The best places to live in the Phoenix, Arizona area


Since I live in the Phoenix, Arizona area, and have for a long time (longer than I would care to admit, in fact!) and I love living there, I'm always happy to make recommendations for people who might be interested in moving here. I'm fascinated with the history of Phoenix, which for me includes right now, and even the future. I call it "time-traveling".

Anyway, I always start by doing the most logical thing for me, which is recommend where I live, which in a suburb of Phoenix called Glendale, right on the border of another suburb, Peoria. I've known people who live in places that they dislike, which seems sad, but rest assured that I love it here. I always wanted to live in suburbia, always wanted to buy a house, I like peace and quiet, but still good access to downtown, so this is perfect for me. I sound like a real estate agent now, sorry about that!

Anyway, I've seen what's perfect for me look just awful to other people, so if you have no interest in suburbia, and would rather have easy access to all of the places where I never go, like downtown, or sporting events, or nightlife, etc., I recommend looking for a place along the Light Rail. In just the past few years quite a lot has sprung up along there. Take a look at a map of Phoenix and you'll be surprised just how extensive the Light Rail is, going to just a few miles east of where I am to waaaay out there, in Mesa. Many people who live along the Light Rail don't own a car, and really don't need one.

Of course, if you want even more space around you than I have here in Glendale, you can live along the edges of Phoenix. You'll need a car, and you might even be a truck person, and you'll be fine. There are big properties around here which are zoned for horses. And chickens, and pigs, and whatever you like.

If you have a ton of bucks, and like to show it off, take a look at the Scottsdale area. You won't feel self-conscious there driving your Lamborghini, and you'd be wise to find a place to get away in the summer. It gets unpleasantly hot in the Phoenix area, and a lot of people like to have a little getaway cabin in the mountains, near Flagstaff. People with enough money don't stay in the Phoenix area in the summertime - it's simply not done!

Phoenix isn't really known as a place with a lot of crime, but if you're a criminal I'm sure that you can find a place that will suit you. I would prefer that you stay away from my neighborhood, and if the types of crimes that you prefer to do aren't really that harmful, like loitering, or returning library books late, you'll probably be fine. If you'd like to commit more serious crimes, Arizona has historically been a bad place to do it, as law enforcement can be pretty strict.

And before I forget, I would like to include the trailer parks of the Phoenix area, which are now called mobile home communities. There are a LOT of them, and many are for people who are over 55, but they cater to all types of people. Some of them can be fairly swanky, with swimming pools, etc., and some are just places that don't cost a lot.

I hope this helps! Welcome to Phoenix! 

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