Got Job in Glendale. Starting date is March 3, 08. (Peoria, Goodyear: to rent, day care)

[Doubleagle]

I've been reading a lot of the posts but I have not been able to find any with particular subject of having a big family (6 kids ages infant to 12). Hence, looking for a family oriented neighborhood on a very good school district. I would like to have no longer than 30 min. commute. My budget is around 300k with upper limit of 350k.

I plan to rent at first until we are more familiar with the area. However, with 4 school aged children + 2 more soon, I need to rent in the area where school is very good so when we do buy a house we don't have to relocate the children to a different school.

My "must have" are: excellent school (rating of at least 9), minimum 5 beds 3 baths, within 30 minutes from Downtown Glendale, family neighborhood

My "nice to have" are: community pool and park, some trees and grass (moving from bitter cold Michigan), gated master planned community, large lots (we have 1 acre lot with lots of trees now in west michigan)

[HX_Guy]

Those are going to be very hard to meet with that budget, especially the number of rooms and lot size you are looking for.

[Doubleagle]

Looking at remax I kinda realize I have to give up acre lot. This is fine as long as there is a park close by for my 6 boys to roam and play.

Is there rocket football there? My kids choice of sport is football.

[Finger Laker]

best schools on the westside for elementary is the litchfield ESD - you could live in north goodyear or litchfield park, be in that district and still make it to downtown glendale in about 30 minutes (could maybe still make it from southern goodyear, although its' a different district)

glendale school district is pretty rough and if that is your #1 I'd avoid it

[Kevin Beasley]

Contrary to another poster I feel your goals can easily be met. At least according to my research. I use MySchools.com for my clients. its a great researching tool for seeking a quality school.

[Doubleagle]

Thanks for the inputs. I will look into Goodyear and Litchfield. Any particular zip codes? I've always used greatschools.com for researching schools. I'll look up myschools.com for comparison.

North Glendale (85308 and 85310) and North Peoria (85382 and 85383) looks to be a nice area with good schools. Am I wrong?

[sablebaby]

Originally Posted by Doubleagle

Thanks for the inputs. I will look into Goodyear and Litchfield. Any particular zip codes? I've always used greatschools.com for researching schools. I'll look up myschools.com for comparison.

North Glendale (85308 and 85310) and North Peoria (85382 and 85383) looks to be a nice area with good schools. Am I wrong?

I agree with HX_Guy, that with your budget and needing 5 bedrooms, it may be difficult. Especially in those two zips. You would have to get into an older home. Most homes in the $300-350k range in those zips are typically 3-4 bedrooms. I recently looked at several homes in the 85308 area and with 5 bedrooms I was in the $650k range. But, I'm sure there were some less than that. Like I said, there are older areas (early 90's-late 80's) in the 85310 zip. They're really not that bad, even though at first I thought it wasn't a good area.

[Finger Laker]

goodyear is 85338

litchfield park is 85340

north glendale / peoria would put you in range as well and it's where i lived when i first moved here (my wife taught in downtown glendale so i definitely know the commutes from arrowhead and goodyear) ............ i enjoyed those areas, but don't know too much about the schools

just did a quick websearch and it looks like you could land in palm valley for around $350

[MotleyCrew]

I would check out the 85383 zip codes in N. Peoria. There are quite a few homes here with 5 bedrooms for as little as $299K. The ammenities in Vistancia are plentiful and there are several stay at home moms that have started day care services. The elementary school is on site and I believe the ratings for the school dist. are still good. Our son is in high school here and we are very pleased with the results. There are several communities that would fit your budget. Westwing Mountain, Sonoran Mt. Ranch and Vistancia are some of the nicests. The acre lot won't be found however. Best of luck in your hunt.

[chunnus]

also consider zip code 85305, very good residential and commercial district, close to all the great schools.
Let me know if you need more info.

-Chunnus