Moving to Phoenix - Would Like Input on a Good Area (Mesa: 2014, apartment)

[kennethholland]

Hello All,

Just joined the forum this morning so hello!

I'm a California resident (Palm Desert) and I am planning to move to the Phoenix area.

I'm driving out tomorrow to look around for right area and would love some input on some areas to check out.

So here is me in a nutshell:

- Young 52 year-old single male who owns his own business (online).

- Going to rent an apartment first (see how PHX agrees with me).

- Very social...like to go out and have a good time, date, etc...but looking to settle down once I meet someone.

- Are there any particular areas that have a lot of business action going (meetup etc....). Networking will be a big priority too.

The areas I've considered:

- Scottsdale
- Mesa/Tempe
- Fountain Hills (prob too suburby and too out of the way but hear the views are great.

Heat is NOT a concern....obviously.

Any input would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

Ken

[observer53]

Originally Posted by kennethholland

Hello All,

Just joined the forum this morning so hello!

I'm a California resident (Palm Desert) and I am planning to move to the Phoenix area.

I'm driving out tomorrow to look around for right area and would love some input on some areas to check out.

So here is me in a nutshell:

- Young 52 year-old single male who owns his own business (online).

- Going to rent an apartment first (see how PHX agrees with me).

- Very social...like to go out and have a good time, date, etc...but looking to settle down once I meet someone.

- Are there any particular areas that have a lot of business action going (meetup etc....). Networking will be a big priority too.

The areas I've considered:

- Scottsdale
- Mesa/Tempe
- Fountain Hills (prob too suburby and too out of the way but hear the views are great.

Heat is NOT a concern....obviously.

Any input would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

Ken

I would not choose Fountain Hills. It's a fine place, but you will be doing a lot of driving unless you are content with local establishments for having a good time. Scottsdale or midtown/downtown Phoenix are better choices. Tempe is a great place to live, too (I live there) because there are places to go have fun there (away from the college crowd) and how easy it is to get to other areas of the Valley (Scottsdale, downtown Phoenix).

[kennethholland]

Originally Posted by observer53

I would not choose Fountain Hills. It's a fine place, but you will be doing a lot of driving unless you are content with local establishments for having a good time. Scottsdale or midtown/downtown Phoenix are better choices. Tempe is a great place to live, too (I live there) because there are places to go have fun there (away from the college crowd) and how easy it is to get to other areas of the Valley (Scottsdale, downtown Phoenix).

Hey thanks for responding. Yeah...I figured that about FH. Another person likes Tempe too. Any particular sector of Tempe you'd recommend?

Ken

[Pink Jazz]

Mesa covers a fairly large amount of area. Much of the better parts of Mesa are in the eastern parts of the city which could be a long commute for you.

For Tempe, the safest part is south Tempe near the Chandler border.

[Jkgourmet]

I lived in East Mesa and liked it. But would not recommend it to you for the same reasons that people are suggesting you not consider FH.

I'm less enthusiastic about Tempe for a 50-something year old single guy, who want to network and socialize. I'd go with Scottsdale, particularly downtown Scottsdale. I'd also look at the Biltmore area.

[DetroitN8V]

Downtown/Old Town Scottsdale for sure. Probably the biggest social scene in the valley for the 40-60 year old crowd.

[goolsbyjazz]

Downtown Scottsdale, Biltmore area and possibly downtown Phoenix.

[kennethholland]

Awesome! Thanks everyone for your input. This really helps!!

Ken

[WSPHXPELON]

Originally Posted by DetroitN8V

Downtown/Old Town Scottsdale for sure. Probably the biggest social scene in the valley for the 40-60 year old crowd.

x2

[observer53]

Originally Posted by kennethholland

Hey thanks for responding. Yeah...I figured that about FH. Another person likes Tempe too. Any particular sector of Tempe you'd recommend?

Ken

Originally Posted by Pink Jazz

Mesa covers a fairly large amount of area. Much of the better parts of Mesa are in the eastern parts of the city which could be a long commute for you.

For Tempe, the safest part is south Tempe near the Chandler border.

Most of Tempe is safe, to the extent that anywhere is safe. I would avoid the area around the University due to higher property crime and because you really don't want or need to be living in primarily student areas. South of Southern, you hardly know the University is there. Although there are some nice neighborhoods to the north, the further south of Baseline you get, the nicer it gets. You don't have to be near the Chandler border, but it's definitely nice there.


Agree with the suggestions about Old Town Scottsdale, Biltmore in Phoenix, and downtown (or midtown) Phoenix. You really have some good choices. Time to come for a visit and look around.