Apache Junction reputation (Phoenix, Mesa, Queen Creek: homes, neighborhoods, schools)

[Bondurant]

I'm told Apache Junction has a bad reputation and is viewed as a hick/white trash town in the Phoenix area. My uncle works with a man who resides there but he tells people he lives in Mesa and he tells me the town has flirted with the idea of changing their name. AJ was once open to annexing the area where my uncle lives but the locals didn't want to be a part of AJ.

What's the beef with AJ? Is there anything to justify these feelings? I was just driving around out there and like the area. I wouldn't mind living there. Plus the views are amazing. Especially out by the Mining Camp Restaurant.

[cacto]

AJ 's really beautiful and a nice place. It is so far out that until recently it was a small town not considered part of the PHX area(It's not in Maricopa County). When I was a teen(im 32) AJ had a big reputation for bikers and crystal meth but times have changed, the bikers aren't what they used to be and crystal meth isn't as big as it was 15 years ago. AJ's been swallowed up by the valley and there is a lot really nice neighborhoods real close to wilderness. It's just so far out there.

[asufan]

Nice views, but not a great town, IMO. Tons of old, poorly maintained manufactured homes, trashy older homes, some retirement homes/trailer parks and pockets of very low priced starter homes. Bad schools and not a good selection of restaurants. There are some nicer homes in areas that are on acre lots and have great views, but you'll see a really nice looking home next to a half dozen falling apart manufactured homes, next to a log cabin...(???) Not exactly planned very well as a community. Gold Canyon, a little further down the US 60 has as good, if not better views, and is planned better. Not sure if Gold Canyon is a part of AJ or not, I know they were trying to incorporate a few years ago.

[AJLady]

Gold Canyon, although a 'little' more pricey, is the best move for you. AJ, well I lived there for years and years. Yes, tons of tweekers that the city cares nothing about cleaning up (although they claim they do). The people seem to have small, narrow minds and the only thing to do is to gossip, snoop and cause trouble. Go to the forums at Apache Junction, AZ - Newszap.com - Free Speech. Free Ads. (http://az.newszap.com/apachejunction - broken link) and just read some of the posts coming out of this town! Most of the children there don't grow up to amount to anything, and turn to drugs early simply because there is nothing else to do in that town but party at the 'g-spot' (their desert romping ground) and because all their friends are doing it. Go on MySpace.com and find some profiles from the AJ youth. Read them....they will make you sick! Lots of tweeker 'tags' everywhere, too. People may get down on me for this post, but trust me I know what I am talking about and I'm just being open and honest. Years ago AJ was a great place to be. Not anymore. The bikers NEVER cause any trouble, so that isn't even an issue. The 'bars' are few, and the musicians/bands are all old men trying to act like young rockers. It's pathetic! On the other hand, its got great trails if you like riding horses, and the ambiance is nice. Not as 'old western' as it once was, but still nice. Traffic and getting a seat in a restaurant in the winter time is crazy because of the hordes of retirees (locals call them 'snowbirds') but less and less are returning each season. AJ is a great place to visit, but living there can be a nightmare. Water is good compared to Queen Creek, and reasonably priced. Schools? Well, what language do you speak?

I owned a home there that I sold a little over a year ago. I hated to leave my home and my view, as it was beautiful; no denying that. But I just couldn't deal with the people anymore.

[thershegoesagn]

We recently moved to the valley from Boston area. don't like Mesa. not sure if we even like "the valley." too many ppl, stores, SUVs, terrible drivers, etc. The cookie cutter neighborhoods are "cold." Ppl don't even look at you! What's up with all this? Miss my small town in New England...don't miss the weather, however. Torn...cold weather or cold people? Mmmm...and, one more question, where's the blue sky? all I see is haze and dust...& smell cows and dirt. Ya, I'm in East Mesa, guess I gave that away. We were considering AJ, but not now. LOL