From the looks of it I'll be moving to Phoenix area sometime in April, since the project I'm on is the downhill stretch.

What areas should I avoid when looking for apartments/rental units? Never too early to start looking.

 

T there is good and bad all over the Valley. It might be best to see where you will be needing to go for work and then decide. FWIW I liked my time in Tempe because it was close to lots of things. 10 min to the airport, 10 min to on your way out of town south, 10 min to on your way out of town east (not so much anymore), for me it was about 10 min to work, 20 min to downtown. ASU is nearby for entertainment value and eye candy. Just don't want to be too close to the school or it can be a bit of a PITA.

 

I grew up in Tempe/Scottsdale and the east valley so I am biased but I much prefer the east valley for several reasons, especially those areas close to the 101 HWY.

Traffic on this side of town is generally less of an issue. It is easy to get around with the 101/202/60 freeways all within a short drive. Access to downtown Tempe, PHX and Scottsdale is a breeze. The airport is nearby as well.

Also, I spend a lot of time up north in the White Mountains and Mogollon Rim country, and its great to be 15 minutes from the Beeline HWY/Fountain Hills area.

 

x2 to westy's post.

 

I think you meant to say that traffic in the east valley IS more of an issue. I live in N Phoenix and work in the west valley and it seems there is much less traffic on the west side. The east 101 is horrible during the rush hours.

It all depends on what you like to do. If you are into the bars and clubs then the Scottsdale area is the best. I like to head north in the summer so living in the north valley makes it easier. I also get season tickets to the Cardinals, so being somewhat close to the stadium is a plus for me. I think the biggest thing though is being somewhat close to your job, cause that is where you spend the most of your driving time. The valley is sooooo big that you don't want to be driving all over the place. You don't want to have a commute like Schaefer has. He has to walk something like 20 feet to his "office". Ridiculous.

If you don't have a job lined up, find a place to rent short term and then get the job. Then move somewhat in that direction.

 

My commute is "EXTREME". I can not tell you how happy I am to be out of that rat race.

Tempe is a good place for a young stud like you to spend time. Lots of young Betties.

Scottsdale is good if you want to date your Mom (Cougar) or want to study advanced plastic placement under organic material. I grew up in North Scottsdale, graduated from Chaparral in 86, yes I remember when Toyota SA trucks were sold new. I like Tempe a million times better.

That's just me though. I will agree that traffic on the East Valley is thicker.

 

Another vote for North Phoenix. I lived in Mesa first, then moved to North Phoenix. Night and day difference in my opinion (day being good). Let us know where you'll be working, etc. and we'll probably be able to help more. I just moved from AZ to WA in May.

 

How did I ever get 5,510 posts?

 

Where are those stickers by the way?


Welcome to hell T!!!!
muahhahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha!

 

I got side tracked by a driveway made of pavers......

 

I've been living in hell for about the past 2 yrs.


Hopefully, I'll know more this Thrusday, since the Operations Manager for my business unit will be here.

Thanks for the replies guys.

 

Yep. You seen my ATV's? Ever seen this trailer?

 

Because you are a post whore.

 

Mmmmmmmm boobies.

 

Jon, calling Jon.

Right on, it would be cool to have you in town. You're right, when the weather is nice Yuma is cool because you are a short trip from El Gulfo Mexico which rocks.
And thats the only good thing I can think of.
OH, and you are close to the dunes.

 

what about those Toytec stickers ?? Jon...?

 

Tim told me where to get stickers. I just want to get the driveway done first.

 

Nope.

I don't care for the sand and the dunes are crazy.

 

Is there any areas in the Mesa area that I should avoid?

 

West Mesa in General, Mesa Drive is a huge Hispanic community, you many not fit in. East Mesa is fine but boring.

You should look in Tempe.

I can advise you better in Tempe, I know the city like the back of my hand. Thanks to Domino's Pizza from 1988-1991.