you like it a little quieter, maybe South Chandler.
Gilbert and much of Mesa is still within that 30 minutes too, but it also depends on the time of day and traffic. I remember many times sitting in traffic on the 60. Then your short commute turns into an hour or more.
I wouldn't necessarily go through Craigslist for the actual rental, unless it's through a company, but you might try looking on there and seeing what catches your eye for homes. I like to use Google maps to check out areas and street views as well. Great schools can help you pinpoint what the ratings generally are.
Make a list of what your priorities are and then narrow from there.
You could also consider Ahwatukee. My sister is there and it's very family oriented and close to everything as well.

[tiredofraininwa]

East Mesa is nice too. Gold Canyon is beautiful, but less kids.
Chandler, Gilbert too.
We're moving to Augusta Ranch gold course community. Love the neighborhood, good schools.

[Jkgourmet]

Originally Posted by knicksin8

Thanks for the reply.

Looking for no more than a 30 minute commute at most.

Looking for a 4 or 5 bedroom, 2 to 2.5 bathroom, single
family house, at least 2600 sq. ft, newer is preferable.

Good public schools would be nice but I'm not opposed
to a good Catholic or private school.

The potential job is near the Polytechnic campus of ASU.

Budget?

[knicksin8]

Budget is up to 500k

[sandy6879]

The Polytech campus is literally on the border with Gilbert. Gilbert is a good town, safe, family friendly, and schools have traditionally been good but there is some debate with regard to what's happening there right now. You may want to look at the Higley section of Gilbert (still a Gilbert address, just a different school district within it). My daughter is in the high school but I've only heard good things about the elementary schools within Higley as well, and it will be a very short commute for you.

[knicksin8]

Is there a different feel for each of the following towns: Gilbert, Chandler, Mesa, Tempe and Scottsdale? If so, how would you briefly describe each town?

Or are these towns basically all similar with just different zip codes?