Way back in February, I posted this thread asking for opinions on Tucson.
Well, it’s official now - I’m moving to Tucson in June (holy crap, that’s next month). As this has become reality, I’m finding myself completely freaked out by the necessity of finding a place to rent from, oh, 2000 miles away. When I can’t make the trip out to actually look at places I’m considering (yeah, that usually works out well).
Basically, I’ve been haunting the Apartment listings on Craigslist, but I read them and realize that, even with a map, I have no idea as to whether that neighborhood/complex is someplace I want to be.
If you’re a Tucson Doper, and you rent, do you like where you live? Would you recommend it to someone else? I’d love to have a house/duplex to rent - but I’m running into the same problems: I can’t go look at the property to figure out if the neighborhood is someplace I’m willing to live.
Basically - at this point I need advice on areas to live. I’ll be working at the university, so I don’t want an insane commute - and it’s possible I’ll be taking the bus for my first year or so there (since I don’t know whether I’ll be able to get a parking permit), so I’d need to be close to a bus line.
Ok, ok, calm down. You are moving to one of the most beautiful cities in the southwest in my opinion. However, there are neighborhood where you want to steer clear of.
The Catalina Foothills area is beautiful, safe, and has a very nice upper-middle class, fun appeal. For more info this site had helped a few friends of mine learn the real Tucson. It’s and honest up to date relocater. What are you looking to pay for rent? under or over $1000?
Wow with a reread of my post I realize my grammar was a little off, but in my defense I was doing several things at once…I should really quell that when I’m posting.
Anyway, feel free to email me if you have more pointed Q’s…
Thanks - as far as rent amount, I’d really like to not go over $800/month - preferably less as possible. I’ve mainly been looking in what places Central - just figuring that it will be an easier bus trip in.
Mostly my problems come when I start looking at the Craigslist postings. For example, I see things like these:
But I have no idea as to whether those are general areas I’d be willing to live - are they the student slums (like what I lived in during grad school) - which tend to be noisier and sometimes have more crime, or do they tend to be family neighborhoods - or a combination of both?
I’m fairly certain I don’t want to be as far out as the foothills area - though if the commute’s ok and the price is right, I’d be ok with it.
Hmmm, some of those [first two] are definitley university duplexes, I would avoid those like the plague - thats just me, and I like my sleep. I’d expect random parties, etc…etc… Others, the second to last one is in an OK neighborhood.
Are you not planning on having a car? I’d would highly recommend having one in AZ. Walking in the summer is really not a good idea. And everything that is really nice hiking, site seeing, etc…etc… around Tuscon would require a vehicle. I would put that rather high on my list if it’s not there already.
If you want to get out of the university lifestyle, I would recommend the foothills area, or the north east part of town. Just a recommendation though…
the commute is not bacd from the footlhills, thousands of people do it twice a day. And it really is nice in those area…You’ll be thankful for it when it’s 8 p.m. and you can leisurly sit on your porch and sip a cold beverage, or read a book, instead of listening to gun shots or loud music closer to the uni.
My grandmother lived in Tucson with a good view of the Catalinas. Not the foothills, but rather close. I love that city (though it’s been a long time since I visited). I’m considering it for a retirement option.
It’s gorgeous! I like the foothills in Phoenix a little more but that’s because I’ve lived there, and have relatives there. But my wife and I certainly would retire there. Granted we should get going with a family first…but it doesn’t hurt to think ahead
No, I’ll have a car - it’s more a matter of not knowing whether I’ll be able to get a parking permit at the university - parking on campus looks to be pretty tight, and I don’t know if I’ll be able to get a permit, so I’d like to stay close to bus lines if possible - at least within reasonable walking distance to a bus line.
I find there are very nice very low crime areas in all directions in Phoenix. Most noteably Ahwatukee which is in South Phoenix, bisected by south mountain to the north and the Gila indian rez to the south. It is very nice, low crime, I’d have built more of a life there had I not the attachment to New England that I do.
My wife and I would be young snow birds, but our current professions dictate otherwise.
Then there is Chandler, Paradise Valley, Scottsdale, Gilbert, all areas around Phoenix with lower crime. I’ve nothing bad to say about retiring in Phoenix.
Welcome to Tucson. I don’t know too much about the downtown area, but I can tell you that the conventional wisdom is that the Foothills area is expensive and South Tucson has a reputation for being a high crime area. I know the first is true, but haven’t been here long enough myself to know much about the second. I like where I live (way out in the toolies, north of the city), but it would be too far for you to commute, so I can’t really recommend it to you.
The real estate market is crashing in Tucson so there are a gazillion vacancies and rentals shouldn’t be too hard to find. Plus, you are (bravely) arriving when students and snowbirds are all taking off. Should make finding a place easier for you. Here’s a link to the various newspaper classified ads, to supplement Craigslist.
It’s beautiful here, Lsura, even in the summer. Just make sure that the air conditioner works.
My mom lives in Tucson, in the foothills. I’ve been out a few times, and it’s a beautiful area. I can’t get to craigslist from work, so I can’t look at the listings you’re showing - but as a general guide - she’s just off Oracle, near Lavery Rd.
Um, just in case my mom stops being hospitable, is it ok if I come stay by you for a week or so in March next year? Spring training, you know, stuff like that?
Well, based on the comments of many friends and family members, I may have to take reservations for various times of year, but, you know, get your dates in early enough and sure, you can take priority over my poor mother.
Oh, sucks to be you moving in June. Make sure you sign a 6-month lease so that you can move in the winter if you want to.
When you narrow your search down, if you still need opinions on places, email me- I’d be happy to help in any way. Except helping you move, it’s going to be too damn hot for me to help you with that.
