Mesa Arizona for retirees?

[verlee]

Can anybody tell me if Mesa AZ. would be a good place for my inlaws to go next winter? If not could you reccomend another area that is not too$$$. They want to visit for 3-4mo. and don't want to spend too much $$. They found an apt they can rent in Mesa for less then $1000/ mo and it is furnished. Any opinions?

 

[PHXscuba]

I live near Mesa and it has a lot of retirees (especially winter visitors), so they will have loads of company. Some retirees are starting to buy/build in more rural communities, but there is a lot of infrastructure here set up for "snowbirds." I don't know if their apartment would be \ in a senior community, but they do lots of activities geared for their residents, both within the complex and as group activities. There are also lots of local theater productions, casinos, gardens, etc. for things to do.

If you visit them, they have spring training here in late Feb through March. The Phoenix area also makes a good base to see Las Vegas, the Grand Canyon, Sedona, maybe a quick trip to Disneyland ...

PHXscuba

p.s. I should also add that the winter weather here is among the best, without the price. My parents live in Southern California and we get almost the exact same weather, a day later, not as damp.

 

[ahutton]

Mesa has areas that are beautiful, and also some rougher neighborhoods. If there are particular locations you would like information about I will help as much as I can. If they can find something in the Ahwatukee area (zip codes 85048, 85044 or 85045) they are nice areas. Queen Creek would have some really nice properties, that is a newer community, Sun Lakes is nice too.

Gold Canyon is also really beautiful!!!

 

[DorkyDisneyMom]

My in-laws just spent their first Winter there this year. Actually in Sun Lakes is where they bought a house. They loved it there. They had tons of friends there that also bought places too. The climate was perfect for my ailing FIL. I think he was most excited about the fact of having no yard maintenance. They hired a pool guy and that was it.

I just spent a a few nights there last month and it really was lovely. I grew up in Phoenix so I was not surprised. They had some great shops and restaurants near by.

They obviously love it because they bought a house there.

 

[verlee]

Thank you all for the help! They are near Vineland rd.? Near a technical college. The apt is sonata village apt. Does anyone have info on that? We are hoping tovisit them for spring break. I've never been to Az! They are going out there kind of blindly so are a little nervous. Any ideas for fun site seeing would also be great!

 

[verlee]

Mesa has areas that are beautiful, and also some rougher neighborhoods. If there are particular locations you would like information about I will help as much as I can. If they can find something in the Ahwatukee area (zip codes 85048, 85044 or 85045) they are nice areas. Queen Creek would have some really nice properties, that is a newer community, Sun Lakes is nice too.

Gold Canyon is also really beautiful!!!

Very helpful! I'm going to look up their area and see if it is in your list ok....zip code is 85210, near Hayden Plaza South, and Mesa Community College. Sound familiar? What is that area like? Thanks

 

[qoodoo]

That area is rather old...and run down. North of US60 is ghetto. Near Fiesta Mall....especially towards the east its a heavy hispanic presence. It's funny if you cross the US60 to the south its really nice near Gilbert and Chandler.

BTW my parents and sister both have homes in Playa Del Rey. I also use to live near Longmore and Southern when I was like 5 before we moved to Gilbert.

Also wanted to add...if they want to do stuff...my favorite things are hiking and biking camelback and south mountain. Also like to go fishing and camping near the rim.

 

[PHXscuba]

I have to agree with qoodoo that the area you have mentioned is not the nicest. There are some nicer areas out there, in retirement communities or in newer areas. There are a lot of empty homes that owners are looking to rent, so they may be able to find something closer to the time they are looking to arrive.

Are you or they close enough to make a little recon trip before moving in for several months?

PHXscuba

 

[verlee]

Good to know! I will tell them to look south of hwy 60. We are all in Wisconsin so unfortunately no recon missions. I will have them look into the neighborhoods you all recommended. This has been sooo helpful!

 

[verlee]

How is Gilbert Az.? I found a few apt. That looked nice??

 

[jdb in AZ]

Much of Gilbert is new and growing. Which neighborhood do you have in mind?

 

[PHXscuba]

Gilbert is fairly nice in most areas.

How old are your in-laws? What are their interests? Do they golf? Hike? Shop? Want things within walking distance? Freeway access? Noise?

PHXscuba

 

[hambirg]

My Mom has a place in Mesa. She's in a park. . .Greenfield Village. It's off of Baseline Rd, which I believe is south of 60. I've been there a few times and it's a really nice place. Some of the parks aren't as nice. . .but her's is .

ETA-I spoke too soon. .. it's off of Main, which is north of 60. . .it's still a nice park.

 

[verlee]

Gilbert is fairly nice in most areas.

How old are your in-laws? What are their interests? Do they golf? Hike? Shop? Want things within walking distance? Freeway access? Noise?

PHXscuba

They are in their mid 60's. Very active. Love to walk, play tennis, and shop for antiques. They would love for things to be in walking distance. I don't think noise is too much if a concern unless it is excessive. I think their priorities are safe, clean, furnished and affordable. Does that bring anything to mind.

 

[verlee]

Gilbert is fairly nice in most areas.

How old are your in-laws? What are their interests? Do they golf? Hike? Shop? Want things within walking distance? Freeway access? Noise?

PHXscuba

My Mom has a place in Mesa. She's in a park. . .Greenfield Village. It's off of Baseline Rd, which I believe is south of 60. I've been there a few times and it's a really nice place. Some of the parks aren't as nice. . .but her's is .

ETA-I spoke too soon. .. it's off of Main, which is north of 60. . .it's still a nice park.

Thank you I will take a look!

 

[qoodoo]

Yes along main street near greenfield and higley lots of motor home parks...if you go west from there though the area is rundown.

The areas near superstition mall is affordable and safe. I also believe lots of retire folks live nearby. I am not 100% sure though cause I only ever drive by to get to the lakes or las sendas.

Gilbert is very nice...however their are a few apartment complexes that are located in "Gilbert" yet are rather suspicious.

Other areas of interest can be avondale, surprise, sun city.

 

[ahutton]

The Phoenix suburban areas are not much of a walk to town area, unless you are in some very specific areas, such as Old Town Scottsdale.

Almost all cities have areas you would rather not be in, they are older and tend to be more run down. One idea is to spend time on Google Maps. Find the area, then look at the shopping centers around it. The retail and businesses in the area will indicate how well cared for the area is.

I really recommend looking into retirement neighborhoods, there are a lot of very good deals on both rentals and purchases right now, and it is much harder to sell in the retirement sections so the prices are even better.

 

[verlee]

The Phoenix suburban areas are not much of a walk to town area, unless you are in some very specific areas, such as Old Town Scottsdale.

Almost all cities have areas you would rather not be in, they are older and tend to be more run down. One idea is to spend time on Google Maps. Find the area, then look at the shopping centers around it. The retail and businesses in the area will indicate how well cared for the area is.

I really recommend looking into retirement neighborhoods, there are a lot of very good deals on both rentals and purchases right now, and it is much harder to sell in the retirement sections so the prices are even better.

Thanks for the advice. We have been on google earth checking things out. The area they are interested in looks pretty urban but not run down. There is so much info. to sort through and they are limited by how much they are willing to spend. (They are renting out their place in Florida this year as they were not able to sell it.) Thanks for the help!