Relocation - Neighborhoods, Neighboring Towns & Real Estate

Tucson is made up of a variety of eclectic neighborhoods, ranging from upscale new housing and condo developments to historic, artsy, downtown communities. You’ll find a little bit of everything here.

Much like the rest of the country, the Tucson housing market has been affected by the economy, but there are some bright spots! In 2010 NBC’s Today show named Tucson among the top 10 places for bargain homes based on home value, home size, job growth, and increase in home prices, and Sunset Magazine listed Tucson in its March 2010 issue as one of the West’s “20 Towns of the Future,” for its “fresh, innovative and environmentally sound buildings.” It’s a good time to buy if you’re looking for a family-friendly, small city with lots of great sunshine and natural beauty.

Overview

According to the Tucson Association of Realtors, the median sale price for homes in Tucson as of February 2010 was $150,000, with an average sale price of $195,996. Although the median sales price was down compared to that of 2009, the number of homes sold was up and inventory was shrinking. Note that the prices listed in this chapter are just averages and do not include foreclosure homes, which are available in all neighborhoods in town.

However, even with the housing market slowdown, land is still scarce in the Tucson area. When the market begins to turn around, land values should continue their upward swing, so if you are thinking of moving to Tucson, now is a great time. The areas of most growth include downtown, where many new homes are being built and renovated as a result of Rio Nuevo, a multimillion-dollar revitalization effort. The northwest (Oro Valley and Marana) and southeast (Rincon Mountain) areas of town are bursting with available new single-family homes and developments, and the Green Valley, Vail, and Sahuarita areas continue to expand with luxury housing, developments, and active adult communities.

Tucson, unlike many cities of its size or larger, does not have suburbs in the customary sense. There’s Tucson (the city) and there’s Pima County (surrounding the city), and within both are numerous neighborhoods and towns, each with something a little different to offer. This chapter presents a primer on the metro area—from its fascinating historic areas to the sprawling newer ones. We try to convey the character and lifestyle, distinguishing architectural features, a few major points of interest, and what the real estate scene is like in select areas.

If you’re a visitor to Tucson, you’ll find great information about specific neighborhoods to visit for their historic, cultural, and design significance. If you’re a new resident or plan to be, this chapter will help you get an overview of the many options Tucson offers in the more established neighborhoods and where the growth is.

Relocation

Welcome to Tucson! You’ve made a great choice. With a metro population of just over one million, Tucson was voted “friendliest city” and one of the “top ten US cities to visit” by the readers of Condé Nast Traveler magazine. The second-largest city in Arizona and one of the fastest-growing metropolitan areas in the country, Tucson offers low-key living in the beautiful Sonoran Desert surrounded by five mountain ranges.

There’s something here for everyone. Love to golf? Tucson is consistently rated one of the best golfing destinations in the western US. Into bicycling? Bicycling Magazine has ranked Tucson one of the top three cities in North America for cycling. Thinking of retiring? Tucson is one of best places to retire, according to AARP Magazine.

There are few places that offer the sophistication of a small city with nearby wilderness areas that are still home to mountain lions, javelinas, and bears. You can attend a Broadway show or throw on your hiking gear and walk miles into pristine desert or forestland in a matter of minutes. With spectacular weather; hundreds of city, county, state, and national parks; a symphony; a ballet; and a top-rated university, Tucson has it all.

Multicultural with a strong mix of Spanish, Mexican, and Native American heritage, Tucson has a distinct personality.

Moving to any new area has its share of challenges, and Tucson is no exception. Here we aim to make things a little bit easier by offering a mini resource guide for newcomers packed with important phone numbers and local information.