What's it like in the city of Maricopa, AZ? (crime, Home Depot)

[vegaspilgrim]

Originally Posted by crewbank

I think this is great place to retire, and I do not understand concerns that Tempe has declined. Garson, what is it that you don't like, specifically? We have the lowest crime rates in 25 years, beautiful parks, great public transportation, all sorts of cultural and arts events for people of all ages, not to mention a thriving retired population and some of the highest sustained levels of home values in the valley. I think it is well worth considering retiring in Tempe.

The homes are almost all well-built, accessible, and easy to maintain, unlike many new developments. We are close to many great golf and tennis facilities, as well as centrally located to any excursions in or out of the valley. The atmosphere is pleasant and there are lots of great restaurants and social clubs around town. To dispel a myth about Tempe, college kids and parties are not really an issue south of Broadway Ave. I live a mile from campus, and you can hear a pin drop most nights with the exception of distant fireworks on game nights. Different strokes for different folks I suppose, but the retirees in my neighborhood seem very happy.

I don't know crewbank... I was with you, but now I'm starting to think you've lost even me. The Tempe you're describing doesn't sound like the one I live in. It is certainly not a utopia. If you think the college influence ends once you hit Broadway... wrong! It goes at least until Baseline Rd, and really almost till you hit Guadalupe. Most of the elderly people in Tempe are the original residents who moved into their homes when they were built in the 50s and 60s and never moved out; they aren't people who selected Tempe has a "retirement destination." Nevertheless, this is a thread about Maricopa, not Tempe. Perhaps start your own thread about Tempe?

[Maricopa_Sucks]

Maricopa Road has so many accidents, that I see emergency vehicles on this winding, two lane, poorly maintained road almost daily. The houses that people purchased with hardly any money down are sitting empty, and that's about 70% of the streets in the area my kids live in. Even the rentals are empty. When the economy returns, people will be settling in to the main part of the valley in Maricopa COUNTY not Maricopa the town. It's an eternity from anywhere. It's basically a ghost town. My kids' house cost $260,000, and the exact model just auctioned off across the way for $70,000. You're underwater even if you only bought your house two years ago! If you took out a double mortgage based on the "fast money" you thought you'd make between 2005 and 2006 (as property values rose between $40,000 to $70,000 somehow in that time, in a lot of cases) then boy oh boy do you have your rear in a grinder!!!
Let the place fall apart. You can't get a house for a "steal" out there and have a decent neighborhood. Once gas goes back up, you'll be shucking out the money you could have spent to live amoungst others like you in a variety of cities! NEVER. NEVER. NEVER buy in Maricopa, AZ! They rely on the COUNTY'S police too! I wouldn't want to be taken to a hospital from out there. Talk about a 45 minute (if they're fast) trip to the E.R.! Scaaary!

[observer53]

The demographics in Maricopa are changing FAST with the cheap home prices and cheap rentals. The schools, which were improving in terms of the facilities, etc., are getting worse now because the kids, in terms of behavior, etc., are getting worse. A lot of the teachers are unhappy about the changes they see. And DON'T believe everything you hear about the commute being OK. Driving it on a Sunday, vs. a weekday, are two entirely different animals. I have family who ended up down there (and are VERY upside down on their home) so I've driven it on weekends and weekdays.

As far as Tempe is concerned, I've lived south of Baseline since 1973, but for 2 years in Pinal County. Except for the years I WAS a student, I would not know the University was there unless I went there for an event. I've been very happy here, and I'm NOT retired. Commute to Phx every day.

Those who say that Tempe is going downhill have it wrong, in my opinion.

[roosevelt]

The empty houses down there have been heavily vandalized also according to a broker friend that was just down to the area.

[Vinny536]

Originally Posted by Maricopa_Sucks

Maricopa Road has so many accidents, that I see emergency vehicles on this winding, two lane, poorly maintained road almost daily.

winding, poorly maintained 2 lane road? i assume you mean route 347. there are 3 bends over the 13 mile span, far from winding. its a 4 lane highway, 2 lanes each direction. poorly maintained? far from it. the roadway was just resurfaced less then 2 years ago.

The houses that people purchased with hardly any money down are sitting empty, and that's about 70% of the streets in the area my kids live in. Even the rentals are empty.

currently there are 772 homes listed for sale in maricopa. lets assume they are all empty. to hit your 70% stat that would mean there are only a little over 1000 homes here. there are far more homes then that.

Does anyone know where to find the actual number of single family residences in Maricopa?

When the economy returns, people will be settling in to the main part of the valley in Maricopa COUNTY not Maricopa the town.

not according to azcentral.com,

The areas that crashed first around the Valley seem to be recovering first. Reagor has been talking with many housing analysts, “The Queen Creeks and the Buckeyes and the Goodyears, the areas hurt the most during the downturn because they were the newer areas where prices jumped, people had to really stretch to get those loans and there were more subprime loans. They are actually doing the best. Supply of homes in Queen Creek is 3 months, that is amazing, at one time it was 2 years and that is based on the number of homes sold the month before and how many homes are on the market.”

Valley Housing Market sees indicators of recovery

Maricopa is also closer to downtown phoenix then queen creek, with far less congested city in between. This was a major plus for me when making my decision.

In march 253 homes sold in maricopa's 2 zip codes. at that pace and the current number of homes available there is only a 3 month supply of homes in maricopa. many realtors say anything under a 6 month supply is great news for an area.

It's an eternity from anywhere. It's basically a ghost town.

It takes me 20 minutes to get to the chandler mall. thats far from an eternity

if its a ghost town why does it take me 20 minutes just to get through the check out in fry's? am i seeing ghosts?

My kids' house cost $260,000, and the exact model just auctioned off across the way for $70,000. You're underwater even if you only bought your house two years ago! If you took out a double mortgage based on the "fast money" you thought you'd make between 2005 and 2006 (as property values rose between $40,000 to $70,000 somehow in that time, in a lot of cases) then boy oh boy do you have your rear in a grinder!!!

have there been any cities in the southwest that have seen appreciation in the last 2 years?

Let the place fall apart. You can't get a house for a "steal" out there and have a decent neighborhood. Once gas goes back up, you'll be shucking out the money you could have spent to live amongst others like you in a variety of cities! NEVER. NEVER. NEVER buy in Maricopa, AZ!

if we could see the future your kids wouldn't have spent $260k on a $70k house.

They rely on the COUNTY'S police too! I wouldn't want to be taken to a hospital from out there. Talk about a 45 minute (if they're fast) trip to the E.R.! Scaaary!

another mistruth. maricopa police department was formed about 2 years ago with pinal county sheriff's department continuing to assist with patrol until july 2008. since maricopa pd started patrolling there have been no fatal accidents on route 347 in their coverage area.


So, in summary all your statements are incorrect or opinion.

[MilitaryCampMom]

I have a friend who lives there, and he says that he hates it, because it's dusty, rural and in the middle of no where. He travels to Phoenix for work, because he was unable to find a job there. Just my/his two cents.

[observer53]

Originally Posted by 61scout80

currently there are 772 homes listed for sale in maricopa. lets assume they are all empty. to hit your 70% stat that would mean there are only a little over 1000 homes here. there are far more homes then that.

Look at the language you quoted from another poster and responded with this statement. The other poster said 70 percent of the STREETS, not 70 percent of the houses.

[gregandvicky]

Anyone interested in Maricopa reality should read this:


Helping Our Polluted Environment

[roosevelt]

Houses may be a bargain because of the vandalism. Many of the vacant houses have become playgrounds for kids who like to rip off sinks and fixtures and then start punching holes in walls. What is it with teenagers that like to destroy their own neighborhood?

[twiggy]

Yea, I've also noticed an increase in drug activity and gang violence concentrated at night in downtown area of Maricopa. I had a friend get punched in the face while he was sitting in his car from a couple of kids looking for drugs and money. You can see the difference at night lately. Im not sure why but I believe it's because the people who can't afford housing in town come out there to afford housing, and a lot of them bring there old life style with them. Casino's probably don't help the addiction problem. lol
But besides the air quality, drugs, crime, and lack of hospital, or mall. It's an ok place! I have to go there once a week for work and I go in the day and come home at night. Traffics never a big issue to me, I'm just so glad to be getting outta there I would gladly sit in a line of traffic. lol

But, and here is a big BUT! Some people LOVE it there. It's a lifestyle I guess, some people won't ever leave! You never know which one you are until you go there enough. Could you stay in a hotel for a week their, oh wait, there is no hotel there. lol Maybe a Casino, and see how you would like the daily living, then you could be prepared for a decision. Because in this market, I would hate to make a mistake with Maricopa. You would never get out of there! And if you were one of the people who hated it, that would be very sad!