In need of advice... (Tucson, Tempe: work, sick, housing)

[icarve]

Hello...
I'm born and bred in chilly, grey-skied Michigan. My wife, who's grown increasingly spiteful of winters in recent years, has been clamoring to go ANYWHERE warm: the cold weather and dismal colors from nov. to april have apparently put the zap on her brain. (Maybe mine too and I just don't know it ) At any rate I've been reluctant to take the plunge but am now beginning to rethink my position. Part of this reason is a sizable family inheritance that will help with moving and downpayment costs--not Donald Trump big but a nice once-in-a-lifetime sum. So, where should we go? We've been thinking about Arizona. But I would love some input from those that have lived in the state, or lived in other southwestern locations for that matter. Suggestions about places to go/avoid within a city or area would also be appreciated. Here are the largest variables...

1. The neighborhood/area doesn't need to be ritzy but it does need to "feel"/be reasonably safe. We'll be looking for a modest ranch style home in the mid to low 100s. We have no kids, just 2 dogs and a cat.
2. We need to be fairly close to a major university for grad and doctoral work.
3. No snow, or at least snow very rarely. Winter daytime temps no colder than, say, 50 degrees or so. This is a big one if I am going to stay married.
4. Love the mountains, even if they're just in the background.

Thanks to any and all for help.
C

[Dangerous Dave]

Originally Posted by icarve

Hello...
I'm born and bred in chilly, grey-skied Michigan. My wife, who's grown increasingly spiteful of winters in recent years, has been clamoring to go ANYWHERE warm: the cold weather and dismal colors from nov. to april have apparently put the zap on her brain. (Maybe mine too and I just don't know it ) At any rate I've been reluctant to take the plunge but am now beginning to rethink my position. Part of this reason is a sizable family inheritance that will help with moving and downpayment costs--not Donald Trump big but a nice once-in-a-lifetime sum. So, where should we go? We've been thinking about Arizona. But I would love some input from those that have lived in the state, or lived in other southwestern locations for that matter. Suggestions about places to go/avoid within a city or area would also be appreciated. Here are the largest variables...

1. The neighborhood/area doesn't need to be ritzy but it does need to "feel"/be reasonably safe. We'll be looking for a modest ranch style home in the mid to low 100s. We have no kids, just 2 dogs and a cat.
2. We need to be fairly close to a major university for grad and doctoral work.
3. No snow, or at least snow very rarely. Winter daytime temps no colder than, say, 50 degrees or so. This is a big one if I am going to stay married.
4. Love the mountains, even if they're just in the background.

Thanks to any and all for help.
C

I don't know of anywhere out west where you can find a house for 100-150K and still have nice weather.

The only universities in Arizona are in PHX, Tucson, and Flagstaff. Flagstaff snows, gets under 50 in the winter, and is expensive.

I wouldn't live in Tucson or PHX given the choice.

As a former Arizonan, I can tell you when I wanted to leave that everyone would say "well, at least it doesn't snow here".

There are many places that don't snow, or at least not as much as Michigan.

I live in western Oregon now. I'm near two major universities, and you can find a house here in your price range. Won't be the nicest, but if it's just two of you and you don't need a big place, you can do pretty good.

Weather? It rains lightly in the winter, nothing like you see back there in MI (I grew up in Northern MN, so I know what I'm talking about).

It doesn't snow here worth mentioning. We did get 4 inches in one day this year, but it was freak and it didn't last. It stops raining in May, and you don't see it again until almost November. Temperature wise, even on the rainy days it's in the 50's. I don't own a heavy jacket, and I still do outdoor activities during the winter. I even ride my bicycle to work year round.

Just a suggestion. The parts of Arizona that I think you'd be most interested in have brutal summers that may have you begging to go back to MI.

[esselcue]

The nice areas of AZ, such as you are hoping for, would never fall into your housing prices. And the places with housing in your range would be hot, miserable desert. Sorry...but that's why I am leaving next year after I retire...been here 23 years and I am sick of heat, even though I live in beautiful Prescott.

[sierraAZ]

Originally Posted by icarve

1. The neighborhood/area doesn't need to be ritzy but it does need to "feel"/be reasonably safe. We'll be looking for a modest ranch style home in the mid to low 100s. We have no kids, just 2 dogs and a cat.
2. We need to be fairly close to a major university for grad and doctoral work.
3. No snow, or at least snow very rarely. Winter daytime temps no colder than, say, 50 degrees or so. This is a big one if I am going to stay married.
4. Love the mountains, even if they're just in the background.

Thanks to any and all for help.
C

Well, we have the U, the mountains, and the temps. We also have houses in this price range. Some of them can even be in a relatively safe neighborhood. Whether you'll like them is entirely up to you. You can see for yourself what's available - Tucson MLS