Been meaning to ask this. I'm retired and Homes are going for about $242,200 on average. Household incomes average around $54,546 in Tucson. Median household income is $54,546, which feels on the lower side for the area. You can expect to pay around $1,079 for rent here. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. It's changing fast — some good, some not so much. Property taxes are high but you get good services.
10 upvotes
21 Replies
Andrew Hernandez
The food scene here is improving. Tons of great Thai places. it's not perfect but it works for me.
40 upvotes
Piper A.
seconding this
38 upvotes
Chloe Martinez
hmm interesting perspective
35 upvotes
Liam Patel
as a local I can confirm
35 upvotes
Emmett A.
This.
34 upvotes
Mason D.
haha yep pretty much
33 upvotes
Anna J.
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it's been a really good experience overall. Internet is improving in most areas.
30 upvotes
Lucas Nelson
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are decent, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
26 upvotes
Kaylee
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Pine Hills for 8 years. Moved from Austin for a fresh start. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is underrated. We bought in 2018 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
healthcare is strong here. legal is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are reasonable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's not perfect but it works for me. The outdoor scene is excellent - we have desert landscapes within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Pine Hills schools are average. If you have kids, this should be your number one factor in choosing a neighborhood.
**The Bad:**
I'd be lying if I said everything is great. Rising rent and home prices. Limited entertainment options. And traffic can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 8/10. Would recommend to anyone considering it.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
25 upvotes
Rylee Gutierrez
Moved here from Baltimore about 1 years ago. I love the pace of life here. Still getting used to community vibe but Definitely worth checking out..
24 upvotes
Anna Bailey
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a real estate agent, 56, moved here 3 years ago from Seattle. I've lived in Old Town and Eastside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Strong job market in several industries
2. Active local events and festivals
3. Close to major attractions
4. The people are generally better than expected - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Road conditions need improvement
2. Limited shopping options
3. The outdoor recreation situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Old Town: Great for families. surprisingly good vibes, walkable.
- Eastside: More affordable, family-friendly.
**Neighborhoods I'd avoid:**
- Without naming names, stay away from areas east of downtown until you know the city better.
**Cost comparison:**
Coming from Seattle, everything felt average. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $90K-$80K here.
**Final verdict:**
Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. It's not perfect - nowhere is - but for the price point and quality of life, it's hard to beat. DM me if you have specific questions.
21 upvotes
Wesley Wright
exactly what I was thinking
19 upvotes
James White
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are improving, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
16 upvotes
Everett
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 3 years ago from LA and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in South. It's hit or miss for what you get.
Jobs: The market is growing right now, especially in tech. If you're in consulting you might struggle.
People: Generally challenging. It took about 10 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: pretty good. Tons of options if you like Asian.
Definitely worth checking out..
14 upvotes
Santiago Roberts
Weather-wise, the summers are surprisingly good and winters are reasonable. You get used to it after the first year.
10 upvotes
Julian
wish I knew this sooner
9 upvotes
Aaliyah R.
accurate
7 upvotes
Paisley
literally same
6 upvotes
Ellie A.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value cost of living, you'll love it. The housing market is genuinely hit or miss and I've found I'm still on the fence after all this time. My neighborhood (Springfield) is established and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Portland, be prepared for the culture shock. cost of living is completely different here. And Limited entertainment options.
My advice would be to visit for at least a week before committing. Rent first, don't buy. And explore multiple neighborhoods - they're all different.
3 upvotes
Audrey Bennett
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in South for 4 years. Moved from Boston for retirement. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is surprisingly good. We bought in 2023 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
education is strong here. legal is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are growing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I genuinely enjoy living here. The outdoor scene is average - we have beaches within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. South schools are pretty good. If you have kids, this should be your number one factor in choosing a neighborhood.
**The Bad:**
I'd be lying if I said everything is great. Property taxes are high. Far from beaches/mountains. And nightlife can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 7/10. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
2 upvotes
Lucas R.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a sales manager who relocated here from Miami about 8 years ago. The main reasons were work and family.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Good schools in most areas
- Strong job market in several industries
Cons that are real:
- Limited entertainment options
- Far from beaches/mountains
Financially, we've found it surprisingly good compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are manageable, gas is decent.
Socially, I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Hope this helps!.
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