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Melanie Hill
housing
Best apartments in Scottsdale under ?
Anyone else feel this way? It's changing fast — some good, some not so much.
25 upvotes
16 Replies
Evan Peterson
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 10 years ago from Miami and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Westside. It's surprisingly good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is pricey right now, especially in real estate. If you're in consulting you might struggle.
People: Generally pretty good. It took about 7 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: tough. Tons of options if you like Italian.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Westside. It's surprisingly good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is pricey right now, especially in real estate. If you're in consulting you might struggle.
People: Generally pretty good. It took about 7 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: tough. Tons of options if you like Italian.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
36 upvotes
Aaliyah Gray
Hot take but it's not perfect but it works for me. I know a lot of people disagree but after 8 years here, that's my honest assessment.
35 upvotes
Valentina
nah I disagree
30 upvotes
Hazel Murphy
Bought a house here in 2017 and it's exactly what I was looking for. Property values have gone up significantly since then.
29 upvotes
Aurora Hughes
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a writer who relocated here from Chicago about 10 years ago. The main reasons were quality of life and work.
Pros I've experienced:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Active local events and festivals
- Four distinct seasons
Cons that are real:
- Limited shopping options
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Financially, we've found it challenging compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are competitive, gas is tough.
Socially, it's exactly what I was looking for. Feel free to reach out with questions..
I'm a writer who relocated here from Chicago about 10 years ago. The main reasons were quality of life and work.
Pros I've experienced:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Active local events and festivals
- Four distinct seasons
Cons that are real:
- Limited shopping options
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Financially, we've found it challenging compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are competitive, gas is tough.
Socially, it's exactly what I was looking for. Feel free to reach out with questions..
29 upvotes
Sarah
Can confirm, been here 8 years.
23 upvotes
Sophia
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want food scene, then yeah this place is great. But if cost of living matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
22 upvotes
Eva Morris
not my experience at all
19 upvotes
Leo R.
+1
17 upvotes
raleigh_ella
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem improving.
I've been here 4 years and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The thing nobody mentions is pet-friendliness. It's affordable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the school system is legit. And if you're into rock climbing, this place is pretty good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Lakewood side vs the Eastside side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
I've been here 4 years and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The thing nobody mentions is pet-friendliness. It's affordable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the school system is legit. And if you're into rock climbing, this place is pretty good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Lakewood side vs the Eastside side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
16 upvotes
Austin
underrated comment
16 upvotes
Alexa Taylor
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem pretty good.
I've been here 7 years and it's improved dramatically in recent years. The thing nobody mentions is public transit. It's affordable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the nightlife is legit. And if you're into rock climbing, this place is underrated.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The South side vs the Downtown side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
I've been here 7 years and it's improved dramatically in recent years. The thing nobody mentions is public transit. It's affordable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the nightlife is legit. And if you're into rock climbing, this place is underrated.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The South side vs the Downtown side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
12 upvotes
Audrey Stewart
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are improving, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
7 upvotes
Nicholas Baker
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Westside for 11 years. Moved from Miami for retirement. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is tough. We bought in 2016 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
government is strong here. tech is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are manageable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's been a really good experience overall. The outdoor scene is hit or miss - we have beaches within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Westside schools are challenging. If you have kids, this should be your number one factor in choosing a neighborhood.
**The Bad:**
I'd be lying if I said everything is great. Chain restaurants dominate. Bugs and humidity in summer. And weather can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 6/10. Good luck with whatever you decide.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
I've been in Westside for 11 years. Moved from Miami for retirement. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is tough. We bought in 2016 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
government is strong here. tech is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are manageable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's been a really good experience overall. The outdoor scene is hit or miss - we have beaches within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Westside schools are challenging. If you have kids, this should be your number one factor in choosing a neighborhood.
**The Bad:**
I'd be lying if I said everything is great. Chain restaurants dominate. Bugs and humidity in summer. And weather can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 6/10. Good luck with whatever you decide.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
6 upvotes
Brooks Ruiz
I'm a social worker and I've found I have mixed feelings honestly. The community is average and there's always something going on.
3 upvotes
zoey_chef
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 2-bedroom. it's been a really good experience overall. Compared to Denver it's solid.
1 upvotes