[HJS27]

I am an Arizona native, born in Chandler. Currently live in Gilbert...old town, but recently boomed...everything is all shiny and new, with that new town smell. My recommendation...If you are in the little kiddie mommy stage, go with Gilbert...If you are more the single, yuppie type, go with Scottsdale. The freeway system has gotten to be pretty outstanding in the last few years...you can anywhere relatively quickly, so the main limiting factor is the price of gas.

BTW, now is a FABULOUS time to buy real estate in Arizona...you really can't go wrong buying anywhere. My recommendations in this regard are the same as above.

[josie88]

Biltmore/Arcadia area is on the border of scottsdale and pretty close to downtown phoenix. It a pretty nice area, I feel safe living there being a single 20-something female. The price is a little over ave., but nothing too crazy! you pay for what you get, so to speak

[military spouse]

Originally Posted by missrisa77

I live out in the Litchfield Park, Avondale, and Goodyear area. I love it. There's not much traffic, less people, and everything is relatively new. I also think north Glendale and Phoenix are nice as well. The east valley has horrendous traffic problems, as do Buckeye and Anthem. If you like being more in the city, downtown Phoenix is being revitalized, and there are nice historic homes too.

We're in Goodyear, also. We're very happy here and it is definately growing. At this time, you will find more jobs in the East Valley, but that should change over time.

[military spouse]

Originally Posted by Shar81

I am thinking of relocating to AZ as well and have been looking at homes online in the Avondale, Gilbert and Maricopa area. A great website to help you in your home search is www.rgrphoenix.com. From what i've seen so far... in Avondale and Maricopa you get more house for your money. I'm not sure how far they are from Phoenix though. But you can get a nice 4 bedroom home with a pool and a backyard for under $200,000. Gilbert homes are a little more expensive but i think it's closer to phoenix. Others can correct me if i'm wrong, but this is what i've gathered from my search.

I would like more information about the schools in those areas. I'm looking for good elementary public schools with full day kindergarten and good teacher to student ratio.

This is not meant to offend anyone that might live in Avondale, but parts of it can be a bit "rough." The crime log in the paper is always a bit interesting for parts of Avondale. We just moved here 6 months ago and we were leaning toward Avondale, but I'm glad we didn't. We live in Goodyear and there is a BIG difference. If you do decide to move to Avondale, you might consider living North of I-10.

[sassiebaz]

Originally Posted by spring05

The nicest areas is the Scottsdale area. But it's also more expensive. If you're looking for reasonable price I would look into the East Valley area, such as Mesa and Gilbert. They have nice areas and are affordable. Personally, I'm not a fan of the West Valley, such as Avondale.

I think the best advice is to stay out of the actual city of Phoenix. I swear the entire town is always under construction. Especially Central Ave.!

That's a little unfair! I live in Phoenix and I feel safe and its not under construction where I live. There are plenty of nice area in the Phoenix city limits! Now, if you are talking downtown thats a different story. North Phoenix has some very nice, affordable neighborhoods!! I would NEVER live in Mesa, all I hear on the news is about crime out there. But, I wouldnt go as far to say to someone else...DONT move there. Im sure Mesa and Gilbert have nice area to live in. I prefer my area as Im used to it, as most people are with whatever area they are in. To the thread starter, you need to really come visit for yourself. Go to all of these areas mentioned and you will get a feel for where you would feel most comfortable.A good realtor will have knowlegde of all the towns and what they have to offer!

[military spouse]

I think you will find that EVERY city in the metro area has good and bad parts. Once you decide where you might want to work, jump on city-data.com and ask away about specific areas. The Phoenix Metro area is interesting because one can be in a great neighborhood, drive a few blocks and it can feel a bit seedy. That being said, I haven't experienced any crime. Neighborhoods can look great on the internet, but they may not be in person.

[Hausfrau]

Originally Posted by sassiebaz

I would NEVER live in Mesa, all I hear on the news is about crime out there. But, I wouldnt go as far to say to someone else...DONT move there. Im sure Mesa and Gilbert have nice area to live in.

When I first moved to Arizona I moved to an apartment complex I found on the internet.. it was in a HORRIBLE area in Mesa. As a single 20 year old I was scared to leave my house anytime of the day!!
So yes, RESEARCH! Go to the areas first. No matter how nice something looks on the internet, don't trust it.. (common sense, eh?)
I still live in Mesa (alta mesa area).. and I like it out here. I feel safer the farther east I go..

[bonitamia7]

I agree that you have to come here and drive the areas to get a feel for the different communities. I agree with the pp who stated that ALL cities in the metro area have good and bad areas (if you drive far enough). I live in Glendale and am looking to move to Litchfield Park....I have always lived in the west valley and I love it. My InLaws live in a decent area in Mesa, but if you go a few blocks to the south, there's really questionable areas and if you go further east, there are uber nice ranch homes with acreage (this is true all throughout the valley - including Scottsdale).

[Glina]

North Phoenix works for me.

[kirs]

I live in one of the really far areas, (Carefree) and while it's beautiful, it is not helping my social life, or the mileage on my car. All my friends live in Tempe, Scottsdale, or north Phoenix. Being 25 and unencumbered, I wish I was closer to an area where the average age was less than 50!!