Move from Prescott to Tucson, thoughts? (Oro Valley, Green Valley: rent, condo, university)

[Achi WaWa]

Interesting direction of move...

We were looking to move from the congested Tucson area to the small town atmosphere of Prescott or Payson, but like you, were put off by the higher housing prices and CoL. Then the big fire in NoCal made us think twice about the forest of kindling all around Payson... I also read a report on the fire hazards in that area, and what the aftermath would be like.. which effectively killed that move idea. In addition, the water quality of the Chino Valley is suspect due to all the old mines dumping arsenic into the groundwater. A few more reports later I decided the desert is running out of water and people continue to move here and golf courses continue to irrigate, so we are leaving for greener pastures (literally).


If you want to move to Tucson, I would suggest Vail, Oro valley or Marana areas. Green Valley is little more than a city of subdivisions next to some gigantic land fills.

[mtnbkr5]

A few more reports later I decided the desert is running out of water and people continue to move here and golf courses continue to irrigate, so we are leaving for greener pastures (literally).


In reality........


AZ is not running out of water, as we get our share of CAP water.
More people, more houses, more water usage.
Most of the new developments are on former farmland. 10,000 acres of homes use far less water than 10,000 acres of cotton, pecan trees, citrus, etc.


Many private golf courses have closed, and the resorts are required to source their own water. Fairways are narrowed down except when the big tournaments are on.

[kellieann]

Another major reason for the move to Tucson is I am politically liberal/progressive and vegan. I am looking to be surrounded by more like-minded people.

[franniejacks]

Originally Posted by kellieann

Another major reason for the move to Tucson is I am politically liberal/progressive and vegan. I am looking to be surrounded by more like-minded people.

Choose your zip code carefully. Tucson metro area has its share of trumpeteers. Mostly west of 19 and also in the far east zips, plus new arrivals to Oro Valley area are mid-west transplants with conservative views. Vail has its share of gun nuts; true of many of the rural Tucson area.

Focus downtown Tucson and the Catalina foothill zips for birds of a feather.

[thrillobyte]

Like jumping from the pan to the fire. Actually, Prescott temps are mild because of the altitude (5000+ feet) but if you like those mild temps you are going to fry in Tuscon which gets blast furnace hot in summers.

[Davidmazzarella]

Prescott can feel quite dreary depending on what your used to. Winters are very cold, and get relatively frequent snow and rain which means it's almost always grey. When the sun does come out in the winter time it's typically because it's so windy the clouds have to break. Spring is over to soon and the weather tends to be very mixed with mornings still being to cold to dress down. Summer is hot but very manageable, nothing like phoenix. Personally I miss the constant sunshine and vast wide open spaces of the phoenix desert. Prescott can feel quite geographically restrictive and isolated with nowhere to go when you want to get out.

[Saguarogirl507]

Originally Posted by kellieann

Another major reason for the move to Tucson is I am politically liberal/progressive and vegan. I am looking to be surrounded by more like-minded people.

Don't count on that! I have seen some truly disturbing truck "decor" in Tucson. MAGA flags, obscene bumper stickers, etc. And yes, choose your zip code carefully. Even then.....

[beckerd2]

Originally Posted by Saguarogirl507

Don't count on that! I have seen some truly disturbing truck "decor" in Tucson. MAGA flags, obscene bumper stickers, etc. And yes, choose your zip code carefully. Even then.....

4 year old thread...OP has not came back for that long. LOL on the "disturbing" truck decor

[steiconi]

Originally Posted by Saguarogirl507

Don't count on that! I have seen some truly disturbing truck "decor" in Tucson. MAGA flags, obscene bumper stickers, etc. And yes, choose your zip code carefully. Even then.....

My neighbor has "FJB" in red, white, and blue lights on his roof. It's just a splash of color from my kitchen window, and I was kind of shocked when I drove by and realized what it was. He was flying a "F**k Joe Biden" flag, or I might not have figured it out.

But most of my neighbors are less...obsessed? crazy?

[tijlover]

We're not allowed political signs or any political indications in my 55+community in midtown, but I know who the super religious are and..............