Help: Orange County moving to Phoenix (Scottsdale, Tempe: apartments, to rent, condo)

[OC2PHX]

I am currently a graduate student living in Orange County. While visiting my retired parents in Phoenix, I met a girl in Scottsdale and tried doing the long distance thing for 5 months. Unfortunately, it did not work out. However while dating her, I did learn that the 113 degree heat is not too bad, the Scottsdale area is very nice, and I can afford a nice house (not condo) there. I have also learned that the woman in PHX look to be more genuine and simpler than OC woman (I could be wrong though). In addition, I have become so burned out on So Cal. So I have decided to move there after graduation in December.

While I have my eye on Scottsdale, I was wondering if there are any other areas that a single, 30 year old professional should also consider. I am getting great potential job offers from both Tempe and Scottsdale. I would like to rent an apartment at first ($850 for a one bedroom) and buy a house after 6 months ($350k). My realtor has shown me places in Grey Hawk, N Scottsdale, Paradise Valley, and Cave Creek. I hear alot about Gilbert. Should I look there too?

I am also planning on making up for the time I lost while studying and working full time the past 2.5 years. I like good eats, cool bars, and golf. I would like wherever I live to be close to these places or a cheap cab ride home.

[NytoPhx]

While others can correct me if I'm wrong, as I recently moved here, $850 for a one bedroom in N. Scottsdale or Paradise Valley is unreasonable. Decent one bedrooms in Tempe start at around $750-$800 a month, and I was looking at apartments in Old Town Scottsdale, such as San Marin, which we're going for about $950 per month, and I would assume N. Scottsdale would be significantly more expensive. Paradise Valley has a median home price of $1.2 Million, so good luck there.

[joninaz]

If single and you like a mix of things to do nearby (eats, drinks, sports, etc), then focus on central, old town and S. Scottsdale, Tempe and the Arcadia/Camelback area of PHX. PV and Cave Creek are very nice places, but are almost 100% bedroom and motly single family homes. Gilbert is probably more family focused than you'd like.

Also, there's no hurry. You can find a ho hum place to rent for a few months and figure out which scenes match your style.

[sablebaby]

Originally Posted by OC2PHX

I am currently a graduate student living in Orange County. While visiting my retired parents in Phoenix, I met a girl in Scottsdale and tried doing the long distance thing for 5 months. Unfortunately, it did not work out. However while dating her, I did learn that the 113 degree heat is not too bad, the Scottsdale area is very nice, and I can afford a nice house (not condo) there. I have also learned that the woman in PHX look to be more genuine and simpler than OC woman (I could be wrong though). In addition, I have become so burned out on So Cal. So I have decided to move there after graduation in December.

While I have my eye on Scottsdale, I was wondering if there are any other areas that a single, 30 year old professional should also consider. I am getting great potential job offers from both Tempe and Scottsdale. I would like to rent an apartment at first ($850 for a one bedroom) and buy a house after 6 months ($350k). My realtor has shown me places in Grey Hawk, N Scottsdale, Paradise Valley, and Cave Creek. I hear alot about Gilbert. Should I look there too?

I am also planning on making up for the time I lost while studying and working full time the past 2.5 years. I like good eats, cool bars, and golf. I would like wherever I live to be close to these places or a cheap cab ride home.

What the heck did your agent show you in those areas for only $350k??? I can see Cave Creek (barely) and Gilbert is managable for sure, but the others, not so much (esp. PV - unless you're thinking PV mall area and not the Town of PV). Like the other poster said, PV starts at $1mil. and N. Scottsdale would be a min of $500k+.

[azriverfan.]

Originally Posted by sablebaby

What the heck did your agent show you in those areas for only $350k??? I can see Cave Creek (barely) and Gilbert is managable for sure, but the others, not so much (esp. PV - unless you're thinking PV mall area and not the Town of PV). Like the other poster said, PV starts at $1mil. and N. Scottsdale would be a min of $500k+.

And that $1 million dollar home in PV is a shack. A fairly nice contemporary 4 bedroom 2500-3000 sq foot home in PV usually starts at 2 million

[sablebaby]

Originally Posted by azriverfan.

And that $1 million dollar home in PV is a shack. A fairly nice contemporary 4 bedroom 2500-3000 sq foot home in PV usually starts at 2 million

Yep, you're right!

[azriverfan.]

Originally Posted by sablebaby

Yep, you're right!

It's hilarious. People are buying shacks in PV just so they can tear it down and rebuild because the cost of land is so high.

[sierraAZ]

Originally Posted by OC2PHX

I am currently a graduate student living in Orange County.

Darn, I thought OC was coming to Phoenix and was hoping it would bring some ocean along, too... and it's just a graduate student!

[griebelh]

I'm moving from michigan to north scottsdale next week, and I found a 1 bedroom for 790 a month.

[sablebaby]

Originally Posted by griebelh

I'm moving from michigan to north scottsdale next week, and I found a 1 bedroom for 790 a month.

Which one is it?