Trading Up From Starter Home - 85254 vs Central Phoenix? (Glendale: transplants, house)

[sma22]

So I have lived in the Phoenix area for 8+ years and have owned my current house for around 5 years. Current house is more of a "starter home" in very North Tempe and given its size (1,650 sq ft), it may be too constrained to be a long-term place to start a family, etc. Its in good, livable condition but rather than spend 80-100k to do a complete remodel (new kitchen, new bathrooms, windows, etc.) I've decided to sell the place and buy something more long-term that is move in ready and needs no additional work.

So I am looking at two areas: Central Phoenix (Camelback to Northern, Maybe 11th Ave to 16th Street) or the 85254 zip code (PV Area).

I am somewhat familiar with both areas, but not too knowledgeable - I've obviously been to them, eaten at restaurants, etc. but don't know anyone who actually lives in these areas.

So I just thought I would ask for open ended comments on the two areas, keeping in mind the following:

- Must be a single family home
- Work is located near Central Phoenix
- May be starting a family in 3-4 years (so need to consider schools)
- I am a little worried an area like 85254 would feel too suburban, but does that really matter with ease of getting around with uber/lyft?

Budget is not really an issue for the house purchase - what i mean by that is at a given price level (say $500k), the homes in 85254 tend to be newer, if remodeled the remodel is better (I've seen some bad flipper homes when out looking in Central Phx), and lot size is bigger.

Thanks in advance - and I'm happy to answer any questions that may help others provide better advice.

[newtoaz20172]

I live in the 85254. Nice area, somewhat expensive. I live by a bunch of boring old white people. If you're looking for boring and safe, then this is the place for you. We're close to everything so you do not have to leave the area too often. Trader Joes is down the road ,Whole Foods is close, Frys is close, both highways are 5-10 minutes max. North Scottsdale car dealers have great Cars and Coffees I always attend.

Downside is it is a bubble.

[Colt AZ]

Originally Posted by newtoaz20172

I live in the 85254. Nice area, somewhat expensive. I live by a bunch of boring old white people. If you're looking for boring and safe, then this is the place for you. We're close to everything so you do not have to leave the area too often. Trader Joes is down the road ,Whole Foods is close, Frys is close, both highways are 5-10 minutes max. North Scottsdale car dealers have great Cars and Coffees I always attend.

Downside is it is a bubble.

Hey, all of our parents were "old people", and mine/many certainly aren't/weren't "boring", white or otherwise.

You're alienating many of Arizona's very wonderful residents/transplants/tourists/people with your selective rationalizing/hatred/dislike.

[ringler24]

Originally Posted by Colt AZ

Hey, all of our parents were "old people", and mine/many certainly aren't/weren't "boring", white or otherwise.

You're alienating many of Arizona's very wonderful residents/transplants/tourists/people with your selective rationalizing/hatred/dislike.

Umm not really? Just because some of us value a more diverse population doesn't mean we have anything against old white folks. We just don't want to live in a neighborhood that is entirely or nearly entirely made up of them.

[Banjo71]

How important to you is it to avoid a commute? The drive from 85254 to Central Phoenix is lousy, packed on the 51 morning and evening.

[DetroitN8V]

$500k in central PHX likely won’t get you any more than what you have now. Your money will go farther in the burbs. If price really doesn’t matter, meaning you can exceed that, central PHX would be more ideal IMO. 85254 is very suburban.

[newtoaz20172]

Originally Posted by Colt AZ

Hey, all of our parents were "old people", and mine/many certainly aren't/weren't "boring", white or otherwise.

You're alienating many of Arizona's very wonderful residents/transplants/tourists/people with your selective rationalizing/hatred/dislike.

I am simply stating this is just an old white person community, as opposed to a mostly young Latino or older African American community. I'm white myself, but I am also 20 years younger than all my neighbors and things they value are not things I value. I like walkability, restaurants nearby without driving, public transit. These are all things Scottsdale does not have. Not a knock, but people wanting older neighbors, no kids around, and do not mind commuting everywhere would love it.

We moved here because our house is very nice and we get a lot of amenities in our rent. Upon further inspection, we would've moved to Arcadia or more downtown Phoenix, something much younger than this area. It is a nice area, yes, but just not my cup of tea.

[SarcasticPhxDude]

85254 is one of the nicest areas in town. If you are going to start a family you should consider schools. Both PV and Scottsdale school Districts are great. As is Madison School District. In theory you probably get a better walk score with the Central Phoenix ones; and more infill projects perhaps driving pricing a bit up...but it is far more inflated now than 85254 is.

Other than the Biltmore, you get more shopping in 85254. However, Phoenix gets you great restaurants, non-chains, etc.

Not sure you can go wrong with either-just comes down to house style, budget, and what you love.

[pbenjamin]

Originally Posted by newtoaz20172

I am simply stating this is just an old white person community, as opposed to a mostly young Latino or older African American community. I'm white myself, but I am also 20 years younger than all my neighbors and things they value are not things I value. I like walkability, restaurants nearby without driving, public transit. These are all things Scottsdale does not have. Not a knock, but people wanting older neighbors, no kids around, and do not mind commuting everywhere would love it.

Originally Posted by SarcasticPhxDude

85254 is one of the nicest areas in town. If you are going to start a family you should consider schools. Both PV and Scottsdale school Districts are great. As is Madison School District. In theory you probably get a better walk score with the Central Phoenix ones; and more infill projects perhaps driving pricing a bit up...but it is far more inflated now than 85254 is.

Other than the Biltmore, you get more shopping in 85254. However, Phoenix gets you great restaurants, non-chains, etc.

Not sure you can go wrong with either-just comes down to house style, budget, and what you love.

To be clear, 85254 is in Phoenix. Only the mailing address is Scottsdale.

[phx1205]

My opinion is you should have commute time as your #1 consideration. Assuming you do end up having kids in a few years, you will be much happier having a shorter commute and having more time at home. 15-20 minutes in the morning and evening is huge. And depending on where in Central Phoenix your job is, that will be the commute difference from Tatum and Greeneay to Glendale and 12th st, for example. Pick any cross streets in your two areas and look at the drive time on Google maps. Madison schools are as good as PV schools you will have in 85254.