A Long-Time Resident's Inside Review of the Top 5 Affordable Neighborhoods for Renting in Tucson, AZ

I'm Larry, a long-time local resident, and I'm happy to be your ApartmentHomeLiving.com Local Expert for Tucson, AZ. I moved here with my family in 1997 for a job transfer from the Midwest. Since then, the city has grown but kept its small-town charm, college-town vibe, and low-key way of life compared to its huge sibling 2 hours to the north, Phoenix.

The cost of living in Tucson is lower than the national average, with housing and rent prices affordable compared to major metro areas of the US. What I love most about the city is its comfortable mixture of new and old, the nationally recognized food culture, and the clear, pollution-free skies. My family and I also enjoy the Spanish, Native American, and Mexican cultures that have long been a part of the region.

My wife is a foodie, so she enjoys the downtown area, where art, small cafés, and an old-school vibe dominate the scene. Rent tends to be lower than the national average, but there's a wide range of housing and apartment costs. Long considered a tech and innovation center, the job situation is pretty solid.

Tech, healthcare, tourism, and manufacturing are the leading industries. Companies and organizations with a major presence include Raytheon, Tenet Healthcare, the University of Arizona, and the Tucson Medical Center. My friends and neighbors have always been able to find work and all enjoy the Sonoran Desert landscape, the many festivals, and access to a major university.

I've lived and worked in 4 different parts of Tucson over the past 28 years. If you are single, raising a family, or retired, our ApartmentHomeLiving.com information about the city can help you select a safe, affordable place to call home. In this guide, we'll outline our choices of five Tucson neighborhoods that deliver the best mix of affordability and quality of life.

1. Ward 2

My personal experience with Ward 2 in northeast Tucson is that it's a scenic, mostly residential area located along the Pantano Wash with the breathtaking Santa Catalina and Rincón Mountains visible from anywhere in the area. The east side neighborhood has quiet streets and a distinctly suburban feel. My family picnicked near the wash on cool summer evenings. It's a vibrant neighborhood with plenty of parks, several medical facilities, and a few shopping centers as well.

When it comes to housing, our friends who live in Ward 2 like the fact that it's only a 15-minute drive from downtown Tucson, but there's also the Sun Tran bus service. Having a car is a big plus, though.

While there are certainly big duplexes and apartment complexes, there's no shortage of single-family adobe-sided ranch-style houses and townhomes throughout the neighborhood. Like every other part of Tucson, rents vary according to floor space. Top-rated Bloom Elementary School is in the ward, as is one of Tucson's best high schools, Sabino High School.

My doctor has an office next to the Tucson Medical Center, which is in Ward 2. In fact, the center is one of our city's major employers. When we dine out, my wife and I explore the many pubs, cafés, and larger restaurants on East Grant Road in the ward, a local social hub that also boasts big-box stores, boutiques, and mom-and-pop grocers.

When our Midwestern family and friends visit, we usually take them to some of the waterfront trails on Pantano Wash or go golfing at Dorado or kite flying at one of the many parks in Ward 2.

2. Arroyo Chico

When we first moved to Tucson, we lived in Arroyo Chico, which is just 3 miles east of downtown. There's a mix of suburban living and the convenience of being near the urban center. All the single-family homes on lined streets make for a residential, comfortable feel, but lately a few apartment buildings have begun to appear.

My wife especially likes the many green spaces as well as the Rincon Sports Complex, Randolph Golf Course, and the sprawling Reid Park, where the zoo is located. When we lived there, we sometimes took a 2-mile walk to the University of Arizona campus or strolled along Broadway Blvd. for a meal or to see a show at one of the nightclubs.

As for the schools, Catalina High School ranks a C rating on Niche, while Doolen Middle School and John B. Wright Elementary both have C-plus ratings. Some of my co-workers prefer to bicycle through the area, but residents prefer to own cars because public transport is spotty. This Midtown neighborhood's average resident age is about 37, so it's a good place for young couples or older people to live.

3. Swan Way Park

I lived in Swan Way Park for a few years in the early 2010s. It's a very nice suburban spot that sits between the mountains on the east side of the city and the downtown area. The thing that I like, and liked, most about the neighborhood is the classic one-story houses on small lots, most of which are of stucco and brick.

Swan Way has a uniquely relaxed feel and is one of the smaller Tucson suburbs. The namesake park, as well as Pinecrest Park, are places where my wife and I still go for picnics and enjoy the scenery. Alice Vail Middle School and Duffy Elementary are well-regarded by my friends who have young children. Older kids can attend Rincon High.

Bus lines are easily accessible in Swan Way Park, and downtown is only a 15-minute car drive. There's a mixture of age groups, but plenty of space for kids to play and for adults to enjoy the outdoors.

The majority of residents are renters, and there are a lot of young professionals, obviously attracted to the area because of its convenient location, coffee shops, bars, parks, and urban feel, with all the advantages of being close to downtown.

4. Rillito

With its highly rated public schools, ample green space, and proximity to the Rillito riverbed's multi-use path, it's no wonder our best friends enjoy calling the urban-suburban neighborhood home. About 30% of the residents rent their homes, while 70% are homeowners.

Rillito is perfect for walkers and cyclists. Rillito is close to downtown and the university, so getting to events, shops, and restaurants is easy enough by car or bus. The Tucson Mall is about 5 minutes away. The vibe is a decent mix of urban and suburban. Rio Vista and Homer Davis are well-regarded elementary schools, as is Presidio, the local high school.

Our friends who live in Rillito like the sense of community in the tucked-away neighborhood that has easy freeway access nonetheless, as well as a youngish average age of about 35 years old. While it's only a 2-mile walk, jog, bike ride, or drive to nearby retail stores, there are excellent views of the Santa Catalina Mountains from anywhere in Rillito.

Palm trees, towering cacti, and mesquite trees are common sights on almost every street. Rillito has long been one of the go-to areas for first-time homebuyers in the city.

5. Barrio Anita

The tiny but beloved west side suburb is one of the city's historic neighborhoods. We have driven through it, attended a block party, and visited friends who reside in one of the many classic homes, most of which were built before the 1940s. Ranch-style and Sonoran architecture is evident throughout the area, with adobe the primary building material in the neighborhood, where two-thirds of residents own, and the rest rent their living space.

Barrio Anita is just to the west of downtown Tucson, which makes it an ideal place to live for anyone who likes shopping or dining in the city. We and our friends occasionally take weekend trips to the well-known Anita Street Market in Barrio Anita. While there, we like to make a fun day of it and check out Quiroz or Herrera parks. The latter features a public swimming pool as well as a massive kids' playground.

Bicyclists come from all over town to ride the Chuck Huckleberry Loop, which is only about two miles away from Barrio Anita. Local children attend Tucson Magnet High School, Davis Bilingual Elementary, or Safford K-8 School. Proximity to Interstate 10 and local bus lines makes getting around a snap.

Downtown is a mile to the east. We attend several of the local events and festivals every spring, and my wife likes taking drives to view the classic homes and sample authentic Mexican cuisine in the restaurants.