Several Questions About Relocation To Tucson (Tempe, Catalina Foothills: rentals, crime, motels)

[6 FOOT 3]

Nothing personal against Albuquerque as the people and economy are great up here but I've had it with the cold winters here after 13 years and i also love Super HOT summer temps with low humidity so i was going to relocate to Southern New Mexico or El Paso as i'm from that area but the HUGE military expansions at all 3 military bases and 2 military ranges down there has dried up the apts rentals in El Paso, Texas and Las Cruces, New Mexico etc..So i'm looking at Tucson.

Questions !!

Is the Airforce base expanding or staying about the same in Tucson??

Most of the 1 br apts in Tucson are under $500 month as they look beautiful...why so inexpensive?? Just the area??

Who's the utility provider?

Lastly until i get an apt if i head out to Tucson i'll stay at an Kitchenette so is there a bad street or avenue like up here it's Central ave as to not stay at as they are crack/prostitute motels.

Thanks again as i'm supposed to move by monday as i'm not signing any leases up here so i gotta make a decision fast....

6/3

[michael krotchie]

Hey 6/3,

Davis Monthan is one of Tucson's largest employers and has survived two rounds of being on the Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) list.

Since the last round a few years ago plans were supposedly made to foster the growth of DM. It is currently the nation's A-10 pilot training center, and when the Joint-Strike Fighter (JSF) phases out the A-10 those are planned to reside here also. A small cadre of F/A-22 Raptors (replacements for the F-15s) will also be stationed at DM.

As far as housing under $500, that probably reflects the neighborhood you're in; what areas are you looking at?

Utility Providers:
Comcast
Cox
Qwest
Southwest Gas
Tucson Electric & Power
Tucson Water

[6 FOOT 3]

Thanks Michael K. and Great info. Talk about Deja vu as the F-22 Raptors are also going to Holloman AFB in Southern New Mexico and glad to hear that the base in Tucson is sound!

As for where to live it doesn't matter as i don't need a fancy place just as long as i'm not in the ghetto per se. Although i'm not rich etc...I do get income from the Navy every month so i'm not desperate. Also kinda of cool that one of my all time favorite 80's movies ''Can't buy me love'' was filmed in Tucson and at Tucson High school and i like the 80's radio station there 97.5 as i'm listening to it online right now.

Also the Arizona DMV/MVD for Drivers Liscense's/Auto Plates is there just one office or are there offices scattered about the city.

[michael krotchie]

Motor Vehicle Division

As far as housing goes it really depends on what you want to be close to, if you peruse the Tucson forum you'll see pretty much every neighborhood explained and critiqued.

[Chowhound]

Originally Posted by 6/3

Nothing personal against Albuquerque as the people and economy are great up here but I've had it with the cold winters here after 13 years and i also love Super HOT summer temps with low humidity so i was going to relocate to Southern New Mexico or El Paso as i'm from that area but the HUGE military expansions at all 3 military bases and 2 military ranges down there has dried up the apts rentals in El Paso, Texas and Las Cruces, New Mexico etc..So i'm looking at Tucson.

Questions !!

Is the Airforce base expanding or staying about the same in Tucson??

Most of the 1 br apts in Tucson are under $500 month as they look beautiful...why so inexpensive?? Just the area??

Who's the utility provider?

Lastly until i get an apt if i head out to Tucson i'll stay at an Kitchenette so is there a bad street or avenue like up here it's Central ave as to not stay at as they are crack/prostitute motels.

Thanks again as i'm supposed to move by monday as i'm not signing any leases up here so i gotta make a decision fast....

6/3

Hey 6/3

I was looking at the ABQ boards a while back trying to decide between Tucson and ABQ and I posed the temperature question regarding winter being too "cold" everybody came back saying no, "they aren't that bad". How long does the "cold" actually last there and how bad does it get. I've looked at weather.com and it shows getting down to the 40's during the day.

I'm in So Cal and still trying to decide between Tucson and ABQ. So weather is important to me as well.

[6 FOOT 3]

Chowhound....everyone's tolerance levels are different so what's cold to me may be nice to others. Living most my life in El Paso/Southerrn New Mexico and also sunny Florida i'm used to hot weather and mild winters. In ABQ i wear a long sleeve sweatshirt for 6 months average every year and that's just not for me. Need lots of HOT and SUNNY weather or i get depressed.

Good luck to ya !!
6/3

[ricrho]

If you have money Tucson is and excellent place to live. The best place to live would be the North Catalina Foothills, Oro Valley, and Vail. It will feel like you are on vacation. If not Tucsons wage is low and is difficult to make a living here. Most people are making 9 to 15 dollars an hour and are struggling which makes it not a happy place. The job market is not very good for the 20 and hour and up range. If you are a professional or have a good paying job and some stability Tucson is a good place. Crime is fairly high in cenral and south parts of town and much of it looks questionable. The weather is great and sunny from October into May. May through September is hot about 100 each day. Usually does not get much hotter than that. So do all your outdoor yard work and activities extremely early or wait until October through April. One thing about Tucson is it cools off at night. I usually get tired of the heat in August. The desert is unique here and you either like it or not, or you get it or not. It has great outdoor activities and for the sports orientated. The traffic is getting heavy as there are no freeways and all stop lights. Tucson is spread out so usually you stay closer to what part of town you live and work. Most of teh jobs are towards the South and the best place to live is in teh North. There is also more remote living available on the outskirts and beyond if you are into that. I would also recommend a pool for those summer months. Expect to pay 200-250K for and okay house in town and in the new developments and really starting at 400K and up for homes in the best parts such as the Catalina Foothills to the North, North-East, North-West. Oro Valley is nice but failry far North-West, Vail is even farther towards the South-East and more newer, and some of the hilly areas to the far West and East which are at the end of town.

[Marcy1210]

If you're retired military or former military, couldn't you stay at the Q's or else the bachelor's quarters at DM until you find a place? I know most bases have a 3 day limit, but there could be some space available. Otherwise, there are a lot of apt complexes near U of A on Campbell between River and Prince, and that's a pretty good area. I don't know the names of the complexes, but they're probably pretty well priced.

[lemon&lime]

I am in Albuquerque and it gets moderately cold in the winter. It's not like its not cold at all. Temperatures rise a little during the day...up to 40 or so in the winter. The weather continues to be slightly cold in the morning through March... it is cold at least 5-6 months of the year. If you don't like cold weather don't move to Albuquerque. I've just moved back and am not sure I really want to deal with it.

Originally Posted by Chowhound

Hey 6/3

I was looking at the ABQ boards a while back trying to decide between Tucson and ABQ and I posed the temperature question regarding winter being too "cold" everybody came back saying no, "they aren't that bad". How long does the "cold" actually last there and how bad does it get. I've looked at weather.com and it shows getting down to the 40's during the day.

I'm in So Cal and still trying to decide between Tucson and ABQ. So weather is important to me as well.