Original Message

Like most cities it depends on where specifically you're looking at. East valley suburbs are pretty nice, think Tempe, Chandler, Mesa, Gilbert, San Tan Valley. Most cities have older and newer parts, newer parts being more expensive, nicer, lower crime, etc... 

Home prices have shot up in the last few years, so look around at what that will run you. Traffic is ok, not the best not the worst. Depending on where you/your spouse are looking to work I'd try and live as close as possible without sacrificing neighborhood quality. 

Day to day is pretty good to me. Summers are miserable, but tolerable with AC. Late May-mid Oct is hot, everything else is pretty nice. Lakes are fairly close for water recreation, plenty of hikes around. Payson/Prescott/Flagstaff are a 1-2.5 hour drive away and you'll be under trees and in cooler weather. Skiing/Snowboarding in Flagstaff and Greer. Mexico/San Diego/LA are 5-6 hour drives.

Not super familiar with the West side of town but it's expanding like most of the Phx metro area. 

Let me know if there's anything more specific you're curious about.