Casa Grande / Eloy, Arizona

[Exigent]

I am thinking about accepting a job with Homeland Security (I'm a lawyer) in Arizona. I'd be in Phoenix some, but also would be in Eloy, Arizona. As best I can tell, it's halfway between Phoenix and Tucson. I know Tucson pretty well (got married there and my wife's parents are there).

Does anyone know what it would be like living midway between Phoenix and Tucson in the Eloy / Casa Grande area? I know there is a Detention facility there, but is it otherwise just a vast wasteland? Or is this an area I could happily live?

I like the idea of having access to Tucson and Phoenix, and I like the idea of not having to deal with traffic every day going into a big city ... but I'd like to know more about this halfwayville.

Anyone know?

Thanks.

[Allan Gibbs]

I "hear" that the area between Phoenix and Tucson (Maricopa) was growing very quickly. I'm not sure how recent month's have affect that area though.

My uncle is a realtor in South Gilbert and has mentioned that the problem with Maricopa and I image Casa Grand, is that there is a lot of traffic on the locale road as the infrastructure hasn't caught up with the demand. I believe there's only one main road in Maricopa. However, the Loop 202 I think will help alievate that. Also, the Phoenix area has been a high growth area since 1995 and is moving outward.

I think the lifestyle will be a simple, desert southwest theme but the houses are big and cheap. Eventually, you'll have a Walgreen or CVS pharmacy and a Bahsas shopping center on every corner and a Walmart every three miles. You'll also probably be one of the first people in your housing the developments too.

[nvrblu]

The Phoenix metro area is growing very rapidly. Gilbert has been the fastest growing 100K+ city in the country for several years. Some people think Phoenix and Tucson will be a continuously populated area similar to So Cal within 20 years. There is the Gila Indian Reservation in between that will block some of the urban sprawl.

[Allan Gibbs]

Originally Posted by nvrblu

There is the Gila Indian Reservation in between that will block some of the urban sprawl.

"Gila River Casino!!" Great. Now I've got thier theme song stuck in my head and I haven't even heard that commerical since I left in mid-March!

[nvrblu]

Originally Posted by Allan Gibbs

"Gila River Casino!!" Great. Now I've got thier theme song stuck in my head and I haven't even heard that commerical since I left in mid-March!

Head-On applied directly to the forehead
Head-On applied directly to the forehead
Head-On applied directly to the forehead
Head-On applied directly to the forehead
...
Head-On applied directly to the forehead

[azskycop]

Casa Grande is not a garden spot but not too bad compared to Eloy. Close enough to Phoenix that you can get there easy and in Phoenix you have anything you want. I would not want to live in Eloy or anywhere else between Tucson and Phoenix but I do Love AZ and will be moving to Yuma as soon as I can sell my house. I would suggest living in Awatukee, which is south end of Phoenix and easy drive to Gila Bend or Eloy.

Where are you moving from?

[RacyTracy]

Originally Posted by nvrblu

Head-On applied directly to the forehead

Can you imagine if they made something that came in suppository form?

[Andrikos]

Originally Posted by azskycop

I would suggest living in Awatukee, which is south end of Phoenix and easy drive to Gila Bend or Eloy.

+1
Unless you like desert rural living (yeeeeeeeeeehaaaa!), I'd recommend living on the outskirts of Phoenix. Sure, it's urban sprawl hell but at least you can do anything you want there...

[Exigent]

Thanks for the replies. My wife's family lives south of Tucson (Green Valley) so it would be nice to move out to AZ. We're in Maryland now.

I don't need a ton of cultural activities. I'd like a nice house, an easy commute to work, an affordable lifestyle, and good weather. I think I can get all that if this job works out.

If I want culture, I can easily visit some of the nicer areas around Phoenix. I just wanted to get an idea of what Casa Grande & Eloy are all about. As long as it's not trailers in the dirt, I think I'll be okay. In today's world, if you're 30 minutes to cool stuff and if you have cable TV / internet access, what else do you really need?

We'll see what happens. I'll be traveling to AZ in 3 weeks to visit the area.

[azskycop]

Well to say Eloy was "Trailers and Dirt" would be quite the complement.....you really could not pay me enough to live there. Casa Grande is growing and would be OK if you don't mind the drive to Phoenix for any real entertainment.

[Allan Gibbs]

You know, it's not always a dry heat.

Seriously, I think that whole area will change (become more developed) in the next 5-10 years.

[Exigent]

Originally Posted by azskycop

Well to say Eloy was "Trailers and Dirt" would be quite the complement.....you really could not pay me enough to live there. Casa Grande is growing and would be OK if you don't mind the drive to Phoenix for any real entertainment.

Well, I don't know enough about it yet. I might be working in Eloy (helping to kick illegal immigrants out), but I don't have to live there.

I'll just have to see it with my own eyes in a couple of weeks.

A couple points:

1) My wife can work from home - she can live just about anywhere.
2) If Casa Grande (or some nearby area) is liveable enough and is an easy drive from some big-city entertainment options (dinner, ballgame, etc.), that's good enough for me.
3) I need to see the Eloy Detention Facility to see if I would mind working in that kind of environment. I do criminal defense work now, so visiting prisons is not unusual at all. With this new job, I wouldn't have to actually deal directly with the detainees. I'd be on the government's side - wearing a white hat.
4) I'll need to see what the educational options are for the area. I'd like any kids to have a decent education (preferably in English).

[azskycop]

I'm moving back to AZ as soon as I can. Make you a deal, I'll "hook-em" you "book-em". Keep them in as long as possible because there is no shortage and we don't have to worry about job security any time soon!

My daughter was in school from K-5th grade in Mesa. School was great compared to here in NY. I don't pay much attention to national stats as I think they are a bit skewed from test results when you add a large amount of non-English speaking students. I don't have any experience w/ Casa Grande schools but your right. Your best bet is to go out and look around. Do a "google earth" on Eloy if you have not already, it will at least give you some idea of what is there......or not.

[Allan Gibbs]

Incidentally, I believe there's a clothing outlet in Casa Grand.

[Exigent]

Originally Posted by azskycop

I'm moving back to AZ as soon as I can. Make you a deal, I'll "hook-em" you "book-em". Keep them in as long as possible because there is no shortage and we don't have to worry about job security any time soon!

You got a deal. I've been doing criminal defense work for 10+ years in and around Baltimore. I've seen it all and have heard every lame excuse in the book. I'm so sick of working with "clients" and having to hear about their issues. My capacity for sympathy is gone at this point. I really hope things work out with this job. I'd love to be able to change sides. "Give the sob story to your lawyer, I represent the government." I'd have to work with professional witnesses like Border Patrol Officers and Investigators, etc. So much better than having to present evidence from witnesses like "my cousin's baby's mother." Baltimore has no shortage of that nonsense.

[nvrblu]

You might want to consider moving to Maricopa. It's not far from Casa Grande and it's very close to Firebird International Raceway.

[Exigent]

Six days until my visit. Can't wait.

[fishguy]

when I was a frat boy in college(~1983), Eloy is where we took pledges out to.
they were drunk,blindfolded(usually guys from the east coast who did not know Az at all). then their clothes would be taken, all but their underwear, and they were dropped off in Eloy. its about 50 miles north of tucson, and it would be very funny to hear the stories of how the "drunk guy in his underwear found his way home".
Good times.
luckily i was a local guy, so i never got the Eloy drive.
excuse me ma'am/sir, can i get a ride back to tucson with you and your family by any chance?
I think most(the smart ones) ended up collect calling a freind to pick them up while they kept a low profile.
sounds like it would be jail time for someone these days though.

[Exigent]

Did you attend U of A?

[fishguy]

Originally Posted by Exigent

Did you attend U of A?

I went to the U of A, ............................ for lunch.