Relocating from NYC (Phoenix, Mesa, Scottsdale: homes, neighborhood, luxury)

[CandyApple13]

We may be moving to Phoenix from NYC. (I’m originally from the Midwest, husband is from
East coast) We currently live in lower Manhattan and children are aged 4.5 and 2.5. I know very little about Phoenix but looking for guidance on the areas that are a good fit for our family. Housing budget is approximately $2.1M. Ideally we’d like to send our kids to the best possible public school, and we’d like to be part of a community of young families with access to parks, restaurants etc. (pretty common I would think!) What do you think? Paradise Valley? If Scottsdale, which neighborhood?

[DetroitN8V]

Arcadia in Phoenix. 85018. Central, lots of well-off families with kids, gorgeous homes, greenery, central location.

[OutdoorgirlUtah]

I'd suggest not moving to Arizona. The schools here are an absolute joke even the ones in the best districts. If you do move here. I suggest highly not putting your kids in public schools thats for sure. Look at charters or private sounds like you have the money for that. We have some of the lowest paid teachers in the nation. The Basis Charter schools seem to do alright and seem to be ranked nationally. With the kind of money you have I'd look at moving to North Scottsdale. Also the heat here is insane you never really do get used to the 120 degree we get here 100 + days every year of 100 + degree weather.

[SarcasticPhxDude]

Hi! There are quite a few depending on the type of home you are looking for. Parts of Ahwatukee could work. Chandler Gilbert have some great areas and schools. Arcadia and Paradise Valley have some good options too. Having park access probably limits the last 2. Scottsdale has some too for sure. 85254 and 85260 have some nice options.

[CandyApple13]

Thanks for all the input.
My husband has now ruled out Gilbert and Chandler as being too far south.

[OutdoorgirlUtah]

Wise decision not to look at Chandler before we bought our home in North Phoenix. We looked at chandler, Gilbert, Mesa. Commute can take a long time. You really want to look at where the job is going to be and then decide where you want to move from there.

[Voebe]

Originally Posted by OutdoorgirlUtah

I'd suggest not moving to Arizona. The schools here are an absolute joke even the ones in the best districts. If you do move here. I suggest highly not putting your kids in public schools thats for sure. Look at charters or private sounds like you have the money for that. We have some of the lowest paid teachers in the nation. The Basis Charter schools seem to do alright and seem to be ranked nationally. With the kind of money you have I'd look at moving to North Scottsdale. Also the heat here is insane you never really do get used to the 120 degree we get here 100 + days every year of 100 + degree weather.

Thanks, OutdoorGirl. I thought the same thing on reading "best possible public school."

[AZJoeD]

With your budget, you have carte blanche. Paradise Valley is an obvious choice and certainly worth your consideration. If I was going to spend $2M it would be at the top of my list.

Some folks have mentioned Arcadia and that could also be an option for you, stay in the Scottsdale School district.

If you want to stay in the close in city Arizona Biltmore Estates and Phoenix Country Club are options.

If you want a Country Club/Golf planned community lifestyle Scottsdale can offer many choices. How suburban do you want to get?

If you want high-rise luxury living in a really cool area the Scottsdale Waterfront is almost like being in a big city.

[sder]

With that kind of money why would you move here? Especially if schools are a concern? People move here because it’s relativley cheap. If I had that kind of budget I’d be on the coast, not In the middle of a burning hot desert.

[Ponderosa]

Phoenix Country Day School in Paradise Valley is where people who live in two million dollar homes send their kids. It is about $25,000 tuition per year.