I need the good, bad and ugly on Phoenix

AngelNDavid

My family and I are relocating to Phoenix for my DH's job.  I would like to know any information you guys have on the area.  Where to look for housing? A friend suggested Goodyear.  Is that area family friendly? Best school districts?  We would prefer a family friendly development with a pool for the hot months.  What type of activities are there for the little ones?  Etc?  

I'm from NOVA and have never been to AZ except for a layover at the airport so this will be a shock for me. 

TIA! 

sandipluschris

The Phoenix area is HUGE so you'll probably want to look for housing near where your husband will be working.  Otherwise he may be commuting which could be a pain!  My family and I live in Litchfield Park which is near Goodyear.  We love it out here.  The schools are good, the area is quiet and we are near freeways so it's easy to get around. 

There are many areas that will meet your needs and some that you'll want to stay away from. There are websites that will give you the crime rates for certain zip codes.  Remember though, this is a big city so our crime rates are higher than small towns.  

Because this is a big city (I mentioned that, right!!) there are tons of activities for kids and they are located all over.  Just in our little area there is a rec center with tons of stuff for my son to do as well as our local library and church.  

Good luck!

foundmydr1

Sandi is right, its too huge an area to decide until you get a job and perhaps stay here and check out various areas. Did you friend suggest Goodyear as that is where or near your husband's company?

Once we have an idea of where you are working we can let you know about areas around that to check out and those to avoid.  Welcome!

AngelNDavid

Thank you for your replies.  My DH will be working in downtown.  The dead center of it as he says.  LOL!  We are used to commutes because we live in the DC area now.  I was in labor with my DD1 during Monday morning commute of two hours when it should've only taken us 20 minutes.  Its horrible here!  Again thank you for your help!

sandipluschris

If your husband is working downtown, you can really choose most anywhere to live if you don't mind a commute.  We live near Goodyear and my husband works downtown.  It takes him about 25 minutes in the morning which is awesome!! 

 I love the west valley because it has TONS of stuff to do while not being over crowded. There are tons of ladies on the board who love the east valley for some of the same reasons.  It's all about your own perspective.  

Do you have to buy/rent BEFORE you get here or will you have time when you arrive to check the area out?? When are you moving here??

NewYorkerinAZ

OMG, I wouldn't live in Goodyear if your DH is working in DT Phoenix but that's just my opinion. The traffic is HORRIBLE during rush hour. You could look at Paradise Valley, it's a quiet, nicer area with THE best schools. It's a bit more expensive which is why we didn't buy there but we wanted to.

The East Valley is nice too. I live in Gilbert and they have GREAT schools here. There's a lot to do any part of town you live in, for you, DH, and your kids and easy access to all the highways.

Do some research of the areas for housing, schools, etc so you can get a good idea of what you like/don't like about each area.

Good luck!

SimplyMistaken

Yes, it really depends on what you want.  Check out the city data forums, they have a ton of info.  My husband and I moved here from the Philadelphia area.  We worked in Phila but commuted 50 miles each way to where we lived because we preferred the quiet suburbs.  Master plan communities here can be a bit daunting to get used to if you were like me. Check out the specific house and look for things like, are you close to an airport, train tracks, and most of all for me, does your neighbor or people behind you leave their dogs out to bark.  When we first moved here we moved to Gilbert and unfortunately I had to move FROM Gilbert because everywhere we went people left their dogs outside all day and all night to bark.  I am sure you can find spots where people don't do that-but it seemed to be more common there?  It literally drove me insane.  I was not sleeping, etc. because of dogs barking all night.  A month ago or so we moved to Maricopa, which most people around here consider very far, but if you lived in DC commuting will be no issue for you here.  What locals call "traffic" is NOTHING to you or me, trust me on this!  All things are relative and people that live here balk at commuting 30 minutes or having to tap on their brakes a few times!  Overall people here are incredibly friendly compared to back east.  The weather is amazing (hot for a few months, yes, but still amazing) and the prices are DIRT cheap compared to DC area. 

Mrs.LisaP

Good year is cheap...but FAR from everything else...serisoulsly your like 1/2 to cali if you live in good year. (j/k....kinda).

I grew up in the Ahwahtukee Foothills, and I would look there. Great schools, VERY family freindly, everything you need is  in within 10 min (if not closer). That or north scottsdale/mcdowell ranch area (a lot priceier).