Should we or shouldn't we move to Tucson? (Phoenix, Nogales: HOA, car insurance)

[Hockfr01]

My family and I have lived in Las Vegas (Nevada) for many years & are considering a move in the next few months to the Tucson area. We are in our late forties with a teenage daughter and are trying to decide if this is the right move.

Anyone have some quality input? We can surely use it. Thank you.

[ruready1st]

I lived in Tucson, AZ for 10 years and currently live in Las Vegas. We are hoping to return to Tucson in a few months.

I will talk about the pros of Tucson mostly.

I believe the climate in Tucson is more tolerable. There isn't as much wind. If you have respiratory issues that is a big bonus. Yes, it is hot in the summer, but there is actually a monsoon season. It rains and cools things off. The winters are milder. When we lived in Tucson we were outside 10 months of the year. Pool season is longer. Here we aren't out very much in December, January, July and August.

It is a Sonoran Desert so it has more vegetation. You don't see big open tracks of land of just dirt and rock. There will always be something growing there. There are spectacular sunsets more often.

The cost of living is less. In Tucson we spent less on gas, food, car insurance, and extra curricular activities for us and the children like yoga classes, ballet and swim lessons.

Most private schools are less expensive and better in some cases. The public schools are part of smaller school districts throughout Pima County so it provides more choices.

I'm not sure how to explain it. It has a slightly more white collar or University feel to it, it isn't as Tourist centered.

The people are friendlier, you are more likely to know your neighbors. Our neighborhood had block parties, bunco group, etc...

Tucson has the best Gem and Jewelry show in the US. If you are into Geodes and Fossils the Gem and Jewelry show is awesome too.

We lived in 3 different HOA communities in Tucson, they seem slightly more tolerable than here. I heard far less complaints about HOAs in Tucson than here.

Healthcare is better. You are more likely to find the availability of specialist especially for children. The support services for a special needs child are far superior and one reason we have to get out of NV. If you can't find what you need in Tucson, Phoenix will definitely have it and it is only 1 1/2 hour to 2 hour drive away.

Okay, there are some cons to Tucson as opposed to Vegas.

There is little night life unless you hang out by the University. There aren't as many entertainment choices in general. The big name concerts usually skip Tucson for Phoenix.

There are less airfare deals since Tucson is a smaller market. You sit at stop lights in Tucson. There is only 1 major highway so it can take you 45 minutes to cross town during non-traffic times. Not like here where you can get most places in 30 minutes unless it is rush hour.

The choices for retail shopping are less. I will greatly miss all the different outlets here in town.

Just as an FYI:
The housing market is in the toilet there too and I hear the job market is tough too.

The largest employers are the University of Arizona, Raytheon, and the government: Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Border Patrol, Pima County, City of Tucson, and Tucson Airport Authority. All those industries depend on tax dollars, with the huge deficits of government agencies I don't know what the economic future of the City will be.

I think that sums it up. Anything else you can think of?

[RickTucsonHomes]

Wow, that was an excellent review of the two cities. Nice to have someone with time in both areas to make the comparison. The only things I would add is if you golf Tucson is a golfers paradise. If you like to bike there are lots of excellent bike paths. Great area for hiking too for all different experience levels. Also a great area if you are a photography buff. What type of things is your daughter interested in? With the national attention the UofA gets girls softball is very big here at all levels.

[Jukesgrrl]

To me, the big question would be, "Why do you want to leave Las Vegas?" It would be easier to see if Tucson is a good fit for you if we knew why you were considering a move from a city where you've lived "for many years." And what are your teenager's feelings? I know I would have been totally traumatized had my parents taken me out of my high school to finish at another one ... and I went to a terrible high school.

[Bummer]

Impressive point by point comparison, ruready.

Prior to relocating to Tucson back in the late 90's, I seriously considered Las Vegas as well as some of the surrounding towns but Tucson won hands down due to the weather and the friendly "cow-town" atmosphere. If I ever feel the need for a "big city fix," Phoenix is less than two hours away.

Thirteen years later and I'm even more convinced I made the right decision.

[ruready1st]

Originally Posted by RickTucsonHomes

Wow, that was an excellent review of the two cities. Nice to have someone with time in both areas to make the comparison. The only things I would add is if you golf Tucson is a golfers paradise. If you like to bike there are lots of excellent bike paths. Great area for hiking too for all different experience levels. Also a great area if you are a photography buff. What type of things is your daughter interested in? With the national attention the UofA gets girls softball is very big here at all levels.

Thank you.

I didn't mention golf or hiking because they are fairly equivalent. Although, my DH is an avid hiker and he thinks Vegas has an edge on the hiking.

Surprising to most that don't live in Vegas, the opportunities to hike here are very good. Red Rock, Mt. Charleston, and Valley of Fire are all great. Then there are the big parks like Bryce, Zion and Grand Canyon North Rim that are within a days drive. Mt. Charleston has better sledding and skiing, than Mt. Lemmon.

He does think that biking, especially Mountain biking is better in Tucson.

[tijlover]

As someone also planning to relocate from Las Vegas to Tucson, I feel Tucson is a much saner, slower-paced, more human-scaled Phoenix.

The only real thing I'll miss in Las Vegas is the mountain scenery, higher mountains to look at. Mt. Lemmon is no Mt. Charleston, which is 3000 feet higher!

No insurance, can't rely on medicare any more, got a toothache, you can go south to Nogales or Hermosillo for medical/dental care.

The extra dose of humidity I'm not looking forward to. 11 inches of precip. for Tucson, around 4 inches for Las Vegas, what does that tell you?

One trade-off, less windy than Las Vegas. Let's not forget the potential wind-chill misery of winters in the desert!

[2farsouth]

Originally Posted by tijlover

As someone also planning to relocate from Las Vegas to Tucson, I feel Tucson is a much saner, slower-paced, more human-scaled Phoenix.

The only real thing I'll miss in Las Vegas is the mountain scenery, higher mountains to look at. Mt. Lemmon is no Mt. Charleston, which is 3000 feet higher!

No insurance, can't rely on medicare any more, got a toothache, you can go south to Nogales or Hermosillo for medical/dental care.

The extra dose of humidity I'm not looking forward to. 11 inches of precip. for Tucson, around 4 inches for Las Vegas, what does that tell you?

One trade-off, less windy than Las Vegas. Let's not forget the potential wind-chill misery of winters in the desert!

I know all things are relative, but being from Minnesota, I almost fall over when people talk about high humidity here. I also lived in Mazatlan and Panama for 5 yrs and when I hear about "monsoons" It makes me smile some.

Besides the lack of blues, I wish Tucson had a large downtown to wander around in, like larger cities. Other than that, I highly recommend Tucson!!!

[aeros71]

What are the humidity levels like in Tucson during the spring and summer compared to the Monsoon season?

[azdr0710]

Originally Posted by aeros71

What are the humidity levels like in Tucson during the spring and summer compared to the Monsoon season?

humidity is usually 10% or less from mid Sept. thru late June....in July and Aug, it skyrockets to 20 or 30% (!).....pretty uncomfortable in those two months....