Of Local Interest

The West Valley has a reputation. It is older than some other areas of town, some of it is more run-down than other parts of town as well. My wife and I came here from Southern California, and I have nearly 30+ years 'experience' living in, working in, and visiting the San Fernando Valley. To me, the majority of the West Valley (specifically, Glendale south of Greenway, Phoenix along 35th Ave., South of Peoria) is very much similar.

The homes are b/t 40 and 50 years old, built on large lots. While you can still see how nice they were, it is obvious also that the neighborhoods have deteriorated around them. This story from today's Republic is about one of those areas.

As I say that, I also live in Glendale where it extends into the Northwest Valley, right along the boundary with Phoenix to it's east. My neighborhood is only 10 years old. There are still new retail centers being built at the freeway 1/2 mile north of us. Another 1/8-mile north of that sits one of the premier developments in the entire area: Arrowhead Lakes.

I still remember vividly the day my wife and I took a shortcut to the grocery store through the Lakes and stopped to see lake-front, semi-custom homes listing for $500,000+. That was nearly 3 years ago. Quite the contrast from Officer Wolfe's beat.

My purpose in writing this is not comparing my good fortune to other's hard luck. It is meant rather as a pointed contrast between two parts of the same city. I do in fact live in the same city as Suzette Herndon, but very much in a different world. Hopefully Officer Wolfe's work helps close the gap between the two!