Who gravitates to Mesa? (Phoenix, Scottsdale: appointed, custom home, neighborhoods)

[New Horizons]

I've heard references to Mesa, AZ with negative undertones to it. One guy I talked to while visiting there described growing up in east Mesa as though it was some downtrodden desert town. I know nothing about it, it looks like the rest of Phoenix to me, clean streets and nice ranch homes. But does the city tend to attract a less than desirable element or something? One thing is nice there, no grocery-food tax.

[Ponderosa]

Mesa is one of the older cities here. It developed in the 1970s and 80s and that was its heyday. Now the newest areas are to the extreme eastern fringes while the older western parts are falling into decay. It's a pattern that is seen pretty much every where here. The older parts go downhill as people keep looking for the newest styles and latest trends in homes.

[imartin26]

Lots of really nice areas in Mesa just like in any other part of the valley.. Las Sendas, Red Mountain and pretty much everthing East of Gilbert Rd and North of Mckellips.. Don't believe everything people tell you.. you know what they say about opinions....

[maverick974]

I bought in Mesa and my neighborhood is older although surrounded by new housing developments. Some of Mesa isn't what I'd like to live in but that's mainly on the westerly side of Mesa. The north east portion of Mesa is spectacular. Fantastic views slower pace of life yet still lots of shopping and eateries nearby.
Mesa has it's edgy parts and it has some fabulous areas as well, much like most other cities in the metro area.
Personally, one of the reasons I bought in northeast Mesa was the proximity to the lakes and mountains.

[Jnvlv247]

Mesa has some great golf and some great communities with wealthy people
Other than that small percentage, you get mostly tweakers, Mormons and Mexicans

[ReadyFreddy]

Oh lordy, Jnvlv247, you're going to get a head-biting for that one! (It made me laugh, though.)

I've been in Mesa for a long time. I'm about ready for a change. But our particular schools are quite good so I'm here for the next 5-6 years. It's true there are some beautiful, affluent parts.

[SpeedyAZ]

I've never been a fan of Mesa, it just seems dull and boring; it's the third biggest city in Arizona yet it doesn't have a whole lot going for it. Mesa could be a much nicer place but I blame the city council for vetoing many projects and developments that would add some needed culture and entertainment to the area. The cost of living is cheap in Mesa for a reason, not a place I'd recommend raising a family because of the crime, drugs, and assaults.

The lack of zoning in Mesa is atrocious too, poverty-stricken areas next to middle class neighborhoods next to business districts...it's awful and I despise it. I prefer a much neater, more organized zoning code that allows for separate business districts and residential areas with clear boundaries between all.

[Captain Bill]

Originally Posted by Jnvlv247

Mesa has some great golf and some great communities with wealthy people
Other than that small percentage, you get mostly tweakers, Mormons and Mexicans

So according to you, everyone other than the wealthy people in Mesa are undesirables such as crackheads, Mormons and Mexicans.
You're inferring that the "wealthy" people are ok, and don't belong to the crackhead, Mormon and Mexican categories.

I can tell you that I have a lot of Mormon friends and they are all great people who cherish family values and work for their communities.

My wife is Mexican. Her parents immigrated to the US (legally) many years ago, and my wife was born in the U. S. Naturally our children are all half Mexican. So I take offense at your general statement inferring that Mexicans are less than desirable.

And unlike Ready Freddy, who thought your remark was so funny she had to laugh, I find it highly prejudicial and insulting, and has no place on the forum because it certainly does nothing to help the discussion the OP started.

[Captain Bill]

Originally Posted by desert_scene

I've heard references to Mesa, AZ with negative undertones to it. One guy I talked to while visiting there described growing up in east Mesa as though it was some downtrodden desert town. I know nothing about it, it looks like the rest of Phoenix to me, clean streets and nice ranch homes. But does the city tend to attract a less than desirable element or something? One thing is nice there, no grocery-food tax.

As has been stated, Mesa is an older town and today much of the western part of Mesa is older homes in lower socioeconomic areas.

The downtown section of Mesa along Main and Center has had some revitalization, and the 4-theater Mesa Arts Center is great. We go there often. www.mesaartscenter.com

Around Val Vista Drive and Brown area are many upscale homes nestled in citrus groves, and a high
school that is popular with the residents.

At Val Vista Drive and Baseline is the upscale Village Square at Dana Park shopping center with shopping, restaurants, a sports bar and an AJ's Fine Food store. Welcome Page | Village Square at Dana Park, Shopping Center | Mesa, Arizona

And of course on further northeast is Las Sendas, an upscale community backing up to the Usury Mountain and Tonto National Forest, with homes that go upwards of one million dollars with fantastic views. Las Sendas | Community

Also in that area are the communities of Red Mountain, Mountain Bridge and others. There are also quite a few very large custom homes being built up in that area. People like the high school there also.

These are bedroom communities, so anyone looking to have trendy restaurants and night clubs in the vicinity will be disappointed. However, from Las Sendas to old town Scottsdale is around a 20 minute drive.

[bgray9]

Originally Posted by desert_scene

I've heard references to Mesa, AZ with negative undertones to it. One guy I talked to while visiting there described growing up in east Mesa as though it was some downtrodden desert town. I know nothing about it, it looks like the rest of Phoenix to me, clean streets and nice ranch homes. But does the city tend to attract a less than desirable element or something? One thing is nice there, no grocery-food tax.

I guess my wife and I are part of the undesirable element, as we just moved to north Mesa.

The area we're in (McKellips and Lindsay) we find to be quiet, less traffic, good value for your homebuying dollar, and ready access to the 202 freeway. Not the place to be if you're looking for a hopping urban scene, but nice in a lot of ways. So far my interactions with the city of Mesa have been good, which I'm glad of after coming from a city with higher taxes, but one that was hard to interact with.