Phoenix Relocation Guide

H O U S I N G & N E I G H B O R H O O D S

housing designs means there’s a home here for every taste, lifestyle and pocketbook.

western, classical, reggae, rock and jazz filling the air to create a beautiful symphony celebrating the myriad of cultures here. Further evidence of Tucson’s cultural mix is in the cityscape itself, with its downtown of adobe buildings surrounded by modern buildings. The distinctly Southwestern styles of St. Augustine Cathedral, the Pima County Courthouse, the Veterans Administration Hospital and dozens of turn-of-the-century homes delight the eye and hearken to days gone past. Those who call Tucson home are often found outdoors enjoying the city’s natural beauty, including the area’s 30,000 acres of parkland, outdoor exercise and recreation facilities, more than 30 golf courses, municipal parks, as well as bicycling, jogging and equestrian trails. Dozens of hiking clubs lead the way through the mountain ranges that surround the city, while softball, baseball and soccer leagues for all ages and skill levels abound. Finding a place to live is one of the most exciting experiences a newcomer to the Tucson area can have. With the help of a trained real estate professional, those new to the area can be assured of making an informed decision about one of the most important decisions in their lives: the purchase of a home. A knowledgeable realtor can help homebuyers make an intelligent choice about “location, location, location” and select a community that will best suit the buyer’s needs and lifestyle. Realtors may be found through recommen- dations from friends, coworkers, family, contacting your local board of realtors and also more importantly – the partners and realty companies represented in this publi- cation. Finding a realtor and becoming educated about the Tucson area and the amenities offered in the different neighbor- hoods will go a long way toward making the house hunting experience an enjoyable one. At 226 square miles, Tucson is more than four times the size of San Francisco, but its smaller population means residents enjoy all the perks of a large city, while being able to navigate the territory with the ease of a small town. The variety of communities and

story homes to avoid a “bowling alley” feeling in the design.)

Older, well-to-do neighborhoods such as El Encanto that were once on the outskirts of the city are now located in midtown. East Tucson offers established neighborhoods with mature landscaping and clear views of the Rincon Mountains. Many commu- nities have sprung up around country clubs in the winding foothills of Tucson’s moun- tains, while new subdivisions on the city’s periphery offer energy. Tucson’s northeast side features large house-property lots and affordable family homes, while rural-style homes on bigger, open lots are found on the west side. When it comes to selecting the perfect home, it all comes down to the individual buyer’s particular set of circumstances that will most affect the decision of where and what to buy. While single-family homes are readily avail- able in Tucson, today’s buyers want to know all the options available to them. Duplexes, townhomes, condominiums and zero-lot line homes are available to those who want to choose a particular style of home or home- ownership that suits their needs best. To select the best housing option, prospective buyers need to have a realtor that is knowl- edgeable about the differences in ownership. Single-family homes, condominiums, and zero-lot line homes are built on individual lots with surveyed and plotted boundaries. Depending on the development, these homes may be subject to certain legal rules and restrictions regarding the physical specifica- tions of the home, including later housing alterations made to the home. Like single family homes, zero lot line homes are built on individual lots, but have little or no yard and therefore no yard maintenance. Instead, these homes offer their owners small terraced areas or patios they can choose to landscape. Two attached single-family homes on one lot are considered a duplex, and give resi- dents options to use one of the property’s homes for rental property. Townhomes are one- or two-story homes constructed in rows that share sidewalls, with unobstructed front and back entries and small lawns or patios. (Often, townhomes are constructed as two

Condominiums offer a homeowner even less outdoor upkeep: while the homeowner is responsible for indoor maintenance, the exterior of the dwelling is the responsibility of a management company appointed by the homeowner’s association of the condo- minium complex. Some homeowners look forward to hours spent on puttering in the yard, while others believe picking up the Sunday newspaper off the lawn is home maintenance. Whereas it used to be that single-family homes were the predominant choice among home buyers, many now want homes that will accommo- date busy work and recreation schedules. Those making home purchases include busy executives, empty nesters and students who don’t want the responsibility of yard work and prefer to let the homeowners association take care of it. The University of Arizona is among the country’s top twenty research universities, and plays an important role in attracting and supporting local business. The largest private employer in the area is Raytheon Missile Systems, which develops tactical and strategic defense missile systems. Tucson’s defense and aerospace sector is further enhanced by Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, located on the city’s southeast side. Other major employers include the reservation center for American Airlines and GEICO, while high-tech companies such as Sunquest Information Systems, Intuit, AOL, IBM, Bombardier and Texas Instruments. Health care, one of Tucson’s original attrac- tions, continues to draw people from around the nation and provides thousands of jobs. Tucson has ten hospitals and the University of Arizona is the only medical school in the state. Many of the physicians who treat patients here are known throughout the world as the best in their particular specializations. Tucson is also known to those who seek a more holistic approach to their health, with several internationally known health and spa retreats and alternative health care centers, such as Miraval and Canyon Ranch luxury resorts in the Catalina Foothills. l

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