Marana, Oro Valley or Vail? (Tucson, Avra Valley: houses, neighborhood, to buy)

[Memphis Mom of three]

Marana, Oro Valley, or Vail? Which area has the best schools, housing, and location in general?

[NUNUBD]

My suggestion is Oro Valley. I live in the master planned community called Rancho Vistoso. I absolutley love it. It's so beautiful with mountain views everywhere you go. I have 3 children myself 2 of them are in school which is in the Amphitheater school district. I feel very safe and comfortable here. We worked very hard to buy a house in this neighborhood. It was a little more expensive than some other parts of Tucson but we felt it was well worth it. Good Luck!!!!

[skeeterflea]

My wife and I are also considering OV or Vail, leaning towards OV due to infrastructure / OV. The cost is a bit more but I think you have to weigh out the pros and cons relative to your situation. We're really excited to leave SW Tucson and get to the OV!
We're not even considering Marana due to the schools.

Does anyone know the average difference in temp's between the OV and Vail? Or even Tucson and OV?

[baby1212]

Oro Valley if you can afford it! Marana I'd say is second with Vail coming in last (but they are so close it's hard to say for sure, depends on what part of Marana I guess). Vail just seems so far out (unless you work on that side of town). With the freeway under construction it's going to be longer commutes from Vail (but Marana could be the same way, depends on where you are going).

[Clnconcpts]

I pick Vail cause you still have that feeling of a small community,OV is just like living in the big city.

[azhiker]

I'd opt for OV too. It's really nice up here. Little crime, always feel safe, right next to the mountains, shopping and other amenities are rapidly catching up with the housing. It's just a well thought out, attractive community. Definitely much better than Marana.

Last time I drove through Vail was around 4 or so months ago. Seems like it'll be a nice little bedroom community. It's really growing fast. Ten years ago it was a bunch of trailers out there and little else.

Seems pretty nice out there, though somewhat remote (but with how fast Tucson has grown in the last ten years, it won't be remote for long!)

Another intriguing area is that valley when you're on Old Spanish Trail Rd going towards Vail that they're building in now. It's near to Vail, but way prettier because those communities are right near the mountains. I can't remember the name of the valley (is it Avra?). That'd be really nice there.

[LordBalfor]

Originally Posted by azhiker

I'd opt for OV too. It's really nice up here. Little crime, always feel safe, right next to the mountains, shopping and other amenities are rapidly catching up with the housing. It's just a well thought out, attractive community. Definitely much better than Marana.

Last time I drove through Vail was around 4 or so months ago. Seems like it'll be a nice little bedroom community. It's really growing fast. Ten years ago it was a bunch of trailers out there and little else.

Seems pretty nice out there, though somewhat remote (but with how fast Tucson has grown in the last ten years, it won't be remote for long!)

Another intriguing area is that valley when you're on Old Spanish Trail Rd going towards Vail that they're building in now. It's near to Vail, but way prettier because those communities are right near the mountains. I can't remember the name of the valley (is it Avra?). That'd be really nice there.

That's not Avra Valley. Avra Valley is west of Marana (we looked at some land there). The area you mention though (along Old Spanish Trail) is pretty nice though. Hard to get to the freeway from there though (it's a long way).

In response to the original question - I would say probably OV too. Vail is nice, but there is not much there yet in comparison to the other 2 options. If you want a bit more isolation then Vail might do, but otherwise probably OV is the better choice. From what I've heard Vail has a good district though.

Ken

[azdr0710]

Originally Posted by azhiker

Another intriguing area is that valley when you're on Old Spanish Trail Rd going towards Vail that they're building in now. It's near to Vail, but way prettier because those communities are right near the mountains. I can't remember the name of the valley (is it Avra?). That'd be really nice there.

Rincon Valley.....yes, along Old Spanish Trail out past Saguaro Park....sorta horsey and country-ish, but growing steadily with non-horse stuff at a somewhat slow pace...long-ish drive for a gallon of milk...great mountain views...quiet...

[RickTucsonHomes]

Oro Valley, Oro Valley, Oro Valley! I have lived here for 20 years and still love it here. I travel the entire area in my work and Oro Valley is where I choose to live. My kids went to the elementary and high schools here and no regrets. Lots of shopping nearby and much more coming with the new Oro Valley Marketplace.

Here are the individual links for the different communities. Lots of info you can sift through.
Oro Valley (http://www.ci.oro-valley.az.us/ - broken link)
Marana
Vail

Hope this helps,

Rick

[suerom]

I moved to Vail from Long Island NY 6 months ago. I like it- it's open, clean, houses are kept up nice.The lots are bigger than the ave. Tucson lot. My college age kids think it's the boonies, but there is a lot of building going on in Rita Ranch, and the expansion will continue. The schools have a great reputation, and the people are friendly.