Moving to AZ in June 30, 2008! (Phoenix, Scottsdale: apartment, to rent, condo)

[DSL1988]

I've been reading most of the threads here and found them very informative. After a few days of reading now I'm ready to post a thread of my own. We are a family of four (2 adults and two small children (4 1/2 and 3 year old, respectively) from NYC. We will be driving to Phoenix, AZ at the end of June. We've been to Phoenix, AZ before (during the very hot weather) and loved it. We will be moving without jobs (will look for it when we get there). We are most concerned about finding a suitable place to live and schools for our soon-to-be five year old son. Our plan is to rent for at least 6 months in Central Phoenix/Downtown area - I'm a legal secretary and this is where most of the major law firms are located. We will only have a minivan for some time (I have my license but really do not drive here in NYC but I understand that I will need to in AZ) hence the need to live where I might find work. We have found it really difficult to choose a suitable, safe area (with good schools) over the Internet. We will not be making another trip to Phoenix so we must do this all online. Can you please point me in the right direction?

[MotleyCrew]

I have a friend who happens to work for a law firm as a legal sec. She is looking for housing around the Biltmore area and said she wanted to stay north of Camelback. She lives up where we live in N. Peoria and commutes every day to the downtown area. She is very tired of the long drive and the traffic. You probably want to stay on the east side and some of the other regular posters will be chiming in with some good areas for you. Best of luck.

[exit2lef]

Two things to keep in mind:

1. It is essential that you determine where you will be working before you buy a house. The metro area is so vast that you could be stuck with a horrific commute if you don't.

2. Don't assume you will automatically be working in Downtown or Midtown. While it's true that most of the area's large law firms are located centrally, there are also a few over in Scottsdale.

Other than that, it's hard to say much without knowing your price range and housing needs (house or condo, how many bedrooms, etc.). Areas with good schools near to Downtown include the North Central and Biltmore areas (in the Madison School District) and Arcadia (in the Scottsdale School District).

[dbean]

Originally Posted by DSL1988

I've been reading most of the threads here and found them very informative. After a few days of reading now I'm ready to post a thread of my own. We are a family of four (2 adults and two small children (4 1/2 and 3 year old, respectively) from NYC. We will be driving to Phoenix, AZ at the end of June. We've been to Phoenix, AZ before (during the very hot weather) and loved it. We will be moving without jobs (will look for it when we get there). We are most concerned about finding a suitable place to live and schools for our soon-to-be five year old son. Our plan is to rent for at least 6 months in Central Phoenix/Downtown area - I'm a legal secretary and this is where most of the major law firms are located. We will only have a minivan for some time (I have my license but really do not drive here in NYC but I understand that I will need to in AZ) hence the need to live where I might find work. We have found it really difficult to choose a suitable, safe area (with good schools) over the Internet. We will not be making another trip to Phoenix so we must do this all online. Can you please point me in the right direction?

well, like yourself, we are moving to phx on may 23rd!!! a few weeks ago, we were in phx for 4 days and found a house to rent. It was a complete headache doing so I might ad. Please see the thread I started here:
https://www.city-data.com/forum/phoen...phx-visit.html

As the above thread indicates...we finally did find a place just North of Bell on 12th st. It is a very nice area and the rent is cheap ($1350 for a 3+ br house, w/ private pool!!)

Anyway, use the advice I gave in the above thread and you'll do fine!

good luck

[DSL1988]

Thank you! We are looking for a two-bedroom apartment to start. We definitely will not rule out renting a house. Our budget is in the range of $900-$1,200.

[djpfive]

There are good-sized law firms also located in the area at 24th St. and Camelback.

[diamondd213]

When you move there don't ever leave. left there a few years ago (from the northeast) and moved back home and have regretted it ever since. Give it some time before you decide whether you like it or not. Don't know what you got until your first winter after moving back. Remember the winters!! Go back and visit in the winter just to remind yourself how big a dump the northeast is. Moving back to Phoenix in two years. Good luck. Also you have no need to worry about finding a job, I did the same thing and had a job in two weeks.

[sheena]

Originally Posted by DSL1988

I've been reading most of the threads here and found them very informative. After a few days of reading now I'm ready to post a thread of my own. We are a family of four (2 adults and two small children (4 1/2 and 3 year old, respectively) from NYC. We will be driving to Phoenix, AZ at the end of June. We've been to Phoenix, AZ before (during the very hot weather) and loved it. We will be moving without jobs (will look for it when we get there). We are most concerned about finding a suitable place to live and schools for our soon-to-be five year old son. Our plan is to rent for at least 6 months in Central Phoenix/Downtown area - I'm a legal secretary and this is where most of the major law firms are located. We will only have a minivan for some time (I have my license but really do not drive here in NYC but I understand that I will need to in AZ) hence the need to live where I might find work. We have found it really difficult to choose a suitable, safe area (with good schools) over the Internet. We will not be making another trip to Phoenix so we must do this all online. Can you please point me in the right direction?

Here ya go.....

Large Apt. in Scottsdale-Close to restaurants, shopping (broken link)

Stay away from downtown Phoenix...There's plenty of work in Scottsdale.

[mattyk]

Originally Posted by DSL1988

I've been reading most of the threads here and found them very informative. After a few days of reading now I'm ready to post a thread of my own. We are a family of four (2 adults and two small children (4 1/2 and 3 year old, respectively) from NYC. We will be driving to Phoenix, AZ at the end of June. We've been to Phoenix, AZ before (during the very hot weather) and loved it. We will be moving without jobs (will look for it when we get there). We are most concerned about finding a suitable place to live and schools for our soon-to-be five year old son. Our plan is to rent for at least 6 months in Central Phoenix/Downtown area - I'm a legal secretary and this is where most of the major law firms are located. We will only have a minivan for some time (I have my license but really do not drive here in NYC but I understand that I will need to in AZ) hence the need to live where I might find work. We have found it really difficult to choose a suitable, safe area (with good schools) over the Internet. We will not be making another trip to Phoenix so we must do this all online. Can you please point me in the right direction?

haha i move away on june 28. you'll replace me on the census