Moving to AZ (Phoenix, Scottsdale, Tempe: rental, condos, houses)

[Ceana06]

Hello everyone,

I am considering moving to Phoenix for a potential job opportunity.

I'd love to know what residential areas would be best to scope out. The job will be located off of W Pinnacle peak road in northern phoenix I believe.

I am 26 year old single female. Not too picky about commute as long as it's not over 40 minutes long tops. My budget is around $800 max. So living in Scottsdale, Tempe, or other is fine me. Just not sure where to start searching.

Simply looking for a safe, affordable, and nice place to call home.

Also, how is the music and entertainment scene is that neck of the valley?

Help! hahaha


Thank you in advance.

[Finger Laker]

i'd probably start my search in either the desert ridge area (tatum & 101) or arrowhead (75th & bell) area

tempe may be a bit further out

desert ridge would give you access to city north, desert ridge and north scottsdale within a pretty easy distance

arrowhead would give you the arrowhead area and westgate area and still put you within a decent range of north scottsdale and desert ridge (20-30 minutes pending)

[observer53]

Scottsdale (unless far north Scottsdale, and that may be out of your budget) or Tempe would be a LONG commute to W Pinnacle Peak Rd. More than 40 minutes in normal rush periods. There are lots of nice areas on the northwest side, in the northern parts of Peoria, Arrowhead area, etc., you should be able to find something in your price range. Rents have dropped in a lot of areas, as the apts are competing with the houses and condos that have gone vacant.

On the west side, there's a fair amount of entertainment stuff going on in the Arrowhead Mall area and further south along the 101 freeway at Westgate, adjoining the hockey arena and stadium. There may not be as much going on as in Scottsdale or around the university, but those areas are not in your commute range, except for north Scottsdale which, as I said, may not be in your price range. Desert Ridge is a good suggestion too, and kind of splits the difference distance wise... I'm not sure what rental rates are in that area.

[AzDreamer]

yelp.com is a good site for food and entertainment reviews. Search for whatever kind of music of food you are interested in and you'll get a list of highly rated places and a map showing their locations. You can click any of the links for reviews.

[nolagirl]

I would check the Kierland area. Desert Ridge is very nice, but, in my opinion, it is mostly families with kids. I have friends that live in areas surrounding Old Town, but not in, and I think their rents are pretty reasonable.

[Ceana06]

Thank you Finger Laker. That definitely gives me a nice start.

[Ceana06]

Originally Posted by nolagirl

I would check the Kierland area. Desert Ridge is very nice, but, in my opinion, it is mostly families with kids. I have friends that live in areas surrounding Old Town, but not in, and I think their rents are pretty reasonable.

Thank you nolagirl. I heard that Kierland was a bit expensive but I will definitely look into that.

[Ceana06]

Originally Posted by AzDreamer

yelp.com is a good site for food and entertainment reviews. Search for whatever kind of music of food you are interested in and you'll get a list of highly rated places and a map showing their locations. You can click any of the links for reviews.

Awesome! Thanks a bunch. This helps a lot.

[Ceana06]

Originally Posted by observer53

Scottsdale (unless far north Scottsdale, and that may be out of your budget) or Tempe would be a LONG commute to W Pinnacle Peak Rd. More than 40 minutes in normal rush periods. There are lots of nice areas on the northwest side, in the northern parts of Peoria, Arrowhead area, etc., you should be able to find something in your price range. Rents have dropped in a lot of areas, as the apts are competing with the houses and condos that have gone vacant.

On the west side, there's a fair amount of entertainment stuff going on in the Arrowhead Mall area and further south along the 101 freeway at Westgate, adjoining the hockey arena and stadium. There may not be as much going on as in Scottsdale or around the university, but those areas are not in your commute range, except for north Scottsdale which, as I said, may not be in your price range. Desert Ridge is a good suggestion too, and kind of splits the difference distance wise... I'm not sure what rental rates are in that area.

You've provided a nice range of options. I have homework todo.
Thank you.

[observer53]

Originally Posted by Ceana06

Thank you nolagirl. I heard that Kierland was a bit expensive but I will definitely look into that.

Rents are doing some odd things... it doesn't hurt to get on the rental websites and see what the prices are. Kierland would be about at your 40 minute mark on a decent day. Desert Ridge does have apts and condos, with singles and young couples w/o kids, it's not all families. Tatum Ranch, yes, more so, Desert Ridge not so much.