Flood zone (Phoenix, Tucson, Oro Valley: appointed, condo, how much)

[Chowhound]

What's the latest on the flood zone issue. I did a search on CD here and the latest post doesn't say anything about it.

I was looking into the Marana area but that is where the proposed flood zone is, isn't it??

Does anybody know what the boundaries are.

[sierraAZ]

Originally Posted by Chowhound

What's the latest on the flood zone issue. I did a search on CD here and the latest post doesn't say anything about it.

I was looking into the Marana area but that is where the proposed flood zone is, isn't it??

Does anybody know what the boundaries are.

There was a map in the local paper a month or two ago. Not sure if that's the final decision. I believe a development they're trying to sell right now (Tortolita something...) was in the flood zone. I wouldn't buy in this area if I were you, Chow. Even if something's final today, you never know what FEMA is gonna do tomorrow and I personally would rather not mess with anything involving FEMA.

[Chowhound]

Originally Posted by sierraAZ

There was a map in the local paper a month or two ago. Not sure if that's the final decision. I believe a development they're trying to sell right now (Tortolita something...) was in the flood zone. I wouldn't buy in this area if I were you, Chow. Even if something's final today, you never know what FEMA is gonna do tomorrow and I personally would rather not mess with anything involving FEMA.

You're probably right. I had mentally wrote off the Marana area, but I was on realtor.com and seen some really good deals. Just kinda hoping to get in an area that isn't the flood zone.

I'd probably be best to right off that area though. What is your thoughts on west Tucson?

[sierraAZ]

Originally Posted by Chowhound

You're probably right. I had mentally wrote off the Marana area, but I was on realtor.com and seen some really good deals. Just kinda hoping to get in an area that isn't the flood zone.

Not counting this recent exception, most of Tucson doesn't have such problems.

I'd probably be best to right off that area though. What is your thoughts on west Tucson?

There are some beautiful areas out there - nice houses on a lot of land. What price range do you have in mind? I'm not familiar with the West, though. Hardly ever go there, usually on the way to Desert Museum or the Old Studios. Tucson mountains are gorgeous. However, the houses I'm talking about probably start at at least 400-500K. Michael can be of more help as he is a realtor. mdtoaz lives in this area.

[sierraAZ]

Forgot to mention, Oro Valley doesn't have such problems to my knowledge (if you wanna be in NW). Many like it.

[Chowhound]

Originally Posted by sierraAZ

Forgot to mention, Oro Valley doesn't have such problems to my knowledge (if you wanna be in NW). Many like it.

Oro Valley seems to be really good, but a little rich for my blood.

My budget has a lot of flexiblity. I'm really looking to keep it under 200k. I could afford more, just trying to live below my means.

Looking to downscale my lifestyle, simpler job etc.

[Bummer]

Have you determined what part of town you'll be working yet, Chow? Commuting from the Marana area to the South, East or Southeast would be a killer.

As for your question, not all of Marana is considered Flood Zone. In fact, it is a fairly small area by comparison but Sierra is right, avoid it if at all possible.

[sierraAZ]

Originally Posted by Chowhound

Oro Valley seems to be really good, but a little rich for my blood.

My budget has a lot of flexiblity. I'm really looking to keep it under 200k. I could afford more, just trying to live below my means.

Looking to downscale my lifestyle, simpler job etc.

Unless you're willing to go for a condo or a townhome, you're a perfect candidate to become my neighbor! Actually, my house, even though it's an SFR, is more of a glorified townhome (the houses are detached, but very close to one another and have patios; some don't even have patios). If you wanna spend some more, you can get a single-story with a decent size yard.

200K isn't gonna get you anything decent in the West I was talking about or Oro Valley, if anything at all... It can buy you either a condo or a townhome in the Foothills or in some other decent areas (like 85715, 85710, 85748 let's say) or an old house in Central. Central is quite iffy and you have to be careful. Even if some neighborhood looks OK, the surrounding areas are not. A new coworker of mine just rented a house against our advice and his wife's car was broken into... But the development is nice was the argument... well, the development might be nice, but it's in the middle of crap!

A house with a yard on the East side costs usually more than that, but it's not impossible to find a smaller one, particularly now, that fits the budget. There are some townhomes on the East side, too. There might be houses in this range in Vail, not sure...

Of course, I'm an East side resident and I'm biased. Besides, I want you as a neighbor. And I'm tired of wasting typing on your MLC! Make up your mind already, will ya?!

[sierraAZ]

Originally Posted by Bummer

Have you determined what part of town you'll be working yet, Chow?

Chow is bouncing back and forth between cities, not parts of town, Bummer! He recently was considering a new job in his current location, too... Perhaps Tucson's charming residents will win, huh Chow!

[Chowhound]

Originally Posted by sierraAZ

Chow is bouncing back and forth between cities, not parts of town, Bummer! He recently was considering a new job in his current location, too... Perhaps Tucson's charming residents will win, huh Chow!

Yeah, its getting a little silly how I'm going back and forth. I'm planning a trip out to Tucson in the next few months. Gotta go check it out myself.

I was considering Phoenix a couple of years ago,and I did take a trip out and checked it out. Man I was surprised how much it grew. I have found memories of it during the mid 80's. I went there quite a bit as a kid and loved it. I was pretty disappointed with it when I went there. It's just sprawl like So Cal. It might as well be LA east.