Need to know good areas to live in Phoenix

suzanne4, RN · Dec 30, 2004

We are planning on moving to the Phoenix area within the next few months but I don't know where to even start looking for a good comunity to raise 3 kids. I tried looking at the local newspaper and their crime reports but I am still confused.
Help Please!!!

Phoenix itself is huge, 5th largest city in the country now. It will depend on where you plan to work, as to which neighborhoods to recommend. There are pockets of good and bad all over. If you can be a little more specific, then I am sure one of us can make some suggestions for you..............

FUNRN · Dec 30, 2004

I haven't even looked for work yet because I want to get good schools and a good community. I was looking into either Gilbert or Chandler or Mesa. I know that's a huge area but I just need to know the good "pockets" or zip codes so I can start looking at housing.

FUNRN · Dec 30, 2004

By the way, I have a 4yo with autism so I need to find a school with a solid autism program. I found a list of schools through the local newspaper so I started calling but all the schools are closed for the holidays.

ayndim · Dec 30, 2004

This is a link to the Dept of Education in AZ. You should be able to search reports cards. The report cards give great details on their programs.

http://www.ade.state.az.us/

Oh my gosh it is so huge I wouldn't even know where to begin. We are in the far West Valley (Surprise). My dd goes to a charter school though because I hate the school district. But I love the area. It is still semi-rural but there are two hospitals within 15 mins drive and many more accessible with 45 mins. My sister lives in Fountain Hills and thinks it is quite nice. More of a desert landscape there, whereas ours is quite green. She is in the far East Valley. To give you an idea of the distance we are at least an hour away from each other.

This is a web site for new homes. You can find quite a bargain with new homes if you get on the prebuild sales. We got ours for 177,000 with 2300 sq ft, granite counters, 5 bed, 2.5 bath, intercom, central vac and all appliances. The base, without the upgrades we added was 147,000. Now it is 215,000. You can make alot of money when you sale. Just an idea.

http://www.uis.net/

FUNRN · Dec 30, 2004

WOW....thanks for all the info. The homes look like they are a great deal. I looked for Surprise or Fountain Hills on my map but could not find them. Can you tell me what other town they are near to?

Your home sounds like a great place. How long ago did you buy?

ayndim · Dec 30, 2004

Surprise will be by Sun City or Peoria. It is way out there! Here is a link to their website. http://www.surpriseaz.com/

Fountain Hills tends to be more expensive.

Here is a map of the metro area

http://www.arizonaagent.com/MetroMap.htm

Surprise is in the middle of the far left side and Fountain Hills is in the upper right side.

We put our money down in Feb. It was ready at the end of Oct. You can find houses with quicker move in times (specs) but generally the longer the wait the cheaper the house. We put our money down before the models were even built. And there are tons of new house being built all over the valley. Plus, with a spec you don't get to pick out as much. We got to pick out everything. And as you can see we stand to make alot of money on it.

Here is a link to our floor plan. http://www.trendhomes.com/sf-fp-204.html

suzanne4, RN · Dec 30, 2004

Foutain Hills is located north and east of Scottsdale. If you are looking at a big map of the area, look for Shea Blvd., then head out east to about 165th Street. It is completely different fron the Chandler, Gilbert. It is north of Meas on the Beeline Highway.

My suggestion would be to check out hospitals first, things that you might like, then look for housing near there. Traffic can be terrible, especially at rush hour time on the freeways.

Be aware that Fountain Hills doesn't have a hopsital, the closest thing is Mayo Clinic's clinic facility on Shea and 135th street. The closest hospital would be Scottsdale North at 90th street and Shea.

Hope that this helps................... :balloons:

FUNRN · Dec 31, 2004

You guys are so cool. I have been looking at this info and it's great.

THANK YOU:)

FUNRN · Jan 3, 2005

I am so discouraged. We found some new great looking big homes for a great price so we contacted a realtor and she started doing some homework for us. Apparently she went to the site and it was a great area of Gilbert, AZ. We were so excited and ready to go there in 2 weeks to start paperwork and all.

Well, I got a detailed map of Phoenix and the Gilbert area and this so called great neiborhood homes all back up to the railroad, I mean their backyard wall is right next to the railroad so I can't tell you how dissapointed we were that it WAS too good to be true and I also can't believe the realtor, she never mentioned the railroad.

Oh well, I guess we'll continue looking....and will get a different realtor for sure.

ayndim · Jan 5, 2005

I am so discouraged. We found some new great looking big homes for a great price so we contacted a realtor and she started doing some homework for us. Apparently she went to the site and it was a great area of Gilbert, AZ. We were so excited and ready to go there in 2 weeks to start paperwork and all.
Well, I got a detailed map of Phoenix and the Gilbert area and this so called great neiborhood homes all back up to the railroad, I mean their backyard wall is right next to the railroad so I can't tell you how dissapointed we were that it WAS too good to be true and I also can't believe the realtor, she never mentioned the railroad.
Oh well, I guess we'll continue looking....and will get a different realtor for sure.

If you pm me I will give you the name and number of the one I used.

Kabin · Jan 6, 2005

Phoenix is currently a tough market to buy. There isn't enough supply and there are too many buyers. Also housing prices are climbing very quickly. Supposedly many Californians are entering the state.