Tuscon, AZ, Phoenix, AZ or Austin, TX? (living, cost, America)

[elthznd901]

My family has been trying to decide on where to move for a while now.. we want it a bit warmer then our current Colorado locale. Hawaii of course sounds awesome.. cost of living doesnt. California may fit the bill, but I cant seem to justify the cost difference. We have been looking more reasonably at Arizona and Texas, specifically Tuscon or Phoenix(or somewhere within an hour) and also Austin.

A few things that are important:

• We have children.. so good schools are important
• We like to garden
• Within an hour or so of an aiport with major airlines(for the job)

What are your thoughts?

Thanks!

[Arizona Mike]

As a native Phoenician, I would say it partly depends on what your occupations are, but:

The public school system is not impressive in Phoenix. There are some very good parochial and private schools that can be affordable. Tucson is supposed to have a good public system but you should probably research that more.

If you like to garden, Phoenix is a very hot and dry climate for much of the year so take a look at whether desert landscaping and xeriscaping (low water gardening) fits your needs. Lots of people garden around here (we grow corn, herbs, tomatoes, kale, etc.) but you have to learn a whole new set of rules. Water use is expensive.

Flying out of Phoenix and Tucson is easy, both have airports within the metro area so you don't have to drive forever like in Denver.

Tucson (you will need to start spelling it correctly if you choose to live there, BTW - it's probably America's Most Misspelled City (TM)), because of UofA has a political and arts and community climate that is probably closer to Austin than Phoenix. Lots of fun things to do there. Also gets wicked hot in the summer like Phoenix.

You might also consider looking into Flagstaff, AZ - which is higher in elevation and thus more of a pine-forest region, which gets snow in the winter. Like Tucson, it is a university town (Northern Arizona University), very picturesque and mountainous, a lot of cultural amenities. I think the schools are decent (you would have to ask someone from there to know more, however), cost of living is good, gardening would be easier, climate is probably closer than what you're used to. It has a smaller airport than Phoenix or Tucson, but does have an Amtrak link which Phoenix does not.

I like Austin a lot and go there frequently, but someone else will have to help you on that.

Hope this helps.

[RoofTopPigeon]

If you can not afford cable or satellite tv;
the 85042 zip code in phoenix is the closest
to all the Broadcast TV Towers; about 76 channels.
and Channel Master makes a Antenna DVR; which
can be bought Via there website.
You can either use a Big Antenna on a 30-foot TV Tower.
(or) plug a pair of rabbit ears into; if you are on the lower in-come side of things.
In the 85042 Zip-code you are only 3-miles away from the TV Towers.
Plus; Channel Master has GREAT QUALITY Customer Service; which
when you call you Speak to Somebody you can Understand.
As they are an American Company Based Right there
in Gilbert, AZ. Close to Pheonix.