Rio Rico (Phoenix, Tucson, Mesa: cul-de-sac, power lines, new home)

[fotoverdi]

Any information on Rio Rico, likes/dislikes? We are thinking of buying a second home in either Tucson or Goodyear area. We have been coming out to visit family for about 10 years in Scottsdale. We would love some views and some land if at all possible, but don't want to spend a fortune, maybe in the high 200's, is that unreasonable?

[Idaho]

Pinal County is between the Phoenix area and the Tucson area. Their land prices are likely to be more competitive than closer to the two cities. Can't say anything specifically on Rio Rico. Sorry. Just unfamiliar with it.

[MarymovingtoRioRico]

Rio Rico is South of Tucson and yes you can buy a house there for $200,000 and yes there are views views views... Also free range cows ;-) It is 50 min south of the airport on I 19

[MarymovingtoRioRico]

fotoverdi -

Didn't have a lot of time when I last posted.. Here is some more info on Rio Rico.

West side of Interstate 19 is very hilly and to date there are no "planned communities". However, Avatar Homes does build the model homes on "scattered lots". Many of the lots are high in the mountains with wonderful views of Nogales and mountains and valleys on all sides. You can either buy one of Avatar's lots or purchase a lot yourself and have them build on the land for you. The views are remarkable and some roads are pretty rutty and still dirt. They say once a few homes go up - they pave the road. The zoning comissioner for Santa Cruiz lives over there up in the hills. The lot at the top of the mountain above her just went for $80,000 for 1 acre. I know because I looked at the lot and loved it - but I was petrified climbing up that last steep hill with quite a drop down. Couldn't imagine driving that at night with no street lights ;-)

There are cows roaming the hills. I was told the "free range" (they can go anywhere even on your land unless you build a wall) cows give Rio Rico water rights and that is why they have this practice.

The down side about being on the East side. 2 of the cross overs (over the Santa Cruiz River) to Interstate 19 have no bridges and so - if you live 15-20 min north of the Rio Rico exit 17 - you have to actually cross the river bed (which you can't during monsoon season) or go all the way back down to exit 17 and back up north again if you are going to Tucson or parts north.
They say they are building a bridge at the Parlo Parada exit (1 exit north of Rio Rico) in 2009.

The other down side as far as I'm concerned is that there are a ton of ugly wooden power lines (some lots are better than others) and you have no idea who your neighbor will be meaning you could end up with a Santa Fe style house and your next door neighbor could build a Huge 3 story brick house with columns or something (there is actually one like that over there that everyone calls the "ugly house" and it is an eyesore) - or you could end up next to people with 5 cars and an RV and 6 dogs.

The West Side of the highway is a planned community and although there are houses grouped real close - There are 1 acre lots with super views of the mountains. Our lot is in a cul de sac and from our back yard we will never see a house so we have some nice privacy. There is a community pool and the lines are all underground.

What I like about Rio Rico..

There are plans for an upscale shopping strip... People are friendly, it is safe and close to Mexico, not far from Tucson and very close to Tubac. Tubac already has and has had lots of artist studios/shops. But now with the growth in the area there is a cooking school, more resaurants, gourmet food store and much more to come.

If you are into golf.. There is a golf course in Rio Rico and another in Tubac. Gary Player is in the process of getting approval to build an 18 hole course on the east side of Interstate 19 just above Tubac.

Activities in the area are hiking, birding, horse back riding and golf. Day trips could be made easily to Patagonia, Nogales, Tucson. Phoenix is about 3 1/2 hours away. Sierra Vista is about 2 1/2 hours away.

[Baja Boomer]

DH and I spent a day in the Rio Rico area a couple of years ago and really liked it. Here are a couple of pictures that might give you an idea of what it looks like in part of the region.

[MarymovingtoRioRico]

Great photos Baja...

I have photos too but I can't load them here from my desktop... I'm new here and didn't know that.. Tried but when I hit the button I realized they have to be online somewhere. Too bad.. Photos say so much more than words.

[MarymovingtoRioRico]

Ah... I figured it out!!

Went to advanced.

The photo of the road leading to a cul de sac is the developement at Bella Vista North - on the west side of Interstate 19 - exit 17 just seconds off the exit. Our house is at 10:30 on the clock at the end of the street.

The photo with the stack of bricks - That is my wall for my backyard and the mountain is my view

The photo overlooking the valley with the mountain in the background is from Le Esplendor resort which is currently building a spa. That view looks over exit 17 and Villages of Rio Rico - Bella Vista North.

[Baby*Booming*Beach*Babe]

Hi Guys ... i am going to do my best to post a few pics of our lot in Rio Rico ... (Alero Court Mesa, Ranchettes 18, N/E Quadrant) ... we recently returned from a trip to the properties and were TOTALLY AMAZED at the community growth in the past four years ... new home constructios, including a new Walmart in Nogales ... i actually am saying that i can't wait to retire ... as sad as it sounds, my heart was left in Rio Rico and now that we are back in New Jersey, i find my thoughts drifting towards Rio Rico ... ALL THE TIME ... we did so many fun things and saw many different sites including: A trip to Toombstone, (State Road 82 is absolutely breathtaking .. the scenery is to die for) ... the town of Patagonia, Patagonia Lake, Whipple Observatory, Tumacacori Mission, Lake Pena, Historic Tubac, a trip over the border into Nogales for some food and shopping fun ... we also visited two casino's Desert Diamond and Sol ... on the way back to the Tucson Airport ... all in all, it was an amazing trip and we hope to go back before the end of this year ... ... Jo Anne

OK, I AM HAVING A LITTLE DIFFICULTY WITH THE PICS ... I'LL FIGURE IT OUT AND POST AS SOON AS POSSIBLE ...

[Baby*Booming*Beach*Babe]

OK, here goes .... These are a few assorted pics of our 6.5 acre lot on a Mesa in the Ranchettes 18 Section (N/E Quadrant) of Rio Rico ... now can you guys see why i am HOMESICK for Rio Rico ... just breathtaking views ... everywhere you look ... enjoy ... Jo Anne ...

http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c6/888JerseyTomato/BillylookingtowardsTubacfrombackorA.jpg (broken link)

http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c6/888JerseyTomato/AnotherviewfromAlerolookingEast.jpg (broken link)

http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c6/888JerseyTomato/AleroCourt-FrontofCul-de-Sac.jpg (broken link)

http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c6/888JerseyTomato/Alero-ViewstandinginfrontofCul-de-S.jpg (broken link)

http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c6/888JerseyTomato/Alero-Standingonbackedgelookingtowa.jpg (broken link)

[MarymovingtoRioRico]

Joanne - See the post above yours? See those little thumbnail pics of Bella Vista North... That is where we were going to build... That is also the view you took that you loved that you sent me an email of.. Funny huh?