Rent Condo, Townhouse, Home in Tucson (Catalina Foothills, Marana: apartment complex, rentals, condos)

[twixcookie]

I am considering a job in Tucson.
I was there this past weekend...very humid there, by the way...and did not find many condos or townhomes for rent.
The realtors I talked to did not know what school districts their properties were in, either.
Homes seem really expensive, but moreover, rather a permanent thing.
Do people really just move to an area and buy a home or condo just like that? What if your job doesn't work out, or they fire you within your probation period?
I don't want to go into an apartment complex with the neighbors above or below, the small roads leading to the apartments, noisy neighbors, etc. I would want to spend about $1000-1400/ month to rent.

[sierraAZ]

It's humid only during the monsoon season - July & August. It's almost over. Very dry the rest of the year.

school districts boundaries - School District Maps

The best school districts from what I hear (don't have kids) are Catalina Foothills and Vail.

school ratings - Tucson Schools

rentals - tucson apts/housing for rent classifieds - craigslist

And Google will tell you a lot more - just like he told me!

[Bummer]

Originally Posted by twixcookie

I am considering a job in Tucson.
I was there this past weekend...very humid there, by the way...and did not find many condos or townhomes for rent.
The realtors I talked to did not know what school districts their properties were in, either.
Homes seem really expensive, but moreover, rather a permanent thing.
Do people really just move to an area and buy a home or condo just like that? What if your job doesn't work out, or they fire you within your probation period?
I don't want to go into an apartment complex with the neighbors above or below, the small roads leading to the apartments, noisy neighbors, etc. I would want to spend about $1000-1400/ month to rent.

Interesting observation, Twixcookie

Definitely, Tucson is killer HOT and HUMID during July and August (the monsoon "rainy" season). Without a doubt, the remaining ten months offer the best weather imaginable with the relative humidity frequently dropping into the single digit category.

For the rent you are willing to spend, I see no reason you should have problems locating a decent home. However, you really need to know your employment location prior to home shopping because commuting can be a bear.

Sorry, since no kids, I'm no help with the School Districts but I cannot imagine that information would be too tough to research.

[twixcookie]

Bummer,
Thanx for the information!

[twixcookie]

Sierra,

Thanks for the links, they will be very helpful for me!!!

[Ozark Nana]

Amphitheater schools are pretty good as long as you stay WAY north in the district.....Marana schools are decent too....TUSD and Sunnyside...well, not so much.

[Bummer]

Originally Posted by twixcookie

Bummer,
Thanx for the information!

You're most welcome, Twixcookie.

Do you have any idea where you will be employed yet?

Just holler is you want to "pick my brain" further! ! ! ! !

[twixcookie]

I just have to be concerned about the high schools...just have one teen at home now.
He is a good student, and likes the school he is in now, so I want to find a good school like that.

[BillyBaroo]

Originally Posted by Ozark Nana

Amphitheater schools are pretty good as long as you stay WAY north in the district.....Marana schools are decent too....TUSD and Sunnyside...well, not so much.

TUSD is either hit or miss and when they miss, they can miss big. My kids have been going to TUSD schools for the last six years and I've been very happy with their schools and their teachers. We've only experienced one teacher that was marginal.

TUSD has a major disadvantage because of all the non-english speaking students they get every year. I helped out in one of my kid's classes last year and I was amazed that out of 20 students there were 4 that didn't speak english. The teacher was fantastic though and I really respected the hard work that she did. However, it does slow down the rest of the class when the teacher has to spend time teaching students basic english.

Honestly though, I'd rank TUSD at the bottom and Catalina Foothils at the top. Marana and Vail are very good. I'm looking forward to moving northwest and having my children in the Marana District. If your son is a good student, then that is probably a product of good parenting more than the school district he's in. But it's definitely easier on parents and children when the kids are going to good schools with good teachers.

[sierraAZ]

Originally Posted by BillyBaroo

TUSD is either hit or miss and when they miss, they can miss big. My kids have been going to TUSD schools for the last six years and I've been very happy with their schools and their teachers. We've only experienced one teacher that was marginal.

TUSD has a major disadvantage because of all the non-english speaking students they get every year. I helped out in one of my kid's classes last year and I was amazed that out of 20 students there were 4 that didn't speak english. The teacher was fantastic though and I really respected the hard work that she did. However, it does slow down the rest of the class when the teacher has to spend time teaching students basic english.

Honestly though, I'd rank TUSD at the bottom and Catalina Foothils at the top. Marana and Vail are very good. I'm looking forward to moving northwest and having my children in the Marana District. If your son is a good student, then that is probably a product of good parenting more than the school district he's in. But it's definitely easier on parents and children when the kids are going to good schools with good teachers.

Wow, you'd say TUSD is even worse than Sunnyside...?!

Catalina Foothills covers the most expensive area in town (it figures, right), but at least the price of RE is consistent with the quality of the schools. The problem with TUSD is that your house may still be expensive in some areas, but it falls into a crappy school district.