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Movin' to Phoenix...
Hi there Phoenix-area folks. 
My husband & I are facing a possible move to the Phx area in a few months here, and I'm trying to get more information - preferably from those who know the area - so we make the best possible decision.
I've been there before - and my ex's family lives in the Peoria/Surprise areas, so we're staying away from those for sure.
His job will be near Sky Harbor - about 2 miles from it? - so we've been looking in the Avondale/Laveen/Tolleson/Cashion/Ahwutakee areas so far. Housing costs don't appear to be an issue - looks like the housing market in Phx has taken a HUGE hit. It sucks, but that could be a big plus for us.
Anyway, I'm wondering if you guys can give me any insight into really good areas/areas to stay away from? I've heard the Guadalupe neighborhood is bad news, for example... lots of violent crimes and gang activity there?
Any insight you can give would be awesome! We're looking at moving down (unfortunately for us, weather-wise) in June or July. Yep, I'm aware of the temps in Phx in this time. And yep, a/c and a pool are absolute requirements for any house we buy!
A couple of things about us... we're into the outdoors, but we come from the WA/OR area, so we're used to standard seasons, a lot of evergreen trees, and a pretty stable climate throughout the year. We love to fish, hike, hang out with friends, entertain, we're foodies... and we're both very liberal. I know, culture shock for sure on that last one. I've heard Phx has some good music/art scenes, though, and that some areas are less inclined to the super-right-wing type of people... we're both very laid back and accepting of everyone, so it'd mean a lot to me to find an area where I'm not going to see "vote republican or die" stickers on every car... if that makes sense?
Re: Movin' to Phoenix...
Based on the information that you gave, I would suggest that you check out Central Phoenix and Tempe. Tempe does have the college crowd, but it also has a more laid back and artsy scene. Central Phoenix is really coming to life and certain neighborhoods are really charming. There are a many great restaurants, music venues, art studios and bars located downtown.
There are many areas around the valley for hiking and mountain biking. If you are craving a change from the desert landscape, Flagstaff is just a few hours away.
I currently live in North East Phoenix, grew up in North Scottsdale and went to college in Tempe, so I can really only speak to those areas. Good luck with your decision!
We live in Tempe and love it! It's close to everything! We are in an apt. complex right now though and right next to Guadalupe and we haven't had any problems since we moved here (end of May).
For buying a house, I def. wouldn't want to live right next to Guadalupe though. You can also try Gilbert and Chandler...both very nice areas. Gilbert's my favorite!
Where are you moving from??
Good luck!! You'll love it here!
Welcome!! Ahwatukee is a great area, I work at the borderline of Ahwatukee/Chandler. It's a very family oriented community (but not as church-belt as Gilbert/South Chandler), with a lot of higher end houses. It's an easy commute to the airport area, 20-30 minutes during the heaviest rush, and close to Downtown and Tempe. Tempe is very artsy and laid back, Mill Ave. is a lot of fun- good live music, bars and shopping. Downtown and Central Phoenix are going through a revitalization and becoming more culturally diverse.
As for outdoor activities, there is plenty to do from October to May-- hiking (Ahwatukee is right at the base of South Mountain), bike trails, street fairs, festivals, etc. During the summer we go up to Sedona, Pinetop and Flagstaff to hike and camp, where it's usually 20 degrees cooler.
Thanks for the info!
I thought Tempe might be a bad idea - I'm from the Seattle area, and our college towns are -insane- with fights and a lot of frat parties (as in, super loud insanity in small houses with kegs outside all night long), stuff like that. We're not exactly old, but we're boring and quiet, haha!
I will definitely have to add the Tempe area to my list of places to check out! If we decide to make the move, we'll be making a couple of trips down to check out areas - I'll make sure Tempe is on the top of that list. Anything more artsy and with good music places is up our alley.
By the way - I'm SO glad you mentioned the music issue! Leaving an area well-known for the musical talent and going somewhere not really known for our type of music is a big change.
Okay, I'm seeing Tempe more and more! It's on the list for sure!
My friend's parents actually still live down there and have sworn up & down we should avoid Guadalupe, so I guess that little area's off the list.
Gilbert/Chandler both seem like pretty good places, too - not sure if they have the kind of house we're looking for in our price range, but we'll have to check it out for sure.
We're in the Seattle area right now - I'm a local, my husband's from OR, so we're both used to the mild climates and very normal seasons... it'll be a major shock to the system but we're both sick of rain and cold. Plus, if we move to Phx, that means I get to say "we ARE getting a house with a pool". Around here, there's only a month a year a pool would be useful.
I keep hearing Ahwatukee is a cool area and I'm really hoping we can find something there, but now I'm kind of being turned onto the Tempe area. It sounds like that might be up our alley!
My husband's job would literally be like, a mile from Sky Harbor, and right now my commute is about an hour each way, so we're trying to find something relatively close but in a good neighborhood. Sounds like Tempe and Ahwatukee might both be good ideas!
We're really into fishing, and I've heard that bass fishing is huge in AZ, so we're looking forward to that. Any hiking, festivals, stuff like that are awesome, too!
Thanks so much for all of this info! You guys are great!
Ahwatukee is amazing but if you can't afford anything in Chandler then you won't be able to afford Ahwatukee either...sorry!
That's where we want to live but there's nothing below like $180K!! And that's even sh*t for a house!!!
Good luck!!!! House hunting is fun!!! :-) We're doing it now but it's discouraging too with how many offers they all get.....you'll find something great!
We're looking at under 275k, I think, but I'm being picky.
Our current house is small, has NO closet space to speak of, our kitchen is old & crappy, and I want a pool. hahaha!
I've found some great places in Chandler and Ahwatukee but then, we haven't been down to check it out yet, so I'm getting ahead of myself.
All I know is... if that offer comes in tomorrow, I'm ready to say let's go!
Good luck with the house hunting... it's so stressful but so much fun! Hope you guys find something great!
Oh haha well, you def. won't have a problem finding one in Ahwatukee then!!! Good for you!!! I wish we could afford to live there, it's beautiful!!!
I agree...a pool is a necessity here!!!
Thanks...we're pretty excited! Put our 1st offer in today! WOOHOO!
Have you heard any news on your offer yet? i am super excited for you
I don't really have much to add that hasn't already been said, but I just wanted to say hello & (hopefully) welcome! DH & I just moved here in June from the Seattle area. I lived in Northgate prior to getting married, then we moved to Everett. We love it here. I figured 3-4 months of the year having horribly hot weather beat the 2-3 months of nice Seattle weather. Plus, not having to worry about snow is nice too!
Oh wow - you're a local!
I grew up near Snohomish, and I moved down a little SE of Seattle with my fiance (now husband) a few years ago. We're both thinking a couple months of super hot (with A/C and a pool) would beat the heck out of our winters.
Only real downside is missing family, but it sounds like my aunt/uncle are moving down to Sun City at the end of the year, so we'll have family around! Woohoo!!
Since you're missing out, we've had an awesome winter. Right now, it's about 55 degrees outside, sunny, a slight breeze... and ALL of my plants are ready to go. My rhodies, which bloom in May, are covered in big fat flowerbuds. YIKES!
Do you miss the Seattle greenery at all? Is it impossible to garden down there, aside from succulents or indoor plants? We're big outdoorsy people and I love my veggie garden... not sure if I could do that down in AZ!
Another random one - how bad was the move in June? Was it insanely hot when you guys moved down, and did you have pets to move? We've got a puppy (8 months) and 2 kitties... the dog will be fine, it's the cats I worry about. I know it'd be a 2 1/2 day drive for us.
Yup, I'm definitely a local!
I actually grew up in Mount Vernon, but moved around a bit until DH & I landed in Everett. DH grew up in So Cal, so the grey days were difficult for him.
We really do love it here. I do miss the green a little, but it's still very pretty here. Just a different kind of pretty. The sunsets here are amazing! The most difficult part of moving here has definitely been being away from all my friends & family.
Of course you're having a great winter! Just like the summer was nice too (aside from the week of 100+ temps you had)
It figures, since we endured such a terrible winter last year. I was snowed in for a week right before Christmas last year.
I can't say I know much about gardening here... Or gardening in general. I'm not exactly a gardener. I'm just proud of myself for keeping 2 houseplants alive for a few years.
We moved her mid June last year. It was just under 100 degrees when we moved. Everyone we talked to or met said we were fortunate, because this past June was cooler than usual. I'm not gonna lie... Moving wasn't fun. We hired movers to carry in most of the big things, and then moved the rest ourselves. We didn't have any pets when we moved. As for the drive down, it wasn't bad at all. The worst part was in Northern California, right around Lake Shasta. But a lot of that is because it was terribly rainy & windy at the time.
Hopefully some of my rambling has been a little helpful to you!
Let me know if you have any other questions.