Valencia West can be considered the furthest and remote suburban area outside of Tucson. While it's still small today, it used to be tiny; within just 10 years, the population grew by 293 percent!
Located at the southwestern edge of Tucson, Valencia West is a remote, secluded town with a lot of western charm
Valencia West can be considered the furthest and remote suburban area outside of Tucson. While it's still small today, it used to be tiny; within just 10 years, the population grew by 293 percent!
Located at the southwestern edge of Tucson, Valencia West is a remote, secluded town with a lot of western charm. This is how residents get to enjoy the desert without all the crowds. Far from the skyscrapers of most of Arizona's larger cities, those seeking to get back to the old west feel of things will find themselves right at home in this area. This is definitely for those who want to get away from it all and enjoy the things that brought settlers to this region in the first place. The wild untamed desert, cool breezes on summer nights, coyotes in the distance and the land itself await those who are willing to appreciate it. Of course, this means the search for apartments will be different here than in other, larger cities. Here you're more likely to find studio apartments for rent rather than large complexes.
You will need to bring with you a couple of reliable references and proof of income, such as your last few pay stubs. Otherwise, the paperwork involved in your search for apartments in Valencia West should be light and simple. There are no jobs to speak of in this area, so a little travel outside of town should be expected. Luckily, this is not difficult given the area's proximity to major highways, such as Interstate 10.
While there are not a lot of people in West Valencia, there are still three major neighborhoods to choose from. The differences are simple and come to a matter of preference. The western and southern neighborhoods are essentially the same with subtle differences, while the northern is a decidedly different style altogether.
North: The northern area of Valencia West consists largely of modular homes arranged in a tight pattern. You are not very likely to find a house to rent near this area, but what you will find is a large number of typically overlooked options available. Rent should be relatively low, and availability is usually not a problem. So if you really want to live here, you can relax and rest assured you'll find the home you need when you need it.
South: Much like the western neighborhoods, the south is filled with Spanish inspired, one story homes with that telltale red tile roofing. These houses are situated on decent sized lots in areas that are laid out for future expansion. That means getting two- or three-bedrooms is typical. Grass isn't a common thing, so don't go expecting a lush yard. But residents do spend time working on rock formations and cactus gardens here, which you will get used to once you live in the desert for a bit!
West: This is the most remote of the neighborhoods, and it happens to have a pretty redundant name. Even so, it's still growing, so it must be doing something right. The same style of well laid out, low to ground and easily cooled home designs are found here as in the south. Several roads have been built to make way for the homes of the future. Until then, stunning views and laid back desert living are the way of the land. This is probably your best bet for pet friendly apartments or houses in the area.
The most important thing to keep in mind is that Valencia West is a residential area of Tucson. Most of the things to do will be found in the city, so you can expect to spend a lot of time there whenever you are not at home. If you're into outdoor sports, hiking, or camping, this is the place to be. The dunes and the wild open desert are a sportsman's best friend. There are miles and miles of unexplored territory to enjoy all year round, since Saguaro National Park is just north of this area. The temperature rarely get cold enough to be uncomfortable and the scenery changes by the mile.
To the untrained eye, it may seem like a wasteland where next to nothing grows. But those who've spent time in the back country have discovered there's a lot more at work than initially meets the eye. There are animals that exist few other places, rock formations and nature trails as beautiful as any other location on earth and enough climbing, hiking, and just generally exploring territory to go around. If you've never given Arizona a chance, it's a good time to start.
