<I think we started looking into Glendale, because we're originally
from Chicago and want to have the convenience of everything being close
(entertainment, shopping, etc.) but we don't want to be in the middle of
all the action either.>
Anywhere in the Metro Phoenix area
will give you convenient access to everything. Of course, "convenient"
is a relative term. You have to remember that while most large cities
like Chicago and New York build upwards (so there is a lot compacted into
a small area), whereas in Phoenix we build outwards. So there is a lot
less congestion, though things are further away. Because of this, public
transportation doesn't work so well here -- Everyone has their own vehicle.
So
for Chicago residents, "convenient" might be down the street two miles,
and it takes 20 minutes to get there in a cab that crawls along. On the
other, "convenient" here could be 15 miles away, though it still takes
20 minutes to get there.. except walking isn't an option. If you want
a cab (and you're not at the airport), then you call one and ask it to
come pick you up.. you don't stand on the side of the street with your
arm in the air waiting for one to arrive.
This is really only
a problem here, in our more dense areas, during rush hour. At that point,
our traffic moves just as slowly as yours, but has to travel much further.
For this reason, people tend to either get jobs near where they live,
or get housing near where they work, because it saves lots of time and
lots of money in gas.
<As I said, we are very much in the
beginning of planning so, nothing is firm yet.>
I would definately
visit for a period of time before deciding where you would want to live.
Most people that I know tend to prefer the east valley (Glendale is in
the northwest valley, about 45 minutes away, depending on time of day).
<Since
we probably won't be in position to purchase a home/condo for at least
2 yrs after moving, any info on home/condo rentals in nice areas? We are
just very leary of the huge apt. complexes, esp. in larger populated areas
(i.e. Glendale)>
Rental housing, condos, single family homes,
etc., are all scattered about and inter-mingled, so you can find something
nice to rent just about anywhere. There aren't really specific rental
areas.
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