Housing prices in Southeast Arizona (Tucson, Sierra Vista: 2014, house, neighborhood)

[Saguarogirl507]

In 2015 when we bought our condo here in the foothills, there were always at least 9 or 10 units for sale at any given time. Usually one or two of them were foreclosures. We had our pick of the litter so to speak.

All that is different now. There have been one or two coming onto the market but they sell within days. And prices have increased dramatically.

So conditions are improving here as far as I can tell. At least real estate-wise. In my opinion, as more and more boomers retire to the so called "sunshine states", this will be more the norm.

[grmi66]

We started looking at townhouses last year to buy one for a family member on disability. Within the past year townhouse prices have jumped dramatically and they are moving fast. Should have bought last year. We saw a number of them that looked like the old person who lived there passed away and the kids who live out of state wanted to dump it for under $90,000. These places just needed a fresh coat of paint and new carpeting. Now we can't find anything like that around town in the location we need.

[Tall Traveler]

Originally Posted by RobertaWa

In 2015 when we bought our condo here in the foothills, there were always at least 9 or 10 units for sale at any given time. Usually one or two of them were foreclosures. We had our pick of the litter so to speak.

All that is different now. There have been one or two coming onto the market but they sell within days. And prices have increased dramatically.

So conditions are improving here as far as I can tell. At least real estate-wise. In my opinion, as more and more boomers retire to the so called "sunshine states", this will be more the norm.

I remember you posted when you were about to move down...so you think you made the right move?

[okie bird dog]

How is the air quality in the area? Tulsa has occasional smog alerts and you can see the brown haze on the city on rare occasions when conditions are right. We are far enough away that it does not effect us much but as this area grows around us, someday it would. As Tulsa is much smaller than Tucson it seems that it could be a problem. Since we will not live in the city, is Sahuarita and Catalina far enough away as to have cleaner air? No breathing issues for us but we don't want them either. We really enjoy being outdoors and don't need to be constantly entertained.

[Adamson865]

Originally Posted by okie bird dog

As Tulsa is much smaller than Tucson

Huh? Metro Tulsa is 990,000 per 2017 Census estimate, and metro Tucson is 1,022,000.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_o...#United_States

[Saguarogirl507]

Originally Posted by Tall Traveler

I remember you posted when you were about to move down...so you think you made the right move?

Oh yes. I am so happy here. I even enjoyed the summer heat if you can believe it. After being cold for so long it was a pleasure.

[Tall Traveler]

Originally Posted by RobertaWa

Oh yes. I am so happy here. I even enjoyed the summer heat if you can believe it. After being cold for so long it was a pleasure.

I really enjoyed Tucson when I visited, I really like that views and the vibe as well. I'm a bit sick of the cloudy PNW but I know I usually overreact....but I do want to give Arizona a try.

[CybSecGuy]

Originally Posted by American Expat

Yeah they seem to have about the best climate in the USA not in California. Why aren't more moving there....do they have water issues or some other huge impediment?

They don't move here because we do a good job of keeping Sierra Vista off the radar. When you find such a hidden jewel, you have to be sure to keep it that way.


In that spirit, know that it's absolutely freaking terrible here. Nothing but flat land as far as the eye can see, an endless sea of sand in an eternally frying wasteland, no wildlife except the hordes killer insects, horrific climate, not a single plant except for like 5 or 6 cacti and some tumbleweeds, and nothing but rocks for food.

[PartIrish]

Tucson is a very poor city--one of the 10 poorest in the U.S. With the exception of retirees, most demographic groups in Tucson are poorer than the rest of the state and other similar cities. The data below are from the University of Arizona Eller College of Management (Economic Research Center):

https://mapazdashboard.arizona.edu/h...g/poverty-rate

With poverty comes all the attending issues--unemployment, property crime, drug use, homelessness, etc. Twenty years ago, Tucson seemed on the verge of becoming the next Portland or Austin. It hasn't happened for several reasons. I haven't abandoned hope, but I am no longer hopeful.

[wildflowers27]

Originally Posted by okie bird dog

How is the air quality in the area? Tulsa has occasional smog alerts and you can see the brown haze on the city on rare occasions when conditions are right. We are far enough away that it does not effect us much but as this area grows around us, someday it would. As Tulsa is much smaller than Tucson it seems that it could be a problem. Since we will not live in the city, is Sahuarita and Catalina far enough away as to have cleaner air? No breathing issues for us but we don't want them either. We really enjoy being outdoors and don't need to be constantly entertained.

I am trying to watch the air quality as well. My parents lived in Green Valley for over a decade as half-timers and I've been back many times since. Now hoping to return but have a family member with heart and lung issues. In the past few months there have been a number of days with poor air quality caused by dust from the mine tailings blown down over Green Valley. The local newspaper reported that Pima County issued air quality violations to the Freeport-McMoRan mine for Sept 18, Oct 6, 7, 11, 30, and November 6th. It said the dust storms on some days were so thick that some residents compared them to snow storms, and had layers of dust inside their homes. They quoted people who live in Las Campanas and Esperanza Estates; I don't know how far geographically the dust reached and haven't been able to find out. 750 complaints from residents have been submitted thus far.

The fine particle dust (PM 2.5) is the most dangerous as it lodges in the lungs and can also enter the bloodstream. We've lived through fires and have great respect for good air quality. When I've been in Green Valley the air has mostly felt light and clean. One time when the wind was blowing hard the air got very hazy over the valley. The mine uses dust suppressants and water to tamp down the tailings, but a strong wind can make it blow anyway.