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Old 08-28-2014, 03:32 PM
 
6 posts, read 8,181 times
Reputation: 10

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Hi,
My family and I are moving to the Gilbert/Chandler end of September from Connecticut and i have a few questions to hopefully help things go more smoothly.
First I did research on banks and it seems like no banks have free checking. The closest I see is at BBVA Compass. Any other suggestions about banks or BBVA in specific.
Second what are the option for internet service in Gilbert/Chandler? looking for the fastest yet least expensive option available.
Last question I have right now is what are good primary doctors, dentists, kids doctors? I'm sure people will have a lot of opinions on this.

If there are anymore thoughts or suggestions for me and my family that would be great. Thanks
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Old 08-28-2014, 03:51 PM
 
639 posts, read 977,604 times
Reputation: 1034
We are also from CT and live in Gilbert. Free checking....only with conditions. Many require direct deposit. Take a look through Wells Fargo, Chase, and even some of the credit unions - Desert Schools is a popular one - and see if you qualify with any of their programs to get free checking.

Internet, we use CenturyLink and have no problems. I don't know if it's the cheapest, it was when we got here and we got a locked in rate for 5 years (been here 4).

Primary care - honestly, your best bet will be to see where you are living and then look for a doctor that is close by. It's not like in CT, there are a lot of doctors/dentists/pediatricians everywhere.

Hope that helps
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Old 08-28-2014, 04:19 PM
 
Location: Raleigh, NC
19,469 posts, read 28,032,777 times
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Free checking requires you 'give back' something - like direct deposit, or a certain minimal balance in the checking account or in a savings account. We had Chase for years, and I was sorry to learn that the do not have banks here in NC.

I've heard way too many complaints and problems with WF or BofA to recommend them. Desert Schools is great if you can get in with them.

Free checking, however, is widely available online and often offers more freebies. Try Ally or Capital One 360. (The latter is particularly useful if you travel a lot and need ATM's, especially in other countries. The fees are WAY lower than anybody else offers for foreign withdrawals.)

I never thought I would say this, but I would kill to have Cox Cable back instead of suffering with Time Warner. We were able to get rid of TWC phone and television, but no alternatives for high speed internet. By comparison, Cox was a dream.

As far as doctors, the answer really is this: It depends on who in IN NETWORK with whatever insurance plan you have.

Welcome to the East Valley. There are many things we truly miss, though we love our new home.
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Old 08-28-2014, 07:09 PM
 
Location: Peoria, AZ
397 posts, read 663,261 times
Reputation: 390
Cox starts at $34.99/mo for their Essential 5 Mbps internet, to jump to move to Preferred (50 Mbps) is $49.99/mo. If you add in TV as well it goes to $69.99/mo for TV+Essential and $99.99/mo for TV+Preferred.

CenturyLink is $29.99/mo for 40Mbps.

Personally I prefer Cable (Cox) internet over DSL (CenturyLink), the upload speeds with DSL are terrible (<1Mbps) compared to Cable which is typically (5-10Mbps).
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Old 08-28-2014, 08:09 PM
 
Location: Tucson for awhile longer
8,869 posts, read 16,377,675 times
Reputation: 29246
Instead of a bank, try a credit union. I get free checking and great customer service from the one I moved to after trying both Wells Fargo (which I used for awhile because my employer used it) and Chase (which paid me to move my money to them then got back all of it by charging me weird, unpredictable fees.

Credit unions are popular throughout Arizona. Basically, most commercial banks only want you if you're rich. If you're not, they'll figure out every way under the sun to charge you fees to make up for the fact that they're not making "enough" interest on your money.

Did you read our recent Chandler/Gilbert thread?
https://www.city-data.com/forum/phoen...-magazine.html
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Old 08-28-2014, 08:46 PM
 
268 posts, read 432,680 times
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RE: checking, if you have direct deposit, you'll be fine on getting one for free.

For doctors, check out Phoenix magazine's Top Docs Top Doctors - 2014: Featured Listings They do it every year. Most are in Scottsdale. It's not that far of a drive.

Internet, we just switched to Century Link because Cox's customer service is HORRIBLE. Horrible. They don't care about fixing your problems, only selling you more services. We have no problem with Century Link so far and I'm online for work all day.

Have fun!
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Old 08-28-2014, 08:58 PM
 
Location: Peoria, AZ
397 posts, read 663,261 times
Reputation: 390
Quote:
Originally Posted by AlohaFriday View Post
Internet, we just switched to Century Link because Cox's customer service is HORRIBLE. Horrible. They don't care about fixing your problems, only selling you more services. We have no problem with Century Link so far and I'm online for work all day.
I've called Cox support several times and always had a good experience, they got someone out there the next day if needed. There services have always been great as well and I'm a power user with all their services, 5 cable boxes, phone and online all day with dozens of devices. Their on-site techs are first rate. Of course just like everything in life YMMV, CenturyLink doesn't seem to have many fans in Phoenix:
Century Link - Phoenix, AZ | Yelp
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Old 08-29-2014, 11:53 AM
 
Location: prescott az
6,957 posts, read 12,119,579 times
Reputation: 14246
Quote:
Originally Posted by esiebert7625 View Post
Cox starts at $34.99/mo for their Essential 5 Mbps internet, to jump to move to Preferred (50 Mbps) is $49.99/mo. If you add in TV as well it goes to $69.99/mo for TV+Essential and $99.99/mo for TV+Preferred.

CenturyLink is $29.99/mo for 40Mbps.

Personally I prefer Cable (Cox) internet over DSL (CenturyLink), the upload speeds with DSL are terrible (<1Mbps) compared to Cable which is typically (5-10Mbps).
Those are initial prices. Be sure to ask what the regular price will be after the promotional period.
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Old 08-29-2014, 12:09 PM
 
Location: Peoria, AZ
397 posts, read 663,261 times
Reputation: 390
Quote:
Originally Posted by PhxBarb View Post
Those are initial prices. Be sure to ask what the regular price will be after the promotional period.
I just call after 12 months and complain its too high now and they put me right back to the initial rate
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Old 08-29-2014, 12:26 PM
 
Location: Amongst the AZ Cactus
7,068 posts, read 6,506,106 times
Reputation: 7731
For free checking, have you considered an online bank like Discover? Free checking/no min balance/no strings. I find their savings rates are also excellent in today's environment.

I've had Cox internet for years and very happy with the customer service and connection speed.

I stay away from Dr's, sorry, can't help there.
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