Renting an apt in Scottsdale

yellowlablover · May 20, 2006

There are so many apts listed online that I don't know where to start. I find one that looks good and then go on apartmentratings.com and it has a low rating. Does anyone here live in Scottsdale and rent? Any recommendations? No plans as of now except when I get there next week to drive up and down the streets looking.
Scottsdale Healthcare Center Shea, is that a good area to live? I don't want a lot of young people and noise or have to worry about my car being broken into. I start work July 10. thanks for any recommendations or comments

Scottsdale Healthcare Shea is a great area to live, albeit a bit expensive in terms of houses. There are many wonderful apartments right in the area, even some within walking distance (although not in the summer!). There are very nice apartments around Via Linda/Mountain View and generally around the Mountain View and 92nd Street area. Those apts. seem to be a bit more catering to middle age/seniors. Our senior center in Scottsdale is right next to an elementary school and that is within a mile or so of the hospital. If you have a specific apt you would like me to do a drive by and give you feedback, I will be happy to. I live about four miles from the hospital, so these are my 'stomping' grounds everyday. Let me know what I can do to assist!

DC

suzanne4, RN · May 20, 2006

I lived in that area for years and years. Best suggestion is to go to www.rent.com and look for sites to start off that way.

As mentioned above, you want something in the Via Linda / Shea area. 92nd street is the other cross street that you want. Then you could even ride a bibycle to work, or walk it if you wanted.

Seank · May 20, 2006

Scottsdale Healthcare Shea is a great area to live, albeit a bit expensive in terms of houses. There are many wonderful apartments right in the area, even some within walking distance (although not in the summer!). There are very nice apartments around Via Linda/Mountain View and generally around the Mountain View and 92nd Street area. Those apts. seem to be a bit more catering to middle age/seniors. Our senior center in Scottsdale is right next to an elementary school and that is within a mile or so of the hospital. If you have a specific apt you would like me to do a drive by and give you feedback, I will be happy to. I live about four miles from the hospital, so these are my 'stomping' grounds everyday. Let me know what I can do to assist!
DC

Hi. This is the mom answering. My son is the one moving, but I'll be there living with him for about 4 mos of the year; have to escape these Maine winters! He's not a kid (37) so that's why he doesn't want a place where there are a lot of younger tenants that like to party around the pool. We went to the online sites for apartments, so we'll start there. Also went to Craig's List. Are there any places to avoid that you know of? Or is Scottsdale in general a pretty safe place to live?

yellowlablover · May 20, 2006

As I mentioned, as did Suzanne, there are some specific areas that are both close to the hospital and would deliver the atmosphere you are looking for. Scottsdale is a very geographically large town and there are places you wouldn't want to live, as well as many areas that would be a hike to get to work. Focus on Via Linda, 92nd St. and you should be good!

DC

Seank · Jun 21, 2006

I wanted to post a followup. My son and I drove to Scottsdale (7 days, ugh!) from Connecticut with a UHaul and moved into a condo in Chandler and started the search that afternoon. Found an apt. in only two days at the Crown Court apts. in northern Scottsdale. It is beautiful and is pretty large (1148 sq.ft.) so he's happy. It's only 8 miles from Shea. I left after a week still traumatized by 114 degree weather; but, my son says he has gotten "used" to it and goes in the pool at his complex almost every day. When I posted I don't think I had any idea how big the Phoenix metro area is; I knew the pop. was 5,000,000 but just couldn't conceptualize it. Fortunately, they have a great highway system (except for those flashy things!).

Amy714 · Jun 24, 2006

Hi. My name is Amy. I'm currently in New York, and moving to Scottsdale in August. OMG! I'm still working on finding both a job and a rental. I think I'd rather rent a house than an apartment if I can. I'm applying to the Mayo, Scottsdale healthcare, and JC Lincoln north mountain. I've been reading through lots of threads. It seems everyone is heading for Arizona. I've found lots of good advice on neighborhoods, but I wondered if anyone could tell me about the greenbelt area. It seems like a good location, but I read that it was formed by flood runoff. Any extra concerns there? My mom is moving too and she's severely arachnaphobic, so I'm trying to avoid areas with extra critter problems. We're all excited and a bit overwhelmed, so any and all info is appreciated. Thanks.

yellowlablover · Jun 26, 2006

Hi. My name is Amy. I'm currently in New York, and moving to Scottsdale in August. OMG! I'm still working on finding both a job and a rental. I think I'd rather rent a house than an apartment if I can. I'm applying to the Mayo, Scottsdale healthcare, and JC Lincoln north mountain. I've been reading through lots of threads. It seems everyone is heading for Arizona. I've found lots of good advice on neighborhoods, but I wondered if anyone could tell me about the greenbelt area. It seems like a good location, but I read that it was formed by flood runoff. Any extra concerns there? My mom is moving too and she's severely arachnaphobic, so I'm trying to avoid areas with extra critter problems. We're all excited and a bit overwhelmed, so any and all info is appreciated. Thanks.

Amy:

:welcome:

Not to be too much of a doomsayer, but this is Arizona and we have TONS of critters. It is the desert. Some areas ARE better than others but even areas that have been developed for decades have bugs. They include scorpions (the most common), snakes, crickets (the scorpions eat these), cockroaches. Some tarantulas, depending on where you are. Smaller spiders tend to not be as big an issue in the desert but there are lots in the cooler climates like Flagstaff.

I haven't mentioned the larger animals, like coyotes, javalina (this is a small, pretty ugly pig looking creature), and in the more desert landscaped areas, bobcats. We also have a species of owls that are absolutely huge and known for picking up cats for their meals. It can be deadly leaving your cat outside (beyond the normal traffic issues) if you live in a more desert area or one that is being developed.

Other Arizona residents care to comment?

DC

Kabin · Jun 27, 2006

I left after a week still traumatized by 114 degree weather; but, my son says he has gotten "used" to it and goes in the pool at his complex almost every day.

We pay the price for about 3 to 4 months each year but it's really nice the remainder of the year.

Amy714 · Jun 30, 2006

Amy:
:welcome:
Not to be too much of a doomsayer, but this is Arizona and we have TONS of critters. It is the desert. Some areas ARE better than others but even areas that have been developed for decades have bugs. They include scorpions (the most common), snakes, crickets (the scorpions eat these), cockroaches. Some tarantulas, depending on where you are. Smaller spiders tend to not be as big an issue in the desert but there are lots in the cooler climates like Flagstaff.
I haven't mentioned the larger animals, like coyotes, javalina (this is a small, pretty ugly pig looking creature), and in the more desert landscaped areas, bobcats. We also have a species of owls that are absolutely huge and known for picking up cats for their meals. It can be deadly leaving your cat outside (beyond the normal traffic issues) if you live in a more desert area or one that is being developed.
Other Arizona residents care to comment?
DC

Wow. Thanks for the heads up. I take comfort that I lived out there for a year and never saw any of those except the roaches. How about black widow spiders or the arizona brown spider? Mom's been researching and thinks those are pretty common. I guess we'll have to look for a really good exterminator as soon as we've rented something. So much to do. Thanks again for the information.

MsBruiser · Jun 30, 2006

Wow. Thanks for the heads up. I take comfort that I lived out there for a year and never saw any of those except the roaches. How about black widow spiders or the arizona brown spider? Mom's been researching and thinks those are pretty common. I guess we'll have to look for a really good exterminator as soon as we've rented something. So much to do. Thanks again for the information.

Where in NY are you moving from?

Critters are a huge problem - and a good exterminator cannot get rid of the more pesky ones such as scorpians. If the bug sittuation is really, really a big issue you are going to want to live in a more established, older neighborhood. The area around John C. Lincoln North is one such place - I live there. BUT - it is not a stereotypical "Arizona" kind of neighborhood - looks like one of the older NYC suburbs, both the good and the bad. Wealthy, middle class, and poor living cheek and jowl. No much cacti (other than Squaw Peak park area), desert landscaping, etc. But it has lots of trees and grass - and you do not have the scorpians and other harder to erradicate bugs. We still have a monthly exterminator come, though, at $34.00 a pop - and we still get some of the smaller bugs, including spiders.

Amy714 · Jul 3, 2006

Where in NY are you moving from?
Critters are a huge problem - and a good exterminator cannot get rid of the more pesky ones such as scorpians. If the bug sittuation is really, really a big issue you are going to want to live in a more established, older neighborhood. The area around John C. Lincoln North is one such place - I live there. BUT - it is not a stereotypical "Arizona" kind of neighborhood - looks like one of the older NYC suburbs, both the good and the bad. Wealthy, middle class, and poor living cheek and jowl. No much cacti (other than Squaw Peak park area), desert landscaping, etc. But it has lots of trees and grass - and you do not have the scorpians and other harder to erradicate bugs. We still have a monthly exterminator come, though, at $34.00 a pop - and we still get some of the smaller bugs, including spiders.

I actually live in New Jersey, 10 miles from Manhattan, and work in NYC. The bugs aren't a problem for me at all, but this is going to be a huge adjustment for my mom. We'll definately get an exterminator (or 2 heehee). I've also been told to get the house "sealed" for scorpions. Whatever helps.

We'd been looking in Scottsdale in the Chapparal park area because my niece has special needs and will probably be going to an elementary school near there. We'll look at the area by JCL north mountain too though, thanks. I'll actually be in scottsdale next week trying to find a rental and look at hospitals. The summer is flying past me.

Thanks to all for the advice.