3 Points living in 2020? (Tucson, Three Points, Ajo: homes, to buy, casino)

[Yvonne McIntosh]

I’ve been reading about 3 Points area here and elsewhere however posts are all older. Can anyone comment on current livability? Safety? Shopping?

Thanks

[sky94]

I can't speak directly about living in Three Points, but I do live in the far SW side of Tucson (area of Ajo Hwy and Camino Verde) which isn't too far from there. Good place to live if you want that “desert living” feel. Not much in Three Points in the way of shopping. There's a gas station, a couple dollar stores and a few places to eat. Be prepared to drive a ways if you want anything beyond that. The next closest shopping options are in the Midvale Park area which is about a 30-40 minute drive each way from Three Points depending on the time of day. Hope this helps.

[Oklazona Bound]

Originally Posted by Yvonne McIntosh

I’ve been reading about 3 Points area here and elsewhere however posts are all older. Can anyone comment on current livability? Safety? Shopping?

Thanks

I lived in 3 points about 15 years ago. And lived closer to where Casino Del Sol is last year. If you don't have to go to work daily in Tucson its fine. The traffic bottlenecks near the I-19 in the mornings and afternoons. There is only a few ways to go east into Tucson from the there and that is the problem. Biggest safety issue I was aware of when I lived in 3 points were drug mules and human traffickers who walk north from Mexico. That area is a major drug route. Border patrol vehicles all over, helicopters, drones, etc. Most people out there have acreage and locked fences but you have to be careful. These people could be armed and you want anything to do with them. I moved because of all the driving and the mini war zone out there with the border patrol and the traffickers from Mexico. South of 3 points there is just desert and mountains all the way to Mexico. That is why they like going through there.

As far as shopping goes you have to go into Tucson on Valencia road for Walmart, supermarkets and basically everything that you don't want to buy at a dollar store.

[recycled]

I like to explore the outer edges of the Tucson area, taking my car on back roads and scenic drives. During this pandemic, nothing wrong with hopping in the car by myself for a few hours and getting out of the house. Less than 2 weeks ago, I took an afternoon drive out to Three Points (aka Robles Junction) via Ajo Way / Hiway 86. The Ajo Way bridges over the Santa Cruz River and I-19 intersection are almost complete, so that will help the traffic congestion for people heading west on Ajo towards Three Points. Hiway 86 has also had a lot of improvements (paving, additional lanes) between Kinney Rd & Valencia Rd.

Not sure how many drug smugglers currently prowl through Three Points, but CBP has a huge patrol station near the intersection of hiway 286 (south to Sasabe & Mexico) & 86 (Tucson-Ajo highway). It looks pretty new, lots of tax dollars went into that. IMO, smugglers would be nuts to do anything near Three Points aside from trying to get out of there as fast as possible.

I turned off highway 86 and headed up Sierrita Mountain Rd until the end of the pavement, about 5 south from highway 86. It is a constant uphill grade, and gets you way above the surrounding lowlands. You have incredible views from Kitt Peak to the Tucson Mountains and even Picacho Peak to the north. That area is known as Mountain Bell Ranch, originally subdivided 50+ years ago. Extremely isolated, quiet and rural. It is not an upscale development, many manufactured homes or simple site built homes. There is a fire station, gas station & small market, not much else in the way of services. I am guessing several hundred homes are in the area, maybe more. It's hard to tell because most are off the paved road and scattered on big parcels. I don't know if the smugglers would want to go out of their way and go up there. Anyone else ever gone up to Mountain Bell Ranch above Three Points? It reminds me a bit of Corona de Tucson before the new tract homes and subdivisions went in the last 10-15 years.

[Windwalker2]

I never heard of Mountain Bell Ranch, but Diamond Bell Ranch is up there, off of Diamond Bell Ranch Rd. It is all site built homes, most with scenic views. Nice place, but far from services and shopping.

[recycled]

Originally Posted by Windwalker2

I never heard of Mountain Bell Ranch, but Diamond Bell Ranch is up there, off of Diamond Bell Ranch Rd. It is all site built homes, most with scenic views. Nice place, but far from services and shopping.

Thanks for the correction, yes, it was Diamond Bell Ranch area that I visited. Way, way above the Three Points area. Yes, very far from services and shopping.