Moving to the Tucson Area (Sierra Vista, Catalina: price, pool, land)

[sierraAZ]

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.

It's not about what we like or don't like, twixcookie. There are city guidelines about the look of the houses and the colors. We're supposed to be blending like lizards in the landscape. As far as I'm concerned the colors in Tucson are various shades of poop, but there's nothing I can do about it. Even the older apartment complexes that were painted in nicer colors in the past, go over the same makeover when repainted.

If you want something different, it has to be a house in an older neighborhood, without a HOA. As much as I hate HOAs, there's some advantages to them, too. If you don't have it, you can enjoy somebody's bags of trash in front of you, non-moving vehicles around, and you name it...

[twixcookie]

I guess what everyone posted makes sense.
But I still think it would be lovely to build a nice Cape Cod on a cul-de-sac in Tucson!
Turquiose shutters maybe.
I saw a lot of the neighborhoods where the cars were taken apart on the front lawns, so I know what you mean.

[sierraAZ]

Originally Posted by twixcookie

I guess what everyone posted makes sense.
But I still think it would be lovely to build a nice Cape Cod on a cul-de-sac in Tucson!
Turquiose shutters maybe.
I saw a lot of the neighborhoods where the cars were taken apart on the front lawns, so I know what you mean.

Well, and want a Mediterranean villa , but it ain't gonna happen!

[azhiker]

Originally Posted by Bummer

Interesting post, Flipinino

Generally speaking, most new home communities involve homeowner's associations with varying degrees of rules and regulations. Some of these rules will restrict us but the majority of them will protect us from less than caring (read: downright disgusting and disrespectful) neighbors.

The best way to avoid the restrictions of an HOA is to purchase an older home.

! ! ! !

Completely agree with you Bummer. I will move back to Tucson area next spring, but am now living in So Florida. I bought a new home a little over two years ago in a development with no HOA. What a mistake. I am now selling my home (at a loss, but I feel lucky to even have a contract on it).

A little sidebar story: Have a contract on my home, and I'm keeping my fingers crossed that it will close (NLT 7 Sep). In the meantime, I've been mowing my own lawn, as well as some others next to, and across the street just so it looks decent when the buyer drives by.

There are some vacant homes, and even a couple that people live in but just don't take care of. That's how insane it is to try to sell a home in a subdivision with no HOA (at least in South Florida).

Anyway, good luck with your purchase in AZ. My unsolicited advise; don't even consider buying in a place with no HOA.

I lived in Tucson back in 96 to 98. I loved it more than anyplace else I've lived in the states. I love the mountains, the dry weather, and Tucson had just a great laid back ambience. I do wonder what the impact of the illegal tsunami has had on the quality of life in Tucson (has gang related activity increased dramatically, are emergency rooms overly stressed, impact on schools, etc). I do plan to go back though. Can't wait.

Good luck.

[wahoohoo]

Originally Posted by jermery

Could someone give me some advice on the Tucson area, we will be moving out west from Illinois and want a smaller town outside of Tucson with good schools and we would like a home price under 180k is this possible? J

We have mixed feelings about Tucson - but we are New Englanders at heart and cant wait to move back. Currently our home is on the market - beautiful house priced at $239,000 - its well worth it - pride of ownership as they say! There are so many things to do here - the people are very friendly. There are loads of shopping malls, restaurants, parks, and gorgeous mountains and stunning sunsets! The job market is just skyrocketing here - regardless of what field you are in. Good luck to you!!

[twixcookie]

Bet you miss the great New England falls with the leaves turning colors and the cool brisk winds.

[Elizabeth726]

Hi,
I'm moving to Tucson from Buffalo, NY in November. My boyfriend works for the government and his job is relocating him. I believe he will be working in the downtown area. Neither one of us has ever been to Tucson, nor are we familiar with the area. This is making apartment hunting very difficult. Does anyone have any suggestions for a nice place to live? From what I've read on here it seems I should stay out of the southern part of the city. Most of the places we're looking at are near the Foothills. Is this a nice area to live, and is it a bad commute into the city where he will work? We are both in our late 20's. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated, as would any other tips on living in Tucson. Thanks.

[LordBalfor]

Elizabeth -

Yeah the Foothills area is nice. Essentially anywhere north of River Road seems a pretty good bet. We just returned from a 2-week condo stay right off of Skyline Drive and liked the entire area very much. Great views throughout most of that area (either south down over the city, or north up to the mountains). That whole area seemed very safe, very clean and very upscale. Since we were only on vacation in the area I've not had to deal with the morning commute. Some of the locals here complain bitterly about the traffic, but to be honest about it, it doesn't seem to be that bad to me - pretty good compared to Seattle actually (though again, remember that I've not been going into town during the morning rush-hour (evening one though)).

Ken

[Lee1957]

I'm planning to retire in Arizona, in fact, I'd move there now, 20 years ahead of time if I could secure employment. If I could find a job, I wouldn't mind living in Tucson, but I definitely want to retire in Benson. You can chuckle about the Wal-Mart, but if you've ever tried to live somewhere without one, well, they are nice to have around. I'm also looking around the J-6 area, and along state route 90, but some of that property is getting up there in price, and there is a lot of construction beginning to break out.

There is a hospital in Benson, connected with St. Joseph's in Tucson, and you can see specialists out of Tucson on certain days of the month. It's really a nice facility, and has a highly rated emergency room.

[Ozark Nana]

Originally Posted by LordBalfor

Elizabeth -

Yeah the Foothills area is nice. Essentially anywhere north of River Road seems a pretty good bet. We just returned from a 2-week condo stay right off of Skyline Drive and liked the entire area very much.

Ken

Ken where did you stay? There are some beautiful places up in the Foothills....how was your trip to Benson. Was it as green as you had thought it would be? Just wondering because even here in Tucson it's been green from all the rain!

O.Nana