A few specific Q's about Tucson (Phoenix, Oracle: homes, landscaping, homeschool)

[aerkick79]

Short on time so I have to be quick but I was wondering if anyone has any input on the following:

How's the homeschooling community?

Are there any crunchy granola type people out there? More specifically like myself being vegan very environmentally cautious aka green.

Whats are the biggest utility companies?

Does it just depend on the area or can you put down actual grass in a yard anywhere with proper maintenance. I know a lot of homes have dirt instead of grass is that just easier or does it have to be that's way because of irrigation and soil?

Thank you in advance for your input

[robabeatle]

1. homeschooling??

2. Yes, lots

3. Tucson Electric Power

4. Grass is possible though it requires A LOT of water and will still likely burn in the summer unless it is in shade.

[coatimundi]

Originally Posted by aerkick79

Short on time so I have to be quick but I was wondering if anyone has any input on the following:

How's the homeschooling community?

I've encountered a number of people in Tucson who homeschooled their kids. Not sure about the "community."

Originally Posted by aerkick79

Are there any crunchy granola type people out there? More specifically like myself being vegan very environmentally cautious aka green.

Yes, Tucson is very big on this level. Solar power, water conservation (particularly gray water usage) and locally-sourced foods are big and only getting bigger.

Originally Posted by aerkick79

Whats are the biggest utility companies?

Tucson Electric Power (owned by Unisource) is the regional supplier, unless you get way out in the desert where it becomes APS. Tucson Water is owned by the city. Southwest Gas is the exploding air provider. You don't have a choice on these unless you go off the grid. My experience with them has all been generally positive.

Originally Posted by aerkick79

Does it just depend on the area or can you put down actual grass in a yard anywhere with proper maintenance. I know a lot of homes have dirt instead of grass is that just easier or does it have to be that's way because of irrigation and soil?

Not dirt, xeriscaping. The Sonoran Desert is the wettest desert in the world and, as a result, has a boggling diversity of vegetation and a wide array of options for home gardening.
There are generally no zoning restrictions on grass, if that's what you mean, save for Winterhaven, where grass is required by the deed restrictions. Putting grass in your yard, at least in Tucson proper, is very much a faux pas. It's wasteful, and Tucson Water has a graduated rate that makes having grass very expensive as well. Like I said, "green" is big in Tucson. If you must have grass, the Phoenix area would be a better option.

[aerkick79]

thank you for the info, we don't need grass but have to look into what kind of gardening I can do say for growing vegetables and such. I did find a homeschool grp website i'm sure there are HS families out there somewhere i'll just have to look into it further. Anyone know of an ideal way to really go through the areas of tucson to find what might be the best fit for us?

[azdr0710]

a few more thoughts: there are lots of granola types and there a lot of non-granola types.....saying this because there are now about 1M people in the metro area, so there will be all types, in any type of group, here....but, yeah, Tucson does have a rep for being on the liberal side of some issues....but, again, there are all kinds of people here!

for landscaping, many here feel grass is inappropriate (and many don't care - again, all types here!!).....you may want to consider, as suggested, desert landscaping with some sort of gravel groundcover...there are fantastic desert yards here that look great after a very few years (google xeriscape....) ....and, if you must, put in a small patch of grass in some place you'll enjoy or use it....the grass will need to be regularly sprinkled (auto or self) and, if you want green grass in the winter, you'll need to partake in the common October ritual of scalping, seeding, fertilizing, and heavily watering winter rye seed (google it!).....

[Bummer]

Originally Posted by aerkick79

Short on time so I have to be quick but I was wondering if anyone has any input on the following:

Does it just depend on the area or can you put down actual grass in a yard anywhere with proper maintenance. I know a lot of homes have dirt instead of grass is that just easier or does it have to be that's way because of irrigation and soil?

Thank you in advance for your input

Interesting questions, Aerkick

I'll only respond to the grass lawn . . . a lush lawn is Tucson is basically declaring war on Mother Nature. Three guess as to who is gonna win in the long haul.

[aerkick79]

Originally Posted by azdr0710

if you want green grass in the winter, you'll need to partake in the common October ritual of scalping, seeding, fertilizing, and heavily watering winter rye seed (google it!).....

HA! i'm all set with that.

I have a better understanding now of the grass situation out there I guess it was common sense but i just wanted it clarified. gravel actualy can look very nice and clean

[aerkick79]

Originally Posted by aerkick79

thank you for the info, we don't need grass but have to look into what kind of gardening I can do say for growing vegetables and such. I did find a homeschool grp website i'm sure there are HS families out there somewhere i'll just have to look into it further. Anyone know of an ideal way to really go through the areas of tucson to find what might be the best fit for us?

Been doing more and more research every night and last night came to understand that the church we'd be attending is on east fort lowell rd (85719 zip code) and we'll need to be near a whole foods market (at least not have to drive more than 30 mins to get to one) and there is one on Oracle rd (85704 zip code) hoping there are some farmers markets and such in that area as well but thinking living within 30 mins to those locations would be ideal.

knowing this any input on that area?

[robabeatle]

There is a closer WHole Foods on Speedway and a farmers market on Saturday at Campbell and River.

[coatimundi]

The Whole Foods on Speedway is closer to any part of Fort Lowell Road than the one on Oracle is. Both Sunflower and Sprouts are cheaper and have the same stuff though.
The largest farmers market is at St. Phillip's Plaza on Campbell. They usually have vegetables (including roasted chiles seasonally), coffee, eggs, meat and some artisan fare. The farmers markets in Tucson are not what they are in the east and Midwest though. farmersmarkettucson.com