Advice on Living in Central Phoenix

Updated on October 15, 2008
M.B. asks from Phoenix, AZ
5 answers

Hello Moms, my husband has a 5 month work placement in downtown Phoenix. We are considering renting an apartment nearby with our 2 children (ages 2 and 4), partly for convenience, but also to try out something new and exciting for a while (we are from a much smaller town). Is central Phoenix at all child friendly? Do many families live in the central city? Are we crazy for even thinking about this? Thank you!

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C.D.

answers from Phoenix on

I, personally, wouldn't do it. The few nice places are in very expensive high rises. Unfortunately, the central corridor is just too close to the west side, with it gangs and other undesirable inhabitants that come out at night. One thing about Phoenix is we don't really have a great downtown. Those that work downtown prefer to commute, but in truth, people work all over the valley. There are pockets of nice little communities around Phoenix, but the bad outweighs the good, especially with air quality issues, which is just part of being in the desert and our temperature inversions. More money has been put into the infrastructures of outlying areas for residential reasons. The money that has been put into downtown is to try to make it a business center - and it still lags there. We are getting in city trains, but most of us think they will be an expensive joke. They go to VERY limited places, and unfortunately, because of where they go, will attract the wrong kind of people or none at all after the novelty wears off.

I'd plan on a reliable car and commute time. Otherwise, for 5 months only, you'll survive, but what if it goes longer? There is a new children's museum, the Heard is good, as is the AZ Science Center. But that will only take up 3 days. Our urban life is not a dazzler, although there are some decent apartments cropping up. But they are awfully expensive (as in overpriced).

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T.A.

answers from Phoenix on

I think that all depends on what area you are considering. I work downtown - I consider it central Phoenix (Jefferson & 3rd Ave.) I have a friend who lives on Missouri and 19th Ave. - I think the only thing child friendly is the Phoenix Children's museum. I wouldn't care to live in central Phoenix with a child... but again, it depends on the area, there are some bad and good pockets.

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D.R.

answers from Phoenix on

I suggest that you not look in downtown Phoenix. I would look west of the downtown area. In my opinion, the downtown area is not a very nice area. Especially since you are from a small town. I have lived in Phoenix for nearly all my life, and I don't like going down town and it doesn't matter what time of day or night! I do hope you enjoy your time here in the desert!

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M.B.

answers from Phoenix on

I wouldn't live downtown, but there are nice places to live in central Phx. I am a native to Phoenix and grew up at the base of Squaw Peak (now called Piestewa Peak.) I have a townhome at Northern & Central and I loved living along Central Ave.!!! It felt very un-Phoenix with the trees arching across the road. I loved walking the bridle path along Central Ave.! I would say anything right around Northern or South to Camelback & then from 15th Ave (although it can be spotty in the Avenues)East to however far East you want to go.

I am a realtor, although I don't do rentals. Let me know if I can assist you any further, I'm happy to tell you what I think of an area.

Smiles,
M. Bargeloh
DPR Realty
###-###-####

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D.C.

answers from Phoenix on

We live in Central Phoenix and LOVE IT - I grew up at 32nd St & Camelback and have made my way back here - there are plenty of good parks and activities. Malls are a different story - unless you can afford the high end (Biltmore) you have to drive a little bit - not more than 30 minutes. Locations can be tricky so you need to make sure you check it out by day and night. The beauty of central Phoenix is that you are basically 1/2 hour from almost anywhere.

D.

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