What are the nicest areas to live in the Phoenix area? (Mesa: apartment, to rent)

[markeg]

Which areas are the most desirable to live? Is it in the suburbs? Phoenix seems to be so spread out that it seems like a suburb to me. I'm originally from NYC, and now I live in Tampa, FL.
After living through Irma, I don't want to have to live through another one. Unfortunately, living in, Florida you can't avoid it. I'm looking at my options.
Thank you!

[American Expat]

Originally Posted by markeg

Which areas are the most desirable to live? Is it in the suburbs? Phoenix seems to be so spread out that it seems like a suburb to me. I'm originally from NYC, and now I live in Tampa, FL.
After living through Irma, I don't want to have to live through another one. Unfortunately, living in, Florida you can't avoid it. I'm looking at my options.
Thank you!

You need to provide more information such as what's your budget, need a job, have kids in school, want to be near the airport, want to be near the action, etc.?


I like Paradise Valley & Scottsdale and they are also expensive. Chandler and Gilbert are very nice options that are bit less expensive...

[markeg]

Approx $1800 to rent budget. No kids, like to be close to all amenities such as Stores, good restaurants, the arts. Would have to get job there. Trying to avoid traffic nightmares like there are here.

[American Expat]

Originally Posted by markeg

Approx $1800 to rent budget. No kids, like to be close to all amenities such as Stores, good restaurants, the arts. Would have to get job there. Trying to avoid traffic nightmares like there are here.

Check out Old Town Scottsdale. Note however that you need to live close to wherever you work so dependent on getting a job in that area.

[wilberry]

the 1000 block of north 3 rd ave just south of the Japanese friendship garden near the light rail stop , between central and 3rd ave north of Roosevelt . A very cool urban area ....

https://www.google.com/maps/place/10...4d-112.0743181

[AZJoeD]

To answer your question, you have lots of options. North Central is pretty cool. Biltmore area is great, Old Town Scottsdale is cool as well. If you want something a little more suburban, Kierland is a nice area. You can find some nice upscale apts/condos in all the above-listed areas. Or if you want a small single family you can check out one of the historic neighborhoods.

[grad_student200]

Originally Posted by markeg

Which areas are the most desirable to live? Is it in the suburbs? Phoenix seems to be so spread out that it seems like a suburb to me. I'm originally from NYC, and now I live in Tampa, FL.
After living through Irma, I don't want to have to live through another one. Unfortunately, living in, Florida you can't avoid it. I'm looking at my options.
Thank you!

I left Florida last February and moved back to my home state of AZ. I had lived in FL for about 14 years - mostly in Tallahassee. I also lived 1 year in South FL (Ft. Lauderdale). I know Florida very well. That I-75 has flooding from Jacksonville that may close the stretch near Gainesville as I understand it. It looks tough back there from all the news.

I am very thankful I left. Phoenix is great. Scottsdale is the "rich" side of town, but I just rent an apartment and work in data warehouse testing. A lot of options exist in the city. Popular areas for newcomers include Tempe, Chandler, Mesa, Surprise, etc.

I found my job on dice.com. I work in software testing. I have graduate degrees now from both UF and FSU (LOL). I took a few online courses from USF to supplement credits when I was at FSU. I am very familiar with Tampa and the USF campus.

I'd recommend Phoenix if you want a healthy job market and casual place with a yuppie setting (LOL). Just make sure you get a job first. I interviewed via Skype from Florida to get back here. I love it. I grew up in AZ. It's great to be home.

[Prickly Pear]

Originally Posted by wilberry

the 1000 block of north 3 rd ave just south of the Japanese friendship garden near the light rail stop , between central and 3rd ave north of Roosevelt . A very cool urban area ....

https://www.google.com/maps/place/10...4d-112.0743181

Those condos start at $400k for a one bedroom place. Not affordable whatsoever. You want two or three bedrooms you are looking at close to a million.

It's nice I agree, just not for the average person.

[wilberry]

I remember when they were building the condos where the FEZ is . the Fair trade cafe is the coolest coffee shop in the same building with a fountain in the courtyard near the parking garage. Always wanted to live there. Portland st and N 1st ave. Yes not for the average Joe. with average pay and an average life. with an average 401K , average aspirations, average IQ, average ... I would take the light rail clear across town early in the morning on Saturday just to have a coffee and rub elbows with above average people and sometimes it would rattle their jewelry ....

[Jkgourmet]

[mod cut]

As far as the "best" place to live in phoenix metro, the best advice is to live within 30 minutes or less of where you work. Which means getting a job before you move - which is ALWAYS good advice.

Frankly, I think you're reacting to a recent, frightening event. That's understandable. But don't do something so quickly that you're gonna feel stupid later. Take a breath, do some research, then move.

Do you own a house in Florida? If so, be prepared to compete with all those other Florididian's who want to run away as quickly as they can.