Which city has better restaurants and is more interesting: Chandler, Gilbert or Ahwatukee? (Phoenix: house, employment)

[Alandros]

Originally Posted by Maroon197

Relax. It wasn’t a criticism of the restaurants themselves. I was just pointing out that none of these suburbs are significantly different from one another. They are all safe, generic, overly sanitized bedroom communities with the same general mix of safe, sanitized restaurants for middle class family patrons. These local chains, some of which are actually owned by corporations like Cheesecake Factory, allow suburb dwellers to feel like they are having a hip, trendy experience without leaving the comfort of their tract housing bubble. And they are good at what they do.

To be clear, I applaud gilbert for what they are trying to do to create a real town center. Nevertheless, it’s basically like every other suburban valley business center except the parking is in garages instead of giant lots in front of the businesses. That’s really the only difference.

Not a fair assessment. There are plenty of small mom and pop restaurants spread all over the place. You just have to skip stopping at the big chains and try those hole in the wall places in those strip malls that look all the same, but because of these places aren't.

As it turns out this is essentially the same in trendier places like New York and San Francisco with thriving downtowns. Those best places to go? The hole in the walls that fly under the radar known by the locals. Just a in a trendier "looking" downtown motif vs a generic strip mall.

[Valley Native]

Here's a map showing the boundaries of what's considered to be Ahwatukee. Notice how there are two different sections: Ahwatukee (the older area), and Ahwatukee Foothills (the newer section). The original Ahwatukee has a mix of chain restaurants, as well as a variety of other cuisines. This is also where the AZ Grand Resort is located.

[Nasudesu]

Originally Posted by asufan

Not a whole lot of local one-off restaurants make it. It's a tough business so you have to be good at what you're doing to open 2-3 more locations, therefore I wouldn't discount some of the local chains. Bourbon and Bones comes to mind, the fact that they have one in Scottsdale and one in Gilbert doesn't make the quality any worse. My favorite restaurant in Chandler is probably Roy's, but I know people that go a couple hundred yards past Roy's to eat at Fleming's, which they prefer, or Shula's which is another quality chain. I think it's important to have a little mix of both, which we do. I have lots of great local places I have to get sushi, but I'd love for a Nobu or Morimoto "chain" to open near me. There's good chains and bad chains and I wouldn't call much of what we're seeing akin to Applebee's.

Which places to get good sushi? We had a takeout sushi ie makizushi near Chandler last year at a teppan sushi place and it was ok for vegetarian sushi, and few others. Price seemed very reasonable.

[scully2010]

Originally Posted by Valley Native

Here's a map showing the boundaries of what's considered to be Ahwatukee. Notice how there are two different sections: Ahwatukee (the older area), and Ahwatukee Foothills (the newer section). The original Ahwatukee has a mix of chain restaurants, as well as a variety of other cuisines. This is also where the AZ Grand Resort is located.

Thanks for the map. I used to live in an apartment complex in the 4400 block of Baseline Rd. and it was called Ahwatukee even though it wasn't considered it. It was due to the 85044 zip code.

Aw. I just found my old apartments. They used to be that familiar pinkish adobe color. I moved in the year my building was built, in 1989. (It's the place where I killed 40 scorpions in the four years I lived there.) Now they're white and blue. Here's the complex: https://www.thepalmsatsouthmountain.com

I paid $400 and some change for a two-bedroom, two bath. I bet it's more expensive now.

[MN-Born-n-Raised]

Originally Posted by scully2010

Thanks for the map. I used to live in an apartment complex in the 4400 block of Baseline Rd. and it was called Ahwatukee even though it wasn't considered it. It was due to the 85044 zip code.

Aw. I just found my old apartments. They used to be that familiar pinkish adobe color. I moved in the year my building was built, in 1989. (It's the place where I killed 40 scorpions in the four years I lived there.) Now they're white and blue. Here's the complex: https://www.thepalmsatsouthmountain.com

I paid $400 and some change for a two-bedroom, two bath. I bet it's more expensive now.

From https://www.thepalmsatsouthmountain.com/floorplans

Two Bedroom, Two Bath
6 Available

Bed: 2
Bath: 2
Sq.Ft.: 940
Rent: $1,583to-$1,974

Based on inflation alone, in 1989, 1 dollar is worth $2.21 https://www.in2013dollars.com/us/inf.../1989?amount=1 So your $400 place should be $884. Needless to say, PHX rent has taken off in price.

[scully2010]

Rents have gone up everywhere, and much faster than inflation. Just like home prices everywhere. I bet you couldn't find a nice 2-bedroom, 2-bath apartment anywhere in a safe area in a popular city with a strong employment market for in the $800 range in 2021.

[Valley Native]

Originally Posted by scully2010

Thanks for the map. I used to live in an apartment complex in the 4400 block of Baseline Rd. and it was called Ahwatukee even though it wasn't considered it. It was due to the 85044 zip code.

I paid $400 and some change for a two-bedroom, two bath. I bet it's more expensive now.

Just realized the map I posted isn't up to date because the 202 South Mountain Freeway isn't shown. It has been completed for about 2 years. You're right about Baseline Road ... it's considered to be south Phoenix, or part of South Mountain Village, but not Ahwatukee. $400 couldn't even get a tiny studio apartment anymore. Those days appear to be gone forever.

[scully2010]

Originally Posted by Valley Native

Just realized the map I posted isn't up to date because the 202 South Mountain Freeway isn't shown. It has been completed for about 2 years. You're right about Baseline Road ... it's considered to be south Phoenix, or part of South Mountain Village, but not Ahwatukee. $400 couldn't even get a tiny studio apartment anymore. Those days appear to be gone forever.

oh yeah, didn't think $400 was even possible anymore. you can't even do that in Louisville where I live now. That was 32 years ago in Phoenix.

[Valley Native]

Originally Posted by scully2010

oh yeah, didn't think $400 was even possible anymore. you can't even do that in Louisville where I live now. That was 32 years ago in Phoenix.

There should be something available these days for $400 per month in the Phoenix area ... such as a cardboard box, a shipping crate, or a house burned out from a fire. Even a place on the south side, or in much of west Phoenix will be high priced for many people, based on the household incomes in those areas.

[john3232]

Originally Posted by scully2010

oh yeah, didn't think $400 was even possible anymore. you can't even do that in Louisville where I live now. That was 32 years ago in Phoenix.

San Francisco - 1983: 1 bedroom studio apartment. 500 sq ft. Outer Sunset district. Very safe

One block off Taraval train line.

Rental price: $210.

Today? Likely $2000