Older graduate student - where to live? (Tucson: apartment, rentals)

[ByeByeSanDiego]

Hi!
I will be moving to Tucson soon to attend graduate school. I'm 50 years old, looking for a rental (nothing fancy or big) where I can have my 5-lb dog and two house rabbits (they are spayed and neutered and are similar to cats - they use a litter box, are quiet, clean, etc). If I can't find a small house, an apartment or condo with a private patio would be terrific.

I've been looking at Zillow, Craigs List, etc.

I don't want to be in a loud, chaotic neighborhood, but safety is important.

I would like my maximum rent to be $800/mo. Is that possible? I will not be able to work much during my master's program so I have to keep my rent as low as possible. If I could find a place for $600/mo I would be thrilled. Just not sure if that's realistic.

I am moving from San Diego, where my rent is close to $2000/mo (and it's killing me). A friend said that I won't save money in Tucson because the A/C bills will be "several hundred dollars" per month. For a 1-2 bedroom apartment? That doesn't sound right.

I'm a foodie, love art, cultural events, foreign/indie films, jazz, blues, and hiking.

I would appreciate any guidance about appropriate neighborhoods.

Thanks!

[jlawrence01]

Originally Posted by ByeByeSanDiego

I would like my maximum rent to be $800/mo. Is that possible? I will not be able to work much during my master's program so I have to keep my rent as low as possible. If I could find a place for $600/mo I would be thrilled. Just not sure if that's realistic.

I am moving from San Diego, where my rent is close to $2000/mo (and it's killing me). A friend said that I won't save money in Tucson because the A/C bills will be "several hundred dollars" per month. For a 1-2 bedroom apartment? That doesn't sound right.

I'm a foodie, love art, cultural events, foreign/indie films, jazz, blues, and hiking.

I would appreciate any guidance about appropriate neighborhoods.

Thanks!

The West University neighborhood west of Euclid has a lot of rentals that would meet those guidelines. You are within walking distance of downtown, the University, the Loft Cinema and most of the action.
In addition, the area is served by nearly half of the SunTrans's routes.

Unless you are planning to rent a large house, I do not see how it is going to cost "several hundred dollars" a month. My condo costs about $80 for electricity a month even in the hottest months.

I think that your budget is about right.

[ByeByeSanDiego]

Thank you for the information. I appreciate it!