What is "nicest" part of Tucson? Alternatively, most "family friendly"? (Catalina Foothills: foreclosures, low crime)

[BNDO]

My husband is contemplating taking a job in Tucson and while I'm on maternity leave, I thought perhaps I'd get a jump on learning about the area.

What, in your personal opinion, is the "nicest" area of Tucson? As in, nice homes, low crime, great schools, good shopping, etc.

Alternatively, what is the most "family friendly" area? E.g., an area with young families, lots of parks, again, great schools, things to do for kids, etc.

Do the nicest areas and most family friendly areas overlap? Or are they mutually exclusive?

Thanks in advance for your input.

[LordBalfor]

North or East - generally speaking.
There are very nice and safe areas elsewhere of course, but North or East are (for the most part) the preferred areas (safer, cleaner, nicer).

Ken

[sierraAZ]

Generally - the farther out, the closer to the mountains, the better! There are some very nice central neighborhoods, too, and they're among the most expensive.

I'm not sure exactly what "family-friendly" is... If somebody wants the Stepford Wives look, Rancho Sahuarita comes the closest, lol!

[BNDO]

I meant family friendly in terms of lots of kids, playgroups, parks, neighborhood feel, moms groups, etc. I actually just stumbled across Rancho Sahuarita and their "amenities." I've never seen anything like it here in the Midwest; it looks great as far as lots of things to do with children...whats the catch?

[azdr0710]

Originally Posted by BNDO

I actually just stumbled across Rancho Sahuarita and their "amenities." I've never seen anything like it here in the Midwest; it looks great as far as lots of things to do with children...whats the catch?

one catch is it has a lot of upside-down mortgages, vacancy problems, foreclosures, unfinished developments.....

also, a bit far from Tucson if you won't be working on the south side.....

gee, I'm a real ray of sunshine today.....sorry....

[sierraAZ]

Originally Posted by BNDO

I meant family friendly in terms of lots of kids, playgroups, parks, neighborhood feel, moms groups, etc. I actually just stumbled across Rancho Sahuarita and their "amenities."

I don't have children myself, so I don't pay attention to this type of stuff. There are many parks and playgrounds in my neighborhood, though - Sierra Morado. Come to think of it, these neighborhoods are more the exception than the rule.

I've never seen anything like it here in the Midwest; it looks great as far as lots of things to do with children...whats the catch?

There's no catch really... It's not expensive. It's just far away. Some claim the schools are decent... I really don't know. They're certainly not in the top districts, but perhaps some individual schools are fine.

[sierraAZ]

Originally Posted by azdr0710

one catch is it has a lot of upside-down mortgages, vacancy problems, foreclosures, unfinished developments.....

I think the Rancho was finished even before the housing crisis, wasn't it...?

[azdr0710]

Originally Posted by sierraAZ

I think the Rancho was finished even before the housing crisis, wasn't it...?

well, I just drove thru there for the first time a few days ago and saw some unfinished development lots near the area where RS Blvd swings from northbound to east - on the NW side of that curve....those houses were started around 2007, I think......there may be other areas, but, yes, RS was started well before the downturn....

[BNDO]

Originally Posted by azdr0710

one catch is it has a lot of upside-down mortgages, vacancy problems, foreclosures, unfinished developments.....

also, a bit far from Tucson if you won't be working on the south side.....

gee, I'm a real ray of sunshine today.....sorry....

No problem!
This is why I'm researching as much as possible before we even make a trip out there to get a lay of the land. I've already perused the local mls website, as well as greatschools.com, but there is just something to be said for having the local perspective. For that - I want to say thank you to everyone for responding.

So far, it seems (to me) as though Catalina Foothills (the priciest area?), Vail, and Oro Valley have the best schools, while Rancho appears to be a more kid friendly with okay schools (with a longer commute built in as it seems to be further away...?).

With two small children, I can't help but like Rancho's amenities and activities; are there any other planned communities like that in the Tucson area that I should be aware of?

[JSizzle225]

My favorite part of Tucson, is the I-10 North, out of town.