Best place to live for a single mid-30's guy (Phoenix: rent, houses)

[gonzoman2019]

Hi All,

I would really appreciate some advice on where to live out in the PHX area.
I am making the move out there ASAP without a job but money as a cushion.
Is downtown PHX bikeable? walkable? I was looking at the Roosevelt Row area.
I am open to anywhere that is pretty safe, and within 15 min of where most of the jobs are.
I'll be either sticking with finance work or branching out to construction (entry level apprentice opportunities)
as I heard it's booming there.

Thank you,
Ryan

[gonzoman2019]

Also wanted to mention that I was hoping to find a studio in the $700-$900 range.

[Sno0909]

I hope you have a big cushion. To be blunt, it's pretty foolish to move to another state with no job (or even a prospect of a job). Best of luck.

[new2colo]

Yes, downtown Phoenix is very bikeable and walkable. Finding a studio in your price range will probably be the biggest challenge. If you posted this five years ago, there would be numerous places available within your price range. Rents have spiked quite a bit since then. Downtown Phoenix is one of the more expensive places rent wise these days. You probably can still find a place that would be closer to the upper end of your price range. However, it probably won’t be too luxurious. Another option could be to look for people who are renting out the guest houses in their backyards. Those are often very similar to the size you would expect from a studio but for a better deal.

You might want to consider looking at some older complexes in Midtown Phoenix, which is just up Central Avenue from downtown. The light rail line goes up and down Central between downtown Phoenix and midtown. Midtown is generally not as bikeable or walkable, but downtown amenities would be a quick light rail or bike ride away.

[WSPHXPELON]

Originally Posted by gonzoman2019

...I am open to anywhere that is...within 15 min of where most of the jobs are...

Sorry to tell you this Ryan, but in this Metro area there is no such thing as an area that is within 15 minutes to where "Most of the jobs are".

The closest you can get to that might be downtown Phoenix, being that you are "equally close" (or equally far) from both the East Valley and West Valley cities.

Just plug into Google Maps: "Buckeye, AZ to Apache junction, AZ". Take a look at the map results to get a bigger picture of the size of our Metro.

[timothyaw]

Originally Posted by WSPHXPELON

...Just plug into Google Maps: "Buckeye, AZ to Apache junction, AZ". Take a look at the map results to get a bigger picture of the size of our Metro.

I tell people the same, as those are the two bookend towns of the metro East/West wise. It's crazy when you think of that distance.

[WSPHXPELON]

Originally Posted by timothyaw

I tell people the same, as those are the two bookend towns of the metro East/West wise. It's crazy when you think of that distance.

And to put it even MORE in perspective, do the Google map search during rush hour and look at to projected drive time

[bawac34618]

Originally Posted by Sno0909

I hope you have a big cushion. To be blunt, it's pretty foolish to move to another state with no job (or even a prospect of a job). Best of luck.

Many times on the other hand you'll never find one unless you do just that. A lot of employers will only consider local candidates so if you apply from a few states away, even if you are the most qualified individual, you'll never find a job.

[KurtAZ]

Originally Posted by gonzoman2019

Hi All,

I would really appreciate some advice on where to live out in the PHX area.
I am making the move out there ASAP without a job but money as a cushion.
Is downtown PHX bikeable? walkable? I was looking at the Roosevelt Row area.
I am open to anywhere that is pretty safe, and within 15 min of where most of the jobs are.
I'll be either sticking with finance work or branching out to construction (entry level apprentice opportunities)
as I heard it's booming there.

Thank you,
Ryan

Well..."Finance work"...B of A is in South Chandler and State Farm has a major campus in Tempe. Bike-able/Walk-able really only applies outside of summer months but hey, you can always take the light rail from DT to Tempe.

Construction? You will be competing with all the others willing to take minimum wage as there aren't any real Unions out here. Developers regularly hire from day-labor staffing companies for general help and sub-contract to companies to do specific sections of a build. Concrete companies, framing, roofing, etc. Better to specialize if you want to go into that industry...electrician, plumbing, HVAC. If you plan on swinging a hammer, expect low wages. Then you have to figure that your job site will be far removed from where you are living so a bicycle is out of the question.

If you have more work experience in the Finance industry...stick with that unless you have a real desire to switch career fields.

[JGMotorsport64]

Originally Posted by WSPHXPELON

Sorry to tell you this Ryan, but in this Metro area there is no such thing as an area that is within 15 minutes to where "Most of the jobs are".

The closest you can get to that might be downtown Phoenix, being that you are "equally close" (or equally far) from both the East Valley and West Valley cities.

Just plug into Google Maps: "Buckeye, AZ to Apache junction, AZ". Take a look at the map results to get a bigger picture of the size of our Metro.

To be fair the majority of jobs are east of I17. But that doesn’t help Op if he’s looking to ride his bike