I need advice on winter living in Sedona versus Tucson versus Tubac. Help!! :) (Phoenix: for sale, real estate)
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I need advice on winter living in Sedona versus Tucson versus Tubac. Help!! :)
Hi. I need advice on winter living in Sedona versus Tucson versus Tubac. My husband and I are looking for a winter home (December--April) in Arizona. Originally, we were only looking at Sedona, but then we noticed that Tucson was interesting and then noticed Tubac. We are not golfers. We love the outdoors and nature. We don't want to feel crowded and don';t want a condo. We'd like some space and not be in a highly developed area. We'd like to have beautiful views from our house.
We don't mind that Sedona's winters are a bit cool. The town of Sedona seems sophisticated, and we like that. Those Red Rock views are amazing. We started looking at Tucson and Tubac because the desert scenery looks beautiful and the homes come with more land. But....I wonder about the areas around Tucson and Tubac...hence this post.
Can you all be VERY VERY honest about the two towns. Please give me ALL the pros and cons of living in the two areas. For example: Is there anything to do in Tucson? Are there border crime problems spilling over into Tubac? Who lives in Tubac--retirees? What about the real estate prices in Tucson and Tubac--will they come back up long after Sedona does? The real estate prices in Tucson and Tubac don't make sense to me because they are as high (price per square foot) as Sedona--yet the area seems less desirable than Sedona. At least you can live in Sedona in the summer--and Sedona is such a livable town. The summers in Tucson and Tubac must be unbearable.
I can't provide much information on the towns you've listed however their is Green Valley just south of Tucson that have a number of retirees. You might want to add that to the list. Tucson is a nice town for wintering although I've never lived there. Tubac is a community for mostly artiest to my knowledge.
I live in Sedona and have not lived in Tucson or Tubac but will say this, the latter places have much warmer winters than Sedona and access to many more immenities. Sedona is somewhat isolated and it's a trek to get some of the things that you will need.
I love Tubac but it's a tiny place, however it is close to the south end of Tucson. I would think of all the places there would be most to do in Tucson.
The southern area of the state is impacted by illegal immigration - driving north from Tubac you have to go through a Border patrol road block (every day) so that tells you something. I don't know it it's anything to worry aobut though.
Personally I love the SE part of the state.
As far as RE prices go, I'd say to count on 10 years before prices come back so it's not really an investment to buy now unless you plan to hold for a long time.
PS one way to look at it is in Sedona you are in the mountains and in Tubac, Tucson you are looking at the mountains.
If you're looking for a winter getaway, Tucson is ideal. I don't know much about Tubac, but the population is a lot smaller than Tucson. The winter hiking is wonderful in and around Tucson - some people live close enough to the mountains to hike right out their back doors. But mostly the mountains are preserved as open space for everyone to enjoy.
Now is a great time to buy a house - prices are low and sellers are motivated. I'm guessing you'd prefer a higher-end home in the Tucson foothills, Oro Valley or the Northeast side? You can find big lots in those areas with more privacy and natural desert yards.
From what I've read, we should expect real estate prices here to bottom out in a year or two. Investors are snapping up distressed properties right now - I think that's a good indicator of us getting close to the bottom of the market. Plus Tucson's weather will always be a big draw for retirees. (No, I'm not a realtor - I'm a would-be investor.) :-)
The Tubac area has beautiful horse country and great mountain views but it is close to the border and a bit of a drive to get anywhere, especially with gas prices on the rise.
Location: MT/34 yrs full time after 4 yrs part time
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Originally Posted by NYC couple
Hi. I need advice on winter living in Sedona versus Tucson versus Tubac. My husband and I are looking for a winter home (December--April) in Arizona. Originally, we were only looking at Sedona, but then we noticed that Tucson was interesting and then noticed Tubac. We are not golfers. We love the outdoors and nature. We don't want to feel crowded and don';t want a condo. We'd like some space and not be in a highly developed area. We'd like to have beautiful views from our house.
We don't mind that Sedona's winters are a bit cool and will get snow about 10 times in a 4 month winter period. The town of Sedona seems sophisticated (and certainly has it's share of "WooWoos", and we like that. Those Red Rock views are amazing. We started looking at Tucson and Tubac because the desert scenery looks beautiful and the homes come with more land. But....I wonder about the areas around Tucson and Tubac...hence this post.
Can you all be VERY VERY honest about the two towns. Please give me ALL the pros and cons of living in the two areas. For example: Is there anything to do in Tucson? Yes....more to do there than any of the other areas you mentioned Are there border crime problems spilling over into Tubac?No, not really, if you don't do drugs, or deal in them, you should have no problems... Who lives in Tubac--retirees?Yes....and quite a few folks that would be catagorized as "the artsy folk". Thus a lot of places to nbuy various catagories of "art" What about the real estate prices in Tucson and Tubac--will they come back up long after Sedona does? No body really knows....those that have the least experience in the R>E. field, usually are more prone to give you an answer. The real estate prices in Tucson and Tubac don't make sense to me because they are as high (price per square foot) as Sedona--yet the area seems less desirable than Sedona. At least you can live in Sedona in the summer--and Sedona is such a livable town. The summers in Tucson and Tubac must be unbearable.
All honest input will be appreciated! Thanks.
..............From reading your posts; taking into consideration you're from the Upper East Side; considering the current economic state of AZ & the US; and most importantly, you will only be in AZ from Dec to April................I would
definitely Not buy a 2nd home.........................I would rent a fully furnished, high end home in one of the better sections of Oro Valley or Sedona......which ever seems to fit your desires the best.
This is what I have done for the winter months (up to 5 months) since 2006. I've rented in Sedona (3 different areas); Oro Valley; The Village of Oak Creek; Rimrock; Casa Grande and Mesa. I've also spent some shorter periods of time in Prescott; Tubac; Sonoita; Cottonwood and Green Valley. I've had houses with pools and some not; I've had up to five acres of fenced property. I had one 2 ac place that backed up to County Park Land (great place to run my dog) ; also had one that was on a small 1/3 ac lot in Oro Vlley (that drove me nuts)(I've lived in MT on 14 acs for 32 years,) but being in my later retirement years now, I like my space.
Very recently I rented a beautiful home 3 miles outside of Casa Grande on 5 acres, fenced (I have a dog that travels everywhere with me,) beautifully landscaped and about 3600 sq feet---2 1/2 bath; 3 BR; Liv Rm: Din Rm: Lg Kit:breakfast area; front and rear large patios; extra lg 2 car garage, fruit trees etc. Loved it and I negociated a "package price for 4 months".
Rents for what I find desireable can run anywhere from $2000/mo to $3500/mo, depending on number of people involved, and many other factors......including "how well the rentor "Likes you". Being an out-going, retired, senior, who will only have his dog (totally trained; none barker and sleeps in his travel crate) with him.....they love (the rentor/owner) to rent to be someone like me. ((NOTE: I do not rent from Property Mang'mt people........owners only, and at this time there are many, many (up-scale) homes available.......you just have to find them through various sources of info!!
Depending how far out of town you want to be, how much land you want with the home, etc........look around first for a few days, make your list then get to a "good" R.E. guy and lay it on the line. A "cash incentative" on the side for him to provide you with about 5 suitable places that he knows the owner will be willing to rent (since 85 % of the homes (for sale) in Sedona are not moving.) Many of the homes up for sale CAN BE RENTED......you just have to approach the owner in the right way.
Two of the last homes I rented were up for sale and I approached the owner with an offer to rent for 4 or 5 months and my offer was accepted. Give it a try.....what have you got to lose......who knows, maybe (if it's the right one)
you'll want to buy it anyway.
Get to know some of the proven, long term R.E. people in a given area and have references with you that are worth while: Your banker; legislator; etc,etc.
Do your research and home work first during some visits to the areas you have an interest in. Take pics and make notes on the homes of interest.
Check out "Upper RED Rock Loop Rd" about 2 to 3 mile out side of Sedona.
I rented a nice place out there: privacy; unlimited hiking areas and great views. Just a thought. Good Luck.
renting, now that I think about it, could be a good idea, as Montana suggests....
because: nobody thinks home appreciation will be significant in the next few years...you'll avoid paying property tax and insurance......and utilities for when you're gone....and regular maintenance.....and closing costs buying and selling....and other stuff I can't think of.....
yeah, you'll be paying high-season rates (except in Sedona), but it could be worth it.....
Thanks Montana Griz. I hadn't thought of renting. Could be a very good option.
I think the choice - rent or buy - really depends on your financial situation, whether you see a second home as an investment, whether you see Sedona as a long term second home and whether you are willing to tie up money in real estate.
The housing market does seem to be beginning to move in Sedona but prices remain rock bottom. Where I live, we have seen two very nice homes sell recently at pretty low prices and another home has been reduced in price by around $200k. So, if you are looking at something like a 10 year horizon, you could probably see some pretty good capital appreciation over the period.
The other costs are property tax and maintenance. Property tax is nothing like NY or NYC .... we are paying less than half what we would have paid for a similar home when we lived in Westchester County, NY. I don't find maintenance and insurance to be too horrible either but we are living in a new home which helps.
Hi. I need advice on winter living in Sedona versus Tucson versus Tubac. My husband and I are looking for a winter home (December--April) in Arizona. Originally, we were only looking at Sedona, but then we noticed that Tucson was interesting and then noticed Tubac. We are not golfers. We love the outdoors and nature. We don't want to feel crowded and don';t want a condo. We'd like some space and not be in a highly developed area. We'd like to have beautiful views from our house.
We don't mind that Sedona's winters are a bit cool. The town of Sedona seems sophisticated, and we like that. Those Red Rock views are amazing. We started looking at Tucson and Tubac because the desert scenery looks beautiful and the homes come with more land. But....I wonder about the areas around Tucson and Tubac...hence this post.
Can you all be VERY VERY honest about the two towns. Please give me ALL the pros and cons of living in the two areas. For example: Is there anything to do in Tucson? Are there border crime problems spilling over into Tubac? Who lives in Tubac--retirees? What about the real estate prices in Tucson and Tubac--will they come back up long after Sedona does? The real estate prices in Tucson and Tubac don't make sense to me because they are as high (price per square foot) as Sedona--yet the area seems less desirable than Sedona. At least you can live in Sedona in the summer--and Sedona is such a livable town. The summers in Tucson and Tubac must be unbearable.
All honest input will be appreciated! Thanks.
If you can afford it Sedona that is the way to go... have you looked at Jerome, AZ? This is a great "artsy" community just a tad north of Sedona, it is very unique and has great personality.
If you (and all other posters) could state your budget, that would be helpful. IMO, Sedona is the biggest tourist trap in the State. Tubac is great, and more affordable. Check out the townhomes. Avoid Sahuarita like the plague, Green Valley is very nice--almost everyone is in an HOA. I lived in East Rio Rico and it is a lot cheaper. Patagonia is expensive but nice. Tucson is sprawl, but money can buy views and relative security. Renting is about twice as expensive as buying now. Santa Cruz County is almost non-desert--it has the desert wildlife, but has quite a bit of precipitation compared with Phoenix or Sedona.
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