Relocating to Tucson in July- Could Use Some Advice (Oro Valley: real estate market, apartment)

[fishhooker]

I am transferring work locations to Tucson at the start of July. We are looking to find a 4 bed apartment/townhouse to rent while we feel out the city and find a place to buy. We are tired of cold winters and the ever-increasing cost of living in the Denver metro, not to mention the absolutely ridiculous real estate market.

The biggest challenge I've run into is I will not have time to travel to the area to check places out before moving- I've been limited to internet photos and google reviews.

Move date: 7/1/16
Rent Budget $1100/month
Beds: 4
Concerns/Desires: Decent Elementary school (I know this is relative, as AZ is pretty low on the national ratings), safe neighborhood, access to main roads (my job will require me to travel throughout the city).

One of my other fears is that we will unknowingly rent a place surrounded by loud, partying college students and not realize it until several months later when classes are back in session.

[Prickly Pear]

Where do you work in Tucson?

[gemstone1]

Why not enlist the help of a relocation professional ?

Regards
Gemstone1

[fishhooker]

Originally Posted by :-D

Where do you work in Tucson?

I'm an insurance adjuster, so I will be working remotely throughout the city.

[fishhooker]

Originally Posted by gemstone1

Why not enlist the help of a relocation professional ?

Regards
Gemstone1

I'm afraid with a free service that I will not not get unbiased information, as they get paid by the property management companies for their referrals. I don't really want to use a for hire company either. Because my transfer is lateral and not a promotion, as well as voluntary, I will likely not receive reimbursement for relocation expenses.

I've considered one of those websites where you can post odd jobs to hire someone to tour prospective properties and photo/video document them, but I need to get enough info to narrow my search down to a select few properties.

I'm hoping some people can provide info about areas of town and schools. A lot of what I have been finding is in the corridor between I-10 and I-15, and near the Air Force Base.

[JGMotorsport64]

Originally Posted by fishhooker

I'm afraid with a free service that I will not not get unbiased information, as they get paid by the property management companies for their referrals. I don't really want to use a for hire company either. Because my transfer is lateral and not a promotion, as well as voluntary, I will likely not receive reimbursement for relocation expenses.

I've considered one of those websites where you can post odd jobs to hire someone to tour prospective properties and photo/video document them, but I need to get enough info to narrow my search down to a select few properties.

I'm hoping some people can provide info about areas of town and schools. A lot of what I have been finding is in the corridor between I-10 and I-15, and near the Air Force Base.

I'd probably check out Oro Valley or Marana before that area. Then Third on my list would be Vail.

Oro Valley would be the best for kids and families IMO, Marana is more affordable. Vail is kind of isolated but nice. I'd steer away from Tucson USD it's generally a basket case.

The only areas bombarded in College students are midtown, west university and Downtown.

[fishhooker]

We've been looking more into the school districts and have decided we will likely go the charter school route.

I'll put Oro Valley and Marana on the list.

[seedy]

The summer temps are hottest to the NW, coolest SE, only by a few degrees. The school district in Vail, SE end, is one of the best there is.

A neighborhood called Civano has it's own little school in that district, but also a dizzy HOA. There are adjoining developments nearby.

[Prickly Pear]

Originally Posted by fishhooker

I'm an insurance adjuster, so I will be working remotely throughout the city.

I would try to pick a central location if you have to drive a lot. Tucson is only served by one freeway and it's on the outskirts for the most part and Tucson drivers are notoriously slow... Also with lots of potholes, I would want to keep my driving to as little as possible. One plus though is that gas is cheap here.

As a college student, we are all pretty close the the University so it's very unlikely you will be in a place where the college students are.