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Tucson Being Considered as an Inland Port of Entry

By
Mortgage and Lending with SUNSTREET MORTGAGE, LLC (BK-0907366, NMLS 145171) NMLS 223495

 The Old Pueblo used to be considered a quiet, dusty sort of town, known more for climate than for commerce.

That hasn't been the case for quite a while, now.  Ranked by population, the city of Tucson, Arizona now tops

  • Atlanta, GA,
  • Sacramento, CA
  • Cleveland, OH
  • Kansas City, MO
  • Miami, FL
  • Minneapolis, MN
  • and many more

That's for only the city of Tucson, with a 2005 population estimate of 515,526.  (I'm that last digit.  It used to be 515,525.) 

Greater Tucson, an area of more than 900 square miles, has one million residents as of May, 2007.

Interstate 10 comes across from Texas, connecting Tucson with Phoenix and Los Angeles.  If you take the Interstate 8 hike to the left, you'll get to San Diego.

Small wonder, then, that Tucson is vying with Kingman, AZ as a major inland port.  Kingman is located on what's known as the N-S Canamex I-93 corridor, but Tucson has the edge economically.  Kingman doesn't have the economic clout that Tucson has, or the population to support the jobs that will be created.

This spells profitability for commercial and residential real estate.  When the current credit crunch eases, look for Tucson property values to move up more quickly than most of the rest of the nation.

And you can hedge your bets by buying real estate now in Kingman, Arizona.  Just in case...

I'm Mike in Tucson, your preferred Tucson, AZ mortgage lender.
 Mike Jones (Tucson Mortgage Company, LLC): Loan Officer in Tucson, Pima County, Arizona
Think of me as your local expert

photo and commentary
copyright Michael W. Jones

Comments(12)

Jesse Clifton
Jesse Clifton & Associates - Fairbanks, AK

Excellent news, Mike.  That should help fuel some great Tuscon market activity!

Jan 30, 2008 01:18 PM
Kent Simpson
Realty One Group Mountain Desert - Tucson, AZ
Real Estate Is About People
I'm glad you posted this, Mike.  Our economic base is diversifying more and more!  I like what I'm hearing from the commercial end of things.
Jan 30, 2008 02:14 PM
Mesa, Arizona Real Estate Mesa Arizona Realtor
Homes Arizona Real Estate LLC - Mesa, AZ
AzLadyInRed

Hi Mike: Isn't it true that the corridor between Phoenix and Tucson will be a huge corridor. As one drives along the 10 south, it becomes more and more obvious. Not too long ago, there was nothing in Maricopa, and now Casa Grande, etc. are becoming boom towns. Amazing how fast everything is growing out. I've even heard talk of a light rail possibility between Phoenix and Tucson. That would be fabulous!

Pepper

Jan 30, 2008 03:08 PM
Gayle Balaban
The Best Spot Realty/Waterfront Real Estate/Ooltewah Real E - Chattanooga, TN
E. TN Waterfront Real Estate
Mike I swear that it sounds as if I need to come your way very busy.
Jan 30, 2008 03:54 PM
Marlene Bridges
Village Real Estate Services, Inc. - Laguna Hills, CA
Laguna Homes|Laguna Condos|Laguna Real Estate
Mike = From your lips to God's ear.  Sounds like you're going to be very busy,
Jan 30, 2008 04:48 PM
Dan Forbes
Bradenton, FL
Mike, Tucson looks like it's moving on up! Keep spreading the word.
Jan 30, 2008 08:49 PM
Mike Jones
SUNSTREET MORTGAGE, LLC (BK-0907366, NMLS 145171) - Tucson, AZ
Mike Jones NMLS 223495

Dan,

I'll do that.  Thanks for stopping by to comment.

Marlene,

I like your new profile signature, and I'll bet Google does too!  We're very busy right now, which is a welcome change from last quarter.

Gayle,

You keep saying you're going to move here; there's no time like the present.  Come visit, and I'll show you around!

Teri,

The growth along the I-10 corridor is amazing!  Light rail between Phoenix and Tucson would benefit both communities, and commuters would benefit too.

Kent,

I need to come over to your blog to read up on the commercial stuff.  See you soon.

Jesse,

You bet.  Now about that second home for the ice-birds...  LOL  And congratulations on your featured post today!  Here's a link for my readers:  Cogs in the progaganda machine...

Mike in Tucson

Jan 30, 2008 09:58 PM
Matthew J Blum - (retired from the business)
Palm Beach Gardens, FL
Mike,This will be great for jobs in your area which in turn will help boost the economy. Not sure about the population being more than MIami though.
Jan 30, 2008 10:40 PM
Mike Jones
SUNSTREET MORTGAGE, LLC (BK-0907366, NMLS 145171) - Tucson, AZ
Mike Jones NMLS 223495

Matt,

Here's my source:  Top 50 Cities in the U.S. by Population and Rank
Tucson is ranked #32 in 2005, with 20% population growth between 1990 and 2000.  Miami is ranked #45 as of 2005, with 1.1% population growth for the same period.

Mike in Tucson

Jan 30, 2008 11:40 PM
Billnulls Blog Florida Realty Professional
Charles Rutenberg Realty - Clearwater, FL
AHWD
an inland port of entry - now THAT is interesting!
Jan 31, 2008 03:34 AM
Chuck Willman
Chuck Willman - Alpine, UT
NewHouseUtah.com
Yes Mike- Tucson is all grown up and I love that so many people are discovering it. I've also noticed a great deal of traffic from Tucson now comes the your neighbors up north via the scenic backway into Queen Creek. I love the connecting of these two great zones.
Jan 31, 2008 04:04 AM
Jesse Clifton
Jesse Clifton & Associates - Fairbanks, AK
Ice-birds?  haha.  Ya know... it's going to be -35 tomorrow... we may indeed be ice-birds tomorrow.  Thanks for the link....I appreciated your reading and commenting on the post! 
Feb 01, 2008 09:18 PM