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Brooks R.
housing
Rent vs buy in Tucson — what makes sense?
Crime rate is something to consider — Tucson sits at 688.4 per 100K.
12 upvotes
3 Replies
Asher M.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Sunset for 11 years. Moved from Baltimore for a fresh start. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is challenging. We bought in 2018 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
legal is strong here. education is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are established for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's not perfect but it works for me. The outdoor scene is surprisingly good - we have state parks within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Sunset 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. Chain restaurants dominate. Limited entertainment options. And cost of living can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 5/10. Would recommend to anyone considering it.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
I've been in Sunset for 11 years. Moved from Baltimore for a fresh start. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is challenging. We bought in 2018 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
legal is strong here. education is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are established for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's not perfect but it works for me. The outdoor scene is surprisingly good - we have state parks within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Sunset 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. Chain restaurants dominate. Limited entertainment options. And cost of living can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 5/10. Would recommend to anyone considering it.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
29 upvotes
Michael G.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 6 years ago from Chicago and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in West. It's decent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is established right now, especially in tech. If you're in retail you might struggle.
People: Generally excellent. It took about 8 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: hit or miss. Tons of options if you like Thai.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in West. It's decent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is established right now, especially in tech. If you're in retail you might struggle.
People: Generally excellent. It took about 8 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: hit or miss. Tons of options if you like Thai.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
18 upvotes
Cora T.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a chef who relocated here from Denver about 2 years ago. The main reasons were quality of life and work.
Pros I've experienced:
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Good internet infrastructure
- Good airport with direct flights
Cons that are real:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Chain restaurants dominate
Financially, we've found it improving compared to where we came from. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. Groceries are stable, gas is challenging.
Socially, it's exactly what I was looking for. Happy to answer more specific questions..
I'm a chef who relocated here from Denver about 2 years ago. The main reasons were quality of life and work.
Pros I've experienced:
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Good internet infrastructure
- Good airport with direct flights
Cons that are real:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Chain restaurants dominate
Financially, we've found it improving compared to where we came from. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. Groceries are stable, gas is challenging.
Socially, it's exactly what I was looking for. Happy to answer more specific questions..
2 upvotes