Hi (Tucson, Oro Valley, Marana: rentals, how much, custom home)

[Helena and mike]

Hi everyone. I am moving to Arizona. My partner Mike just got a job there and we are very happily relocating. I will have to stay here for awhile to get things done but I am so excited. We will be renting a home for now until we know where we want to live so does anyone have any ideas on the best places? I am looking for neighbors but not real close, a nice back yard for my dogs that could be protected from the wild life as much as possible.
Also wondering what the rate pay would be for a office job such as receptionist, data entry would be around, Mike is making the big bucks, I am just looking for a simple office job. I am sure I will have more questions. Thanks everyone. Helena

[Mike_]

We are thinking NW Tucson, maybe Oro Valley. Will be renting a house there. It is hard to tell from the pictures how close the neighbors are. Google Maps satelite view helps some when we can get an address to view.

[coatimundi]

Depends on how much you want to spend. There are a lot of suburban neighborhoods (including Oro Valley, Marana and the Northwest) that are watch your neighbor's TV sort of places. And that's where most of the rentals seem to be.

It also depends on where your partner will be working. Tucson is not an enormous city, but it's pretty spread out, so you don't want a really long commute. Either way, if you don't have kids and he's not working in the sticks, there's just no reason to live in the suburbs anyway. You'll enjoy yourselves more living in the city, and there are plenty of nice, although older, homes for rent with fenced yards (all houses in the city have fences) in good neighborhoods in the basin.

Receptionist pay is dependent on where you're working, how much experience you have, and whether or not you have your bachelors (in anything). It's actually a pretty competitive field here, from what I understand. I would expect $20-30k though. I know that was the pay range at UA and that's generally what is elsewhere around town.

[Helena and mike]

thank you coatimundi, Mike will be working in the Oro Valley area, I have been reading that is a very nice part of Tucson. Thats not a bad pay for Receptionist work, could handle that, lol Mike is the one that will be making the big bucks, lol. I will just be happy to get a job. I am also thinking of working part time and going to college for social service work, that would be the preferred plan for myself.
I am so very excited. Mike should be there in 3 weeks while I take care of selling our home and getting all ready for us both to start a new and exciting life in your part of the world.
A fenced in yard is a must for us, that is the most important thing, okay a bathroom would be close to that, lol. Again thank you.

[RickTucsonHomes]

Originally Posted by Helena and mike

thank you coatimundi, Mike will be working in the Oro Valley area, I have been reading that is a very nice part of Tucson. Thats not a bad pay for Receptionist work, could handle that, lol Mike is the one that will be making the big bucks, lol. I will just be happy to get a job. I am also thinking of working part time and going to college for social service work, that would be the preferred plan for myself.
I am so very excited. Mike should be there in 3 weeks while I take care of selling our home and getting all ready for us both to start a new and exciting life in your part of the world.
A fenced in yard is a must for us, that is the most important thing, okay a bathroom would be close to that, lol. Again thank you.

Is Mike transferring to Roche or Sanofi-Aventis? They are the new growth companies in the area. Plenty of nice areas to move in Oro Valley. As of this morning there are 49 single family homes available for rent through the Tucson MLS. That does not include private party rentals through Craigs list etc. Prices range from 900.00 to 3400 month and everwhere in between. Nice ones seem to go failry fast, so if he see something he likes I would jump on it.

[RickTucsonHomes]

Originally Posted by Mike_

We are thinking NW Tucson, maybe Oro Valley. Will be renting a house there. It is hard to tell from the pictures how close the neighbors are. Google Maps satelite view helps some when we can get an address to view.

There is actually quite a variety in Oro Valley when it comes to how close your neighbores are. In the older section of OV in the 85704 zip there are lots of older homes on 1 acre lots. Throughout the rest of OV there are many areas of semi custom homes on 1/2 acre lots and larger. Then of course quite a few custom home areas on 1 acre and larger. As for the everyday type subdivision, a 7 - 8K sf lot is fairly common, some smaller, some larger. General rule of the thumb, the older the neighborhood the larger the lots will be. So it really depends on what your frame of reference is as for what you consider "close". But I think you should be able to find a rental in Oro Valley that suites your needs.

[Bummer]

Originally Posted by Mike_

We are thinking NW Tucson, maybe Oro Valley. Will be renting a house there. It is hard to tell from the pictures how close the neighbors are. Google Maps satelite view helps some when we can get an address to view.

Originally Posted by Helena and mike

thank you coatimundi, Mike will be working in the Oro Valley area, I have been reading that is a very nice part of Tucson. Thats not a bad pay for Receptionist work, could handle that, lol Mike is the one that will be making the big bucks, lol. I will just be happy to get a job. I am also thinking of working part time and going to college for social service work, that would be the preferred plan for myself.
I am so very excited. Mike should be there in 3 weeks while I take care of selling our home and getting all ready for us both to start a new and exciting life in your part of the world.
A fenced in yard is a must for us, that is the most important thing, okay a bathroom would be close to that, lol. Again thank you.

If Mike is working in Oro Valley, Helena . . . problem solved.

Due to Tucson's less than fun commute issues, I would only consider Oro Valley and North, definitely nothing South of Ina Road.

WELCOME and Good Luck.

[coatimundi]

Originally Posted by Bummer

I would only consider Oro Valley and North, definitely nothing South of Ina Road.

Agreed. It's a reverse commute, but it still sucks. I worked by Foothills Mall for a while, and I hated that drive. But I hate the suburbs anyway.

[Mike_]

Well, it's been a long process but, it is now official. We are coming to Tucson! Now to bring out my notes about what I learned here.......I have a short list of rental companies from the previous post. I will look it up (Rental companies (houses)) anyone want to add to this list or make recommendations? I am thinking of no more than $1,200 per month for the first year to get a good handle on the area and my new expenses. From the sites I have looked at this should not be a problem.

[coatimundi]

Right... Time to hijack this thread, eh?