Mesa is considered one of the best places to live in the state of Arizona. With a population of approximately 496,401 people, Mesa has a suburban feel with most of the residents owning their own homes. Moving to Mesa might be a worthwhile decision as the area has plenty of coffee shops, parks and good schools. There are also multiple families and many young professionals living in Mesa.
Is Mesa Arizona a good place to live? Mesa is a lovely small city in Maricopa County that has a historical feel to it, particularly in the northern areas. However, the aged areas of the city are undergoing constant revamping making it more attractive to expats and other US citizens. The area experiences pleasant winters but the summers tend to be intensely hot.
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Whether you are moving to Arizona to work in Mesa or indeed thinking of moving to Mesa due to other reasons, you have come to this blog post because you want to know more.
- Is the transport network good?
- How are the schools?
- Are property prices expensive?
- Does the city have any bad neighbourhoods?
This article answers all those questions.
Is Mesa a good place to Live?
The vibrant suburb city of Mesa is situated 20 miles away from Phoenix. It is broadly divided into Central, Northeast, Northwest, Southeast, Southwest and West Central neighbourhoods. The Northeast neighbourhood is constantly ranked graciously as one of the most livable places in the whole of Arizona, making it a handy location for people looking to set up their families in Mesa.
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Mesa’s Central neighbourhood gives the Northeast part quite a competition in terms of livability. It offers a low cost of living, making it a good option for low-incomea2qa residents struggling to make ends meet. The Southeast neighbourhood is considered the student’s delight. It also offers a low cost of living, which makes it great for anyone seeking an economical lifestyle.
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Living in the city of Mesa, AZ offers residents a safe environment as Mesa has been ranked as one of the safest metropolitan cities in the whole of US. The crime levels are generally low compared to other surrounding cities.
For any expat moving to Arizona soon, Mesa offers a wide range of above average schools, so it is worth considering. This city is primarily served by public schools run by Mesa Public Schools, but a smaller southern part is served by Gilbert Public Schools, and Queen Creek Unified School District, and also a small western part is served by Temple Elementary School District and Tempe Union High School District.
Mesa is also the base of Mesa Community College, the biggest college of all the Maricopa Community Colleges. Arizona State University’s Polytechnic campus is located in the southeast area of Mesa. Other higher education institutes are CAE Global Academy Phoenix, and Osteopathic Medical School (run by A.T Still University).
Mesa is a good commuter that is served by several freeways like U.S Route 60, locally referred to as Superstition Freeway. Public transport (bus and light rail) in this city is offered by Valley Metro. The city also has 2 airports: Falcon Field and Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport.
This family-friendly city offers a lively social life all year round. Summer nights in Mesa, AZ can be very fun, awesome music venues, fine restaurants, and exciting bars and clubs. Winter is ideal for exploring the beautiful outdoors while biking, hiking, or off-roading.
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Is Mesa a good place to Work?
Mesa’s economy employs over 237,000 people. The biggest employers in this city are Mesa Public Schools, Gilbert Public Schools, Banner Health System, Boeing, Walmart, City of Mesa, Fry’s Food and Drug, Mesa Community College, the Home Depot and Maricopa County Government.
The biggest industries in Mesa are Health Care and Social Assistance, Retail Trade and Construction, and the industries that pay the highest salaries are Mining, Utilities and Management Firms and Enterprises.
Living in Arizona presents many job opportunities as the unemployment levels are generally low. As of March 31, 2019, Mesa’s unemployment rate stood at 4%. This figure is slightly higher than the national rate of 3.8%.
Life in Mesa is generally good as the average salary here is USD 40,998. During the first quarter of 2019, the trend in salaries showcased a 0.6% increase from the last quarter. In terms of degrees, the average annual salary for a person with a Bachelor Degree in Mesa, AZ is USD 55,225.
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Is Mesa a good place to buy a House?
Mesa’s Northeast neighbourhood offers luxurious living options and it also houses several fitness parlours, spas and other amenities that make it a viable choice for families. Moreover, the cost of living is low and the weather is not too harsh, making it a paradise gateway. The Central neighbourhood is also a good place to buy property as it offers many things to do over the weekend or on a day off.
Property prices in Mesa continue to increase every year. The median cost of a home in Mesa is 311,885USD (as of May 2019), which is lower compared to some other Arizona cities such as Gilbert, AZ.
308,990USD is a realistic price for a 5-bedroomed property in Mesa, but the price can be as high as 580,990USD. A 3-bed home can sell for 275,000USD. Smaller properties for sale are rare.
The median rent in Mesa, AZ is 977USD per month (as of May 2019). Alta Mesa, Dobson Ranch, and Arboleda are the most affordable neighbourhoods in the area in terms of rental prices while Falcon Field, Superstition Springs and Augusta Ranch are the most expensive neighbourhoods. But all in all, the average rent in Mesa is lower than the average for other nearby cities such as Phoenix, Tempe, Scottsdale, Chandler, Gilbert, Avondale, Peoria and Goodyear.
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A 5-bed property for rent in Mesa can cost 2,750USD per month, a 3-bedroomed house can cost 1,875USD monthly and a smaller single-bedroomed apartment can go for 834USD per month.
Is Mesa a good place to Retire?
Many retirees look forward to living in Arizona as this state has a lot to offer. Other than beauty and entertainment factors, Arizona does not tax Social Security Income. This perk alone makes this state an awesome place for many seniors.
Mesa is among the best cities to retire in Arizona. It offers a good quality of life and there is an RV community and beautiful parks for older adults who prefer to spend their days on the move.
This city is also an attractive retirement spot because it offers retirement homes for seniors over 55 years old. The cost of retirement home care in Mesa ranges from 770USD to 3,890USD per month, with the median cost being 1,788USD per month.
In an assisted living community there is a variety of housing options to choose from. A private 1-bed in an assisted living community costs 3,500USD monthly on average in Mesa, AZ. There are also small shared rooms that go for around 1,000USD a month and private single-bedroomed luxury suits costing 6,913USD per month.
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Is Mesa a good place to Visit?
Mesa is a beautiful city with many cultural attractions. A place to visit is the Mesa Arizona Temple which hosts an Easter pageant every spring. Sports fans gather at the HoHoKam Park during the game season to watch baseball tournaments. Another interesting park is Sloan Park, which was opened in 2014 and is also a hub for sports.
This city is also home to Mesa Arts Center, Mesa Amphitheater, Museums, Archaeological sites and public libraries which offer residents and visitors a chance to learn about the history of Mesa.
The Golfland Sunsplash waterpark is a nice place for kids to visit and have fun. Organic Stop Pizza is also a popular attraction as it contains the biggest Wurlitzer organ. Red Mountain Park is the largest park in Mesa spanning 1,146 acres. The park has a lake, several playgrounds for kids, a basketball court and a volleyball court.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cost of living in Mesa, Arizona?
Mesa’s cost of living is 7% (as of May 2019) lower than the countrywide average. The utility costs are also generally lower by 4%. The energy bill is 161.12USD a month, the phone bill is 171.75USD per month while gas costs 2.39USD per month. Furthermore, grocery expenses are 3% cheaper and healthcare is 2% cheaper than the national average.
For anyone looking to buy a mortgage, the mortgage interest rate is 4.45% per year for 20 years. Credit and insurance can be gotten from any of the numerous banks, credit unions and insurance firms in the area.
Is Mesa a good place to invest in property?
An area with a booming economy, growing job market, favourable climate, and numerous outdoor activities will attract numerous property investors. This is true for Mesa’s real estate market. Its growing population and employment opportunities have drawn many entrepreneurs to the city, consequently increasing demand for properties. Investment properties in this city have a high likelihood of selling quickly and earn a big return on investment.
Is Mesa a good place to raise a family?
Constantly voted as one of the best places to live in the Granite State of Arizona, Mesa is a good place to raise a family. The suburban feel, low crime levels, many recreation areas, generally low cost of living and good schools make this a family-friendly city.