Why move to Tucson? (Oro Valley, Ajo: homes, college, live in)

[Boompa]

Originally Posted by michael krotchie

Yes I'd have to agree with lisak64 about the lack of greenery, but c'mon, it's the desert!

In a nutshell here are my pros and cons of Tucson:

Pros
- Beautiful environment
- Winter weather is amazing
- Relaxed atmosphere
- Many touristy/sight-seeing options
- A short drive to Phoenix, San Diego, Vegas, Flagstaff, Rocky Point
- University of Arizona
- Continued growth

Cons
- Summer heat (big surprise)
- Freeway system.. or lack thereof (for more info click here)
- Transit system is severely lacking

I'm sure others will chime in here and I would recommend a visit to Tucson for a weekend if you and your husband haven't yet been here yet!

Short Drive From Vegas? You must be kidding, even if you don't spend hours in Phoenix traffic it would be 12 hours. Hopefully 93 is open.
Even Flagstaff can be an all day thing if the I17-101 connection is backed up

[LordBalfor]

Originally Posted by Boompa

Short Drive From Vegas? You must be kidding, even if you don't spend hours in Phoenix traffic it would be 12 hours. Hopefully 93 is open.
Even Flagstaff can be an all day thing if the I17-101 connection is backed up

I had no problem driving from Vegas all the way to Tucson (via Kingman, Wickenburg and Phoenix - ie 93 then I-10) in well under 8 hours (under 7 actually). Once the dam bypass bridge is open, that will be cut down to even less.

Ken

[Boompa]

I moved from the Phoenix West Valley to Sierra Vista, where it is cooler and more humid, not realizing how much more remote it was. 60miiles to Tucson before you can start your trek to Phoenix, San Diego, LA or Rocky Point. From Goodyear a loong days drive could put me in San Francisco, now it's LA.
However the other side of the coin is travel to the east coast is much easier not having to go through Phoenix or Tucson. For flying TIA is much better than Sky Harbor (Phoenix)

[JillBoBill]

Originally Posted by Boompa

I moved from the Phoenix West Valley to Sierra Vista, where it is cooler and more humid, not realizing how much more remote it was. 60miiles to Tucson before you can start your trek to Phoenix, San Diego, LA or Rocky Point. From Goodyear a loong days drive could put me in San Francisco, now it's LA.
However the other side of the coin is travel to the east coast is much easier not having to go through Phoenix or Tucson. For flying TIA is much better than Sky Harbor (Phoenix)

How far is Tucson from San Diego - realistically? Not the 'In a perfect world' Google map time. I have family in Orange County (which isn't San Diego, I know) and I'm dying to go see [the beach and play on the rocks and in the dunes] them.

[sierraAZ]

Originally Posted by JillBoBill

How far is Tucson from San Diego - realistically?

About 8 hours without killing yourself or anybody else, without getting tickets, and with stops. I don’t like being stuck in the seat all day.

I have family in Orange County (which isn't San Diego, I know) and I'm dying to go see [the beach and play on the rocks and in the dunes] them.

Good 9 to 10 hours to OC – same premises as above.

I'm sure some will come right after me and tell you they make all of those drives in 4 or 5 hours , so you’ll have to see for yourself. It also depends on where you start in Tucson - +/- ½ hour. Guess if you don’t stop at all and “fly,” you might make SD in 7 hours and OC in maybe 8 ½. I know I made San Francisco to Grand Canyon in a day, but got a ticket - luckily, at the end of the day.

[ohnonothimagain]

I'm sure this has been covered- but I had to add my 1 cent worth

Positives about Tucson- Sunsets- Average of 280 days a year of SUNSHINE-Friendly People-Laid Back lifestyle-Many Many things to do-Outdoor activities-camping-hiking-Tucson's surrounded by mountains-Desert in Bloom in spring-(yes, Virginia, Deserts DO have color)-Desert Museum-Old Tucson-Gates Pass-Saguaro Monuments-Monsoons and Monsoon build-up..Ability to go sking on Mt Lemmon and still come back to home and sit by the pool(on same day). Shopping-Art Galleries-Restaurants, Restaurants, and even more Restaurants.

Negatives about Tucson- YES there's CRIME GANGS MURDER THEFT in Tucson too-name me 5 towns in the USA that don't have it. Summer Temperatures-you either love it or hate it. Is 115 HOT? you bet. Is 115 with 3% humidity easier to bear than Midwest/East coast summers ? You decide. Traffic is getting more and more congested as people move there-Housing can either seem cheap/expensive depending on where you came from. Jobs ?- Yeah the job market happens to be tough everywhere now. Tucson's wages are lower than a lot of places-but I think the cost of living is lower overall there. So like I've said before folks-there's NO perfect town; but I happen to love Tucson, flaws and all.

[sierraAZ]

Originally Posted by ohnonothimagain

Ability to go sking on Mt Lemmon

Have you actually done it? I've always wondered about this one. You hear it being said time and again, but what I do know is that Catalina Highway gets closed pretty much as soon as it starts snowing (to all traffic, if I’m not mistaken). Either I’m unaware of how many people have private jets or that’s simply not true! Somebody please tell me who and how goes skiing on Mt. Lemmon! Do people who have 4-wheel drives take the back road?

[Chorizo]

The snow on the slopes on Mt. Lemmon stays for quite a bit of time. Usually get about a weeks worth of skiing time available, after the roads been open, if they get enough snow to ski on to begin with.

[w1ngzer0]

I like the people and area of Tucson. Hills and trees all over. It gets actual rain, unlike Phoenix.

What i don't like about Tucson is the poo poo plant is next to the freeway. S-t-i-n-k-y

[J3anaka]

Tucson is nice, but only thing that i dont like is freeway. This is not a small town, but you still need to stuck on traffic light to get to work. I think Tucson need 1-2 more freeway to make it easy for people to go around, to work, school and stuff. I work at the airport, really love to have the apt in Foothill or Oro Valley but the street and traffic light is killing me.