Wayne Boatwright > wrote in

> Buckeye, El Mirage, Laveen, Maricopa, Surprise, and Tolleson
> are in the *far* west valley, and considered remote by many.
> There are definitely many master-planned communities in that
> area, but I personally am not attracted to that general
> location. If you fancy yourself living out in the country,
> though, you will find plenty of it.
>
> Peoria is in the northwest valley and well-developed. If I
> were moving to the west valley, it's certainly an area I would
> consider.
>
> When we first moved to AZ, we bought a home in Queen Creek,
> which is in the southeast valley. The town of Queen Creek is
> quite old, and ten years ago when we moved there, little
> development had begun. The old town is tiny and quaint.
> Unfortunately, ten years ago it was 28 miles to the nearest
> modern shopping areas. We did love living out in the desert,
> however. Fast forward ten years, and now there are numerous
> master-plannned communities and shopping areas and new
> development is still occurring. We drove through there
> recently on our way to the little town of Coolidge and were
> amazed at the progress. We only lived there three years
> because the commute to my job in the north valley was 67 miles
> one way. Having said all that, I would highly recommend the
> area.
>
> San Tan Valley is not that far from Queen Creek, in fact, the
> San Tan Mountains are mostly ajacent to the Queen Creek area.
> Again, I would reccmmend it.
>
> There are also desirable and affordable homes in Glendale
> (near west valley), and in far east Mesa and Apache Junction,
> (far east valley). We live in far east Mesa and are quite
> happy with the choice. Both areas are highly developed with
> plenty of shopping and good freeway access. It's roughly 30
> or so miles to central Phoenix.
>
> HTH, Sandi. Feel free to ask more questions as they occur to
> you. You should plan a week's visit to Phoenix to really
> explore the various options, then go back home and think
> through them. I don't know where you live, but AZ living
> isn't like any other place I've been.

Wayne,

You just made my day. It's been years since I've been through
Phoenix and it was huge then! I can't begin to guess what it is
like now. PHEW!

I do plan to seek out a realtor and come out on a weeks vacation.
(I'm excited.) But, of course, I wanted suggestions from someone
who lives there rather than a realtor suggesting a certain area or
listing.

I'm getting one step closer to making the retirement plunge!

Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!