Advice on Rentals in Tempe Area (Phoenix, Scottsdale: apartments, condos, high crime)

[RenW]

I've done bunch of research on this forum and elsewhere, but I believe I'm at the point in which I need more specific advice.

My husband and I are moving to the Phoenix area this September or October. My husband is getting transferred with his company. We are both 40ish though incredibly young at heart and in our interests. We do not have any children living with us. We like diversity and culture.

My husband will be working in Tempe in the Papago Park area in Tempe. At first we will be looking for an apartment to rent with our eyes on eventually buying our own property. We both have professional jobs and make decent money, though I do not have a job lined up yet. I want to be conservative at first and live well within our means. We are looking to rent an apartment or house $800 or lower based on the information below.




MUST HAVE:

• 2 bedrooms (one will be used as office / storage)
• Washer and Dryer in unit (stackable W/D okay)
• Be within 20 minutes commute in rush hour of the Papago Park area (exact map link above)
• Parking for 2 vehicles (doesn't necessarily have to be designated but don't want it to be a problem)
• Relatively safe (not high crime) area
• Not be in party central (noise disturbances, etc.)
• Clean grounds, decent complex, decent property staff

WOULD LIKE:

• Plenty of storage would be nice (Especially closet space for clothes)
• Dishwasher preferred
• Decent counter space in kitchen
• Either decent gym (with elliptical machines specifically) or within 15 mins of a gym
• Patio for grill (could do without grill if community has restrictions)
• Relatively close to grocery stores and other neighborhood amenities
• Within a half an hour commute of employers of business/technology analysts (I'll be looking for a job!)

DON'T NEED:

• 2 bathrooms (1 is fine)
• An "apartment community" (non-traditional rentals or older well maintained rentals fine)
• Pool (Though it might be nice)
• Gated community (or do we? I'd like it to be relatively safe)
• Community activity rooms
• Fireplace
• Opulent or trendy neighborhoods
• Fancy or trendy apartment fixtures

We are looking for a great value in a clean, safe rental. I'd like to stay around the $800 mark, is this reasonable?

What areas would you suggest we look in?

Are there any specific rental communities or properties you would suggest?

Any help or specific advice would be very much appreciated. Thank you so much!

[RenW]

I think I might have scared everyone away from the thread with information overload! Sorry, I was hoping to be helpful with the extra information. If someone has a specific place/complex to suggest that would be great, but the things I'm really concerned about are:

Am I off my rocker about finding a 2 bedroom for $800 a month?

How far out from my husband's work can I go to find an apartment while still staying within a 20 mins commute?

Are there decent areas within that distance that have moderate rents?

I really appreciate any help I get even if it is just answering one question!

[fennec2009]

$800 is a bit low but possible. South Scottsdale, Tempe (west of Mill Avenue, north of University) and west of his work around Van Buren and the 202 (don't go much further west than that) all have apartments in that range. If you go northwest a bit to the 143 and McDowell there are several properties in your price range there. If you can find something further north around 40th and Thomas that is the very southern end of Arcadia and nicer but also not quite as close to work. Washer and dryer in unit may be hard to find in the older properties you will likely be limited to.

apartments.com is useful, search zip codes 85281 (search reviews because some complexes have lots of students, it's ASU's zip code), 85008 (stick to the eastern half), ad 85257. You can filter by bedrooms and price. Craigslist may also be helpful for finding smaller complexes/condos/etc.