Potential Transfer to Phoenix (Chandler, Tempe: real estate, 2015, apartment)

[Katrina250]

My husband and I are considering a job transfer to Phoenix from Cleveland. Looking for any guidance on communities that are affordable, SAFE and family oriented (we do have a 10 month old little girl). Safety is my absolute #1 priorty, as my husband would likely work nights and I would be home alone with our daughter. He would be working at PHX Airport and would prefer to have around a 30-45 minute commute time, I would have to start my job search once we peg an area, but currently work in real estate. I can see from what I've researched so far as well as reading through some of the forums, that a lot of driving is involved, but would like to be close to at least one grocery story and if possible, decent shopping. Are any highways worse than others that you would recommend to avoid for commute issues? (Obviously traffic can happen anywhere, but just looking to see if there are specific trouble spots?)


I have several friends in PHX, but all are in different places in their life than my husband and I, so I am not sure that the places they live would be good fits for us. One lived on the edge of Gilbert and Chandler, but he was a work from home, single guy. One lives in Buckeye currently and works in Phoenix and he seems happy with the area, but unhappy with his commute time and is therefore considering Goodyear. The last one lived in what I THINK was Tempe, she was a student at ASU at the time, I just remember she lived on a corner in a gated apartment community near a brewery and across the street was an area called Chompies (SP?) We are looking to visit by end of spring/beginning of summer to check out some areas, but I would like to get started on doing some more direct research. We would like to stay under $1000 a month, so would likely be looking between $145k-$175k, depending on property taxes. Any areas that seem to foot the bill or am I dreaming and need to re-evaluate my priorities?


Also, if anyone has any recommendations on real estate agents/certain brokerage's to consider, I would be happy to have their information. I appreciate any help that anyone can provide!

[observer53]

Tempe would work for you, a bit south of where your student friend lived... you don't need to be in the immediate area around the campus. West Chandler and the Ahwatukee area of Phoenix would also work-- the hours your husband works will make commuter traffic less of an issue.

It's good that you are coming out here to look around, as there's no substitute to seeing for yourself. You might want to think about renting for a while to see where you really want to be. Your price range is going to limit you in nicer areas to condos, townhouses and older, smaller homes.


"Family friendly" is really a meaningless term. Virtually every area is "family friendly" except retirement communities.

[KurtAZ]

Are you kidding??? Mill Ave is a war zone! Actual picture from this afternoon:

[LALO81]

If i get this job i will be moving from Palatine IL (Chicago land area) close to New Job in Tempe, AZ. My colleagues at work say its good to move to Gilbert AZ they have good schools. I am a single mother of two girls and my mother to help me. Living in Chicago is just not cutting it. I make decent money but just not enough for IL living. I want to live where me and my girls can be outdoors, get a good education and live financially comfortable. I hope i get the job, wish me luck.

Lalo81