Phoenix Area

Scottsdale has so much to offer if a person has money and is into the upscale lifestyle. There can be an attitude of superiority in certain sections of town and this area definitely attracts the "beautiful people" in the Valley. New venues like the Kierland Commons and the Waterfront are great places to hang out and people watch. Good food, good shopping and beautiful homes...if you can afford it and if you can deal with the occasional snobs.

Having lived here for over 30 years, I have seen experienced the good and bad that have come with Phoenix's growth. If you can tolerate the heat in the summer, it's a nice place to live. There's a pretty hip crowd if you are into the club scene, with lots of young professionals taking part in the cultural and recreational activities around the city. The city is HUGE, and while public transportation is available, it is not always convenient or easy to use, so having a car is pretty essential. The cost of living is reasonable, rents for a 1 bdrm apartment start at about $700/mo, cheaper if you want to live in some of the more questionable areas of town, toward South Phoenix.

Mesa, Arizona aptly fits the description of ‘bedroom community.’  Although it’s the third largest city in Arizona (behind Phoenix and Tucson) Mesa is not a destination, but it is a decent place to live, for the most part.  It does have a few pockets of bad neighborhoods, and it has its share of crime but most people live in Mesa because they feel safe here.  Mesa is home to over 460,000 people, but it acts a lot like a small town.  The area was originally home to the Hohokam Indians,  but it was settled by Mormons in the late 1800’s.   Many streets bear the names of the town’s original settlers, and the streets in certain areas are almost ridiculously wide.  This dates back to settler’s times, when the road needed to be large enough to turn a wagon around.  The area is still very heavily populated with Mormons, who are responsible for the town’s ultra-conservative outlook on everything from arts to education to politics, and everything in between. 

Chandler, Arizona gets its name from Dr. AJ Chandler, Arizona's first veterinarian. The town, long known for its agriculture, was incorporated in 1912. Throughout the 20th century, Chandler farmers grew cotton, corn and alfalfa. In the early 1900's, several ranches raised ostriches for their plumage. At the time, a style of lady's hats made the ostrich feathers very popular. Although no ostrich ranches remain in the area, every March the city holds a festival dedicated to this big bird. South Chandler was also home to many large dairy farms; most of these dairies have since closed down and the property sold to developers.

Ranked as 66th in the list of Best Places to Live by CNN Money in 2010, Flagstaff, Arizona is certain to have the quality apartment home you are seeking at a budget friendly rate. Playing peek-a-boo with the Grand Canyon, Flagstaff apartment dwellers are living among some of the most treasured land in the United States. Selecting a Flagstaff apartment will prove to be one of the best decisions of your days. From breathtaking mountain views to the hot sunny climate, Flagstaff is a must-stay for tree hugging enthusiast.Sitting close to the American classic Route 66, Flagstaff can be counted as one of America's most sought out places to stay. This wonderland of natural beauty has a host of apartment communities to select from. Choose a Flagstaff apartment in the Forest Dale area or swing around and survey the Lakeside Acres neighborhood for the perfect apartment home. Valley Crest, Lynwood and Anasazi Ridge are communities counted on the far northwestern part of town, while Pine Canyon and Pinacle Pines neighborhoods are located on the southern end of town. The downtown area is a must-see for a new Flagstaff apartment or perhaps finding quarters in Cherry Hill or Sunnyside may be more to your liking. Regardless to the Flagstaff neighborhood you choose to make home, rest assure you will be surrounded by nature's finest. Flagstaff apartment occupants have so much to see and do within the city limits. Camp overnight at the Grand Canyon National Park or Oak Creek Canyon and become one with mother earth. Scream at an Arizona Cardinals game like a true fan or take in a home game to show allegiance to Northern Arizona University. Buy tickets to a theatre performance, browse a museum or take on the great outdoors with the numerous outdoor recreational outlets available. Getting a Flagstaff apartment for an outdoor buff is like claiming a residence in heaven. The camping, hiking, cycling, running and skiing opportunities are endless.With the crime rate ranking extremely low, a Flagstaff apartment is a safer choice compared to other cities. Tour the neighborhoods to discover that the Flagstaff apartment of your dreams has been dreaming about you too!

Located just 45 minutes northwest of downtown Phoenix, Surprise is a bustling little city in its own right, with over 100,000 residents currently living and working in the area.  The City has come a long way since its humble beginnings back in 1938 when Homer Ludden, a state legislator, founded it.  Back then it was just one square mile of farmland, named after Homer's hometown in Nebraska. Today the city of Surprise encompasses 68 square miles! Surprise's rapid growth came from the affordable housing offered during the construction boom of the early 2000's.  There doesn't seem to be a certain "type" of family or person or lifestyle that stands out here, its a pretty mixed bag as far as demogaphics go.   There are still a few open spaces for ATV riders and Lake Pleasant is just miles to the north for boating enthusiasts.Surprise planned for the growth well, there are many restaurants, strip malls and shopping venues to meet residents' needs and traffic moves fairly well through the city. Schools are varied and numerous, parks and recreation are plentiful.  One of the few drawbacks would be that there is no easy freeway access leading to other parts of the Valley and the lack of big corporations doing business within the city limits.   All in all, Surprise is a nice place to live if you don't mind a sea of houses in the middle of the desert and a little bit of a drive to get to surrounding cities.    

Love the city of Phoenix but just don't want to live in it? Then search no further! A Buckeye apartment home is just what you need to make your life complete! Buckeye apartment dwellers share their city with approximately 53,000 that simply adore this close-knit community!Buckeye, Arizona is a quaint suburban area right outside Phoenix, possessing all the charm and character of its neighboring metro area. The city currently has 30 master planned communities that area either finished, in the middle of construction or will begin development soon. This means there will be a plethora of new Buckeye apartment communities to choose from, so start your search now!Make sure to closely investigate as many Buckeye apartment communities available to ensure you discover the right place for you! Once you have found the Buckeye apartment home that fits your unique style, settle in and decorate to your liking! You will be so glad you decided to make this up and coming community your new home!

Tolleson, AZ, located only 11 miles from the bustling metropolis of Phoenix and 9 miles from Glendale, AZ, is a perfect commute town as it is small in square miles (6 sq miles) and giant on affordability and price. Due to the national economic downturn, Tolleson apartments and residential homes are temporarily selling at discounted prices enabling prospective residents to afford living in this comfortable, safe (low crime area) town. Tolleson has capitalized on its acceptance of cultural diversity as evidenced by its significant population increase of 44% over the past decade. They have 7 colleges within 15 miles, one high school, 3 parks and excellent nearby shopping.