Tucson Travel Forum

I will be arriving with my family (my husband, my son, and me) in tucson March 15. I will be going to The University of Arizona for a few months. I searched online for suitable furnished apartments that are affordable and close to the university but so far I couldn't find anything. If it's within walking distance to the campus, it's some kind of student housing and is not suitable for a family. If it is, it's faraway.
Any suggestions??

There are neighborhoods within walking distance of the UA campus that aren't college-oriented, like Sam Hughes, Feldman's and Blenman-Elm, but you won't find many rentals, let alone furnished places.
You can try the Craig's List sublet page (http://tucson.craigslist.org/sub/) which has some places. Now that are gem show is over, prices have calmed down and you may find something. There are also occasionally furnished places on its regular apartment listing (http://tucson.craigslist.org/apa/).
But do you really need to be walking distance from UA? Tucson has a fairly good bus system and most buses coming from the north and east sides of town pass close to UA. There are also several express buses leaving from more outlying areas like Marana, Oro Valley and even the Catalina Foothills. I ride one of these buses into work Downtown almost every day.
Failing that, Tucson is also a very bike-friendly community and you can easily bike to the UA campus, especially if you live directly north, east or west of campus as there are popular designated bike routes in each of those directions (Mountain Ave and University/3rd).
But I believe that you can find something in Midtown (east of Country Club out to about Wilmot) in a decent neighborhood. You should also be able to find something north of campus in the Jefferson Park or Hedrick Acres neighborhoods.
If you need specific advice on whether or not a place is in a good area, feel free to PM me as I live here and know the city well.
hth

There are neighborhoods within walking distance of the UA campus that aren't college-oriented, like Sam Hughes, Feldman's and Blenman-Elm, but you won't find many rentals, let alone furnished places.
You can try the Craig's List sublet page (http://tucson.craigslist.org/sub/) which has some places. Now that are gem show is over, prices have calmed down and you may find something. There are also occasionally furnished places on its regular apartment listing (http://tucson.craigslist.org/apa/).
But do you really need to be walking distance from UA? Tucson has a fairly good bus system and most buses coming from the north and east sides of town pass close to UA. There are also several express buses leaving from more outlying areas like Marana, Oro Valley and even the Catalina Foothills. I ride one of these buses into work Downtown almost every day.
Failing that, Tucson is also a very bike-friendly community and you can easily bike to the UA campus, especially if you live directly north, east or west of campus as there are popular designated bike routes in each of those directions (Mountain Ave and University/3rd).
But I believe that you can find something in Midtown (east of Country Club out to about Wilmot) in a decent neighborhood. You should also be able to find something north of campus in the Jefferson Park or Hedrick Acres neighborhoods.
If you need specific advice on whether or not a place is in a good area, feel free to PM me as I live here and know the city well.
hth

Thank you so much for your help....
i have read somewhere that you have to have a car in Tucson because the public transportation system is not that great. but you seem to be doing well riding buses. maybe i should consider that. I'm embarrassed to say that i can't ride a bike. i was never able to learn. so that is not an option. but i will look into the suggestions you gave me.
It's kind of difficult to have to decide where to live in a place you know nothing about. so thanks again for your reply

It's very difficult to live here without a car. I've met quite a few people here who don't have a car, but they tend to live in certain neighborhoods (usually around Fourth Avenue) and are generally the more anti-establishment, off-the-grid types.
I picked a neighborhood that is walking distance to a supermarket, coffee shops and lots of restaurants, as well as near a couple of very useful bus lines, but it's the minority. Using the bus system for getting Downtown or to campus and back works, but for other needs like day-to-day shopping, it doesn't work. You won't necessarily need a car for your commute, but your husband probably would to just get around during the day.

i can't tell u how helpful ur replies were. I understand that it's not gonna be possible to live there without a car, but i don't drive and i wanted another way to get to the campus. of course we will have a car for other day to day trips.
I have been looking at the website u gave me. it's hard to have to make a decision without actually being there to see for yourself. so my husband and i decided to get a hotel for the first few days and find a place to rent when we're actually there. Thank you though cuz it is a great website and i'm sure i'll find it useful then.