Phoenix metro or Tucson metro? (Chandler, Oro Valley: buying a house, safe neighborhoods, buying)

[mike18040]

I am retiring within the next 2 years from my job in Pennsylvania and am moving to either the Phoenix metro or Tucson metro area, but am having trouble deciding which place is better suited for my family and I. I will be 45 years old with 2 children in school. Finding work is not high on my list, as my pension and savings will be sufficient for now. I have been to both areas and like the Chandler area of Phoenix and the NW area of Tucson (Oro Valley). A part of me wants to be in the Phoenix area because there will be more to do. I also like the Tucson area because of the beauty of the surrounding mountain ranges and all the National/State parks.
I have been researching both areas for some time, but am having trouble deciding which place would be better for us. We will be visiting again this April and hope to decide on an area so we can start looking at buying a house ($200-$250k range). We love the outdoors, the heat, and having plenty of things to do. I am afraid Tucson might be too laid back. When we were there earlier this year we had a good time, but we feel like we did all there was to do in the week we were there. We also have friends that we visited in Chandler and thought that area had a lot to offer too. Good schools, safe neighborhoods and access to good medical care are top priorities. It seems it may be easier for visiting family members to get cheaper tickets to Phoenix than Tucson, also. Any thoughts would be appreciated.

[azdr0710]

all that you say is pretty much true....

your three top requests (good schools, 'hoods, and med) are definitely available in certain spots of both areas....

yes, Tucson metro is less than a quarter the population of Phx metro, so there will be less activity, entertainment, culture, etc...many like the laid-back mood of the Tucson area, but that also means less "sophistication" if that's important to you....Tucson can appear a bit trashier in some areas than Phx, but it also has a greater desert appreciation....is cooler in the summer and high mountains are much more accessible....there's a slower pace and friendlier vibe in most areas of Tucson...

Phx will offer many more job opportunities and consumer choices (competition)...yes, better access to the world thru Sky Harbor....there's a much faster pace in Phx and a cleaner, newer vibe than Tucson....it's now a major metro area in the country and that brings the related proportional crime, traffic, big city issues....

big decision...lots of issues....will the kids be OK with leaving their home, friends?....

[Boompa]

I've lived in both areas and each has its own drawbacks for a retiree. The Phoenix area has traffic akin to Los Angeles which any accident brings to a halt for hours. Unlike the east the Police seem to just block all traffic until they are done their investigation, which can take hours.

One of the big drawbacks with Tucson is that you have to go through the Phoenix Metro to get anywhere. I used to enjoy going to LA for a day when I lived west of Phoenix but that was impossible from Tucson.

I had no school age children at the time so I can't address that.

As for flying Phoenix is easier to get direct flights but the Airport is a bottleneck, Tucson you can be in and out.

If Cheessteaks are an issue they are better in Tucson

[Kimballette]

Originally Posted by Boompa

I've lived in both areas and each has its own drawbacks for a retiree. The Phoenix area has traffic akin to Los Angeles which any accident brings to a halt for hours. Unlike the east the Police seem to just block all traffic until they are done their investigation, which can take hours.

One of the big drawbacks with Tucson is that you have to go through the Phoenix Metro to get anywhere. I used to enjoy going to LA for a day when I lived west of Phoenix but that was impossible from Tucson.

I had no school age children at the time so I can't address that.

As for flying Phoenix is easier to get direct flights but the Airport is a bottleneck, Tucson you can be in and out.

If Cheessteaks are an issue they are better in Tucson

I grew up in L.A., and traffic in Phoenix is not at all comparable. And I sure haven't seen "any accident brings...to a halt for hours."

Good to hear where to find the most authentic cheesesteaks, though!!!

[mike18040]

Originally Posted by azdr0710

all that you say is pretty much true....

your three top requests (good schools, 'hoods, and med) are definitely available in certain spots of both areas....

yes, Tucson metro is less than a quarter the population of Phx metro, so there will be less activity, entertainment, culture, etc...many like the laid-back mood of the Tucson area, but that also means less "sophistication" if that's important to you....Tucson can appear a bit trashier in some areas than Phx, but it also has a greater desert appreciation....is cooler in the summer and high mountains are much more accessible....there's a slower pace and friendlier vibe in most areas of Tucson...

Phx will offer many more job opportunities and consumer choices (competition)...yes, better access to the world thru Sky Harbor....there's a much faster pace in Phx and a cleaner, newer vibe than Tucson....it's now a major metro area in the country and that brings the related proportional crime, traffic, big city issues....

big decision...lots of issues....will the kids be OK with leaving their home, friends?....

thanks for the input...the kids are young yet and are looking forward to it (so far).

[mike18040]

Boompa, cheesesteaks are not as much an issue as access to good farmers markets with lots of fresh fruit and vegetables. I'm assuming Phoenix and Tucson both have plenty of those??

[Boompa]

Originally Posted by Kimballette

I grew up in L.A., and traffic in Phoenix is not at all comparable. And I sure haven't seen "any accident brings...to a halt for hours."

Good to hear where to find the most authentic cheesesteaks, though!!!

I was a Police Officer on the east coast and recll that an accident, no matter how severe, had to be cleared within twenty minutes or the entire city came to a halt. I've had vehicles towed with the dead still inside. In Phoenix I sat in traffic for three hours once because of an accident on I-10. Living in Goodyear the traffic on I-10 was at astandstill at 6:30 AM.
It was easier too use Indian School or Camelback to get downtown than the expressways.

I used to drive from Goodyear to LA and be there before noon. Phoenix traffic is a black hole. I usually by pass the city on I-8 and 85, it's longer but faster

[observer53]

Originally Posted by mike18040

Boompa, cheesesteaks are not as much an issue as access to good farmers markets with lots of fresh fruit and vegetables. I'm assuming Phoenix and Tucson both have plenty of those??

Actually, not that many. The Phoenix Public Market is downtown, they have a website where you can get some info. http://foodconnect.org/phxmarket/ They have a little store and restaurant permanently, but they set up a big market outdoors on Sat and I think one evening a week. It's not all produce, though. There are other smaller (some seasonal) farmer's markets around the Valley, or at least there have been in the past... I haven't kept up on that lately. This one is nice, if it's still going on: http://www.yelp.com/biz/vincents-sat...market-phoenix All of them have some produce, but I would not say I've seen "lots of fresh fruit and vegetables" at most of them.. Lots of good local products, though.

Tucson, I don't know about theirs.

[Bummer]

Very interesting, Mike18040 . . .

Many years ago I was faced with making the same decision. I chose Tucson over Phoenix for many of the same reasons you have already addressed and, 13 plus years later, I still feel I have made the best decision. Also, although not major, I find the cost of living to be a little lower in Tucson.

One point to keep in mind . . . if you need and/or want more excitement, Phoenix is only two hours away for a getaway that can be left behind afterwards.

[Kimballette]

Originally Posted by Boompa

I was a Police Officer on the east coast and recll that an accident, no matter how severe, had to be cleared within twenty minutes or the entire city came to a halt. I've had vehicles towed with the dead still inside. In Phoenix I sat in traffic for three hours once because of an accident on I-10. Living in Goodyear the traffic on I-10 was at astandstill at 6:30 AM.
It was easier too use Indian School or Camelback to get downtown than the expressways.

I used to drive from Goodyear to LA and be there before noon. Phoenix traffic is a black hole. I usually by pass the city on I-8 and 85, it's longer but faster

I have no experience with the east coast, so can only comment on my decades of experience in L.A.