Looking for a Condo/House in Tucson (Tempe, Oro Valley: real estate, apartments)

[drew.spinnaker]

Hi!

I am currently living in Tempe, Arizona and getting ready to move to Tucson for Grad School.

I have been looking mainly for condos but also small houses. I have concentrated (thanks to the posts in this forum) on the North and Northwest areas of Tucson, though I've also started looking for places farther East and also closer to the University. I am aiming for a 2 bedroom 1-2 bathroom for 160,000 or under.

Are there any condo complexes or neighborhoods which you would recommend as being balanced in terms of price, quality, distance from the University, and proximity to shopping (food and necessities, I mean)?

The places I liked best in terms of condos were in Oro Valley, but is this too far for a University student? I also saw some nice little houses in an area called Sonoran Ranch (8379 W Melanita Drive Tucson, AZ 85757), but this seems too far away too. Then again I don't really know what actual commuting is like in Tucson (I know the highways are awful, but I'm not sure what the streets are like...)

Anyway, any help you can give me would be much appreciated!

Thanks,

Andrew

[mdtoaz]

It seems like there are a lot of new condos being built on the East side. I have read somewhere on here that there are several "condo" complexes that used to be apartments that were converted - so I would assume that they might have kinda crappy construction, thin walls, etc.

Unfortunately, I don't have any first hand knowledge to give you, but at least you're close enought to get some listings and drive down and spend a day checking around. Good luck to you.

[mdtoaz]

Originally Posted by drew.spinnaker

Hi!

I also saw some nice little houses in an area called Sonoran Ranch (8379 W Melanita Drive Tucson, AZ 85757), but this seems too far away too. Then again I don't really know what actual commuting is like in Tucson (I know the highways are awful, but I'm not sure what the streets are like...)

Hey Andrew, I just re-read and this part jumped out at me. I've really gotta stop skimming.

Anyway, this is my zip code, and I believe this development is maybe a mile or so away from mine. Commute-wise, it's not too bad. My husband works at Broadway and Euclid (very close to UA) and it takes about 15-20 minutes in traffic. He doesn't touch a highway, though.

I wouldn't totally rule it out - it's a quiet area a little outside of town, but close enough to be pretty convenient (unless you're like me and seem to always be driving to the East end of Speedway).

[michael krotchie]

Hi Drew,

I prefer the N area myself and have heard good things about Skyline Springs Condos (Swan/Sunrise area).

Also further east is Coronado Place Condos which has some nice units too (Tanque Verde/Sabino Canyon).

I just ran a search for your criteria and there were over 250 condo results in C, N, and NE Tucson. PM me if you would like a pdf sent over.

What kind of commute time would work for you? If you stick to the areas above a 20min commute to campus is probably the worst you'd experience.

[Bummer]

Originally Posted by drew.spinnaker

Hi!

I am currently living in Tempe, Arizona and getting ready to move to Tucson for Grad School.

I have been looking mainly for condos but also small houses. I have concentrated (thanks to the posts in this forum) on the North and Northwest areas of Tucson, though I've also started looking for places farther East and also closer to the University. I am aiming for a 2 bedroom 1-2 bathroom for 160,000 or under.

Are there any condo complexes or neighborhoods which you would recommend as being balanced in terms of price, quality, distance from the University, and proximity to shopping (food and necessities, I mean)?

Thanks,

Andrew

Here's a possibility, Andrew . . .

241 East Scheibe
Tucson, AZ 85705

Sorry, I tried posting the link but for some reason it wouldn't work so you'll need to do it manually by going to and do a public search.

Tucson MLS

It shows a little "rough" so I bet you could get it for a little less than $160k.

Good Luck

[drew.spinnaker]

Originally Posted by mdtoaz

Hey Andrew, I just re-read and this part jumped out at me. I've really gotta stop skimming.

Anyway, this is my zip code, and I believe this development is maybe a mile or so away from mine. Commute-wise, it's not too bad. My husband works at Broadway and Euclid (very close to UA) and it takes about 15-20 minutes in traffic. He doesn't touch a highway, though.

I wouldn't totally rule it out - it's a quiet area a little outside of town, but close enough to be pretty convenient (unless you're like me and seem to always be driving to the East end of Speedway).

That's good to know, thanks ^_^d

Originally Posted by mdtoaz

It seems like there are a lot of new condos being built on the East side. I have read somewhere on here that there are several "condo" complexes that used to be apartments that were converted - so I would assume that they might have kinda crappy construction, thin walls, etc.

Unfortunately, I don't have any first hand knowledge to give you, but at least you're close enought to get some listings and drive down and spend a day checking around. Good luck to you.

Yeah, the condo I currently live in is a converted apartment, and though it isn't too bad it's obvious that it's supposed to be an apartment.

Originally Posted by michael krotchie

Hi Drew,

I prefer the N area myself and have heard good things about Skyline Springs Condos (Swan/Sunrise area).

Also further east is Coronado Place Condos which has some nice units too (Tanque Verde/Sabino Canyon).

I just ran a search for your criteria and there were over 250 condo results in C, N, and NE Tucson. PM me if you would like a pdf sent over.

What kind of commute time would work for you? If you stick to the areas above a 20min commute to campus is probably the worst you'd experience.

Thanks for the names that's really helpful. I'm really looking for something 20 minutes or less (I used to live over an hour away from my high school, and then when I went for my undergraduate I lived on campus at first, and then within walking distance. But 20 minutes to 30 minutes doesn't seem to be out of the question for a commute- I do it for work on the weekends)

Originally Posted by Bummer

Here's a possibility, Andrew . . .

241 East Scheibe
Tucson, AZ 85705

Sorry, I tried posting the link but for some reason it wouldn't work so you'll need to do it manually by going to and do a public search.

Tucson MLS

It shows a little "rough" so I bet you could get it for a little less than $160k.

Good Luck

Thanks for the suggestion. Yeah, linking to the MLS sites is a pain :P

[Bummer]

Originally Posted by drew.spinnaker

Thanks for the suggestion. Yeah, linking to the MLS sites is a pain :P

Thank Goodness, Andrew . . . glad to know it's not a reflection of my talents! ! ! ! ! ! !

[jenml]

On the Northwest side of town there are some really nice townhouses off of Oldfather/Magee. (off of Oldfather between Cortaro and Ina). They are all on Pyracantha street and are in a community called Gatewood Point. If I were a U of A student the commute from there to U of A wouldnt bother me at all.

[lindalandry]

Hi Drew! The traffic in Tucson between September and May can be a time consuming nightmare. I'd suggest you stay closer to
midtown/UofA. As for purchase of a 'condo' I would advise against buying an apartment. There are small TH's located in
the central area which would be a wiser investment (ie: "resaleability").
I am connected to a local/nationwide group of real estate investors and we would be happy to assist you if we can. Linda
createnetworthusa@yahoo.com