Phoenix

[Terry D.]

Thanks Mike for all your info. Terry from Calgary.

[Valued C.]

Hi S.B. I too am from IL and am actually looking to relocate in the near future - wonderful to find this discussion here! I've been to a few areas in the Phoenix area and have to agree that there are some spotty areas to avoid but don't know all that much in general about the various neighborhoods. Would love to link up with you to swap information if you're interested! 

PS - thanks investor Mike for your input - Agreed - we need some unbiased feedback - unfortunately, those who might really know about an area are prohibited from expressing their real thoughts (agents are prohibited from talking down an area or risk being slapped with a steering (whatever that term is) lawsuit ).  We love ya, Zip, but we know you are also biased and need to earn a living .

[Anthony G.]

Would appreciate any information from locals or those "in the know" about Maricopa.  The prices seem unbelievable in what appears to be (by aerial views) pretty nice communities.  It appears that the area is a little remote and possibly on the edge of where development stopped when the bubble burst but that doesn't bother me.  Crime, drugs, squatters?  I know if it sounds too good to be true it probably is...so?

[Martha C.]

Is the buckeye community a mega for crime, and do you really get baseball in goodyear.  How far do you travel for a good complete shopping mall, area etc.   

[Rhonda G.]

We bought in Maricopa...and looked all around and couldnt find the same price

More House for the dollar in Maricopa

[Jim H.]

My wife and I initially were looking at homes in the east valley (Johnson Ranch area) and were very impressed but were concerned with the traffic and time it took to get to and from the airport. We finally purchased a home in 2009 in the Sundance golf community in Buckeye in the west valley. The value was unbelievable, the people are very friendly and the police department is exceptional!  We have an alarm in our home and for the first few times we came down, we inadvertently set off the alarm. The police arrived on both occasions within five minutes and were very nice. We have since met a number of "snowbirds" in the area that are also happy with their decision.

[Kathleen O.]

From what I understand it's "GangLand" there. In Maricopa

[Terry D.]

May I ask, where do you live, Karen?

[Karen P.]

There are some nice neighborhoods in north phoenix. Just east of 51 and union hills is a very nice area. If you find a house, go to zillow.com, and it gives you values of all the surrounding houses. My wife and I are looking for a second house. My brother and mother both live in this area, and have for about 10 years. There are pockets of bad areas though.

[Joel A.]

First of all, the realtors are not "allowed" to do anything truly useful for new folks with regards to areas in which to live. They cannot tell you where it's safe to live or which areas are deemed good vs bad or where certain groups of people tend to live. Our PC world is far too ignorant to let them do their jobs properly.

I lived there for years and am retiring back to the Phoenix area real soon. The East valley is safer and more livable than the West valley. Scottsdale and Paradise Valley are filled with a bunch of wealthy snobs. Even though financially I could afford to live anywhere, I hated the phoniness of those very affluent folks - "Oh, you drive a Ford, not a Lexus or Escalade" mentality.

I prefer Gilbert, Queen Creek, Chandler, Tempe, and East Mesa. I lived in Ahwatukee and loved it. Very close to everything, but then again there is so much to see and do in the entire Phoenix area, that it makes not much difference where you live. There is a great website called Neighborhood Scout that will give you all sorts of information, including crime rates, about any place in the country.