Need info about a neighborhood in Tucson (South Tucson, Sahuarita: work, crime)

[sierraAZ]

Originally Posted by roadrunner1

Would anyone have any comments on this area of Tucson? I understand its close to the airport. Thanks!

E Medina Rd, Tucson, AZ 85706, USA - Google Maps

Apparently it is by the airport. There are airport hotels on the stretch of S Tucson South of Valencia. I wasn't even aware of housing behind them if that's what you're asking. I personally wouldn't live around the airport or anywhere in 85706, but some are less faint at heart. It's not very nice, there's the airport noise and other issues... Look it up and decide for yourself.

[mdtoaz]

Originally Posted by lijohy

Oh my gosh, I feel for you. I attempted to move in with my long term boyfriend who is from Kingston NY and now lives in North Tucson. I left Seattle to go check it out for the summer, and I can't stand it! I refuse to move to the SW as not only is the environment oppressive, but the culture is monotonous. There is no diversity other than the cali bleached hair/fake tans and the Latino/Native American cultures, which I am not interested in in the slightest (I am interesting in Scandi/German cultures and am a classic humanities major with focus on the European Arts). So my boyfriend and I are going to move out to Lancaster, PA at the end of this summer to be closer to his folks. I think that if you love water and natural forest and more importantly (because many desert dwellers love water and forests, but they love the heat more!), if you do not like heat (to me, 85 degrees is as hot as I like it!) or the desert environment, don't go. If you like four seasons and white Christmas', don't go. If you like overcast days and can;t handle the sun shining EVERY SINGLE DAY, don't go. Be careful down there if you do go, the gangs, meth/crack heads and crime are crazy when compared to Massachusetts or Washington state. There are a lot more murders then either MA or WA, and the property crime is unbelievable. The city is a ghetto and people that say otherwise are usually those who love the sun and left the midwest (another region that I would not live!). Some people from the NW end up enjoying the desert, but I like living in a region that is more family friendly. 3rd degree burns on your kid for laying an arm on your (even light colored) car? No thank you!

So, you're moving to Lancaster??!?!! Bwhahahah!! Hmm, don't like it warmer than 85? Enjoy your summer - oh, and you'll have high humidity to boot. You like a white Christmas, do ya? Good luck with that one... it might sleet a little, maybe a 2 inch snowfall here and there, but a good Nor'easter is rare these days. And I always forget the bubble that secures Lancaster from the woes of drugs, property crime, etc.

Of course, what do I know... I'm just a cali bleached fake tan. Oh wait, no I'm not... I must be a Latina. Nope, that's not it either. Uh oh, I better get out of Tucson.

[googlyeyes]

You should consider becoming a patient care technition, at the hosptials here we work 12 hr shifts, but its only 3 days a week and its full time. Then you have all the benefits and can still be home most of hte week, as PCT's are basically CNA's but we draw blood, ekgs, fingersticks ect. At UMC you can do on the job training at no cost, but I think you need to work there 1 year aftewards. Then you can work at anyother hospital. Or you can do the home health route or nursing home. Tanque Verde, Flowing Wells (yes!) Marana, catalina foothills school districts are fine. Charter schools are very popular and a lot of people love them. Good luck!!

[littlewmn]

It's hard to know where to start when you live on the other side of the country and are planning a move!
You can attend schools throughout the district under open enrollment, though the best schools are usually filled up. Chrater schools are very popular, and Corbett has a great Gifted program- it is a gifted magnet.
I have yet to find a safe neighborhood in either South Tucson (that is it's own town) or the south side of Tucson. If you need to work south, I would go to Rancho Sahuarita or Vail and commute.
There are some nasty pockets of town, but they are concentrated in certain areas. You never have to be anywhere near them.

[lijohy]

Originally Posted by mdtoaz

So, you're moving to Lancaster??!?!! Bwhahahah!! Hmm, don't like it warmer than 85? Enjoy your summer - oh, and you'll have high humidity to boot. You like a white Christmas, do ya? Good luck with that one... it might sleet a little, maybe a 2 inch snowfall here and there, but a good Nor'easter is rare these days. And I always forget the bubble that secures Lancaster from the woes of drugs, property crime, etc.

Of course, what do I know... I'm just a cali bleached fake tan. Oh wait, no I'm not... I must be a Latina. Nope, that's not it either. Uh oh, I better get out of Tucson.

Wow, you are really being a tad bit too unknowing with your comments. My in-laws live in Lancaster and it has never been as sweltering hot as it has in Tucson, and the winters get at least 6 inches of snow or more. And I will not get into your jabs about crime and drugs, because that is like comparing the sun to the moon between Tucson and Lancaster.

Anyway, I do not nor ever had lived in Tucson, I have always lived in Seattle and culturally, I do enjoy a real diverse feel- diverse meaning being around multitudes of different ethnicities: Asians, Hispanic/Latinos, Russians, Africans, Islanders, Europeans, Aussies, and of course my Canadian pals. I like being around global travelers and tourists, and that is just my personal preference. I also like to notice the different feel in each neighbourhood, and Tucson is just too monotonous for me. If you enjoy it, good on you, there are a ton of people who love it.

You do not need to insinuate that I have a problem with Latinos, because you have know idea of my own ethnicity for one, nor do you have any idea of my beliefs for two. I do not like Tucson because it seemed to only offer limited diversity compared to coastal cities like the ones I really love: Seattle, the Bay area, Vancouver BC, Portland, NY, Philly, and so on and on. Cities that I feel have a broader range of activities in the arts and humanities. Up in Seattle the weather permits me to do things I could not do (even if they offered them) in Tucson. In Seattle I went to three artwalks this past month, each in different neighbourhood, and there are still many more to come. Saw Roman Art from the Louvre that was here (the Impressionist show starts soon at SAM too, can't wait!), went to see an H. Crumb exhibit at the Frye free museum, and went to the EMP museum. I went swimming on Friday a few blocks away at Lake Washington when it was hot. (As in 75- see, that is hot to me. Just because I like something different than does not give you a reason to commit a straw man plus ad hominem fallacy, nice try though.) I kept my argument on why I don't like Tucson that much based on my own POV, not based on what somebody has told me or anything else fallacious.

I am a photographer and in the last few weeks I went to the sculpture park, University Street Fair, Cinco de Mayo/Immigration parade (much larger than anything I have ever seen in Tucson supporting immigrant rights- 10s of thousands of people taking over downtown in protest), Ballard locks, the Waterfront, Asian Art Museum, Lake Washington, Alki Beach, and the NW FolkLife festival and got some awesome shots. I can't wait for the Solstice parade and Bumbershoot!

Well, I don't want to keep going on about why I like my home city better than yours. I do not care if you hate Seattle or not, go read the forum here for the city and add in your two cents like I did here. I will not personally attack you via ad hominem abusive for your opinion (I know that you are not speaking for all Tucsonians!) Its like apples and oranges for me, its just silly to try to compare such different tastes and past times, or try to explain to someone who does not want to understand your point of view so I will cut this short.

[odinloki1]

I moved here in '05 and have for the most part regretted it except for meeting my fiance. Luckily she hates it here as well. Even what people consider to be a good school, I've found to be lacking. If you're doing ok in terms of standard of living in New England, I'd tell the in-laws to buy a bunch of plane tickets. I know this is a big stereotype, but this place is a bunch of overpriced housing with a lack of infrastructure and a lot of senior citizens who don't care at all about the quality of education, all they care about is this place remaining a tax shelter.

[GoingEast55]

I think Tucson sounds perfect for me. I plan on moving to Tucson in the Fall. I am over 50 and love the nature and wildlife of the desert. I have my own business, which I am finding out from locals should be successfully transferable and workable there. Granted, I am not a lover of the heat, but Tucson has other virtues that I see making my life easier and more enjoyable. I have lived in two of the most expensive cities in the United States: Los Angeles and New York, so from my experience, Tucson seems very affordable. I have visited Tucson a couple of times all ready, but they were only short stays. I will be going out there for a week in July ( yes, I know about those wonderful monsoons) to get a better feel of the city: where to live,etc... As far as the criminal and ethnicity elements are concerned, well let's just say New Yorkers are some of the most adaptable people in the world simply because they have been raised in an environment with continuous sensory overload. They can deal and adjust to just about anything. I have alot of experience with the desert from living in Southern California for the past 15 years, so desert environment is no issue; in fact my work and personal interests have to do with interacting with its flora and fauna. I think I will adapt very well to the Tucson lifestyle; and that does NOT mean I wish to reside in a bedroom manicured community like Green Valley. I just don't fit in there.

[lindalandry]

Paula; I have resided in Tucson for 40 years and yes there are good and not so good areas/schools/school districts. I am connected to a local/national group of real estate investors.
We may be able to assist you in locating a desireable residence
close to your family. Most of inner Tucson is accessible within a
20 minute commute. Feel free to contact me at createnetworthusa@gmail.com
Linda

[Subie]

Originally Posted by lijohy

Oh my gosh, I feel for you. I attempted to move in with my long term boyfriend who is from Kingston NY and now lives in North Tucson. I left Seattle to go check it out for the summer, and I can't stand it! I refuse to move to the SW as not only is the environment oppressive, but the culture is monotonous. There is no diversity other than the cali bleached hair/fake tans and the Latino/Native American cultures, which I am not interested in in the slightest (I am interesting in Scandi/German cultures and am a classic humanities major with focus on the European Arts). So my boyfriend and I are going to move out to Lancaster, PA at the end of this summer to be closer to his folks. I think that if you love water and natural forest and more importantly (because many desert dwellers love water and forests, but they love the heat more!), if you do not like heat (to me, 85 degrees is as hot as I like it!) or the desert environment, don't go. If you like four seasons and white Christmas', don't go. If you like overcast days and can;t handle the sun shining EVERY SINGLE DAY, don't go. Be careful down there if you do go, the gangs, meth/crack heads and crime are crazy when compared to Massachusetts or Washington state. There are a lot more murders then either MA or WA, and the property crime is unbelievable. The city is a ghetto and people that say otherwise are usually those who love the sun and left the midwest (another region that I would not live!). Some people from the NW end up enjoying the desert, but I like living in a region that is more family friendly. 3rd degree burns on your kid for laying an arm on your (even light colored) car? No thank you!

Pardon me, but you were here for the summer only. So we're talking 2-3 months max? I'm sorry, but that's not long enough for you to make an accurate assumption about Tucson at all, and you have not even really lived here. You experienced ONE part of the year here. Why not leave the information sharing to people that have actually lived here? The crime isn't as bad as any other big city really.

This looks like a typical response from somebody that was here only a few months and thinks they all of a sudden know the city. Common sense goes a long way to deal with the problems you mentioned :

[slikki]

Hello,

I'm coming to Tucson in August with my girlfriend, and we could possibly end up in an apartment located at 1 north 5 avenue. Could someone give us some heads up, what the neighborhood is like (crime, slum etc.), maybe even some useful hints of nearby shops/restaurants. This info would help us a great deal.

Also, is this location far from the University of Arizona?

Thanks,