Forced to move to Phoenix (Glendale: loan, houses, neighborhoods)

[SMG]

Originally Posted by steve22

I wouldn't buy right now, anyway, I'd wait and rent. Phoenix is going to be experiencing a market correction for the next several years, some predictions say by about 15%, and I'd be willing to bet that the prices in upscale central neighborhoods like Encanto and Willo will come down from where they are by a fair bit. Wait until the downswing hits its lowest point (it's not there yet, not by a long shot), then buy. There's no rush.

Also, I think that central Phoenix may be a place you should try out for a few months in a rental situation before deciding to buy there. Your commute time will be shorter, for sure; but trust me, there's a LOT of dangerous criminal activity near those historic old neighborhoods. They're basically islands in the middle of surrounding gangland trash. It's really not very safe. As a father myself, I wouldn't ever consider living there.

Besides, you may find, like I did, that Phoenix isn't a place you particularly like, and if you want to leave, you'll have trouble selling in this market; if you do manage to sell, and you bought before the market bottomed out, you'll lose money. I'd wait. Just my advice.

The predictions you make on real estate are entirely speculation. I am in the business and I have no way of KNOWING that the market will be experiencing a correction for the next several years. Sorry Steve, you just should not state this as fact. It may, it may not...nobody knows. It is just like a stockbroker telling you what the stock market is going to do....portraying as anything other than an opinion is irresponsible.

[vegaspilgrim]

Originally Posted by steve22

Also, I think that central Phoenix may be a place you should try out for a few months in a rental situation before deciding to buy there. Your commute time will be shorter, for sure; but trust me, there's a LOT of dangerous criminal activity near those historic old neighborhoods. They're basically islands in the middle of surrounding gangland trash. It's really not very safe. As a father myself, I wouldn't ever consider living there.

For the most part, I think steve22 is correct. "Gangland trash" is a good way to put it. A few weeks ago I was walking around Encanto Park, which has some really nice old homes, and the neighborhood to the north around Phoenix College (Thomas and 15th). It was right at sunset, and I was starting to think, wow, maybe central Phoenix is a nice place. Until I saw some homeless creep walking around with a baseball bat about to go into Circle K. That's right, walking around with a baseball bat. It scared the s*** out of me-- I ran straight back to my car. Call me some sheltered suburban boy, but I feel that is NOT normal, or safe. And that was in one of the nicest areas of central Phoenix! Go one block south of the railroad, and it feels like you're in a total gangland. Just a few blocks south of the state capitol there is so much poverty, hundreds of homeless people living right on the street, it feels like you've entered a third world country in Africa. Scary stuff.

[sheena]

Originally Posted by vegaspilgrim

For the most part, I think steve22 is correct. "Gangland trash" is a good way to put it. A few weeks ago I was walking around Encanto Park, which has some really nice old homes, and the neighborhood to the north around Phoenix College (Thomas and 15th). It was right at sunset, and I was starting to think, wow, maybe central Phoenix is a nice place. Until I saw some homeless creep walking around with a baseball bat about to go into Circle K. That's right, walking around with a baseball bat. It scared the s*** out of me-- I ran straight back to my car. Call me some sheltered suburban boy, but I feel that is NOT normal, or safe. And that was in one of the nicest areas of central Phoenix! Go one block south of the railroad, and it feels like you're in a total gangland. Just a few blocks south of the state capitol there is so much poverty, hundreds of homeless people living right on the street, it feels like you've entered a third world country in Africa. Scary stuff.

That area is like looking for a diamond in the garbage.

[SMG]

Originally Posted by sheena

That area is like looking for a diamond in the garbage.

Yeah, I have never understood the whole allure of liveing in that district. You can spend $500k for a cool 50 year old house but you are surrounded by old decaying neighborhoods and crime to the north, south, east and west. I would rather invest in a newer home in a great area where I can go out walking at night and am surrounded by more of the same...
Now, that is just my opinion..

[sheena]

Originally Posted by SMG

Yeah, I have never understood the whole allure of liveing in that district. You can spend $500k for a cool 50 year old house but you are surrounded by old decaying neighborhoods and crime to the north, south, east and west. I would rather invest in a newer home in a great area where I can go out walking at night and am surrounded by more of the same...
Now, that is just my opinion..

Yeah I agree. It would be nice if you could enjoy the surrounding area as well.

[Great Joy]

Originally Posted by WantingoutofAz

Also, although there are nice neighborhoods in central Phoenix they are all surrounded by not nice areas and the crime tends to be higher. Sadly, that is why most people have to live far out and commute.

WantingoutofAZ, I agree. This is one of the reasons why we chose to live further out. In addition, our air quality is better.

[bigfez]

I live near 7th Ave. & Missouri. I walk the dogs nearly every morning and evening. My life is far richer here than it ever was during my 15-year sentence in north Scottsdale. Sure, I have a security system on my house. But we always had one in north Scottsdale too (including the house that was a few doors down from a double murder). I'd never go back to Scottsdale. As long as I'm live in the Valley, my address will be in Phoenix - east of I-17, of course.

[GoGoLucky]

Originally Posted by wilberry

Hello,
my company got bought out , I have to move to Phoenix. My wife is already there she has an apartment near 11 th ave and Thomas . I love the older parts of central phoenix because of the trees .
We have a 1500 3 bd 2 bath house now , what would that cost in Central Phoenix ? ( Encanto park ) or north and west of 27 th ave and Indian school ?
( There is a large park with soccer fields there. )
Is this area ok to live in ? are the house 's over $ 250,000 ?
we have two teen agers and are comfortable around people of all ethinic backgrounds .
Thanks.

Geez...cheer up.

You seem so sad.

Phoenix is a great place to live in.

[chocolaterie]

Having grown up in downtown Toronto, being around the wealthy and the homeless came as no surprise. Generally speaking, I feel (my opinion) that many people in Phoenix are sheltered. This may be due to our sprawling city. As a result a lot of (not all) people avoid each other like the plague. Ever experience the neighbor that only leaves his/her house via the car and it's always through the garage - so you never actually meet him/her? I too wanted to buy in the historic areas of Phoenix. There's a lot of charm, personality and something else that newer parts of Phoenix are lacking. But like others have mentioned there is the crime element. Now please don't take any offense to this question. It's an honest question (and I find most people lack it) if you move to this area, is your family street smart? if you've never been around crime, people will take advantage of those who are naive. Ultimately, my husband and I bought in Northern Surprise because he wasn't comfortable with the idea. (he's from Wyoming, grew up in a big house in an area with very little crime).

[sun queen]

Originally Posted by wilberry

Hello,
my company got bought out , I have to move to Phoenix. My wife is already there she has an apartment near 11 th ave and Thomas . I love the older parts of central phoenix because of the trees .
We have a 1500 3 bd 2 bath house now , what would that cost in Central Phoenix ? ( Encanto park ) or north and west of 27 th ave and Indian school ?
( There is a large park with soccer fields there. )
Is this area ok to live in ? are the house 's over $ 250,000 ?
we have two teen agers and are comfortable around people of all ethinic backgrounds .
Thanks.

I don't think your apartment is in a good area especially for teens. 27th Ave. and Indian School is not that great of an area either. There are problems with gang violence, drugs and crime. If u like central Phoenix u r going to have to pick and choose where to live because there are so many close by areas that are undesirable. The Encanto area near Encanto Park is very beautiful, but I don't think u will find a house in your price range. If u are basically looking at the NW valley I think the further west and north u r the better. Have u considered the east or south valley? It maybe worth looking into. Happy Hunting.