OK, so why on earth would two [seemingly] rational humans with plenty of home renovation experience decide to bail on Old Town in favor of the Old Pueblo? Good question – here’s our attempt at a rational answer…

First, we realized how important the proximity to untamed lands – a.k.a. raw desert – was to us. Sure, being able to walk to AZ88 was, (and certainly is), fantastic, but seeing a coyote saunter across a neighbor’s front yard, or catch a glimpse of a cottontail nibbling mesquite bean pods in your front yard is pretty hard to beat! We missed those chance encounters, and happily, we seem to have stumbled into just such a neighborhood – a place where we’re close enough to urban amenities, yet far enough away to be able to experience just a wisp of the wildlife that surrounds us.

Second, while we were contemplating other states, (California and New Mexico were on the list), we quickly pared our choices down to remaining in Scottsdale, and focusing our energy on finding a slightly larger home in a slightly quieter neighborhood which was slightly further away from the urban core, or taking a closer look at Tucson, and apply the same criteria while searching there. We ended up pursuing both paths, and Tucson won.

Third, no more stairs – whatever we were going to do, there would be no more stairs!

Fourth, being able to renovate using many items found at the local home improvement store would be a welcome relief. We’ve already joked “…casa de la hermosa is the house that Lowe’s built…”, (and, to be clear, no disrespect to Lowe’s – I’m as loyal a customer as they come), because so many of the items already installed in this house seem to have been sourced there! That trend will continue.

Lastly, being able to do at least some of the work yourself is immensely satisfying. Sure, there are projects we will undertake which will require a qualified, (and insured, and licensed, and bonded), member of the trades, but there are also countless opportunities for us – and I do mean us – to channel that inner DIY spirit, and produce an absolutely fantastic result!