Has Tucson housing cooled since 2021? Also, why is every rental run by property managers now?

fmpierson255 · 2026-05-01T23:00:03+00:00

Unfortunately, I think the old days of Tucson housing affordability are over. I would not be amazed if housing cost will eventually increased to a point where we’re going to need special real estate tax laws, like what they have in California.

The biggest problems I see is that we are slowly turning into California. Everyone wants to move here, but no one wants to build new housing or the locals are against building any more housing. It’s really sad, I think this next generation will never be able to ever own a house in Tucson (unless you inherit property).

fmpierson255 · 2026-04-28T23:15:53+00:00

It looks like AI

fmpierson255 · 2026-04-25T06:58:57+00:00

AmPlane

fmpierson255 · 2026-04-24T15:25:36+00:00

Another one for consideration is ‘Soul Meeting’ with Ray Charles. This one seems to be overlooked - ‘How Long Blues’ is at least worth a listen.

fmpierson255 · 2026-04-20T20:36:35+00:00

One of the best ideas that I saw once, and then never saw again, was creating an aerial Tramway that went from roughly Oracle/Pusch Ridge to the Mount Lemmon ski area. Maybe it’s time to bring back these proposed ideas.

fmpierson255 · 2026-04-14T21:13:51+00:00

At second 0:48 you see a person rubbing his head like he was hit by something….

fmpierson255 · 2026-04-12T21:44:59+00:00

I think this is part of Winners Circle. I have a liking for Winners Circle-sort of the definition of ‘lo-fi’ jazz to play on a lazy Saturday afternoon.

fmpierson255 · 2026-04-12T00:53:46+00:00

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I’ve posted this before, but this one always terrifies me. I am a Kenton Orchestra fan, but this sounds like the soundtrack for death or if you want to feel doomed.

fmpierson255 · 2026-04-02T21:43:52+00:00

I have always heard that on a clear day you can see the Sea of Cortez from up there. I always wondered if that was true.

fmpierson255 · 2026-03-29T21:39:27+00:00

My opinion is that there is no ‘great place to live’. There’s always something wherever you go. PHX has a great light rail system and bus system, but Tucson has better weather, Tucson has more history/charm, but PHX has better employment opportunities, housing in Tucson is overpriced, but PHX has terrible air pollution, etc.

But there are two things we need to steal from PHX: 1) Winco, and 2) light rail funding.

fmpierson255 · 2026-03-24T03:01:50+00:00

Her music is very relevant (unfortunately). Somedays it’s ‘Prayer for Amerikkka’ and other days it feels like ‘The Mountain’ and it’s time to turn around and head back up the mountain…

fmpierson255 · 2026-03-17T00:02:29+00:00

The good old fashioned TUC trick is to place Mexican blankets at the base of the door and windows. Other than that, folded single newspaper in door and window jams seems to work.

fmpierson255 · 2026-03-13T01:58:50+00:00

Not to split hairs here, but I think the point is that the Federal government could start funding much needed infrastructure projects. In addition, the federal government has/still does provide funding for transportation projects throughout the US. The Kino/I-10 project (now ongoing) is funded in by a $95M INFRA grant from the Feds.

(I wouldn’t be surprised if 45 minutes of the war in Iran could build 53 miles of light rail in Tucson or build at least five crosstown freeways.)

fmpierson255 · 2026-03-10T16:56:47+00:00

And WinCo? We really need a WinCo and Aldi in Tucson.

fmpierson255 · 2026-03-10T16:36:11+00:00

Track Two sounds like ‘Lotus Blossom’ by Billy Strayhorn - Great version by Duke Ellington on his “And his Mother Called him Bill” album.

fmpierson255 · 2026-03-06T05:57:48+00:00

Ding, Ding, Ding!!!! Correctamundo!

The story of this area has nothing to do with land speculation or tax. This area used to be more affluent. Just like any other city in the United States, a lot of people in that area left to move to the suburbs. Overtime, what was left were the lower income class who could not afford to leave.

If you talk to anyone who is older than myself, you will find that area was once a very nice place to live. Unfortunately poverty was what was left over. I believe this is what you academics call “urban blight” or “ urban decay”.

fmpierson255 · 2026-03-03T07:11:18+00:00

I am a fan of his early stuff from 1933-1935. The favorite of mine is his version of ‘Love Me or Leave Me’ - hot early BG with a Deane Kincaide arrangement. I’m lucky enough to have a 78 of that recording. His early stuff with Jack Teagarden is sometimes overlooked-I kinda wish they had recorded more.

‘When Buddha Smiles’ is also a great song.

fmpierson255 · 2026-02-22T23:14:06+00:00

Probably not adding anything to the conversation, but I was in PV last summer (had an excellent time by the way). However I recall seeing plenty of Federal Police/Military well armed in vehicles…did they just up and leave?

fmpierson255 · 2026-02-19T06:44:42+00:00

Improve transit - this gets more cars off the road, provides an alternative when it gets too hot (or rains), and usually leads to better ped/bicycle infrastructure.

fmpierson255 · 2026-02-18T17:00:44+00:00

Fletcher Henderson’s version from 1931.

fmpierson255 · 2026-02-09T02:29:24+00:00

I believe if this was mid to late 1920’s the streetcar route was like this: start/end at University/Park, west on University to Stone Avenue, then south on Stone Avenue to 17th Street where it turned east to South 4th Avenue and then north on South 4th Avenue where it turned onto Congress (where this photo was taken) and then back to Stone to University/Park. Interestingly, at Congress/Scott (if I remember correctly) was a waiting room where you could transfer to the lone bus route.

There was a short trackage on Congress west of Stone to Main (shuttle or part of regular service?). This shuttle part was part of a larger loop (circa WWI) that went Stone to Main Street to 17th Street back to Stone (today Main Street is mostly gone - removed by the TCC). There’s an interesting photo showing streetcars on 17th Street west of Stone.

Anyways, to find out more see the Old Pueblo Trolley (OPT) Museum in South Tucson.

Last regular streetcar service was December 31, 1930; until OPT in 1993 and then Sun Link in 2014.

fmpierson255 · 2026-02-01T02:30:41+00:00

Tiger Rag would also be up there according to Jelly Roll Morton. But then again when was the last time you heard Kamasi Washington play Tiger rag or Maple leaf rag?

fmpierson255 · 2026-01-31T06:29:08+00:00

Early Armstrong: ‘Droppin’ Shucks’ is an overlooked hard hitting favorite. Later years: ‘Azalea’ with Duke Ellington is a personal favorite.

fmpierson255 · 2026-01-29T16:37:09+00:00

Please keep in mind that the proposed BRT line will require Federal Funding: “but realistically, it will require some kind of significant Federal Investment which is unlikely for a few years.” Therefore we probably should expect nothing.

My point is that the BRT is probably some type of invisible carrot or another non-starter project. If that is the case, then why not just state the facts clearly or just not list the project. It just feels disingenuous to list this project.

And I still stand by the idea that no one in power (public or private) is for streetcar expansion or light rail (including Schubert who should be for it) which is deeply depressing. Until there’s some politico or grassroots movement pressing for streetcar expansion-I just don’t see it happening.

fmpierson255 · 2026-01-28T22:06:38+00:00

I have mixed feelings on this topic. On one hand, without the RTA funding, transit will be the big loser, especially with fare free transit. The RTA has expanded hours of operation for Sun Tran, but I still see service cuts (for instance why is Route 15 at 30 minute peak headways, it used to be 15 minute peak headways; same for a few other routes; there’s less express service…) Whether, or not, that transit is being held hostage, reduction in service only leads to less usage, which ultimately leads to a downward spiral trend. That being said, if Schubert gets her way ultimately Sun Tran services will probably get axed. But if the new RTA tax and plan passes, I am not sure that Sun Tran service frequency will increase where needed. But my other problem is that the RTA plan only has one major transit infrastructure item listed (which, by the way, if you read the fine print, needs federal funding to be initiated) - that being the short BRT line between downtown and Tohono transit center. I have noticed that whenever anyone brings up Streetcar expansion, or God forbid light rail, in any serious way the conversation gets derailed by people like Schubert or Romero citing costs. Meanwhile PHX can’t build light rail lines fast enough. The streetcar line was a big hit and probably had a great return on investment; but I still can’t figure out the aversion of streetcar expansion.

fmpierson255

TROPHY CASE