How does the Phoenix area compare to the Dallas area?

I know Phoenix is hot (so is Dallas) so we can leave that out. A lot of people talk about how bad crime is in Phoenix but I doubt it is any worse then Dallas. My family and I will be moving to Phoenix in July. Not sure where around Phoenix we will move but we know it will be a suburb. I have heard Gilbert, and Chandler are nice area's. I have two sons 10 and 9 so schools are a factor. I will be working in Avondale. A commute doesn't bother me, anything less then an hour (In Dallas it takes me about 20 mins to get to work and I only live 5 miles from work.) Advice from Parents would be greatly appreciated.

I have lived in Frisco,26 miles north of Dallas. I have been out here in the Phoenix area for 18 years. I love the Phoenix area better than I did Dallas. The schools in Gilbert are great. The travel time depending on what hours you work could be 1.5 hours to 45 minutes. It all depends on what shift you work. Gilbert is a small town but it has every thing you need. If you want a great housing development in Gilbert look into the Johnson Ranch area.

I have been to Gilbert. It's a nice small city and a great place to live with family and raise kids. Crime rate there is not high too I guess.

granted I've only been to Dallas for a weekend in September, so I don't konw that much about it, but I've been here just about forever. I know you said we can leave hot out of the equation, but it's a different kind of hot. Dallas is VERY humid. Phoenix is very DRY. Different kind fo thing. Gilbert and Chandler are nice, but pretty much most of the east valley will have a long commute into downtown. You can try Scottsdale, Tempe, Surprise (that'll be a drive), Laveen, (northern) Glendale, Peoria, North Phoenix, Anthem, Queen Creek (although that'll be a drive), East Mesa (that'll be a drive). School districts in Ahwahtukee and Chandler.Gilbert are pretty good as is Washington SD in Phoenix and PV SD that hugs the Phoenix/Scottsdale line. Email me with any other questions.