Why move to Tucson? (Nogales, Marana: for sale, coupons, 2010)

[JillBoBill]

Thanks, Spot! I like it - it's a pretty clear illustration of the benefit of public transportation.

[M.A.]

How far is Tucson from San Diego - realistically?

'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.

Hey, that's me! Just came home from a 10 day CA trip. I live on the east side of Tucson. Made it to San Diego in just under 6 hours and that was with a little bit of traffic here and there. Drove home from San Francisco and that only took 12 hours. If it takes you 8 hours to get to San Diego from Tucson, you must drive like the snowbirds!

[tijlover]

When I lived in Phoenix in the mid-90's I always looked forward to my trips to Nogales for a hair-cut (they do fabulous hi-low fades in Mexico), some dental work, other medical care, and just kick back in a bar with a great jukebox to feed coins into and listen to Marco Antonios Solis, Rocio Durcal or Marisela.

I've strongly considered Tucson for a move, for that reason mainly, being closer to Nogales. And I understand they have bus service to Nogales from Tucson? Geewhiz! That'd be perfect!

And from Nogales, I can hop a bus to Hermosillo or Guaymas. Or take the bus from Nogales to Tijuana.

From viewing the other posts here, did I miss something, the proximity to Nogales? And a how-many-hour drive to Juarez?

And please, this world savvy traveler has no time to read through crime-scare stories about going to Mexico. Save your keystrokes!

[NiliPalm]

So, please, think about me !!! I'm going to move to Tucson arwond January and looking for job as Medical Assistance.
Thanks a lot.

[CJ58]

I need help. I'm a widowed babyboomer from WI in my late 50's and have been thinking of moving to Tucson this fall. I am a teacher by professiom and lost my job at the end of this last school year. I had always planned to retire in Tucson and thought now would be a good time to re-locate. I am getting my AZ teaching certification and hope to pick up a teaching job when I get there.

My problem is that over the last few weeks I've been reading so many negative things about Tucson and AZ in general on forums like this that I'm not sure now whether this is the right move for me. I've been to Tucson in winter and love it there. I know summers are brutal, but so are winters here. I'm looking to hear some positive things about living in Tucson so I feel better about moving there. It's a long way to move from here, and expensive, expecially if I'm not going to like it there. Looking for positive thoughts about Tucson.

[Ritchie_az]

If you've been to Tucson and loved it, then you'll likely still love it when you move here. There are several great things about Tucson, many of which must be experienced first-hand (like Mt. Lemmon, for example). Like with any place, though, there are drawbacks, and I'm sure that is what you have read that has made you nervous. If you keep a positive attitude, those drawbacks will seem minimal.

[michael krotchie]

Hi CJ58,

Sorry to hear about you losing your job. My family is actually from Milwaukee and my dad retired here in 1999 after serving in the Air Force. Much like you he couldn't stand the brutal winters!

As for the negative things you've been hearing about Tucson, just take them with a grain of salt. If you've already visited town then you know the charm and character it has. It still has the sleepy town feel that many people enjoy and is just a drive away from several vacation destinations, fishing, camping, or nearly anything else you want to do.

Originally Posted by CJ58

I need help. I'm a widowed babyboomer from WI in my late 50's and have been thinking of moving to Tucson this fall. I am a teacher by professiom and lost my job at the end of this last school year. I had always planned to retire in Tucson and thought now would be a good time to re-locate. I am getting my AZ teaching certification and hope to pick up a teaching job when I get there.

My problem is that over the last few weeks I've been reading so many negative things about Tucson and AZ in general on forums like this that I'm not sure now whether this is the right move for me. I've been to Tucson in winter and love it there. I know summers are brutal, but so are winters here. I'm looking to hear some positive things about living in Tucson so I feel better about moving there. It's a long way to move from here, and expensive, expecially if I'm not going to like it there. Looking for positive thoughts about Tucson.

[loverofsocal]

I have been in Tucson 2 weeks and so far so good...will say I can't wait for summer to be over 100+ temps are a little much, but I am still adjusting.

[Suzer]

Is there a nickname the locals have for the neighborhood around 4th and University? That is the kind of area that I like to live in and I want to be able to search for it specifically on Craigslist, etc. Thanks!

[CJ58]

There is another thread on this website called "10 Reasons Not to Move to Tucson." There are 60 some pages of comments with both pros and cons on why or why not to move to Tucson. After reading all 60 some pages over the last few days I have come to the conclusion that there are more pros than cons and feel better about my decision to move there. Of course, there is still the issue of jobs being difficult to get that worries me. I will be coming down there with no job, although I have sent many resumes to the schools in the Tucson area, as well as Vail. It seems that most of the teaching positions for this school year are filled, so my only hope for a job in education this year will be as a sub, but can't make a living on a sub's pay.

I am open to other career possibilities, but I'm not sure right now what they are. I guess I will have to explore this when I get there. Thanks to those who commented.