New to forum, moving to Arizona and looking for advice (Phoenix: rent, house)

[titleistguy1670]

Originally Posted by observer53

Might as well live in Scottsdale IF that's where you end up working and you find something you like. The mantra here is to live relatively close to where you work. South Scottsdale is relatively lower income but hardly ghetto.


That said, if what you've read in this forum has led you to believe that you should avoid all of Mesa and Tempe, you are mistaken.

Like I said, I know every city has its good and bad areas. In general, however, I have gotten the impression a lot of Mesa and Tempe isn't the greatest place to live.

[titleistguy1670]

Originally Posted by observer53

Might as well live in Scottsdale IF that's where you end up working and you find something you like. The mantra here is to live relatively close to where you work. South Scottsdale is relatively lower income but hardly ghetto.


That said, if what you've read in this forum has led you to believe that you should avoid all of Mesa and Tempe, you are mistaken.

Also, curious as to why that is the mantra? When I was there it seemed very easy and convenient going place to place. I found the highways to be a joy to drive.

[i'm not a cookie]

Why should you stay away from Tempe? It has some really nice areas. I also think it's a bit silly to rule out Scottsdale. If you are working in Scottsdale, then live in scottsdale....it's easily the best area of the metro but I might be a little biased

[titleistguy1670]

Originally Posted by i'm not a cookie

Why should you stay away from Tempe? It has some really nice areas. I also think it's a bit silly to rule out Scottsdale. If you are working in Scottsdale, then live in scottsdale....it's easily the best area of the metro but I might be a little biased

Thank you for the reply. I have heard that "old town" Scottsdale isn't the best area. What is your opinion on it and are there any areas that should be avoided in Scottsdale? Thanks!

[observer53]

Originally Posted by titleistguy1670

Like I said, I know every city has its good and bad areas. In general, however, I have gotten the impression a lot of Mesa and Tempe isn't the greatest place to live.

Tempe is a very popular place to live. For those who do not want to live in an area with a high population of students, from Southern Ave south, (which is more than half the area of the city) you wouldn't necessarily know the university is even there. I've lived in south Tempe for over 40 years.

Originally Posted by titleistguy1670

Also, curious as to why that is the mantra? When I was there it seemed very easy and convenient going place to place. I found the highways to be a joy to drive.

The older parts of Mesa are not so great, but there is a slow resurgence in downtown that may help that. There's an older, not so great area in northeast Tempe, too, but that's not a reason to trash the whole city. The other part of the Tempe mantra is that people think of it as just a "college town". Obviously, it's home to the largest university in the country, but it's more than that.

Originally Posted by i'm not a cookie

Why should you stay away from Tempe? It has some really nice areas. I also think it's a bit silly to rule out Scottsdale. If you are working in Scottsdale, then live in scottsdale....it's easily the best area of the metro but I might be a little biased

I would not rule out Scottsdale at all, especially if the OP will be working in or near there. It's not "the best area of the metro" to me, but it's got a lot going for it.

Originally Posted by titleistguy1670

Thank you for the reply. I have heard that "old town" Scottsdale isn't the best area. What is your opinion on it and are there any areas that should be avoided in Scottsdale? Thanks!

"Old Town" not the best area? Well, I don't know exactly what the people said who gave you that impression, but I would think living in or near Old Town, with easy access to all the restaurants, etc., could be a fine thing. A lot of the apartments in the area are older, smaller complexes, but that's not necessarily a bad thing. As you were already told upthread, there are no "areas to avoid" in Scottsdale. South Scottsdale is lower income, but not unsafe; there are just more amenities a bit farther north.

[DetroitN8V]

Originally Posted by titleistguy1670

Was thinking I could get more for my money elsewhere and I am not working there for sure yet.

It depends on what you value. You haven't given any insight into that.

If it's space, then yes, you can probably get a larger place for less money elsewhere. If it's being near shopping, bars and restaurants, then likely no.

[Jkgourmet]

I don't know who or what the OP is hearing, but it's nearly all bad advice or flat out incorrect.

Tempe and Mesa are not to be avoided. Both have terrific areas to live, depending on your lifestyle (family with kids, student, young blue collar, rich snowbird, etc. etc. etc.) Each has its areas that are not attractive or upscale, but neither has a what I would define a ghetto. Frankly, I don't think anywhere in the Valley of the Sun has a true ghetto (go visit Detroit or the Bronx to see a ghetto). And far east Mesa has some of the nicest views in the Valley.

Old Town is a bad area? Tell it to the hoards of happy tourists and residents.

Ultimately, you CANNOT decide where to live until you KNOW where you will be working unless you want to risk an unacceptable, atrocious commute. Come back with this question after you've secured employment and you'll receive helpful, good advice.

[nebulanut]

I don't believe you can simply pick one city over another. Each city has great areas and not so great areas. And what you deem safe is also subjective. https://communitycrimemap.com/ I would do some research here first. I agree with the other response, it would be helpful to know where you'll be working, if you already know this.

There's just nothing to go on...a poll doesn't tell us anything.

Paige

[maverick974]

Originally Posted by Listener2307

It's not what you asked, but I am intimately familiar with Arizona, and have some opinions.

SEE EVERY SINGLE INCH OF THAT WONDERFUL STATE!
Have a beer with the local cowboys in Stanfield, go camping in the desert, meet the native Americans, walk to the bottom of the Grand Canyon, spend time alone in Petrified Forest, see Yuma, Gila Bend and take the desert roads to do so.
Take every tour, visit every national park and Indian ruin on the map, and find a few of your own. Hike in the hot desert (but BE CAREFUL) and revel in that sun that wants to burn right through you.
Learn a little Spanish.

And enjoy your stay or your life.

What a wonderful response.
I've lived here for 5 years now and couldn't have said it better. Kinda gives me that warm, fuzzy feeling. Ha....

[pbenjamin]

It's impossible to answer your question without first understanding your price range and whether you care about schools. Oddly you have omitted Phoenix from your list, which sits right next to Scottsdale. Coming from Chicago you might be thinking that the entire city is some sort of lower class hellhole, but you would be mistaken.