It's official

[erinszoo]

Thanks everybody! We have alot to do this weekend.

[erinszoo]

I guess I should mention that schools excelling in test scores and stuff are important to us, but not as important as safe environments, caring and compassionate teachers, small class sizes, etc.

greatschools.net gives a tiny peek into the minds of parents, but most of the schools have no commentary on them which makes it hard to get an idea of them.

Thanks for everyones opinions and insight! Off to research more!

[odinloki1]

Originally Posted by erinszoo

We are moving to Tucson. Finally we can call AZ our home. Hubby has been interviewing for weeks now with different companies in Phoenix and out of the blue this one in Tucson hit. He interviewed in the AM and had an offer in the PM! Must be fate!

So, we are looking for a home to rent in the Catalina Foothills - mainly because I hear the schools are so good and we have 3 in elementary school. I also heard Vail is good, but then got conflicting info on how all of S & SW Tucson should be avoided.... so I guess we will stick with Catalina Foothills.

Can anyone recommend neighborhoods to us? We want somewhere with an active community.

Thanks!

Erin in MI

I grew up in Port Huron and was in Metro Detroit frequently and after coming here I think you're trading down. Vail is the best district with proximity to the airport, I used to teach there and think its lacking especially compared to a lot of the suburban Detroit schools. You won't really find much in the sense of community anywhere in this place though.

[erinszoo]

Any thoughts on Civano? We are going to look there next week when we are in town.

[sierraAZ]

Originally Posted by erinszoo

Any thoughts on Civano? We are going to look there next week when we are in town.

It's been talked about. The forum is searchable.

[Mi_Mom]

Originally Posted by odinloki1

I grew up in Port Huron and was in Metro Detroit frequently and after coming here I think you're trading down. Vail is the best district with proximity to the airport, I used to teach there and think its lacking especially compared to a lot of the suburban Detroit schools. You won't really find much in the sense of community anywhere in this place though.

I somewhat disagree. We have a child (soon to be 2) in the Vail School district and I have been very impressed and satisfied with their school. (Now it may just be the school and not the district). It's very reminiscent to our old school in Michigan in Washtenaw County (SE MI). They have gone above and beyond what I expected from the school working with some specific issues we've been dealing with with one of our children. 180 degrees from a supposed "great" school district that we left in the Indianapolis area.

[erinszoo]

Trading up, trading down, it's all a wash when the bottom line is that my husband can't find work here and he can find work in Tucson, so off we go! We leave MI on October 11 for the long drive to our new city!!

[Mi_Mom]

Originally Posted by erinszoo

Trading up, trading down, it's all a wash when the bottom line is that my husband can't find work here and he can find work in Tucson, so off we go! We leave MI on October 11 for the long drive to our new city!!

That's what had us leave Michigan. On the job search. Good luck on your drive. It's a long one!

[ashmatical23]

Be warned. I am warning you. It is awful awful awful. I have been trying to flee for the last year and a half. Phoenix, maybe but Tucson, NO.