Anybody live in Fountain Hills? (Phoenix, Mesa: apartment, lease, casino)

[jf2737]

I was just curious about a couple of things. I stayed in Fountain Hills on vacation a few years ago (about 5 minutes away from Fort McDowell Casino, I think it was a Comfort Inn) and found it very nice, a bit isolated, but very nice. Can anyone tell me the rough commute times to the hospitals in the area? I don't think there are any major hospitals in Fountain Hills. I'm mainly talking about Scottsdale Health Care's three hospitals in Scottsdale and JCL in Deer Valley? Would these be ridiculous commutes from Fountain Hills? I'm also thinking Phoenix Children's Hospital would be a much longer commute. I applied for a job there.

In a perfect world, I would love to keep my commute to 30-35 minutes each way but am open to 45 minutes.

I guess my main question is would the commutes from Fountain Hills be nightmarish in general?

I don't want to commit to a lease on an apartment before knowing where I would be working. I do know that I've been applying to hospitals mostly in the east valley. I prefer the east valley to live.

Thanks for any advice.

[Kimballette]

Originally Posted by jf2737

Can anyone tell me the rough commute times to the hospitals in the area? I don't think there are any major hospitals in Fountain Hills. I'm mainly talking about Scottsdale Health Care's three hospitals in Scottsdale and JCL in Deer Valley? Would these be ridiculous commutes from Fountain Hills? I'm also thinking Phoenix Children's Hospital would be a much longer commute. I applied for a job there.

In a perfect world, I would love to keep my commute to 30-35 minutes each way but am open to 45 minutes.

I guess my main question is would the commutes from Fountain Hills be nightmarish in general?

You can get a general idea of commute times using Google Maps. It still depends on where you settle in Fountain Hills and time of day.

[observer53]

Scottsdale Healthcare's northern location(s) are the only ones that would work in that time frame, I think; check it on Google maps. TIme of day will be a factor, of course. You'll encounter heavy traffic to PCH (and it's a long drive) and the same to JCL Deer Valley.

[Steve-o]

There is a Mayo Clinic branch off of Shea, right outside Fountain Hills.

[jf2737]

Thanks for the advice everyone. Not too familiar with the Beeline. How is that road?

I was also looking at a job in Tempe near Washington Street also. Google maps says it's about 24 miles or 31 minutes drive time.

Looking at a map it looks like if I want to live in Fountain Hills and have a decent commute of no more than 40-45 minutes, I'd have to work in Central to North Scottsdale, maybe North Tempe and North Mesa.

[jf2737]

Originally Posted by Steve-o

There is a Mayo Clinic branch off of Shea, right outside Fountain Hills.

Yeah I saw that. Seems most of the jobs I'm qualified for are in Scottsdale's Healthcare System or PCH. Oh well. I'll keep looking.

[Steve-o]

Fountain Hills to PCH would be a super sucky commute, dont even think about it. Unless, of course, you own a helicopter.

[jf2737]

Originally Posted by Steve-o

Fountain Hills to PCH would be a super sucky commute, dont even think about it. Unless, of course, you own a helicopter.

Googlemaps says Fountain Hills Comfort Inn (as a reference point) to PCH is about 25 miles, so I'm guessing during morning rush hour it must take at least 45-50 minutes?

[Zathras]

Originally Posted by jf2737

Thanks for the advice everyone. Not too familiar with the Beeline. How is that road?

I was also looking at a job in Tempe near Washington Street also. Google maps says it's about 24 miles or 31 minutes drive time.

Looking at a map it looks like if I want to live in Fountain Hills and have a decent commute of no more than 40-45 minutes, I'd have to work in Central to North Scottsdale, maybe North Tempe and North Mesa.

There are a number of factors- the time of day, the direction (with or against the rush traffic). I have a commute that is 35 miles and I do it in about 35 minutes. But that is from FH to east Mesa Superstition Springs area which means the heavy traffic is going the other way for much of my drive. I also go in pretty early so the beeline traffic is pretty light. The beeline is a great road- 65mph 4 lane divided highway, with only 2 lights between Shea and the 202. I cut across Gilbert Rd and hit the 202 going back east, and at 6-630am there are very few cars going my direction on the 202 east.

But, I would think your best option would be to try for Scottsdale Healthcare Center at Shea/92nd. I can do that in about 20-25 minutes (non-rush) and I'm on the far side of FH from there. So I would think that you could get there within 30 minutes during rush from anywhere in FH. Shea is 6 lanes, but with plenty of lights. Parts are 45 and parts are 50mph.

From the comfort inn to SHC shows 14 minutes, 10 miles.

[jf2737]

Thanks Zathras. Looks like Osborn Medical Center has all the jobs I seem to qualify for and even though it's further than Shea Medical Center, that could be an option too. Google maps shows 22 minutes, 18 miles to Osborn Medical Center from that Comfort Inn.