diversity and politics (Phoenix, Tucson, Oro Valley: crime rates, homes, neighborhoods)

[zenpicker]

Hi - We are Chicagoans used to living in a very ethnically diverse community. We're looking for a place with more sun - Tucson looks very appealing though there seem to be crime concerns (but compared to Chicago--?). We certainly understand that we won't have the kind of diversity we're used to here, but are there any significant ethnic groups apart from white and Hispanic?

Another important consideration is whether as liberal Dems we will find neighbors and friends on the liberal side of the political spectrum. It's hard to tell from the stats we saw. What's the political climate like?

[Idaho]

Tucson is NOT Phoenix, so don't worry about political diversity in Tucson... It's alive and well... Phoenix is considered republican, but not Tucson - You'll find it all politically! Ethnically, the diversity is not so obvious, but white & hispanic are not alone: African, African-American, Arabic, Asian, Jewish, Native-American, and others are respectfully present in the greater Tucson area. Religious diversity is also included.

Keep in mind that Tucson's history is Native American first, then Spanish influence, and of course the U.S. territorial era.
Tucson is proud of all of her heritage(s). removed

[tucsondesertdweller]

I would say that Tucson proper meaning the city limits probably has a little more diversity due to the University.
We live in the burbs, its not too diverse, but recently we are seeing slight changes, up in Oro Valley its a republican town, that also is changing with the influx of people from other states, perhaps north east, etc.

[BillyBaroo]

You would probably enjoy living near the University of Arizona. A few areas to look at would be the Blenman-Elm, Sam Hughes, Colonia Solano, or El Encanto neighborhoods. They are all historic neighborhoods and offer a wide variety of homes.

[OREGONRAIN]

Its not going to exist like you said in Tuscon as it does in Chicago. You will need to find what exists in Tucson that is Tucson and see how that feels for you, it is easier that way, otherwise you may find yourself missing Chicago more than you know for way to long.

[MaimounaKande]

We lived in Oro Valley during the last presidential election and there were more Kerry signs than Bush signs. As for ethnic diversity, there is not much of it there at all. It was almost exclusively white. The landscapers and builders were Mexican (but did not live there). There were a few adopted Asian and black children, but not many actually families of mother-father-children of another race. We have biological (white) children and an adopted (black) son. We did not like the lack of diversity, especially as we feel he needs to see not just black children adopted into white families, but actual black families. We don't live there any more.

We loved Oro Valley overall, but ethnically diverse it is not. As for crime, there is almost none in Oro Valley. If you look at the stats and rankings, it has one of the lowest crime rates of any town of its size in the country. There is almost none.

Downtown Tucson has more diversity. It's not Chicago, but it does have a really nice style of its own and I love the Spanish influence there. There is more crime there though.

[scottie]

Originally Posted by zenpicker

Hi - We are Chicagoans used to living in a very ethnically diverse community. We're looking for a place with more sun - Tucson looks very appealing though there seem to be crime concerns (but compared to Chicago--?). We certainly understand that we won't have the kind of diversity we're used to here, but are there any significant ethnic groups apart from white and Hispanic?

Another important consideration is whether as liberal Dems we will find neighbors and friends on the liberal side of the political spectrum. It's hard to tell from the stats we saw. What's the political climate like?

Tucson has diversity. White and Hispanic and thats it. There are a few AA's but barely any and the same with Asians. Phoenix is more diverse if thats what youre looking for

[DACorreia]

Another important consideration is whether as liberal Dems we will find neighbors and friends on the liberal side of the political spectrum.


-- We have this concern too, but I agree with the other posts that the university area probably increases the likelihood of living near other fellow liberals and progressives. Maybe we should start a topic for liberals wanting to move to Tucson...

David

[DACorreia]

Originally Posted by BillyBaroo

You would probably enjoy living near the University of Arizona. A few areas to look at would be the Blenman-Elm, Sam Hughes, Colonia Solano, or El Encanto neighborhoods. They are all historic neighborhoods and offer a wide variety of homes.

Hi,

Can you tell me roughly where these two areas are? I'm using the maps on trulia.com (very good btw), but I don't see these two neighborhoods listed.

Thanks!

David