Mesa - compares to what other city? (Phoenix, Scottsdale: license plate, budget)

[ElleTea]

Speaking of downtown Mesa, there is also a show repair shop on MacDonald that I have used multiple times. Not necessarily something that draws you to a downtown, but it is a service you just don't see much anymore and don't think of until you need it. The guy does good work and gets it done quickly for a good price.

Random, but might be helpful!

[lovecrowds]

Originally Posted by exit2lef

I can't comment about those specific zip codes, but I can offer some opinion about Downtown Mesa. Mesa's downtown is quite small. It seems more appropriate for a city of 50,000 than 500,000. It's that way for two reasons: 1) Mesa grew so fast that suburban development greatly outpaced development of a traditional city core. 2) Mesa is near Phoenix, which is three times larger and both the state capital and county seat. If you want a big city experience, you'll probably head to Phoenix.

Downtown Mesa can be a charming place, especially if you have young children. Downtown Mesa is home to both the i.d.e.a Museum and the Arizona Museum of Natural History, as well as the Mesa Arts Center. Those are all good daytime destinations, but Downtown Mesa is still quite sleepy after dark unless there's a special event going on. I've never felt unsafe in Downtown Mesa. I'd exercise more caution around some of the half-empty strip malls elsewhere in the city.

Mesa is just way behind other east valley suburbs. Tempe has construction all over the place, Gilbert has the best social indicators of any city of it's size in the country and Chandler has a very large amount of large business.

Very few people are going to choose Mesa which is one of the worst suburbs in the west in my opinion, over suburbs that are some of the best of the best like Gilbert, Chandler and Scottsdale.

Mesa on the other hand other then some nice areas with large lots is for the most part a run-down city with a huge influx of poverty. Much of it just as run-down as South and West Phoenix.

The only thing good I have to say about Mesa is that it is relatively safe for a city of 470,000 people. It seems to have a police department that does a good job considering how poor overall the city is.

Mesa is one of the few large cities in the country that has seen poverty increase since the recession. The westside of Mesa is basically a poverty-ridden area. Sure they have some new apartments but other then that it's outdated and run-down.

I also find Mesa to have some of the rudest people anywhere in the country. I certainly would never call it's adjacent suburbs like Chandler, Gilbert or Scottsdale rude.

The downtown though does certainly seem like a 50,000 person town if that, rather then a 500,000 person city.

It is also a very poorly-run city in my opinion. They brag about having no city property tax but it looks from the moment you cross the border into Mesa that it has no city property tax.

Tempe, Scottsdale, Chandler and Gilbert which are some of the most nicest and well-run suburbs in the country border Mesa which is either run-down or bland-looking sprawl.

[exit2lef]

Originally Posted by kmorgida

Thank you everyone for the responses, very helpful. We are a younger family, 31, 34 and a 4 year old moving from San Diego. My husbands office will be in Mesa but mine will be on the west side/downtown/central part of Phoenix most likely. We like the east side of the valley and were just trying to figure out why Mesa gets such a bad name.

No matter where you end up living, if you have a four-year-old, make sure to visit Riverview Park in northwest Mesa. The climbing structures there are the best I've seen at any park in the Phoenix Metropolitan Area.

[ajonesaz]

Originally Posted by lovecrowds

It is also a very poorly-run city in my opinion. They brag about having no city property tax but it looks from the moment you cross the border into Mesa that it has no city property tax.

The no property tax thing is usually a wash because of the exorbent fees it charges for water service.

[Pink Jazz]

Originally Posted by lovecrowds

Mesa is just way behind other east valley suburbs. Tempe has construction all over the place, Gilbert has the best social indicators of any city of it's size in the country and Chandler has a very large amount of large business.

Very few people are going to choose Mesa which is one of the worst suburbs in the west in my opinion, over suburbs that are some of the best of the best like Gilbert, Chandler and Scottsdale.

Mesa on the other hand other then some nice areas with large lots is for the most part a run-down city with a huge influx of poverty. Much of it just as run-down as South and West Phoenix.

The only thing good I have to say about Mesa is that it is relatively safe for a city of 470,000 people. It seems to have a police department that does a good job considering how poor overall the city is.

Mesa is one of the few large cities in the country that has seen poverty increase since the recession. The westside of Mesa is basically a poverty-ridden area that is falling apart. Sure they have some new apartments but other then that it's outdated and run-down.

I also find Mesa to have some of the rudest people anywhere in the country. I certainly would never call it's adjacent suburbs like Chandler, Gilbert or Scottsdale rude.

The downtown though does certainly seem like a 50,000 person town if that, rather then a 500,000 person city.

It is also a very poorly-run city in my opinion. They brag about having no city property tax but it looks from the moment you cross the border into Mesa that it has no city property tax.

Tempe, Scottsdale, Chandler and Gilbert which are some of the most nicest and well-run suburbs in the country border Mesa which is either run-down or bland-looking sprawl.

Note that one advantage Mesa has over Scottsdale and especially Chandler or Gilbert is the available mass transit options. Mesa has the third best transit network in the Valley behind Phoenix and Tempe.

[ShampooBanana]

Originally Posted by kmorgida

Since I will most likely have to either drop off or pick up my son from preschool I wont be taking mass transit. My current commute is about an hour to work and home so commuting is not a problem. We will be out that way in a couple weeks to look at the different towns but based on what we have seen for real estate, Tempe isn't really our style.

Did you check out South Tempe (south of Guadalupe Rd?). It's very different than the north part and has much more in common with Chandler/Gilbert than north Tempe. Good schools, too, and it would be an easy commute for both you and your husband. Also, Ahwatukee (the neighborhood south of South Mountain in Phoenix) would be good to look into, as well as the west part of Chandler. All are in Kyrene schools and Tempe Union High School district, among the best in the state, plus they have good access to the rest of Phoenix, Scottsdale, Tempe and the rest of the metro via the 101 and I-10.

[observer53]

Originally Posted by kmorgida

Since I will most likely have to either drop off or pick up my son from preschool I wont be taking mass transit. My current commute is about an hour to work and home so commuting is not a problem. We will be out that way in a couple weeks to look at the different towns but based on what we have seen for real estate, Tempe isn't really our style.

Not sure what "your style" is, but you may not have looked at south Tempe, which to my mind is right up at the top in terms of places to live in the Valley, certainly in the east Valley. (and not just because I've lived there a long time) I understand you don't need mass transit, so that's not a selling point for you. Best of luck with your search, and welcome!


EDIT: - I didn't see ShampooBanana's post until after I posted, but we are on the same wavelength.

[kmorgida]

Originally Posted by observer53

Not sure what "your style" is, but you may not have looked at south Tempe, which to my mind is right up at the top in terms of places to live in the Valley, certainly in the east Valley. (and not just because I've lived there a long time) I understand you don't need mass transit, so that's not a selling point for you. Best of luck with your search, and welcome!


EDIT: - I didn't see ShampooBanana's post until after I posted, but we are on the same wavelength.

We like the house styles in Gilbert/Chandler/Mesa more than what we were seeing in Tempe. Tempe they seemed older and a lot only had carports. I don't remember what area in Tempe those were but I will check on South Tempe, thank you.

If I end up having to work in downtown/camelback/Scottsdale area do you think my commute would be anymore than an hour each way? Obvi this will change on a day to day depending on how well people decide to drive.

Also out here on some freeways the HOV lanes can also be used by drivers who pay a fee with a transponder to use them. Does Phoenix have anything like that?

[sportzfn]

I sure enjoy Mesa for spring training with the Cubs.

[Ivory Lee Spurlock]

Originally Posted by ShampooBanana

I'm not sure I could liken Mesa to any other city of it's size. It might be (or is at least close to) the biggest suburb in the country, so even though it's a city of some 450,000 people (more than Atlanta, St. Louis, or Miami propers, by the way

Mesa is 2nd largest suburb in the United States.
Long Beach, California is the largest suburb.
Arlington, Texas is #3.