Moving back to the USA (Tucson) from Mexico . . . Yea!

[coatimundi]

The quality of foreclosure and short sale properties vary wildly. There are dumps, but there are also some great houses. In the neighborhoods mentioned though, you will not find many because they're the more desirable areas where, if there were foreclosures at all, they would have already been snatched up. The free-for-all and chaotic nature of the market early in the crash has, to a large extent, subsided.

The majority of the neighborhoods mentioned, with the exceptions of Samos and eastern Blenman-Elm (east of Tucson Blvd) have virtually no college students. There are a few in Sam Hughes, but the lack of rentals generally keeps them out, or at least relegated to the fringes. The Spam Hughes area (between 6th and Broadway, directly south of Sam Hughes) has more rentals and is cheaper, but also has many more college students.

[RickTucsonHomes]

Originally Posted by coatimundi

The Spam Hughes area (between 6th and Broadway, directly south of Sam Hughes) has more rentals and is cheaper, but also has many more college students.

Spam Hughes, great description of the area
And Coatimundi is correct on bank owned, some are dumps some are very nice and everywhere is between. Also for now, the glut appears to be diminishing as Coati said. Right now in the Tucson metro area there are roughly half as many foreclosures on the market as there was a year ago. Many are getting multiple offers. Called today on a new bank owned in The Foothills that just went on the market Sunday. Already has two offers in on it. The good ones go fast.

[gomexico]

Originally Posted by gailrooney

We are strongly considering Tucson, AZ. We are a retired, very active couple with three dogs and have lived in Mexico for the past 7 years. We are bored to death. My husband is from New York, I am from Chicago (the city). I wonder if you all could give us some help in finding a safe, but interesting city neighborhood. We would like to walk to restaurants, parks, etc. (Sort of like Chicago, but warmer). I don't think we want suburban living. So, our plan is to rent a home in an area and look around to buy a home eventually. Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Gail and Al

I lived in Mexico City for 6 years, and returned to Chicago. I've lived in Tucson, as well. Living in Tucson won't be like living in Chicago, or NYC. Tucson is more like a Chicago suburb than the city itself. My sister still lives in Tucson, and I continue to have many friends there. It's a good place if you like to be by yourself. Independent. That's why many people move there. To get away from where they are at the moment. Moving from Mexico City, well, that'll be a shock of sorts. From a city of 8.5 million to Tucson. If Sam Hughes is all there is to consider, then that's very limiting. But it might be what you need/want.

[Kimballette]

Originally Posted by gomexico

I lived in Mexico City for 6 years, and returned to Chicago. I've lived in Tucson, as well. Living in Tucson won't be like living in Chicago, or NYC. Tucson is more like a Chicago suburb than the city itself. My sister still lives in Tucson, and I continue to have many friends there. It's a good place if you like to be by yourself. Independnet. That's why many people move there. To get away from where they are at the moment. Moving from Mexico City, well, that'll be a shock of sorts. From a city of 8.5 million to Tucson. If Sam Hughes is all there is to consider, then that's very limiting. But it might be what you need/want.

Good advice. But I'm hoping (and assuming) that anyone moving to Tucson is not expecting it to be comparable to Chicago or NYC.

[azdr0710]

it sounds like these mentioned areas will be very good for you....I live in Blenman-Elm and it is fine, but one very small step "below" Sam Hughes, which definitely is known as the nice part of this part of town....drive down 3rd St E of Campbell and you'll see why (but enter from 2nd or 4th as entry is forbidden onto 3rd for traffic control)....stay E of Campbell to avoid areas too popular with renting students...

these are all older 'hoods (1920s-1950s) with homes on small lots....you may have to walk a few blocks to get to business on the artery streets of Campbell, Speedway, Grant, 6th St., Country Club.....and you'll have the UA right across Campbell for culture, sports, dog-walking, and people-watching....

since these are all very well-established 'hoods, foreclosures are not as common as in the newer tracts in the suburbs....price depreciation was not nearly as bad as in those newer areas, also...check very, very recent comps....yes, rent for a while to get a feel for the various areas....you may even want to first stay in an extended-stay-style hotel/motel for a couple weeks before committing to a rental....

have you been to Tucson before?....be warned that, though it is certainly an urban town, it doesn't have the 24/7 action of Chicago and NY!!

edit: sorry, only read page one before posting...some stuff I said was already stated....

[gailrooney]

Can someone tell me if the Sam Hughes area is more Republican or more Democrat? Or is it both evenly?

[gailrooney]

Originally Posted by azdr0710

it sounds like these mentioned areas will be very good for you....I live in Blenman-Elm and it is fine, but one very small step "below" Sam Hughes, which definitely is known as the nice part of this part of town....drive down 3rd St E of Campbell and you'll see why (but enter from 2nd or 4th as entry is forbidden onto 3rd for traffic control)....stay E of Campbell to avoid areas too popular with renting students...

these are all older 'hoods (1920s-1950s) with homes on small lots....you may have to walk a few blocks to get to business on the artery streets of Campbell, Speedway, Grant, 6th St., Country Club.....and you'll have the UA right across Campbell for culture, sports, dog-walking, and people-watching....

since these are all very well-established 'hoods, foreclosures are not as common as in the newer tracts in the suburbs....price depreciation was not nearly as bad as in those newer areas, also...check very, very recent comps....yes, rent for a while to get a feel for the various areas....you may even want to first stay in an extended-stay-style hotel/motel for a couple weeks before committing to a rental....

have you been to Tucson before?....be warned that, though it is certainly an urban town, it doesn't have the 24/7 action of Chicago and NY!!

edit: sorry, only read page one before posting...some stuff I said was already stated....

Just the answers from the people helping me out is convincing me that this is going to be a great place to live. You have all been so helpful. I really appreciate it. Actually, I am 72 and my husband is 73, so we don't need the 24/7 excitement of Chicago and New York. We are physically in our 40s and so, love to walk, eat out, shop, etc. But we home on the couch by 6 pm.

[azdr0710]

Originally Posted by gailrooney

Can someone tell me if the Sam Hughes area is more Republican or more Democrat? Or is it both evenly?

it'll feel more Democrat than Republican to you, probably....a Volvo, Subaru, and Toyota Prius sort of place!....

have you been to Tucson before?.....make sure it'll work for you!

[gailrooney]

It is definitely for me. Thank you.