Maine to Phoenix (Glendale, Chandler, Tempe: for rent, crime, how much)

[Harold10]

I will be transferring to the Phoenix area for work sometime in the future. My wife and I are looking for some help in locating a nice area to live and play. We're looking for a nice area to rent in before we think about buying. We would like to stay away from any gang/crime areas of course.
Also, can anyone assist with the job market situation there as well? My wife will need to find work once we get there. She's a buyer for a grocery retail chain here in the east. Are there many grocery vendors or chain headquarters there? Who are some of the major employers in the Phoenix area?
We have already planned a trip there for the 2nd week in May so if there are any areas we need to check out while we're there please let me know.

[ji603]

The valley that makes up Phoenix is pretty large; driving from East to West across it during rush hour (5-8am, 3:30-6pm) is pretty daunting. I'd say look close to wherever your job is, and that should kind of narrow down the housing search I would think.

If you can, stay out of S. Phoenix and W. Phoenix. Chandler, Gilbert, Tempe, Ahwatukee (suburb of phoenix) are pretty nice...

Major grocery chains out here are Safeway, Bashas, Fry's Grocery, Albertsons, AJ's Fine Foods, Food City, Ranch Market; some are owned by the same corporation and each targets different demographics.

Good luck.

[intmd8r]

I will agree with what the previous poster has said, except for staying away from West Phoenix.

We lived in Chandler for a couple of years and then moved out to Goodyear where we lived for about 9 years. If we ever moved back, we would choose Goodyear over Chandler in a heartbeat, although Chandler is certainly nice too.

Either way, Phoenix is HUGE as far as land mass goes, so yes, you need to start with where you will be working and go from there.

[krock1dk]

The first step is finding a job BEFORE moving here. I cant stress that enough. The job market in AZ, as well as across the country, is AWFUL. Good jobs are very few and far between. But the 'Valley' area around Phoenix has seen the worst job loss of almost anywhere else. Sad but true. There are numerous people already living here who cant find work, so coming here would just create more competition. In fact, Phoenix has become an overgrown, overpopulated mess, like Southern CA. And its small economy already cannot support the overpopulation. Why not try texas?

[lyzzard]

Originally Posted by krock1dk

The first step is finding a job BEFORE moving here. I cant stress that enough.

They already stated they're transferring here and their wife will need to find a job, so they already have a job here.


As to finding a place to live, it all depends on where you will work and how much time you are willing to spend in the car for a commute. We are moving to Surprise (west valley) and it is a very safe place to live. Litchfield, Goodyear, and parts of Avondale are also really nice. North Peoria/Glendale are also good areas, depending on where you go.

The east valley has it's good spots, but also has some not so great area's, just like the west. Many people like Chandler, or Gilbert.

North Central Phoenix also has some nice neighborhoods, good for renting and close to downtown, and if you have kids the Madison school district is one of the top contenders.

[las vegas drunk]

Originally Posted by Harold10

I will be transferring to the Phoenix area for work sometime in the future. My wife and I are looking for some help in locating a nice area to live and play. We're looking for a nice area to rent in before we think about buying. We would like to stay away from any gang/crime areas of course.
Also, can anyone assist with the job market situation there as well? My wife will need to find work once we get there. She's a buyer for a grocery retail chain here in the east. Are there many grocery vendors or chain headquarters there? Who are some of the major employers in the Phoenix area?
We have already planned a trip there for the 2nd week in May so if there are any areas we need to check out while we're there please let me know.

Personally, I would make sure to find somewhere in Phoenix you can live on with just your income. Krock1 is right that your wife very well might not be able to find a job. I have lots of family and friends in Phoenix. Most are working, but the ones who are not have not been able to find a replacement job.

[Fadelight]

No offense intended, but I hope you aren't the typical mainer like everyone I live near and work with. Everyone around here whines once the temperatures break 70 degrees.

[TomB90]

North Phoenix sounds like the best fit for you.

[Harold10]

Krock1dk, I will already have a job. My wife will need to find a job. I know the job opportunities at this time is dire but we're dealing with life situations like everyone else. We don't mean to take anything away from anyone but we are in the same situation as they are. My plan is to find a place that we can afford in a good area on my income alone for at least a year. If shorter that would be great.

[Harold10]

Originally Posted by Fadelight

No offense intended, but I hope you aren't the typical mainer like everyone I live near and work with. Everyone around here whines once the temperatures break 70 degrees.

No offense taken. The heat does not bother us. That's what we prefer.