?? on neighborhoods (Phoenix, Scottsdale, Chandler: rental, how much, hotel) - Arizona (AZ) - Page 2 - City-Data Forum

AksarbeN · 03-13-2007, 04:44 PM

Tempe and Ahwatukee are too far away and in the wrong direction. You can find many nice homes east of the Biltmore ,,,,, look east of 40 Street along Camelback Rd. and north of Indian School road. Zip codes 85018 & 85251 have some very nice neighborhoods, but also you will see some less expensive homes as well. Try zillow.com to view homes in these areas and you’ll also see a good mapping of where things are at as well as a birds-eye view of homes there.

Also you’ll find some very nice locations north of Lincoln Dr. east of SR51 about the area of 24th street but north up into the mountain area.

fromwa2az · 03-13-2007, 04:54 PM

thanks for all of the input! I'll look at those zipcodes!

sablebaby · 03-13-2007, 05:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fromwa2az

I don't want to live in a really affluent area or the slums either.

Thanks!

Your price of $700k will put you in affluent areas, much more than most. Our average housing price is around $250k. The biltmore is affluent, arcadia is affluent. Some of the areas may not "look" affluent, but the prices are. Now if you wanted $300-350k that would be a lot less affluent, but still kinda "up there". Also, most areas will have families.

fromwa2az · 03-13-2007, 05:47 PM

Sablebaby..

We can afford that much, but that doesn't mean that I want to. From my research the past few hours it looks like we don't need to pay that. I live in a suburb of Seattle that is the going price. I really want a family oriented area with lots of things to do with kids and meet people the same. My hubby works alot so I need that.

I looked on the map where the office will be. Nothing will be like the commute here. However, If I don't have to make it bad for my husband that's good too. We have friends both in Scottsdale and Chandler. We like both. When we visited last we really liked Gilbert.

We are willing to sacrifice a little for a great commnuity. I looked up the zipcoeds from the last post, and while that may be a nice area, nothing jumped out at me.

any thoughts...?

irwin · 03-13-2007, 05:50 PM

Rent in an area you are thinking about. If you like Gilbert or Chandler, then rent down there for a month or two. If you can deal with the horrendous commute and like the area, then look for a house.

That's what I would do.

sablebaby · 03-13-2007, 11:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fromwa2az

Sablebaby..

We can afford that much, but that doesn't mean that I want to. From my research the past few hours it looks like we don't need to pay that. I live in a suburb of Seattle that is the going price. I really want a family oriented area with lots of things to do with kids and meet people the same. My hubby works alot so I need that.

I looked on the map where the office will be. Nothing will be like the commute here. However, If I don't have to make it bad for my husband that's good too. We have friends both in Scottsdale and Chandler. We like both. When we visited last we really liked Gilbert.

We are willing to sacrifice a little for a great commnuity. I looked up the zipcoeds from the last post, and while that may be a nice area, nothing jumped out at me.

any thoughts...?

Well, that's good. You can save lots of money living here!

Are you planning another trip to check it out before moving? If you are, I would just say drive around all over the place and see what you are most attracted to. Ask your friends what they think since they live here. Drive at the times your hubby will be commuting and see how that looks. Only you and your family can make this decision. Plus, we all have our opinions and many of us don't like the same things, so it's hard to recommend areas. Although I keep hearing good things about Gilbert. I am meaning to take a drive down there someday to see what's all the hype.

gigi927 · 03-14-2007, 03:40 PM

I know you were asking about school districts in/around the Biltmore area...the Hopi school district is pretty well recognized as one of the best school districts in the Phoenix area. I think you could find a home well within your price range in Hopi.

There is also a great little neighborhood tucked away just west and north of the Biltmore shopping. I will look up the name of it (can't remember it right now) and PM you with it, but there are some nicer ranch homes on well treed lots and I know of at least two families with kids on one street alone that live there.

I agree with some of the other posters that you'd want to probably avoid Gilbert and Vistancia if you can, even if your husband commutes at 4:30 a.m.

Try to stay closer in first, and then move outward from there.

fromwa2az · 03-14-2007, 04:12 PM

Thank you for all of your advice!!! I really appreciate it!!!! We are going to visit one more time. I'll let you know what we think!!! Cheers!

scorpsign · 03-17-2007, 05:06 PM

I have lived in Gilbert for 6 years and have changed jobs 3 times and so far the Biltmore area was the easiest commute. N. Scottsdale near the airpark is terrible and downtown PHX is not so easy either because of the airport and general freeway congestion. Biltmore area to NW Gilbert via 143 to 60 took only 40 minutes leaving at 4:30 everyday.

Personally, I love Gilbert and choose to live there and "deal" with the commute because I love the kid and family friendly environment. I originally choose Gilbert because it had newer, cheaper homes, but now prices have caught up, but most areas are still very nice and more affordable than Scottsdale, Ahwatukee or Ocotillo in Chandler. Gilbert also has a good reputation for good schools and being safe, but still has crime like any town in AZ. Plus we are getting shopping and restaurant amentities by the boatload and I am hoping the employment will follow. I think you said your husband worked in healthcare and Gilbert now has one brand new hospital and another on the way later in 2007.

Moderator cut: ...

Good luck on your move!

nevercoldcall · 03-19-2007, 01:36 AM

Arcadia is a wonderful area and I miss it. I lived in the Phx area for 7 years before recently moving to Newport Beach, CA, and looking back, Arcadia is the one place I lived in Phx that I have very fond memories of. It's also the only place where the neighbors were friendly (for some reason AZ is anti-social). It's green, the streets are lined with orange and grapefruit trees, and it's very safe. The schools are known as some of the best which is part of why it's a more expensive area to live, but in your price range you'll definitely find some good deals, especially now that prices overall are falling in Phx.

Stay out of north Scottsdale - I absolutely HATED living there - the people are just horrible and totally status obsessed. Kids who grow up there become snobs who look down on everyone else ... and the irony is there's no real wealth in Scottsdale, just lots of credit. Arcadia on the other hand has some very wealthy people but it's a friendly place. You'll deal with snobs from Paradise Valley (a neighboring community) here and there but still nothing nearly as bad as Scottsdale.

I also lived in north-central Phoenix which was also wonderful but very expensive old-money (John McCain lives there, for example) and a bit too residential with no shopping or restaurants really close by.