want to move to tucson (Phoenix, Oro Valley: HOA fees, crime, homes)

[gpete]

I have an opportunity to teach in the Amphi district. Want to move from Los Angeles--too much sprawl, too expensive, too many people.
Can anyone give me some tips about where to live if I work in one of the Amphi elementary schools?
Been to Phoenix once. Nice people, but same sort of cookie cutter housing + strip mall sprawl as LA.

Are there any quiet, slower paced areas of Tucson? Or not possible?

Any tips greatly appreciated. Been reading people don't feel the schools in Tucson are very good. It's surprising because the schools make it very difficult to get a teaching job in the area, and the pay is not that great compared to other US cities.

thanks for your input.

[MarymovingtoRioRico]

Slower paced areas of Tucson - in my opinion - are south of Tucson down Interstate 19.

There is no traffic on Interstate 19 and the speed limit is 75 mph.

Tubac and Rio Rico are 45-50 min from the Tucson Airport. If you go to the Northern part of Tucson - it is beautiful as well - but lots more traffic and 3 years of construction beginning now - on Interstate 10.

Another community is Vail but I find as long as you are within 20 -30 min of downtown - cookie cutter is what you will find.

If you really want a nice area nestled in the mountains and at a good price - I suggest buying a lot in Rio Rico on the East side or other "scattered lots" and having a home built by Avatar.. I've seen homes that are not anywhere near as nice in Tucson and Phoenix for $100,000 to $200,000 more. Oh - and you will see cows freely roaming the East side of the interestate - as they are free range. You would be 58 minutes from exit 17 on Interstate 19 to the High School. 53 minutes of which would be basically no traffic.

You can't get any quieter or slower paced that that ;-) And as far as the commute? Well, coming from LA, I'll bet an hour of scenic - non pressure - no traffic traveling will appeal to you. Also - surprisingly enough there is less crime down there close to the border than in Tucson and other parts north of the border. The theory is that the illegal traffic is in a big hurry to get as far away from the border as quickly as possible. Suahrita is another community down there that is closer to Tucson and very family oriented but also cookie cutter.

Good luck

[gpete]

WOW! Thank you so much for information Marymovingtoriorico!
It is very helpful, and the images of cows, and open space sure beats the general misery one experiences on LA freeways.

thanks again for taking the time to post your reply.

[hoppysing]

Try the newer communities south of I 10 on Kolb Rd. Nice quiet neighborhood with no street lights. Great view of the stars. Peaceful surroundings with low traffic. 15 minutes for Broadroad and 30 to downtown.

[Idaho]

Tubac, Vail, and Tucson's Kolb Rd. area of southern AZ are all nice places.
If you're going to live down I-19, teaching down there would make financial sense too. It is a lot of miles to pile on your car to drive up to Amphi Dist. from those areas.

Amphitheater School District is in the northwest area of the Tucson Basin.
Compared to LA, it has many areas that are comparable to Vail, Tubac, and Kolb Rd. . . .

Have you visited the Oro Valley, Catalina, Casa Adobes areas? They are all in the Amphi school district and have lovely neighborhoods.

One of my favorite - and a best kept secret of Oro Valley that 'looks' expensive but isn't as much as folks think - is The Villages of La Canada. It's a gated community, small, and close to parks. I love it. - yep, it's my homebase - low HOA fees too.

As a fellow Amphi educator, "Welcome" to Amphi schools. I'll keep my fingers crossed for you - especially for assignment to one of these newer elementary schools of Amphi district:
Painted Sky
Copper Creek
Wilson K-8

unless you thrive on the more diverse/challenging:
Coronado K-8
Donaldson
Harelson
Walker
Keeling
Prince

[hoppysing]

Idaho is right. Live close to where you work. With gas prices and the lack of an effective freeway system in Tucson proximity should be a primary concern. Streets can get really congested at rush hour.

[Sundance]

Catalina is very nice....