area comparisons (Tucson, Oro Valley, Marana: crime, neighborhood, schools)

[Nea1]

We may have to move to the Tucson area. Looking for info and opinions on these areas. Sahuarita ( the big development there), Oro Valley and Marana. Schools are important so is family feel and less crime. Traffic isnt really since his sites are all over the area. Thanks for any help.

[Quag7]

Sahuarita markets itself to families, but is my idea of hell on earth; a dense suburban maze of development, but clearly a lot of people like it, and from the perspective of people, it looks pretty good. It is a bit outside of town, though. Definitely not to my taste. It has a suburban fortress feel, but you might consider that a positive.

Oro Valley is fairly middle to upper middle class, and despite theft and that sort of crime, is generally safe. Oro Valley is a fairly safe bet. It's definitely one of the more upscale communities with some stunning views of the Catalinas.

Marana ranges from ruggedly rural to ritzy. It depends on what part of town you want to talk about. I live on the far east side of Marana, near the Oro Valley border. It's safe here. Marana is really going to depend on what part of Marana you're talking about. Marana could almost be a small county by itself.

The development I live in in Marana, Dove Mountain, is extremely family friendly (in fact, it's almost all families - kids everywhere), with a park and so on. It's pretty, up against the Tortolita Mountains. I didn't move here for the family element but where I live has turned out to be the most family-oriented area I've lived in over 15 years.

Crime is not an issue. I walk late at night often and there are police patrolling around as well as a neighborhood patrol. There are probably other developments in Marana like this. I notice that several police officers live right here in Dove Mountain; late at night I count 3 police cars parked in driveways on my normal walking circuit.

All of the areas your looking at are probably fine from the perspective of safe family areas; clearly you've done some research.

[Nea1]

Originally Posted by Quag7

Sahuarita markets itself to families, but is my idea of hell on earth; a dense suburban maze of development, but clearly a lot of people like it, and from the perspective of people, it looks pretty good. It is a bit outside of town, though. Definitely not to my taste. It has a suburban fortress feel, but you might consider that a positive.

Oro Valley is fairly middle to upper middle class, and despite theft and that sort of crime, is generally safe. Oro Valley is a fairly safe bet. It's definitely one of the more upscale communities with some stunning views of the Catalinas.

Marana ranges from ruggedly rural to ritzy. It depends on what part of town you want to talk about. I live on the far east side of Marana, near the Oro Valley border. It's safe here. Marana is really going to depend on what part of Marana you're talking about. Marana could almost be a small county by itself.

The development I live in in Marana, Dove Mountain, is extremely family friendly (in fact, it's almost all families - kids everywhere), with a park and so on. It's pretty, up against the Tortolita Mountains. I didn't move here for the family element but where I live has turned out to be the most family-oriented area I've lived in over 15 years.

Crime is not an issue. I walk late at night often and there are police patrolling around as well as a neighborhood patrol. There are probably other developments in Marana like this. I notice that several police officers live right here in Dove Mountain; late at night I count 3 police cars parked in driveways on my normal walking circuit.

All of the areas your looking at are probably fine from the perspective of safe family areas; clearly you've done some research.

Thanks for all the info. I have researched those areas, but it is always nice to get a prospective from someone that is actually there. I will check out your area, neighborhood sounds nice.