Here are some things I'd consider when trying to decide where to live in the metro Phoenix area. They are in no special order:
- Commute to Work
If you know where you will be working, decide how long you are willing to spend getting to and from work. Then, on a map, draw a perimeter of places that fall within that acceptable distance. You'll need to take into account whether or not you will be traveling during rush hour and on a path that is affected by rush hour. If you are living in Chandler and commuting to Deer Valley, and you work from 8 to 5, you'll be spending a lot of time in your vehicle. If you are working the 3 to midnight shift, living in Surprise and working in Sun City, traffic is not a factor.Tip: The sun is very bright much of the year, and there are some people who would rather not drive into the sun. You might want to consider this when planning your commute. Driving west into the afternoon sun can be a frustrating experience, five days a week.
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- Find Out How Long Your Commute Might Be
- HOV Lanes
- Public Transportation
- Map Showing Distances From Downtown Phoenix
- Phoenix Area Schools
If you are looking for schools for K-12, there's no easy way to find out which schools are better than others. You will just have to 'hunker down' and do the research. There are web sites where you can learn a great deal about the schools in each of the school districts, including class sizes, scores on standardized tests, and teacher experience levels. There are public schools, private schools, and charter schools. Depending on the schools and the grade, you will have to contact the school district to find out if your child can get in if you decide to move nearby. Remember--not everyone can send their kids to the school with the best academic records. But that might not be necessary to get a good education for your child.Get More Help With This Issue
- Phoenix Schools 101, Including Best Schools
- Universities and Colleges
- Vocational and Technical Colleges
- Budget
How much can you afford on a monthly basis for your living expenses? Be conservative. When researching apartments, remember that some apartment complexes have utilities included, and some do not. Some have pet charges. Some include cable fees. Make sure you ask all the questions and know exactly what your monthly expenses for living will be. These items could make hundreds of dollars difference to you each month. When buying a home, make sure you understand what your utilities will cost: electricity, gas, trash pickup, cable, phone. Water bills are sometimes a surprise. Find out if there is a Homeowners Association ("HOA") and what the annual cost is. Once you buy a home, the HOA dues can be raised and you have no choice but to pay the increased amount.Get More Help With This Issue
- What's an HOA?
- HOA Poll: Good or Evil?
- How Much Will My Electric Bill Be?
- Apartments and Homes For Rent
- Homes Prices in the Phoenix Area
- Activities
What do you like to do? If you like to go to the theatre or see professional basketball or baseball, you might want to make sure your trip to downtown Phoenix is easy. If you enjoy professional hockey or football, then Glendale will be a consideration. If you want to be a member of a country club with golf, there are plenty of choices, but you have to find them. If you enjoy walking your rottweiler in a park in the morning, then proximity to a nice area with walking trails or a dog park will be important. Are you interested in nightclubs and nightlife? Ethnic communities or areas where there is a concentration of people of a certain religion? Do you need to be near a hospital? That will be just one more consideration. Do you need to be within walking distance of public transportation? That will limit your available perimeter, too. Think about the things you do or need, then decide how far you are willing to be from them.Get More Help With This Issue
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