Relocating to Phoenix NEED HELP ON LIVING! (Scottsdale, Tempe: for sale, rent)

[fwhite14]

Okay Phoenix! I'm relocating in a year or so to Phoenix Arizona and I have a few questions.
-What is there to do? Sport complexes, nightlife etc... ANYTHING intriguing !
-I am trying to go to ASU so how long does it take to gain residency so I can get in-state tuition?
-What are streets, places to avoid in Phoenix. I plan on getting a house and I've noticed that that their are huge 2 story houses for sale everywhere. Why is this? Is there a catch to this? What parts should I look for houses...low in crime, gated etc...
-ANY tips or other things I should know Thank you everybody!

I am originally born in Santa Fe, New Mexico and I noticed LOTS of people online say they hate Phoenix. Well LOTS of people love my city but I absolutely HATE IT.

[observer53]

Originally Posted by fwhite14

Okay Phoenix! I'm relocating in a year or so to Phoenix Arizona and I have a few questions.
-What is there to do? Sport complexes, nightlife etc... ANYTHING intriguing !
-I am trying to go to ASU so how long does it take to gain residency so I can get in-state tuition?
-What are streets, places to avoid in Phoenix. I plan on getting a house and I've noticed that that their are huge 2 story houses for sale everywhere. Why is this? Is there a catch to this? What parts should I look for houses...low in crime, gated etc...
-ANY tips or other things I should know Thank you everybody!

I am originally born in Santa Fe, New Mexico and I noticed LOTS of people online say they hate Phoenix. Well LOTS of people love my city but I absolutely HATE IT.

You've asked a lot of really broad questions. There is all kinds of information here already for you to read.

There is a lot to do here. It's the sixth largest city in America. Nightlife, sports (both spectator and recreational programs). I don't know what else you find "intriguing".

It takes a year to get in state status. You can find the particulars on ASU's website.

Phoenix is a huge place. There are some areas that are higher crime than others. There's no "catch" to the fact that there are large two story houses for sale all over the Valley. It's a huge metro area, and large two story houses are a big component of most newer developments.

If you are going to work for a year before you enter school, you might as well live close to where you are working. Since you know so little about the area, and don't know where you'll be working, I'd rent for a year and not come running over here and buy a house, particularly if you are not planning on staying once you are done with school.

[PinkElephant]

There is a lot of musical activities going on from free concerts at malls to paid concerts from oldies but goodies to current stuff. Cept for possibly losing the Yotes, there is plenty of local sports, spring training, the fiesta bowl and college sports! Mill Ave., Scottsdale and casinos provide a lot of nightlife fun. So is stargazing, even in the city which amazes this SoCal girl.

For homes, make sure you are not in a flood plain, I don't care if it's free, not worth it. There are a few neighborhoods that have hit n miss scorpion issues, but 90% probably don't. Just ask the neighbors.

[macluffy]

Areas to avoid: steer clear of the "west side" - that is, just about anyplace west of the I-17, and the south side- if you take a look at any crime spot websites that show high crime areas (those sites aren't hard to find just google for them) then stay away from there. The best way to find a good place to live is just to drive around and see for yourself which places seem nice. You WILL pay for what you get: if the rent seems low there is a reason for it. If it's high then you can predict it is a nice area to live in. There is one area "Medlock Historical District" in central-ish Phoenix that is higher priced, but it is in a tiny enclave surrounded by a miserable area all around, most "nice" areas of Phoenix are like this- you cross one street and you are in *****-land: bums wandering around, trash all over the street, pan handlers and general disarray. In my opinion the only pleasant areas that are nice ALL around is Cave Creek/ far north Phoenix Scottsdale areas. Paradise Valley is nice too but its too far from everything, maybe not for you but I like things close like grocery stores and things.

Biltmore area is nice BUT- the traffic around it is incredible and there is NO alternate routes you can take to avoid it. It takes almost half hour just to go about 6blocks on Camelback to get out OR in. Miserable! it is always heavy heavy traffic there and again- a nice area surrounded by ugly area. Sorry but a teeny tiny pocket of nice homes with junk all encircling it is not my idea of a pleasant neighborhood.

[LagunaMom]

Like everywhere else, where you live will depend on how much you comfortably can spend and where you will be working. ASU has restructured by course of study, so depending on what you'll be taking, that's where your campus will be. For example, journalism and mass comm used to be in Tempe when I got my master's there in the '80s. Now it's downtown. My daughter-in-law is taking psychology. That's been moved from Tempe to the West Campus. Technology and engineering are in the East Valley. There's over 80,000 students at ASU. They had to reorganize in a way that made more sense.

I've lived in a single story home on the west side for 40 years. There are gorgeous areas west of the 17 (read: $$$), and not so nice areas. South Phoenix traditionally has been a rough area, but Ahwatukee is on that side of town, and it's expensive.

[Valley Native]

Originally Posted by macluffy

Areas to avoid: steer clear of the "west side" - that is, just about anyplace west of the I-17, and the south side- if you take a look at any crime spot websites that show high crime areas (those sites aren't hard to find just google for them) then stay away from there. The best way to find a good place to live is just to drive around and see for yourself which places seem nice. You WILL pay for what you get: if the rent seems low there is a reason for it. If it's high then you can predict it is a nice area to live in.

Absolutely true: you get what you pay for. Too many people move here expecting to pay almost nothing for a place to live, but they soon find out that cheaper doesn't always mean better.

Originally Posted by macluffy

There is one area "Medlock Historical District" in central-ish Phoenix that is higher priced, but it is in a tiny enclave surrounded by a miserable area all around, most "nice" areas of Phoenix are like this- you cross one street and you are in *****-land: bums wandering around, trash all over the street, pan handlers and general disarray. In my opinion the only pleasant areas that are nice ALL around is Cave Creek/ far north Phoenix Scottsdale areas. Paradise Valley is nice too but its too far from everything, maybe not for you but I like things close like grocery stores and things.

I don't agree with this. There are many historic districts and nice neighborhoods in central/north central Phoenix which are close together and not surrounded by trashy areas. I think it's more the other way around: a few not so nice areas surrounded by mostly well maintained older neighborhoods with grassy lawns. Look at Encanto, Palmcroft, Willo, and many other central districts that are older, well kept neighborhoods that are greenbelts. Also, Arcadia is another area on the east side containing larger well constructed homes with large lots. All of these areas are the envy of those who can't afford to live there.

Originally Posted by macluffy

Biltmore area is nice BUT- the traffic around it is incredible and there is NO alternate routes you can take to avoid it. It takes almost half hour just to go about 6blocks on Camelback to get out OR in. Miserable! it is always heavy heavy traffic there and again- a nice area surrounded by ugly area. Sorry but a teeny tiny pocket of nice homes with junk all encircling it is not my idea of a pleasant neighborhood.

Are you referring to the Camelback East area? Many people confuse that with Biltmore. The traffic through there can be bad at times, but it's not heavy during all times of the day. Rush hour is the worst ... but then again, rush hour is bad in all parts of the Valley. Freeways are where you're going to find the most congested traffic during the peak commute times.