Phoenix neighborhoods

Heh, I tried to do that earlier today! I got all caught up trying to figure out what's the large facility with a track, baseball fields, tennis courts and a dome at S 7th St and E Roeser.

I guess this is something to look into in person!

Hi Michelle! Yeah, that sounds just about right, tons of new construction selling cheap. There had to be something wrong. : Ah, well, we will probably still look into it, but carefully.

My husband will be working primarily at Maricopa Medical Center (near the airport). Because he's a cyclist and would really really like to bike commute as much as possible, we are looking within 10 miles of the hospital -- 14ish on the very outside. He'll also work a little bit in Glendale and Scottsdale, so all else being equal we're kind of looking in central Phoenix/Arcadia, but parts of Tempe and Mesa are within our limits, and of course there seem to be just tons of opportunities in south Phoenix.

We could buy around about $200K, or rent in the $1000-1200 range -- leaning toward renting, because it seems like a lot less hassle to do long distance and to stay probably just three years!

With his bike hobby (think ~6 bikes and a full mechanic's workshop!), our large dog, and the baby on the way, we are hoping for a 2-3 bedroom place with a garage and a fenced yard.

Suggestions are very, very, very much appreciated!

I've been lurking here for a bit, but since I've lived in most of the big cities in the Phoenix area, I thought I'd chime in.

Since you have a family, I wouldn't recommend the area around Maricopa Medical Center. I used to live a few minutes away from there (around 7th ave and camelback) and it was kinda scary. Lots of crime (my-junky-car was broken into at 10am at a grocery store!), crappy schools, IMO not a great place for a family.

I live in Tempe right now, and I really like it. Its a college town so its really bike-friendly, and rent is reasonable. Right now my husband and I are renting a 2 bed 1 bath home with a big backyard for $795 a month. Our house seems to be the runt of the neighborhood, and there are tons of other -bigger- houses for rent in your price range. We live around Mill and Southern, its close to downtown tempe, but far enough to avoid the drunken college kids Tempe is also right by all the freeways, so the commute to downtown Phx and Scottsdale is pretty short. Glendale is a bit farther but still pretty easy to get to.

Hi there! I lived in the Valley for 35 yrs & would like to help.
PM me if you have other questions.

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I agree

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this is Maryvale which every street is different. Older wELL-built homes by developer John F. Long (do a search). Some areas can be worse that others.
linda in a rebuidling phase as far as clean-up.

Older Tempe could be could.

Riding a bike in 105deg weather with it being 150deg off the pavement is no fun - really!

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While he's done century (100 mile+) rides at >100 degree temps, there's a really good chance he'll bow out of commuting during the summer. We'll just have to see, but in the meantime, we don't want to rule out winter commuting just because of being an hour's bike ride from work!

PM incoming, we're getting down to the wire and I for one am starting to get really flamboozled by all these neighborhood choices!

Thanks for the suggestions! Especially for avoiding the drunken college kids, ASU has a wide-ranging reputation.

I'll second schmaela about the areas just outside of ASU campus's reach. I had a 4 bedroom townhouse (with 3 roommates) in that neighborhood and I think the total rent was under $700. Not quite the garage and fenced yard you're looking for, but it was a good neighborhood with some really established families around us in those types of houses.

Ah, the thrill of the hunt

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Indeed! It's getting pretty exciting -- EVERYTHING looks so much better than the multi-family house we are renting right now!

azjen, I did mean the *freeway* 51, sorry! Guess I don't have the lingo down yet! We'll keep looking at that area, thanks!

Thanks for the votes for the historic districts. I've found a handful of places in those areas to rent, so we'll keep an eye on them.