Moving to Phoenix?

We live in Peoria as well but I would say the northern part of Peoria is a good place to be for long term. Scottsdale is expensive and Paradise Valley, but both beautiful areas to live in and a lot of golf resorts and such there. Chandler is well known as a good place for a young family. I have not heard much about Mesa to live there......but Tempe is very much for college. Surprise, Estrella Mtn and Good Year are also affordable areas. When you do head to the southern part of Peoria , I'd say Good Year and Surprise may have better schools . I just don't know much about public schools at all here. I avoid them and send my kids to private . But a lot of my friends have loved their public schools . Oasis, Oakwood, Fronteir. to name a few.

We find tons of things to do.....but it is hot and so most of it is in air condition buildings for entertainment. It is an adjustment if your not use to be in a/c all the time.

Kristy named quite a bit of stuff to do......so I would second that.
If you could get into a meet-up group, moms group or something like that, I would really encourage that as you begin your journey here not knowing anyone. A lot of moms groups have disolved for lack of people...but meet up groups, stroller strides is a group I think......

Good luck. Contact me if you had other specific questions. There is just a lot on this subject to really write it all down. :0)

You will love the winters that is for sure !

I can tell you a great pediatrian. Mesa Pediatrics they have several locations through the valley

we moved here from San Diego about 7 years ago and I love it. Its a huge area and there is a lot to choose from so it really just depends on your taste and what not. I persoally love the northern Peoria are. We came out 3 times befoer we moved here adn tehn drove all over to find the right place for us (lots of research) We owned a house in Peoria til about 3 years ago them moved just north of there to Sun City West (outside of Vistancia) both also really good area. It is all included in the Peoria Unified School district. Frontier Elementary was where my daughter would have gone had we not moved, very good school. This year she is going to do preschool at Vistancia then next year move to Lake Pleasant Elementary (it was already full when I registered her and just opened last year) Peoria is a great area, they have a great community rec programs adn there are parks galore. Most schools are located in the middle of a development so it is surrounded by houses, not on any busy or main streets (which I like) and some have local park right next door. I will add the Peoria school district web site and the recreation site for you so you can check out. If you have specific ?s about a street or area just let me know. I would reccommend taking a weekend and comming out, meeting with a realestate agent and just having them show you the area (even if your not looking to buy its a great way to get a feel for neighborhoods) and then just doing some exploring yourself. If you do come out let me know, I would be happy to show you some areas as well. Its a pretty big area so it hard to tell you about everything n one email, hope it helped a littel though. Here are the links.

http://recreation.peoriaaz.gov/econnect/Start/Start.asp?S...

https://www.peoriaud.k12.az.us/preschool/Pages/CommunityP...

edit:as far as things to do there are tons
Childrens Touch Museum, Pheonix Zoo, Wildlife World Zoo, Matukus Island, many splash pad parks, Trampoline park called Jump Street,....and many many more. I have a 3.5 year old and watch a 7 and 11 and always find stuff to do. And you have everything pretty close, snow in winter (2-3 hrs away) dunes, montains, lakes, and Sedona is so fun to go and visit as well.

I was a school teacher, now I'm a stay-at-home Mom and part-time Realtor. As far as the best school districts: Kyrene and Madison are the top two in my book. Where you should live depends on what you like/want. I love the Central Phx. area, which is where I grew up and taught. I now live in the Southeast Valley- known for being family friendly. Good luck & hang in there!

SoCal is huge, so figure out how far you are willing to drive to get to the things you like (shopping/malls/culture/schools) and figure it out from there. I live in Awatukee, in the Kyrene School district, and I love it because I am still in Phoenix and not far from those things I mention above. Living in the far east/west/south valley will bring bigger home but farther away. Good luck.