Relocating to Phoenix

[Justmuckit]

Mods, if this is out of line please accept my apologies and delete.

So...I'm relocating to Phoenix for work. You guys did such a good job setting me up with courses for my trip out there this past August that I thought I'd try to pick your brain about the rest of your (soon to be mine) city.

Here's what I've learned through my research, feel free to correct me. The cost of living is extremely similar to St. Louis, except for housing. Based on housing/rental costs, my assumptions would be that the most desirable areas would be East of 51/North of Camelback, Scottsdale, North Scottsdale, and then Gilbert and Chandler south of the 10.

My office will be near 51/East Camelback. Seems like anything decent and reasonable is in Gilbert/Chandler, which leads to the obvious question - how bad is traffic?

Would also appreciate any advice on restaurants, things to do, what the city is like, etc. This is a very positive career move for me, and I hope the city suits me as much as the job is going to.

And of course, once I'm up and running I'd love to find some golf partners.

 

[az2au]

Gilbert/Chandler to where you are taking about is the worst of our mostly non-existent traffic. There are many nice places in that immediate area. We can get into places to eat and such after.

[Justmuckit]

Yeah, exactly what I figured. It's entirely possible that I will be working so much that I'll leave in the AM before it gets bad and head home after the worst of it - but I'd rather not have to mess with it if possible.

[vallygolf]

From Gilbert to where you are working is about an hour commute (30 miles) from about 6:15am until about 8am. 40 -45 minutes with no traffic. That would get old really fast. For my lifestyle (active with 4 kids) Gilbert is ideal. House sits on over an acre, with tons of space and room for kids to spread out, extremely safe, no worries about walking to tennis/swimming or riding bikes around the area. Not ideal for everyone however. No night life to speak of and the Golf scene is not as robust as other areas in the Valley. It is cheaper to own a home here. Just depends on what you are looking for. Gilbert in its entirety feels like a suburb and you can go for miles and not have a city feel at all.

[DBill]

I relocated to the Valley almost 2 years ago now for my job and we settled in the South Gilbert area. We love it down here, wife and 2 small kids ages 7 and 5. I travel around town a lot for work and agree that the commute to that area would be around an hour. Most days I leave the house around 5:30 to miss the traffic if I am going north or west. I moved from Austin TX and can tell you that traffic here flows much, much better during peak times, but can become a nightmare with weather or accidents.

 

Not sure if I missed it or not, but do you have kids? Will school choices be important?

[Justmuckit]

Background:

47 years old, no kids. Will rent the first year.

[az2au]

Yeah, OK, Gilbert/Chandler is not the place for you at all.

[BUCKEYERBALL88]

I’d rent a condo in biltmore or Arcadia close to work

[parkleo]

Based on renting I would highly recommend this as well. It is not as young as old town scottsdale but still lots to do in this area.

[NDSwim]

100% Biltmore/Arcadia is the answer. If you want to throw out some places send me a message.

 

Good luck.

[azgolfer44]

Yes Arcadia or Biltmore is the place to go. East valley is good for families and schools.

[Justmuckit]

Thanks for the advice, guys. Will be down the week of the 30th to lock down a place. Job starts 1/21.