[lotuscupcar]

Hello there,

I may be moving to AZ on a 3 year project starting next summer. I will have the agreement in place in about 3 weeks (currently negotiating).

I have couple of friends in Scottsdale and some in Tempe, but alas I trust you folks on LT a lot more.

My project will likely turn into a 5/6 year, so I might stay for a while.

I travel there quite a bit, so I am familiar with many of the negatives, especially coming from Los Angeles, yet I know there are many positives.

Please PM me if you are a practicing physician in the AZ area, I have a specific question for you

I need help from the forum on lodging

• I need to live within a 20 min (no traffic) driving distance from this location
• I need 3/4 bedroom house
• I need a 2 car garage, would love a 3

I need to go to the following locations:
1400 S Dobson Rd, Mesa, AZ 85202 AND
1955 W. Frye Rd.Chandler, AZ 85224

HOWEVER, I MUST BE WITHIN 20 MINUTES OF THE MESA LOCATION, NO TRAFFIC.


So please tell me:

• Where should I live
• How much should I pay
• What areas to avoid

I would initially like to rent for a year, so I get a feel for the area. Then I will have to come back and make another thread or ask you in person about buying opportunities etc.

Only lotus person I know in AZ is BWR, as I have been to his house and bought parts from his and his wife.

Thank you:UK:

 

[fzust]

Anywhere in South Tempe, Chandler or Gilbert will work for you. The Kyrene school district is very good and thus the house values are quite good. Because we don't live in overpopulated Cali, 3 car garages are plentiful and can be hand in the 250-350K range and upwards. Personally, I would stay north of 202,well south of 60, and east of I-10. Gilbert probably has the best value. All those places should be 20 minutes no traffic easily. North or west will be reverse commute. I hope that helps!

 

[lotuscupcar]

Thank you so much

God knows how much I will now spend $$ at your place, knwoing you are so close by !

 

[Bane]

My parents moved to Chandler recently and picked up a 3500 sq foot house with a 4-car garage (and a double wide side gate for a boat/trailer) in the high $300k range.

It's near Gilbert/Ocotillo and meets your requirement to be close to both of those locations.

 

[lotuscupcar]

My parents moved to Chandler recently and picked up a 3500 sq foot house with a 4-car garage (and a double wide side gate for a boat/trailer) in the high $300k range.

It's near Gilbert/Ocotillo and meets your requirement to be close to both of those locations.

Thats perfect for me. 4 car garage is God send



I can put my Mr2 on the sides hehe

I need to rent a year to get a feel for the area.

Without giving me your parents address can you give me some street names or zip code so I know where to look ?


Are Chandler and gilbert schools equally good ?

I saw a lakeside community on zilliow in Gilbert. Looked like Miami.

 

[cdn_alien]

I didn't notice your posting until just now.

I live just two miles south of your Frye location. I can get to your Mesa location in 20 minutes even during rush hour. If you want to avoid congestion, I would avoid travel on US60 or I-10. The other freeways (Loop 101 and Loop 202) has some congestion but nothing like LA. Judging by your work address, I'm assuming you're a medical professional of some kind, so I'm not sure if you'll be travelling during rush hour or not.

Housing is newer as you head further east and further south. There are many homes about 5 yrs old in east Chandler and south Gilbert.

I don't have any kids, but I hear that Chandler Unified has a good reputation.

If you're looking to rent in the next three months, there are tons of apartments going up on Dobson, one at Germann and another just south of Queen Creek Rd. They should be occupy able in about three months.

PM me if you require more info.

 

[fzust]

One more thought. In addition to the 3 or 4 car garage, many houses have an RV gate/pad on the side where you can park 2 cars outside. Look for it in your search. You think a 3 or 4 car is enough.....until it isn't!

 

[lotuscupcar]

One more thought. In addition to the 3 or 4 car garage, many houses have an RV gate/pad on the side where you can park 2 cars outside. Look for it in your search. You think a 3 or 4 car is enough.....until it isn't!

I found a house..in Chandler..only asking 350..where the guy made the side RV parking into a full 21 feet high garage.

They are advertising it as 7 car garage in Chandler... except for the fact..rest of the house is garbage.

Yes must have is

1) Pool
2) 3 Car garage
3) RV parking

Rest of the house I don't care much about



people are telling me not to rent, and just buy Anybody have in thoughts?

 

[lotuscupcar]

I didn't notice your posting until just now.

I live just two miles south of your Frye location. I can get to your Mesa location in 20 minutes even during rush hour. If you want to avoid congestion, I would avoid travel on US60 or I-10. The other freeways (Loop 101 and Loop 202) has some congestion but nothing like LA. Judging by your work address, I'm assuming you're a medical professional of some kind, so I'm not sure if you'll be travelling during rush hour or not.

Housing is newer as you head further east and further south. There are many homes about 5 yrs old in east Chandler and south Gilbert.

I don't have any kids, but I hear that Chandler Unified has a good reputation.

If you're looking to rent in the next three months, there are tons of apartments going up on Dobson, one at Germann and another just south of Queen Creek Rd. They should be occupy able in about three months.

PM me if you require more info.

I was really hoping you would chime in, thank you.

We just returned from 4 days in Rocky Point. I can be out there again in March and April and May to check out places. If you are around, and can offer some in person guidance, would be great. (PM INCOMING)

Most of the work would be 8am-5pm, but there will be 5pm-5am shifts, so being nearby is key.

I also don't want to be very far and remote from everything.

I heard the Ocotillo area is very good. I really like some of the Lake Properties by Lynx Way, but I heard its all old geezers around here (not sure if thast true).



One thing I noticed, most people in PHX live VERY far from the highways. I really don't want to do that. Is that possible? I like jumping on and off the highway, thoughts on that part?

Elementary school is a concern of mine, though there is no immediate need (kids are 3 and .7), but for resale I would like to live in a good school district area.

 

[lotuscupcar]

Car related question-so I don't have to make other threads and pollute your part of the site, before coming

WHen we were in Mexico, my friend brought his Escalade. He was complaining due to extreme heat (his car is garaged) lots of trim etc are falling off.

What are precautions in AZ weather for cars? Or is his just poor GM quality?

 

[Allan Gibbs]

I would recommend Gilbert or Chandler which isn't too far from the 60 or 101 freeways respectively: http://www.azcentral.com/community/...ale-gilbert-rank-among-top-safest-cities.html

In terms of Lotus' build quality, it's probably on par with GM. I suggest getting one of these:
Evora Sun Shade

On my first Evora (press car with 10K miles), the dash started to warp from the heat. On my current black Evora, I had no issues with the dash (using the sun shade) but my trunk lining came undone twice. Lotus finally updated it from the 2011 to the 2013 version (which has easier battery access). I noticed they screwed the trunk liner to the body as well.

I also had my roof liner warp due to the heat. It's also been replaced under warranty. I've since some other AZ owners side sill wrap as well.

At least I haven't had any major issues (like a blown engine or transmission). But we really need to have a dealer here.

 

[lotuscupcar]

Thank you Allan!

My Elise had warped dash in CA sun, which was replaced. Can't imagine AZ summers on it.

Thank you for the link. Looking forward to finally meeting you. Also need to buy some two wheels, once in AZ. 1199 Panigale is calling my name

 

[lotuscupcar]

One more thought. In addition to the 3 or 4 car garage, many houses have an RV gate/pad on the side where you can park 2 cars outside. Look for it in your search. You think a 3 or 4 car is enough.....until it isn't!

Fred

Do you still live in the same house I visited ? You had the race Elise in garage and the M3?

If so, I like that setup, where its 3 car garage side by side, none of the tandem stuff.

 

[cdn_alien]

Car related question-so I don't have to make other threads and pollute your part of the site, before coming

WHen we were in Mexico, my friend brought his Escalade. He was complaining due to extreme heat (his car is garaged) lots of trim etc are falling off.

What are precautions in AZ weather for cars? Or is his just poor GM quality?

Lotuscupcar,

Got your PM.

I had the same experience when we moved to Arizona from Canada. We had a one year old BMW, and my wife parked it outside her office (no shade). After a couple of years, EVERYTHING started peeling the car. The plastic started bubbling everywhere... it was disgusting. The plastic pieces broke off of the sunroof (three times) and wouldn't work anymore. The door seals were falling off and strangled us everytime we got out of the car. It was a German made BMW, rather than the US made ones sold here, so I don't know if that had something to do with it. But she's on her 2nd Infiniti now -- no problems at all.

If you're coming to check things out, you might consider doing it around the 3rd Thursday of each month. That's when our club, Lotus Owners of Phoenix (LOOP), gets together for dinner once a month. The meeting place is at a British Pub up in Scottsdale. If you like, I can have our de-facto president (we're a very loose organization) add you to the email list.

 

[lotuscupcar]

Thank you very much! So looks like no BMW ownership in LA? I do miss my Z3M Coupe.

Please have him add me to the email list. When I am out in March, I will try to come Thursday instead of Friday

Though will have a rental instead of a Lotus, hope that is ok