Maricopa City, how bad is the smell? (Phoenix, Tucson: apartment complex, renters)

[rmcf]

I have a family member that is planning to move to Phoenix soon and she is very interested in Maricopa because of the cheaper homes. We've read online that there's a particular smell, especially on windy days, that isn't so favorable and comes from nearby farming. How bad is this smell most of the year?

She will be spending a few days in the area herself while browsing homes, so she may get to see/smell for herself, but I'd like to know what people on here think of this issue. Is it bad enough to warrant looking at homes elsewhere? And if so, are there any comparable areas as far as housing prices?

Also, on a somewhat unrelated note, her kids may be attending the local community college in Maricopa (Central Arizona College - Maricopa Campus). Does anyone have any experience with this college? Any opinions on this would also be appreciated. Thank you!

[Bondurant]

Anecdotal information from my experiences with Maricopa.

- I spent hours there twice last summer visiting a friend and no foul smell
- Checked with said friend and she noticed nothing in the 2 weeks she stayed
- A colleague hated living there but only complained about the commute

There's bound to be someone here that lives in Maricopa that can provide more detail about any smells for the long term resident.

[wit-nit]

OP: Here are some informational reports on the subject that might help you.
MARICOPA — Residents of Maricopa are speaking out on social media about strong odors in the air...
https://www.pinalcentral.com/maricop...63b5cdee6.html

...the vile smell that comes from the cow manure and dead carcasses...
https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUser...a_Arizona.html

[sh9730]

Also - have her check out Casa Grande. More infrastructure (stores, hospital, work, etc.), easier commute if need be on the freeway instead of Hwy 347, the FULL Central Arizona College campus nearby, basically the same housing prices...

Maricopa is NEWER so if they want a nice new place then Maricopa may be better - but there are plenty of newer areas in CG also.

I just always tell people if they are looking at one (CG or Maricopa) they should look at the other also.

[JGMotorsport64]

Originally Posted by sh9730

Also - have her check out Casa Grande. More infrastructure (stores, hospital, work, etc.), easier commute if need be on the freeway instead of Hwy 347, the FULL Central Arizona College campus nearby, basically the same housing prices...

Maricopa is NEWER so if they want a nice new place then Maricopa may be better - but there are plenty of newer areas in CG also.

I just always tell people if they are looking at one (CG or Maricopa) they should look at the other also.

I don’t think you do. It’s okay to boost CG, which you do do, and in this circumstance CG is a way better choice.

[Tall Traveler]

Originally Posted by rmcf

I have a family member that is planning to move to Phoenix soon and she is very interested in Maricopa because of the cheaper homes. We've read online that there's a particular smell, especially on windy days, that isn't so favorable and comes from nearby farming. How bad is this smell most of the year?

She will be spending a few days in the area herself while browsing homes, so she may get to see/smell for herself, but I'd like to know what people on here think of this issue. Is it bad enough to warrant looking at homes elsewhere? And if so, are there any comparable areas as far as housing prices?

Also, on a somewhat unrelated note, her kids may be attending the local community college in Maricopa (Central Arizona College - Maricopa Campus). Does anyone have any experience with this college? Any opinions on this would also be appreciated. Thank you!

I've owned 3 houses in Maricopa going back to 2011 and go there to check on them and plan to start wintering there next winter in one of them. My opinion is that the smell is bad at times and seems worse in the summer probably due to the heat. There are many times when I don't smell the dairy smell, just depends on which way the wind is blowing.

Most of my renters and people I met there really love living in Maricopa due to the friendly vibe that you feel there. The negatives are the drive to Phoenix is long and busy, very little shopping and no hospital in Maricopa. The price of housing is by far the biggest draw to the town.

I would have her check out Casa Grande and San Tan Valley as other options. If she can afford it, Chandler is especially nice.

[rmcf]

Originally Posted by sh9730

Also - have her check out Casa Grande. More infrastructure (stores, hospital, work, etc.), easier commute if need be on the freeway instead of Hwy 347, the FULL Central Arizona College campus nearby, basically the same housing prices...

Maricopa is NEWER so if they want a nice new place then Maricopa may be better - but there are plenty of newer areas in CG also.

I just always tell people if they are looking at one (CG or Maricopa) they should look at the other also.

Okay, thanks for the info. I've heard about Casa Grande as well. Do you happen to know if the issue of foul smells also applies there? I've checked it out on Google Maps and I can't tell if it's close enough to the farms in Maricopa for that to also be a factor there.

[sh9730]

Originally Posted by rmcf

Okay, thanks for the info. I've heard about Casa Grande as well. Do you happen to know if the issue of foul smells also applies there? I've checked it out on Google Maps and I can't tell if it's close enough to the farms in Maricopa for that to also be a factor there.

VERY rarely - much less than in Maricopa. CG is also surrounded by agriculture - but the DAIRY farms are either on the east side of town (and the wind typically blows any odor away from town - and the other dairies are about 10 miles west of town so not usually an issue. Once in a while if conditions are right - or some of the other farmers are doing extraordinary amounts of fertilization etc.

Maybe 10 days a year it's an issue in most of CG.

[Tall Traveler]

Originally Posted by rmcf

Okay, thanks for the info. I've heard about Casa Grande as well. Do you happen to know if the issue of foul smells also applies there? I've checked it out on Google Maps and I can't tell if it's close enough to the farms in Maricopa for that to also be a factor there.

Now that I've spent more time in both Maricopa and CG, I would agree that the dairy smell is worse in Maricopa but you can still smell it in CG on occasion.

Comparing Maricopa and CG, CG wins in :

- More diversity of housing and land
- More employment and services
- Closer to I-10 and Tucson
-

Maricopa wins on:
- Quieter
- Closer to Phoenix
- Seems a little less expensive for similar housing

[sh9730]

Originally Posted by Tall Traveler

Now that I've spent more time in both Maricopa and CG, I would agree that the dairy smell is worse in Maricopa but you can still smell it in CG on occasion.

Comparing Maricopa and CG, CG wins in :

- More diversity of housing and land
- More employment and services
- Closer to I-10 and Tucson
-

Maricopa wins on:
- Quieter
- Closer to Phoenix
- Seems a little less expensive for similar housing

So - pretty fair and reasonable assessment - but I disagree a little - or should I say would like to refine a couple of points.

1. BECAUSE of that convenience to I 10 the travel time to Wild Horse Pass Casino (which is the closest place in the "valley" to either location) is only about a 5 to 10 minute difference in time - it IS closer mileage wise no question - but from CG you are on the freeway so you are moving a bit faster. Of course EITHER of these routes can have traffic issues (today it was I 10 turn with an overturn semi at Riggs), but IN GENERAL this is the case. The difference is even less when considering a trip to the east valley since CG people can head through the RES on Hwy 587.

2. Surprisingly housing in Maricopa is actually a bit MORE expensive than in CG because some people like the "single family homes only" aspect of the city, as well as the "newness" aspect - although they are now building their first apartment complex in Maricopa. Homes for whatever reason seem to run about 5 to 10 percent higher in Maricopa than in CG.

The rest is actually pretty spot on.