WHY MOVE TO TUCSON, ORO VALLEY OR MARANA? In my earlier post on August 8th, TOP REASONS TO MOVE TO TUCSON, I highlighted the WEATHER, ACTIVE LIFE STYLE, AND THE OLD WEST ATTITUDE as great reasons to move to Tucson. This time let me go into more detail on TUCSON HOME PRICES, LOW TAXES AND COST OF LIVING, AND RELATIVELY LOW COST, HIGH QUALITY HIGHER EDUCATION.
Like most of the rest of the country, TUCSON'S HOME PRICES HAVE DECLINED OVER THE PAST YEAR. The amount of the decline differs by neighborhoods. In general the Tucson MLS indicates HOME PRICES declined 17.3% from last year. The average sales price in July was $210,767. Home prices play a big part in making Tucson more affordable than many places. Sperlings Best Places website indicates that Tucson's COST OF LIVING is 5.10% lower than the national average. In comparison to two other retirement communities, Hilton Head has a 74% higher cost of living and Fort Lauderdale has a 30% higher cost of living. Real estate taxes are approximately 1% of your home value. As an aside, both Fort Lauderdale and Tucson have palm trees.
My experience in moving from Northern New Jersey to Tucson is that housing is almost half, real estate taxes are much less, you don't need as much heating for your home and you really only need air conditioning for at most five months a year, clothing is less and entertainment is less. No need for heavy winter clothes here. The price of a Broadway in Tucson show is less than those on Broadway, but I have to admit, it's not Broadway...
The UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA AND PIMA COMMUNITY COLLEGE provide MAJOR BARGAINS in HIGHER EDUCATION compared to most universities back east. The UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA has over 36,000 students and they estimate a semester's tuition for in state students at under $5000. PIMA COMMUNITY COLLEGE is even less expensive and is now coordinating 4 year degrees with other institutions. According to WWW.STATEUNIVERSITY.COM the UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA is ranked 406 out of 2000 universities while it's cost is 885th. There are many free charter schools here besides the traditional public schools and private schools for grammer and highschools.
If you are thinking of moving here, happy to chat about what is important to you. Give me a call.
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