Older central neighborhoods that are safe? (Phoenix, Mesa: low income, HOA, high crime)

[Greeneyes333]

I was born and raised here but grew up primarily in far NW valley (Deer Valley/Lake Pleasant). The hubby wants to move out of state because he misses the scenery and seasons (he's from MN & CO). We drove through Moon Valley and Arcadia and he fell in love. Leaving the state isn't an option as our whole family and children's school is here. We are looking for our "partially forever" home. We plan on living in this home for the next 20 years. Arcadia is outside of our price range. We want a safe area that is green. The hubby loved the tree lined streets on Glendale and central. I am hoping there are some areas I'm unfamiliar with. We are wanting at least a quarter acre and a lax HOA that will allow us to build a guest house in the future (not necessary but very high up on the list). We want no smaller than 2500 ft2 and no more than $475k.

We are also open to the idea of buying a lot of land and building on it... However the empty lots in central phx are far and few between.

Thank you for any input!!!

[phx1205]

If you go just West of 7th Ave in the North Central corridor (in the quadrant of Bethany Home-Dunlap, 7th Ave-15th Ave) I think you will find what you are looking for in your price range and no HOA. South of Bethany Home gets a little sketchy, but north of there is perfectly safe and a great area.

[WSPHXPELON]

Check out Coronado. Also Willo and Encanto would be perfect for you if you can find a house within your budget.

[elcajones]

Originally Posted by phx1205

If you go just West of 7th Ave in the North Central corridor (in the quadrant of Bethany Home-Dunlap, 7th Ave-15th Ave) I think you will find what you are looking for in your price range and no HOA. South of Bethany Home gets a little sketchy, but north of there is perfectly safe and a great area.

I can't speak for inside the neighborhood itself, at least not offhand but the surrounding area is not somewhere I would recommend at all. I wouldn't want to live anywhere on that side of central in PHX unless it was Cactus or further north.

In this area right to your north is Sunnyslope, an area that is in one of the rare hills on our pancake flat valley that has so much potential but is a low income high crime area.

The neighborhood itself sits in the Alhambra which I personally feel as at least as bad and seems to me to be worse than Maryvale by a long shot.

[phx1205]

Originally Posted by elcajones

I can't speak for inside the neighborhood itself, at least not offhand but the surrounding area is not somewhere I would recommend at all. I wouldn't want to live anywhere on that side of central in PHX unless it was Cactus or further north.

In this area right to your north is Sunnyslope, an area that is in one of the rare hills on our pancake flat valley that has so much potential but is a low income high crime area.

The neighborhood itself sits in the Alhambra which I personally feel as at least as bad and seems to me to be worse than Maryvale by a long shot.

And I wouldn't recommend living in Mesa, so I guess we are even. You are crazy if you are comparing this area of North Central to Maryvale. Who ever told you never to go West of Central Ave was lying to you.

[pbenjamin]

Originally Posted by WSPHXPELON

Check out Coronado. Also Willo and Encanto would be perfect for you if you can find a house within your budget.

2500 sq ft is not likely to happen in Coronado. A few in Willo, maybe, more likely in Encanto-Palmcroft but $475K for that size might be tough.

[pbenjamin]

Originally Posted by elcajones

I can't speak for inside the neighborhood itself, at least not offhand but the surrounding area is not somewhere I would recommend at all. I wouldn't want to live anywhere on that side of central in PHX unless it was Cactus or further north.

In this area right to your north is Sunnyslope, an area that is in one of the rare hills on our pancake flat valley that has so much potential but is a low income high crime area.

The neighborhood itself sits in the Alhambra which I personally feel as at least as bad and seems to me to be worse than Maryvale by a long shot.

Actually, the Royal Palm neighborhood, more or less surrounded by 7th Ave, Northern, 19th Ave and Dunlap is a great neighborhood, bigger lots, green, maybe in the price or range or a tad higher.

[Cyborg13]

North of Dunlap is Sunnyslope, which is very sketchy. South of Dunlap is very nice. It is a drastic change when you cross that road. I would expand on that 7th Ave-15th Ave though. Between 15th Ave and 7th St, Bethany Home up to Dunlap, is a very nice area, and very centrally located. It includes the Glendale/Central corridor you mentioned.

[phx1205]

Originally Posted by Cyborg13

North of Dunlap is Sunnyslope, which is very sketchy. South of Dunlap is very nice. It is a drastic change when you cross that road. I would expand on that 7th Ave-15th Ave though. Between 15th Ave and 7th St, Bethany Home up to Dunlap, is a very nice area, and very centrally located. It includes the Glendale/Central corridor you mentioned.

I agree, but it would be tough to find something under $475 between 7th St and 7th Ave, much better luck going a little west of 7th Ave. But yes if you can find a house "between the 7's" that would be ideal! Beautiful area!

[Bruce Jackpot]

I don't really like Bethany Home west of Central much at all.

I agree with the poster who said head further north. In general, I prefer North Phoenix or Arcadia. Less riff raff generally speaking.