Moving to the Tucson Area (Benson: cul-de-sac, apartment complexes, condo)

[LordBalfor]

PS - Home Depot has been inquiring about buying property for a store in Benson, as has one of the large drug store chains (I forget which one). Also a regional medical center is slated to go in at Vail (as is the rest of the Passages of Tucson mall - when it eventually gets built) which is 15-20 minutes away.

Ken

[sierraAZ]

Originally Posted by LordBalfor

PS - Home Depot has been inquiring about buying property for a store in Benson, as has one of the large drug store chains (I forget which one). Also a regional medical center is slated to go in at Vail (as is the rest of the Passages of Tucson mall - when it eventually gets built) which is 15-20 minutes away.

Ken

Home Depot probably was inquiring at the time when the builders were planning on expanding the bubble to Benson, but now most (all?) of them suspended their plans. As far as the Passages, there hasn't been anything other than "Developing a marketing program" for a looong time on their web site - Passages of Tucson With this housing slump, it's anybody's guess when they'll break ground, IF they do at all. Even if everything goes well, we're not gonna enjoy it any time soon.

The development will be well-positioned to take advantage of the explosive growth that is occurring in the area and that will continue over the next 15 to 20 years.

Trust me, I'm very interested in them, too.

Medical center in Vail...? Really? Or do you mean the Rincon Hospital at Civano? Because if that's what you're talking about, this project is not going to start until 2010, either, and I can't find evidence of anything else in this area. Besides, Benson is not Vail.

In other words, Benson didn't make it in this bubble , which could be for the better. Next time! Now is probably a good time to buy a house there if you don't mind living there.

[LordBalfor]

SierraAZ -

Yeah, I know a lot of the plans have been put on hold (probably Home Depot's) due to the housing drop. At one time there were permits to build nearly 30,000 homes in the Benson/Whetstone area but one of the big developers pulled out a few months back, so there's only plans now for about half of that.

Passages of Tucson has indeed been long delayed, but almost certainly will come along eventually since so much building has gone on in Vail - and will restart eventually once the house market stabilizes.

Regarding the hosital, I'm FAIRLY sure it was in Vail, but it may indeed have been the Rincon Hospital. It was pretty recent that I read the article but I can't recall where I saw it. I'll see if I can find it again. As regards it being in Vail rather than Benson, from J-6 it's 15 minutes to the highway 83 junction near Vail and a bit less than 10 minutes to Benson, so I consider Vail to be close enough to utilize any medical or shopper services that go in there.

But yeah, you are right, development is pulling back for now, but like you I think this is a good time to buy, since as soon as things stabilize the development will begin the march again.

Afterall, so many of those baby-boomers (like me) are looking for the sun as they near retirement.

Ken

[sierraAZ]

Originally Posted by LordBalfor

SierraAZ -

Yeah, I know a lot of the plans have been put on hold (probably Home Depot's) due to the housing drop. At one time there were permits to build nearly 30,000 homes in the Benson/Whetstone area but one of the big developers pulled out a few months back, so there's only plans now for about half of that.

Passages of Tucson has indeed been long delayed, but almost certainly will come along eventually since so much building has gone on in Vail - and will restart eventually once the house market stabilizes.

Regarding the hosital, I'm FAIRLY sure it was in Vail, but it may indeed have been the Rincon Hospital. It was pretty recent that I read the article but I can't recall where I saw it. I'll see if I can find it again. As regards it being in Vail rather than Benson, from J-6 it's 15 minutes to the highway 83 junction near Vail and a bit less than 10 minutes to Benson, so I consider Vail to be close enough to utilize any medical or shopper services that go in there.

But yeah, you are right, development is pulling back for now, but like you I think this is a good time to buy, since as soon as things stabilize the development will begin the march again.

Afterall, so many of those baby-boomers (like me) are looking for the sun as they near retirement.

Ken

That's the hospital I'm talking about: https://www.tmcaz.com/?q=TMCSoutheast/Rincon_Community_Hospital (broken link) I don't know of anything else and couldn't find info about any medical center in Vail.

As far as you baby-boomers, all of us here in AZ hope for ya coming and lazing in the sun! Wish I were in your shoes! I came here waaayyyy prematurely.

[LordBalfor]

SierraAZ -

Here's the hospital reference I had seen. Construction is a admittedly a ways off, but the plan is to build a regional hospital in Vail at the Passages of Tucson.

SEBA Southeast Business Alliance Tucson Arizona Business to Business Networking Association (broken link)

Admittedly, those plans could change or be delayed.

Ken

[sierraAZ]

Now that you said that, I did remember this "Healthy Living" mentioned on the Passages' website: Passages of Tucson

At the speed this project is moving... probably the next generation should be looking forward to it...

[LordBalfor]

Originally Posted by sierraAZ

Now that you said that, I did remember this "Healthy Living" mentioned on the Passages' website: Passages of Tucson

At the speed this project is moving... probably the next generation should be looking forward to it...

Well.... that could certainly be true. OK with me though As I bought the land near Benson for retirement - which is 10-13 years out (though it's possible I MAY move there a few years before I retire (in the 5-10 year time frame)).

Ken

[twixcookie]

Im in my fifties, but just starting out, and don't even think about retirement...I don't think I will be able to do it, and once I get a decent job, I won't want to.
Florida gagged me. I couldn't take the touristy stuff. And Tucson is nice, but the constant stucco was overwhelming. No colonials, no Cape Cods, just stucco over and over. Doesn't anyone want anything different? Some of the homes looked like Flinstone homes.

[Bummer]

Originally Posted by twixcookie

Im in my fifties, but just starting out, and don't even think about retirement...I don't think I will be able to do it, and once I get a decent job, I won't want to.
Florida gagged me. I couldn't take the touristy stuff. And Tucson is nice, but the constant stucco was overwhelming. No colonials, no Cape Cods, just stucco over and over. Doesn't anyone want anything different? Some of the homes looked like Flinstone homes.

Great point, Twixcookie

Wandering around the country as I have done over the years, I've noticed the same thing.

My only guess is maybe it makes the most sense to utilize the building materials indigenous to the area. Also, due to the constant sun and dry heat (which I love dearly), wood, wood shingles and wood sidings just do not hold up and require lots of maintenance.

Personally, I love my "slump block" home which only requires a good shower from the garden hose about twice a year. ! ! ! !

[LordBalfor]

Originally Posted by twixcookie

Im in my fifties, but just starting out, and don't even think about retirement...I don't think I will be able to do it, and once I get a decent job, I won't want to.
Florida gagged me. I couldn't take the touristy stuff. And Tucson is nice, but the constant stucco was overwhelming. No colonials, no Cape Cods, just stucco over and over. Doesn't anyone want anything different? Some of the homes looked like Flinstone homes.

Have to admit that when the time comes we will likely stucco as well. I tend to think that Spanish and/or Santa Fe style homes suit the terrain and vegitation particularly well. They just look they fit in better than colonials or Cape Code style homes.

Ken