Invest in South Central Phoenix? (Scottsdale: crime, new home, neighborhoods)

[westgate]

I'm thinking about buying a place at Central and Dobbins, it's a mile or so further south than Baseline. I have been living in Ahwatukee but this new-build seems like a good investment. Problem is, on the surface, seems the area may be several years away from turning around, although these new homes are a start. I have read the comments on this forum about areas north of Baseline, but does anyone have info south? Also, anyone know if the road improvments on Baseline East will continue West?

[AksarbeN]

South Mountain is being cleaned up in different areas, and new homes are being built. Is this a good investment is a difficult question to answer because of several reasons. One of the important rules of life is that you always get what you pay for. Buy a low priced auto new, pay for repairs while you are trying to drive it, and you sell it for yet a low price to get rid of it later if you can find anyone who wants it.

New home developments are about the same. If they build a low priced home ~ it remains a low priced home needing attention and maintenance over the years. Then when you’re ready to sell it you have trouble finding a buyer. The area of South Mountain has little attraction in shopping and community services. Yes they have libraries and schools and a place to buy food items etc. but it’s not like elsewhere in the valley. There are worries that most people have about gangs and crime. This is a problem everywhere in the metro valley, but for some reason this area has been noted for being more of a bad area. It’s hard to overcome a reputation once it gets started.

I myself would spend my money in a different area just because of the unsure future that south mountain has. New homes built at lower prices are due to lower costs of materials and land. In this case the land is less costly to the developer ~ ask yourself why they have low priced land? Is it because of the bad reputation of the area in the past?

I hope that the area improves and becomes one of the better areas in Phoenix to live and work. The city of Phoenix has already worked hard at improvements to help this problem yet they still have a ways to go to overcome the reputation.

[westgate]

Thanks for the reply AksarbeN. The house is not really discounted. It would still be $360,000. Fact is, I like the house and wish someone would build a similar style house in Scottsdale, Westgate, or Ahwatukee. The house is 3 stories with a rooftop cabana. Views are great of both the downtown and South Mountain. 360 is not a bad price, and the construction is solid. I have bought 11 other places all over the valley and seem unable to get excited about this opportunity. Love the house, dont love the area and, like you, I just dont see the area turning to the point where this could be considered a solid investment. Too bad, really great views!

[AksarbeN]

It’s the right house, the right views, but will the area ever change that is the question. I’ve been in the Phoenix are for about 25 years now and it’s always been a very slow getting better area in the south. I don’t know if there ever will be a total cleanup of the undesirable elements making it less desirable. Phoenix is trying all the time and there are improvements.

I have several close friends who live in the area there and they love their neighborhoods and never seem to have any problems with crime etc. There are several pluses for the area as well. One of them is that you’re only 10 –15 minutes from downtown. And as you said the views are great. And last on a very positive point ~ it hasn’t gotten any worse in the area and there have been improvements.