Moving to the north side with high schooler (Phoenix, Scottsdale: houses, neighborhood)

[QueenBee4]

My hubby has been offered a job at Midwestern University. We have two kids, and the oldest will be a freshman next year and the youngest in 5th grade. We have looked at school ratings, and really want a good district with high academics. My kids are the band/honors types. We are looking at houses in the 350-450k range. Unfortunately? my kids have been rather sheltered, living in a upper middle class neighborhood most of their lives. Scottlsdale seems to be all over the map as far as quality of schools and cost of living. Thanks for suggestions!

[asufan]

Originally Posted by QueenBee4

My hubby has been offered a job at Midwestern University. We have two kids, and the oldest will be a freshman next year and the youngest in 5th grade. We have looked at school ratings, and really want a good district with high academics. My kids are the band/honors types. We are looking at houses in the 350-450k range. Unfortunately? my kids have been rather sheltered, living in a upper middle class neighborhood most of their lives. Scottlsdale seems to be all over the map as far as quality of schools and cost of living. Thanks for suggestions!

The Arrowhead Ranch area will give you a lot for that budget, I think that is primarily Mountain Ridge High School but others in the area can chime in if I'm wrong. That is in the Deer Valley Unified district which seems to do pretty well. That would give your husband a very short commute.

[QueenBee4]

Originally Posted by asufan

The Arrowhead Ranch area will give you a lot for that budget, I think that is primarily Mountain Ridge High School but others in the area can chime in if I'm wrong. That is in the Deer Valley Unified district which seems to do pretty well. That would give your husband a very short commute.

Thanks for responding! That gives me a good place to start! Are there any places that are commutable that are out a little bit more without being too far? I liked the looks of Chandler, but it seems like the commute would be difficult. Cave Creek seems more like a retirement community, or am I wrong?

[asufan]

Originally Posted by QueenBee4

Thanks for responding! That gives me a good place to start! Are there any places that are commutable that are out a little bit more without being too far? I liked the looks of Chandler, but it seems like the commute would be difficult. Cave Creek seems more like a retirement community, or am I wrong?

Chandler is where I live and when I go to Arrowhead during non-rush hours it is about 50 minutes, so I would add at least 30 minutes to that for rush hour. A more central location would be Desert Ridge area but that is a bit pricey. Norterra is an option but that is more out of the way. I think Cave Creek does have a lot of retirees but there is also a good high school up there (Cactus Shadows). The Mountaingate area would be a cheaper alternative with more families and closer to the 101 freeway.

[dev2r]

Stetson Valley and Norterra are good options too. A little bit further out from Midwestern but close to I-17.

[AZJoeD]

Stetson Valley in Phoenix (zip 85083), Rock Springs in Peoria (zip 85383) are in Deer Valley School district. Deer Valley has a lot of programs, but schools are large. Both will have very nice homes at your price point.

Terramar in Peoria (85383) is in the Peoria school district.

All 3 would be very close for your husband.

Dynamite Mountain Ranch/Norterra is a wonderful area, it is also Deer Valley Schools, but the commute for your husband will be longer.

You won't have much of a selection in Cave Creek <$400K, but one nice thing about Cave Creek is smaller schools which may accommodate your kids better, but be an even longer commute for your husband.

[Up2myeyeballz]

Just moved here so I don't know about the commute. We are far north Scottsdale. My kids are in cave creek usd and so far we love it! Def great schools. I have one that will be in cactus shadows next year. We use the ymca here and I've heard it's more of a retirement area but it's not what I've seen, I think it's a good mix... And I love the slower pace up here

[johnp292]

Originally Posted by QueenBee4

Thanks for responding! That gives me a good place to start! Are there any places that are commutable that are out a little bit more without being too far? I liked the looks of Chandler, but it seems like the commute would be difficult. Cave Creek seems more like a retirement community, or am I wrong?

I suggest you look into Anthem. The high school (Boulder Creek) is quite good.

[enigmadsm]

Anywhere along Happy Valley Rd is a solid choice (Norterra, Dynamite mtn ranch, Stetson, Sonoran Mtn Ranch, Westwing, Vistancia) All would be considered middle to upper middle class and are all in either Deer Valley or peoria School districts, both of which are excellent for this state.

You can find a pretty solid house in that price range, with Stetson likely being some of the priciest.
this corridor really has everything one could want, and is very clean and friendly.

There's options if you want a bigger lot as well. You could possibly find an acre lot at around 43-51st and Happy Valley in the upper end of your budget. More established community, but very nice.

Commute from any of these would be fairly quick and painless to midwestern.

Another good choice is Arrowhead ranch, but man traffic gets thick over there at any time of day, and horrendous during holiday seasons

truly with any of these options, the ammenities and communities the idea of Chandler is really completely unnecessary. We have everything they have and is just as nice. Now if you guys were working on the east side it would make great sense.

[P L Miller]

Arrowhead Ranch is a great family area, my grandson is in 5th grade at Highland Lakes 64th Ave North of Union Hills, good school. You can find a nice home for $300,000, many Arrowhead subdivisions. Close to 101, good shopping.