looking to move to Tempe from Chicago (Phoenix, Mesa: real estate, 2015)

[bobsell]

Originally Posted by ElleTea

I was wondering what flooding, too!?

520 Ahwatukee homes, businesses at risk for flooding, study find - Arizona's Family

Flood study shows many problems, no money to fix them | Crimeandsafety | ahwatukee.com

Basically, people are told to buy flood insurance. That doesn't sound fun.

And there was reports of flooding last year:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u4MyaXBG2LU

[bobsell]

Originally Posted by observer53

There is a train track over in west Tempe, but it doesn't get a lot of traffic; it seems to be that the city was involved in some sort of agreement about that. if you stay a bit further east, no problem.

I was talking more along the lines of a quiet zone ordinance.
https://www.fra.dot.gov/Page/P0889

I don't want to be awoken at 3am by train whistles. That's why I'm trying to avoid being near trains.

[ElleTea]

Originally Posted by bobsell

520 Ahwatukee homes, businesses at risk for flooding, study find - Arizona's Family

Flood study shows many problems, no money to fix them | Crimeandsafety | ahwatukee.com

Basically, people are told to buy flood insurance. That doesn't sound fun.

And there was reports of flooding last year:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u4MyaXBG2LU

Flooding of some sort often happens during monsoon season, but the water generally doesn't hang around for long. It's generally not widespread and not often frequent. It does happen, yes. Is it something to be worried about? No.

[Andrew Wilson]

I really don't think flooding would be a problem in Ahwatukee, I mean it floods a lot of places in the valley when it rains. It was found that many homes in North Scottsdale (which funnily enough is where a lot of million dollar homes are, and some rich snob jerks live) is in a flood zone form the McDowell Mountains. However it is not a major cause for concern. I live near the Indian Bend Wash that floods like crazy during the monsoon season, however it has never been a problem. But I understand your concern.

Now to some of the questions you asked me.

Yes, I mean property tax, I should have been more specific. They can get high.

I would look into West Chandler. (85226) It is still pretty close and I think would have the bus routes you need. There is no light rail in South Tempe though. There is light rail near the university, but not south Tempe.

The homes in West Chandler have a bit less character than the homes in Tempe. I have been in quite a few that are a bit boxy and some of the neighborhoods can be sort of cookie cutter. That being said there is some good neighborhoods, the houses are also a bit newer, which typically is a bonus and overall a bit cheaper. You also have better shopping options. There is the Chandler Fashion Center Mall and numerous other outdoor malls.

To address trains more, I really don't thin it would be a problem. I would say as long as you are at least 1,000 feet away form the train tracks you will be okay. You might be able to get away with less than that.

85283, 85284 and 85226 are the zip codes I would focus on if I was in your position. Mostly good neighborhoods and not to far from your work.

Don't entirely rule out Ahwatukee though, the 60 in Tempe flooded just last monsoon season, so that sort of gives you an idea. Flooding happens here in the valley. But, is never that bad, and certainly not worth buying flood insurance, unless you are in a real rural part of the valley with no infrastructure.

Let me know if I need to clarify anything or have other questions!

[BIG CATS]

Originally Posted by ElleTea

Flooding of some sort often happens during monsoon season, but the water generally doesn't hang around for long. It's generally not widespread and not often frequent. It does happen, yes. Is it something to be worried about? No.

Ive lost over $10K worth of property from flooding here in PHX. We learned our lesson real fast. If a property poses even the slightest risk of flooding, we look elsewhere. Having to live with no carpet, drywall, etc, for weeks while repairs are underway, and throwing out personal belongings such as a laptop, irreplaceable college projects, etc, that were damaged due to flooding is heartbreaking.

[observer53]

Originally Posted by bobsell

520 Ahwatukee homes, businesses at risk for flooding, study find - Arizona's Family

Flood study shows many problems, no money to fix them | Crimeandsafety | ahwatukee.com

Basically, people are told to buy flood insurance. That doesn't sound fun.

And there was reports of flooding last year:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u4MyaXBG2LU

While it's not a common occurrence, the possibility of flooding in Ahwatukee is not what would keep me out of there. It's the traffic.

Originally Posted by bobsell

I was talking more along the lines of a quiet zone ordinance.
https://www.fra.dot.gov/Page/P0889

I don't want to be awoken at 3am by train whistles. That's why I'm trying to avoid being near trains.

There is a quiet zone for train tracks north of Broadway Road. As to the track I'm thinking of that cuts through southwest Tempe, there may be some agreement between the railroad and the city about that. To be sure, I'd stay east of say, the Mill Avenue alignment.

[puntin]

My house is about 1/2 a mile from the tracks in southwest Tempe. I've never heard the train.

[bobsell]

So it looks like the east-west train tracks have a quiet zone. Any info about the north-south tracks? Do they have a quiet zone?

I'm a light sleeper and can't stand train whistles at 3AM.

[bobsell]

Originally Posted by Andrew Wilson

Don't entirely rule out Ahwatukee though, the 60 in Tempe flooded just last monsoon season, so that sort of gives you an idea. Flooding happens here in the valley. But, is never that bad, and certainly not worth buying flood insurance, unless you are in a real rural part of the valley with no infrastructure.

Let me know if I need to clarify anything or have other questions!

All it takes is one flood to totally ruin your home and destroy thousands of dollars in possessions. That's why I'm concerned about flooding. I want to avoid the flood zones. If I have to buy flood insurance, that area is a no-go for me.

[observer53]

Originally Posted by bobsell

So it looks like the east-west train tracks have a quiet zone. Any info about the north-south tracks? Do they have a quiet zone?

I'm a light sleeper and can't stand train whistles at 3AM.

It does not, but see below. Note that there is A LOT more train traffic on that east-west track north of Broadway, and a lot more people living right by the track, so the quiet zone was important. That other track has far less traffic, and may well have none in nighttime hours.

Originally Posted by puntin

My house is about 1/2 a mile from the tracks in southwest Tempe. I've never heard the train.

I don't know your exact work location, but if you are near the major east west streets (Guadalupe Rd, Elliot Rd, Ray Rd) you can live to the east of your work location a mile or more, have no issues with the train, and should have mass transit access. Check the site I listed above to verify the bus routes.