Random thoughts from a visitor/potential resident (Phoenix, Tucson: transplants, HOA)
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My wife and I have now been in Tucson for a week, apparently during a pretty hefty hot spell. I say that so that people will know we are seeing it at its worse, weather wise. We've fallen in love with it, so much so that we put an offer in on a house today, waiting to hear back. But some random thoughts since we've been here:
Friendliness. Maybe it's because we're from the Washington, D.C. area but I swear there must be some happy juice in the water here. We've never had so many people greet us, start up conversations, yield in traffic and just generally act extremely friendly. From the minimum wage worker in the fast food restaurant to our Realtor, just really happy folks with no pushiness at all.
Immigration. Obviously Arizona has been in the news a lot on this issue but have not seen any issues with homeless illegals, people harassing or panhandling, etc.. The Hispanics that we've met all spoke English, were as courteous as anyone else and very accommodating. Now, other than the airport, we haven't been south of town yet so perhaps it will be different when we go down there for some authentic Mexican food.
Economy. Since we're potentially buying, wanted to look into the finances of Tucson and read the whole 170 page annual report. Tucson has not run a deficit during the recession and while revenues have declined (obviously), the city managers have maintained a positive cash flow which is pretty astounding in today's world of failing cities and towns. Now, not a lot of high paying jobs available and so I suspect for those needing solid employment, it doesn't offer the opportunities of other metropolitan areas.
Distances. It's a really spread out city, which I like. As soon as you learn some of the traffic patterns, getting around seems simple although it is the "off" season so traffic apparently is much lighter than normal.
Health. There are a LOT of health addicts! Watching people ride bikes the 26 miles up Mt. Lemmon is a petty impressive sight although watching them come down is equally impressive. Lot of walkers, joggers, tennis players and hikers. I've yet to see anyone with a cigarette and there are more healthy eating establishments then there are bars.
Weather. 107 here is a lot more tolerable than 95 in DC. Hydration, shade, misting stations, etc. all make it tolerable and at times, actually comfortable. We are apparently going to miss the monsoon season as we are leaving this week but apparently the light show at night from these storms is incredible.
So, to all the locals we've crossed paths with, thanks for your courteousness, friendliness and helpfulness. With any luck, in a year, we'll be neighbors.
My wife and I have now been in Tucson for a week, apparently during a pretty hefty hot spell. I say that so that people will know we are seeing it at its worse, weather wise. We've fallen in love with it, so much so that we put an offer in on a house today, waiting to hear back. But some random thoughts since we've been here:
Welcome!
Friendliness. Maybe it's because we're from the Washington, D.C. area but I swear there must be some happy juice in the water here. We've never had so many people greet us, start up conversations, yield in traffic and just generally act extremely friendly. From the minimum wage worker in the fast food restaurant to our Realtor, just really happy folks with no pushiness at all. I grew up back east and I know just what you mean.
Immigration. Obviously Arizona has been in the news a lot on this issue but have not seen any issues with homeless illegals, people harassing or panhandling, etc.. The Hispanics that we've met all spoke English, were as courteous as anyone else and very accommodating. Now, other than the airport, we haven't been south of town yet so perhaps it will be different when we go down there for some authentic Mexican food. SHouldn't be a surprise that the news (is it really even news anymore) distorts reality.
Economy. Since we're potentially buying, wanted to look into the finances of Tucson and read the whole 170 page annual report. Tucson has not run a deficit during the recession and while revenues have declined (obviously), the city managers have maintained a positive cash flow which is pretty astounding in today's world of failing cities and towns. Now, not a lot of high paying jobs available and so I suspect for those needing solid employment, it doesn't offer the opportunities of other metropolitan areas. Tucson has lower unemployment than the national average.
Distances. It's a really spread out city, which I like. As soon as you learn some of the traffic patterns, getting around seems simple although it is the "off" season so traffic apparently is much lighter than normal. Many of us here are hoping to stop the urban sprawl, the downtown construction hopefully will start this trend.
Health. There are a LOT of health addicts! Watching people ride bikes the 26 miles up Mt. Lemmon is a petty impressive sight although watching them come down is equally impressive. Lot of walkers, joggers, tennis players and hikers. I've yet to see anyone with a cigarette and there are more healthy eating establishments then there are bars. That's me on the bike. There is a marathon that goes up the mtn. join me for it next spring.
Weather. 107 here is a lot more tolerable than 95 in DC. Hydration, shade, misting stations, etc. all make it tolerable and at times, actually comfortable. We are apparently going to miss the monsoon season as we are leaving this week but apparently the light show at night from these storms is incredible. Pffff...we run in 107. The monsoon is spectacular.
So, to all the locals we've crossed paths with, thanks for your courteousness, friendliness and helpfulness. With any luck, in a year, we'll be neighbors.
Welcome and please take up that attitude of being friendly and courteous.
WELCOME, Tom . . . and GOOD LUCK on your home purchase.
Although I grew up in the Washington, DC area many years ago, I relocated to Tucson from California back in 1997 and feel exactly the same as you do even after 15 years.
Keep us posted on your relocation status and holler if you need advice and/or help.
Welcome Tom, glad you enjoyed our little town! Did you end up buying out in Sunflower? As Bummer said, keep us posted, it is always good to hear back from posters.
Welcome Tom, glad you enjoyed our little town! Did you end up buying out in Sunflower? As Bummer said, keep us posted, it is always good to hear back from posters.
As I type, waiting to hear back on our offer on a place in Sunflower. Fell in love with the amenities, the low HOA dues and the friendliness of the folks working there. The clubhouse/pool complex is really, really nice and somewhat under utilized by the residents. Love that area of town since it's far less congested. Although my wife would be heading downtown to shop, I'd never have to go further afield than the Harbor Freight on Ina .
One thing I didn't mention in my random comments is food - spicy in Tucson has a whole different meaning than spicy in DC! Love the food here, had some really, really good meals. Going to try Lil Abner's steak house tonight, heard a lot of good things about it and looks like an "interesting" place.
As I type, waiting to hear back on our offer on a place in Sunflower. Fell in love with the amenities, the low HOA dues and the friendliness of the folks working there. The clubhouse/pool complex is really, really nice and somewhat under utilized by the residents. Love that area of town since it's far less congested. Although my wife would be heading downtown to shop, I'd never have to go further afield than the Harbor Freight on Ina .
One thing I didn't mention in my random comments is food - spicy in Tucson has a whole different meaning than spicy in DC! Love the food here, had some really, really good meals. Going to try Lil Abner's steak house tonight, heard a lot of good things about it and looks like an "interesting" place.
Hope it works out for you. As I mentioned my parents love living in Sunflower. Harbor Frieght, my kind of place too! As far as food there is a whole other thread here on local places that we all like to frequent. Lots of great ideas for all over the Tucson area. Let's talk Tucson's best restaurants!
Great thread to come back too as your explore Tucson.
I couldn't agree more with what you said. We came here last year from the east coast and fell in love the first day we were here. We too put in an offer on a house right away. To this day - I still think how lucky I am to live here. It's so refreshing when you go into stores and people are actually friendly. It's nice not to have people CONSTANTLY cutting you off on the road. While there may be a few bad apples - it's nothing like how rude and nasty people and traffic are on the east coast.
I'll gladly take the 100 plus temps for a few months in the summer over 4+ months of bitter cold in the winter back in New England.
Agree 100+ percent. We're also transplants from the DC area. The move began last October (I came out ahead of my wife due to a job opportunity) and is actually just wrapping up. The moving truck picked up our household effects at our house in Virginia earlier this week, and my wife and step-daughter will hit the road tomorrow morning to begin the drive to AZ.
We moved to Tucson partly because we have family here, and partly because it's such a nice place to live. After years of the nonsense in the DC area (not to mention to horrific weather), we're ready to settle down here and call Tucson home (actually we live in Vail).
My only complaint about Tucson is minor. Would the people behind me when I'm waiting to make a left-hand turn at traffic lights PLEASE lay off your horn? If I can see that the way is clear and it's safe to make a left-hand turn without waiting for the green arrow, I'll do it.
I've lived in the DC area (Arlington, Alexandria, Springfield), as well as Miami, Phoenix and suburban Chicago. I can't imagine that Tucson drivers could possibly be worse than any of those areas.
Would the people behind me when I'm waiting to make a left-hand turn at traffic lights PLEASE lay off your horn? If I can see that the way is clear and it's safe to make a left-hand turn without waiting for the green arrow, I'll do it.
LOL! That's my main complaint about driving here too.
In my little car, I can't see oncoming traffic if there is a pickup truck or SUV in the turn lane on the opposite side, so I can't see if it's safe to turn or not, unless I pull out into the middle of the intersection, which is what most of the local drivers do, because the turn signals are much different here. Here you get a turn arrow as soon as the light turns red. Where I moved from, we didn't have that, so if you pulled into the intersection on green before you got the arrow and traffic never cleared enough to make your turn before the signal turned red, you had to break the law and turn left on red or sit there blocking the intersection until you got a turn signal.
But I also noticed that here you can't count on getting that turn signal as soon as it turns red at all intersections either. I thought I was starting to get the hang of it and expected it at all intersections, so the other day I got brave and pulled out into the intersection like the locals do, but traffic didn't break, and that intersection didn't have the turn signal when the light turned red, so I was kinda stuck. That was scary. I guess the locals know which intersections you can do this with and which ones you can't. Please be patient with those of us who don't know yet where it's safe to do this.
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