r/AskPhoenix

bear with me on this. my wife's grandma in scottsdale got fined by her HOA last fall while she was recovering from a knee replacement. the violation was unmowed grass. she literally could not walk. the fine arrived before the get-well card.

i've been quietly building a software company for the last year to fix the violation side of how HOAs run in arizona. boring on the surface, but the actual problem is that most violations boards send out wouldn't survive a basic check against state law. xeriscape stuff, solar stuff, flags, complainant disclosure. boards regularly fine for stuff they legally can't fine for. the software they use is from 2008 and doesn't catch any of it.

i'm based in new york but i'm not going to figure this out from new york. i need to hire one phoenix person who actually knows this world. ideally someone who spent 5+ years as a community manager at one of the big shops out there (firstservice, realmanage, AAM, city property, brown, CCMC, etc) and has a PCAM or CMCA. someone who has watched the system fail in real time and is tired of being part of it.

If anyone here has their own HOA horror story i'd genuinely love to hear it. collecting them. the worse the better.

thanks phoenix.

Where can I get a dessert that I can bring to an office: brownies, cookies, cupcakes, that doesn’t cost too much?

This is mainly directed at people that are currently searching for a rental or will be soon, but I'm open to feedback from everyone.

1. What's the most important thing to you when it comes to picking your next place? Amenities? Location? Privacy? Safety?

2. What's your budget?

3. What amenities matter to you most?

4. What are your big turn offs/red flags?

I have a nice place I've been trying to get rented out for a couple months, but I've been having a hard time finding a qualified tenant. I've had to turn a bunch of people away for having evictions, not being able to prove income, and/or catching them lying about these and other things. I've already reduced rent and I can't afford lower it any more, so I decided to renovate the place.

So far I have redone a bunch of the electrical and upgraded every light switch, outlet, and cover plate inside and out. There are USB charging outlets in every room and in the kitchen near the stove. Every light inside and out has been updated to LED lighting and I'm adding smart lighting inside as well as smart switches to make all the rest of the lights smart. Also planning on adding smart smoke detectors. Exterior lights have been put on timer switches. I updated the thermostat to a nest thermostat and serviced the HVAC so it's blowing nice and cold. I put in a touchless sink in the kitchen so you dont have to keep touching the sink when you cook. Fresh paint in every room. LED lights added to hall closests that didn't have lighting. Brought a nice grill and patio furniture over.

Things I'm thinking of adding: smart locks and doorbells, more smart lighting inside and out, a garbage disposal. Is there anything else you would want? Would you NOT want any of this stuff?

I just graduated from ASU in Tempe and looking to move to downtown phoenix. The most important criteria being the apartment should be a high-rise. I looked at almost all high-rises out there and shortlisted Saiya and Phoenix Ave Sky as my Top 2 picks. As someone who lived in tempe for 2 years, I am seeking some experiences and things to lookout for, from those who lived in downtown, preferably in Saiya and Phoenix Ave Sky.

In Tempe, living is very relaxed and predictable. By predictable I mean most of the communities don't increase rent given we renew it pretty early. What has your experience been living in these downtown apartments and any red flags in the apartments I mentioned? I did look up on Greystar and they seem to be a little suspicious but what has your experience been? I am expecting Base Rent + Community Fees (~$180) + Wifi/Electricity to be paid monthly. How much rent increase can I expect in these apartments each year? I don't want to be hit with any unexpected additional fees that shakes up my budget.

Any opinions and suggestions related to this topic are welcome as most of the comments on these high-rises are pretty old!

Hello everyone, this is my first time going to Phoenix 😅 I’m from Sonora and usually I’ve only gone to Tucson my whole life, never really beyond that.

I wanted to ask for recommendations 👀 Is there something similar to the Tucson Premium Outlets, but with the best prices/deals? Like Nike, Under Armour, Adidas, etc.

Which outlet or shopping area would you recommend for the best bargains in Phoenix? Also if there are any hidden gems, clearance stores, or places locals usually go for good deals, let me know

Hello all,

I have a work conference in Phoenix coming up next month. They are putting me up at the Phoenician and paying for the flight, I’m in Florida, and Ubers to and from the airport. I’m on a tight budget. They aren’t giving me money or a per diem for food. An uber to travel to a restaurant and back can add up as I’ll be there for 5 days.

My main question is, sorry this got ramble-y but I wanted to provide context, is there a way to connect to the Scottsdale trolley or another form of public transportation from the Phoenician or is it too far of a walk?

I’m looking to buy a 2026 Rav4 XLE Premium. Just want to know which dealerships I should avoid vs contact. Thank you! Also want to mention I do have a quote from costco $36.7 OTD and tried through EarnHardt and they said the best they could do is $40.1k. I am moving to Texas but will be buying in Arizona because I have family.

Need some recommendations for an exterior house painting company.

There is some woodwork that also needs to be replaced on the home so ideally someone who can tackle it all

Location is Peoria/Sun City West area

Hello! I'm visiting a friend in Phoenix from the 29th- 31st of May and wanted to ask for some recommendations. We're planning on doing a "Museum day" by going to the Heard Museum and then the Phoenix Art Museum. What in that area would be nice to do after? Is there anything we should absolutely do or should avoid? I'm honestly struggling to find something thats not just sitting down for lunch/dinner.

The second day we are planning on going to the botanical gardens and I'm also looking for recommendations of things to do after that. I've honestly had a bunch of family issues come up suddenly and haven't had time to make a good itinerary so I appreciate any recommendations or ideas. Thank you!!

I'm too old for college kids but too young for winebars! Anybody know where ~22-26 year olds like to hang out?

Preferably looking for an alternative sort of vibe, though not picky.

Thanks!

Hi! Moving to PHX soon and debating between the Saiya and Moontower. Anyone have any opinions/pros and cons.

I am mid twenties, female (so safety is big for me as I work in healthcare so there may be some late nights)

want to live with other young professionals/want to make friends/be able to explore the city

I know questions like these always get asked, but as a woman I always like to research new places I go to.

I’ve been to Arizona plenty of times, but have never really ventured around Phoenix. I have concert tickets this Summer and have been assessing all transportation options to the field. I never mind walking and always prefer when I can for convienence and $$$.

I was looking at the SpringHill Suites for a hotel on E Van Buren. According to Google Maps it’s about an 11 min walk to Chase Field, .5 miles which isn’t bad at all to me. Just wanted insight on safety, especially following a concert in the area.

I appreciate yall

Hello everyone,

I am looking for a place to play some pickup basketball either indoor or outdoor preferably in the west valley, but im open to drive if i have to.

Does anyone know of any good regular places or times where there is pickup basketball being played.

I used to play with a group of people and moved and havent played regularly in years and want to get back into basketball shape.

Thanks in advance for any answers!

Exploring a job option in the North part of the metro area and was wondering if there were any diverse or inclusive areas in that area?

Any places not recommended?

Anyone have any recommendations for indoor weekend activities that aren’t super crowded and stressful/overwhelming? My mom (70’s/F) is visiting and is VERY easily overwhelmed by large crowds, and I’m struggling to figure out places to take her that she either hasn’t already been, or just won’t enjoy.

She’s already been to pretty much every museum (but she would re-visit them if I wanted to go, so if there are any that are chill on weekends please let me know), and I think we’re been to pretty much every thrift store, plus with how hot it’s getting now running in and out of stores and having to drive from place to place is getting to be too much for her, so ideally just one or two places where we could spend a whole day would be ideal.

Things she likes:
•art
•shopping
•just sitting and talking if we could find a place where that isn’t awkward or where we have to whisper,
•flowers,
•vintage/thrifting
•puzzles
•building legos
•just generally very chill low energy activities because she has vertigo and gets very easily overstimulated and overwhelmed, but also REALLY wants to go out and do stuff and see new things

Things she doesn’t like:
•pretty much any of the usual, “fun,” activities people suggest like games, minigolf, arcades, waterparks, that type of thing
•alcohol (so no bars)

TLDR; Need to find chill indoor weekend activities with low crowds for easily overstimulated 70y/o mom, please help!

Thank you so much for your help, reddit!!

Google tells me summer in AZ is five months… does it really take that long before it starts to cool down?

Doing a staycation in Scottsdale and looking to have some fun in the area!