Moving to Phoenix but were? (Mesa, Scottsdale: to rent, low crime, houses)

[Cubsfan08]

[FONT=Verdana]Hi All,[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana] [/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana]Thanks for taking the time to read my post. Recently my Family and I decided we wanted to make a change so we have decided to move to Phoenix since i have an office there that i can transfer too. My wife and i have two kids 7 and 5, 1 dog and 1 cat we simply do not have any idea as to what areas to look at and what areas to simply stay away from. I have allot of friends and co-workers there and have been told some citys to check out would be Ahwatukee, Phoenix, Tempe? My wife and I will be going down there in a few weeks for the weekend to check out some cities but really need to make it count to find a city that we like that has great schools etc.. From there well focus on finding a house.. Any local phoenix residents have any advice for a full family moving there?[/FONT]

Thanks again for any feedback!!!!

[observer53]

Ahwahtukee is not really a city unto itself, it is part of Phoenix. It's a nice area, as you go further south and west into an area more broadly known as the Foothills, you get into what is not so affectionately known as the world's longest cul de sac, as it can be rough getting in and out of there in the morning with everyone headed for I-10.

I've lived in Tempe for most of the last 35 years, and love it. It's just to the east of the area I've just described. Lots to do, (the University environment certainly contributes to that), nice neighborhoods, good schools, low crime, good public transit and good freeway access if you drive to work. Feel free to ask more specific questions, or PM me if you like.

Phoenix is big.... some areas better than others, depends on what you are looking for and what your commute situation is.

[sh9730]

Yep. Question #1 is - where is the office you will be working in? Do you need to commute there during normal hours? Those answers will greatly affect any advice given here.

[Cubsfan08]

Thanks for the response, my office is located right off the 10 Maricopa FWY and 202 Loop in Phoenix..

[Uhuh]

Chandler you really can't go wrong. Some parts of mesa, and Gilbert. You could manage Scottsdale as well

[sh9730]

Yes, lots of choices for you - just stay in the "East Valley" - east of downtown and you should be ok. Next questions of course - are you planning on renting? Buying? What price range? That will help narrow things down further.

[Cubsfan08]

I think for starters, were going to rent for the 1st year then look into buying

[azriverfan.]

Originally Posted by observer53

Ahwahtukee is not really a city unto itself, it is part of Phoenix. It's a nice area, as you go further south and west into an area more broadly known as the Foothills, you get into what is not so affectionately known as the world's longest cul de sac, as it can be rough getting in and out of there in the morning with everyone headed for I-10.

I've lived in Tempe for most of the last 35 years, and love it. It's just to the east of the area I've just described. Lots to do, (the University environment certainly contributes to that), nice neighborhoods, good schools, low crime, good public transit and good freeway access if you drive to work. Feel free to ask more specific questions, or PM me if you like.

Phoenix is big.... some areas better than others, depends on what you are looking for and what your commute situation is.

I live near Ahwautukee. It's true that it is a cul de sac but that reputation is rather old because the 202 relieved a lot of that congestion. It's definitely an upscale area and it depends on how deep you live in the foothills because a lot of Ahwautukee is near I-10 or the 202. A lot of the valley's professional athletes live there particularly Cardinals players since their practice facility is in the south Tempe area.

Tempe varies depending on the location. Yes, the ASU campus and Mill avenue near campus is really nice but the neighborhoods just south of that area old and just college party houses that were built in the 60's and 70's. I wouldnt describe that area as being dangerous but I wouldn't say its safe either and the schools around there are definitely not nice. A lot of the strip malls in North Tempe are starting to get abandoned and areas that were once nice are looking ghetto such as the Broadway and McClintock area or the Southern and Mill area. It's sad because I'm a fan of Tempe and used to live there. Even Baseline used to be pretty nice and it's starting to get bad. Since the expansion of the valley to the South and East, I've noticed that north Tempe and west Mesa have really taken a hit. Those areas were so robust in the 90's. South Tempe, on the other hand, is really nice and I would recommend that but it's really just Ahwautukee and Chandler in terms of look and feel especially gated communities like Alisanos. If you are look at Tempe, definitely look south of Baseline and ideally look near or south of Elliot

[micmac99]

Originally Posted by Cubsfan08

Thanks for the response, my office is located right off the 10 Maricopa FWY and 202 Loop in Phoenix..

I would agree that South Tempe (south of Baseline Road), Chandler and Ahwatukee would be the areas to focus on at first, and they would be the closest striking distance to your work. I would be careful of anything immediately near the Arizona State campus in terms of safety and having to deal with college students. The city of Mesa, as of right now, does not have a property tax, so a lot of that city's infrastructure is beginning to deteriorate, if you must look at Mesa, concentrate your search east of, I'd say, Country Club Road and close to the Loop 202. Mesa gets better the farther east you go. Of course since you are "Cubsfan" do at least a little homework on the area of Mesa near the HoHokam spring training complex. I am pretty sure that neighborhood is close to the 202.

In general, Arizona is a politically conservative state, especially out in the suburbs, and a lot of people out here HATE paying taxes, even for stuff like schools; learn about the "county islands", which are pockets of unincorporated land within places like Tempe, Chandler and Mesa that are owned NOT by those cities but by Maricopa County; the residents there tend to not want to be annexed by the cities but pay the lower property tax rates of the county (if I'm not mistaken). This makes for some arrangements for fire, police protection, etc., that might be a little weird.

[observer53]

Tempe has no county islands, as far as I know. The last area that had a Tempe address that was not annexed by the city is the area where Tempe Marketplace is now. I don't think there are any WITHIN the city limits of Mesa or Chandler, either.... those would be on the fringes, but not in pockets within the city limits. So, the places you would likely be looking will be part of the city in question.

And, school taxes are county imposed, not city imposed, so, you don't avoid those by living in an unincorporated area.