Taking a job in Florence, Where should we live? (Mesa: cheap house, find a job)

[MovingBadger]

So it looks like I will be accepting a job offer in Florence and trying to look at possible placed to move to. I will be working full time there and my wife will be looking for work as a social worker. So the question is where would people suggest we live?

Random points

- looking for a newish (2005 or newer) house under $200,000 or so with either a private pool or a community pool near by. Looking for 1500 to 2300 sq feet or so. Any suggestions on nicer HOAs would be helpful.

- school are not important to us - our kids graduate from HS next week

- clearly there appear to be some cheap houses in the Florence area (i.e. Magma Ranch) that are really tempting but worried this will limit my wife's work opportunities

- how would the commute be to Florence from say Queen Creek, Mesa, Chandler, Casa Grande, or even Maricopa? Is there any reverse commute or are the highways too small for that to even happen. I don't mind a longer commute - I often commute 40 minutes now and its not a big deal for me - and am generally on motorcycle so gas use is pretty low but would prefer less than an hour - preferably less than 45 minutes.

- I don't really mind being 45 minutes from "civilization" but on the other hand wouldn't mind being closer to the major metro area but am pretty flexile on this one. Like the housing and some of the more open spaces farther away but still like to go out to eat on the weekend. So like I said, not a huge factor for me but would not want to be any farther out than Florence.

-I have spent some time out there and am generally familiar with the area to the point I know I could be pretty happy with any of the areas.

thanks in advance for any advice you have.

[observer53]

I commuted from Casa Grande to Florence many years ago. It's doable at 30 miles, not much traffic.

That south area of Chandler along highway 87 is not a place I would pick to live. Mesa is too far. Maricopa would be a bit of a drive, better to use Casa Grande.

It's QUEEN CREEK, by the way.. that's also I suppose doable, but I've heard a lot about the traffic on Hunt Highway. With a reverse commute, though, it could be okay.

[bradc344]

Anthem merrill ranch is a very nice newer community with all the amenities plus a golf course it is located on hunt highway about ten minutes from florence

[AZgarden]

Your wife could apply at the state of AZ for a job. Probably would find social worker jobs in Casa Grande which would be close to Florence. Website is www.AZdes.gov. also www.AZstatejobs.com

[observer53]

Originally Posted by PhxBarb

Your wife could apply at the state of AZ for a job. Probably would find social worker jobs in Casa Grande which would be close to Florence. Website is www.AZdes.gov. also www.AZstatejobs.com

There's a hiring freeze on right now.. agencies can get exceptions, but it's not easy. She might end up working in the east Valley, assuming she can find a job with the state or anyone else.

[elcajones]

Originally Posted by bradc344

Anthem merrill ranch is a very nice newer community with all the amenities plus a golf course it is located on hunt highway about ten minutes from florence

This one. Awesome community and right out of town. Why commute from a place like CG?

[observer53]

Originally Posted by elcajones

This one. Awesome community and right out of town. Why commute from a place like CG?

I agree that Anthem at Merrill Ranch is a good, close option. But there is nothing wrong with Casa Grande, either. Lots more there than there was when I lived there!

[gbpakrfan]

Originally Posted by elcajones

This one. Awesome community and right out of town. Why commute from a place like CG?

If you ask me...and the OP kinda did...there really is no other choice than Anthem. We just bought a place there in the Sun City part of the community two weeks ago, but the "other" section would probably work for him.

Plus, the OP's name is Moving Badger. My wife and I are also moving Badgers (or Cheeseheads) as we will be moving down there from Wisconsin in a couple of months.

[elcajones]

Originally Posted by observer53

I agree that Anthem at Merrill Ranch is a good, close option. But there is nothing wrong with Casa Grande, either. Lots more there than there was when I lived there!

I know but it is a little bit of a haul. I guess not terrible mind you.

Originally Posted by gbpakrfan

If you ask me...and the OP kinda did...there really is no other choice than Anthem. We just bought a place there in the Sun City part of the community two weeks ago, but the "other" section would probably work for him.

Plus, the OP's name is Moving Badger. My wife and I are also moving Badgers (or Cheeseheads) as we will be moving down there from Wisconsin in a couple of months.

There's also Magic Ranch and a few other new nice developments in the area. Anthem is simply the biggest and has the most amenities. Also Coolidge right next door has some similar newer developments as well but I really think the ideal home for OP is along that stretch of Hunt highway somewhere.

[observer53]

Originally Posted by elcajones

There's also Magic Ranch and a few other new nice developments in the area. Anthem is simply the biggest and has the most amenities. Also Coolidge right next door has some similar newer developments as well but I really think the ideal home for OP is along that stretch of Hunt highway somewhere.

It will only be bad if the wife ends up having to commute the other way, into the Valley. From what I've heard, that is not fun.