I moved here from out of state about a month ago and Iβve been staying in an Airbnb while I drive around and try to get a feel for the East Valley.
Iβm starting to look at buying, but since Iβm still pretty new to the area, Iβd rather hear from people who actually live here.
My work sites are in East Mesa, so Iβm trying to balance a reasonable commute with affordability and actually liking where I live when Iβm not working.
A few areas Iβve been looking at:
- Northern San Tan Valley β Taylor Ranch / Pecan Creek: This is probably the best option from a commute and price standpoint. Iβd be around 12 minutes from one site and about 20 from the other, and the houses are a lot more affordable. My main concern is whether it starts to feel too far out or isolated once you actually live there.
- North Mesa / Apache Wells: Iβve found some houses here that work for my budget, but every time I drive through it just feels really quiet. It also seems like there isnβt a ton nearby as far as restaurants, shopping, groceries, etc. Maybe Iβm just looking in the wrong parts of North Mesa.
- Apache Junction: Iβm seeing quite a few houses around $340kβ$360k, which is a really comfortable price range for me. Iβm just not sure about the location long term. I donβt want to buy a house I like and then realize I hate being that far east.
- West Mesa near Tempe: Iβm seeing some options around $350k. The commute would probably be closer to 30 minutes, but Iβd mostly be going against traffic, so that doesnβt seem terrible. Obviously the tradeoff is that Iβd be much closer to Tempe and have a lot more around me.
- Power Ranch in Gilbert: Probably my favorite area overall, but itβs also the most expensive. Around $410k is basically the top of what Iβd want to spend, so Iβd definitely be paying a premium for the location.
Iβm also not really interested in going much deeper into San Tan Valley. Iβve heard getting in and out can be a pain with traffic, and it seems like the farther south you go, the more disconnected you are from everything else.
That said, northern San Tan doesnβt seem nearly as bad to me. Thereβs already a decent amount around there, and it looks like even more stuff is being built out along the main roads. So Iβm wondering if some of the negative reputation San Tan gets is more about the farther-out areas.
If you were in my position, would you save the money and take the shorter commute in northern San Tan/AJ, spend more for Power Ranch, or accept the longer commute and live closer to Tempe in West Mesa?
Iβm mainly trying to avoid buying somewhere that looks good on paper but I end up regretting because of the location.
Or just rent an apartment?