"I heard a Spanish melody drifting along Nogales street / In the shadows the accordion man, now / Danced on the keys with his long brown hands / Playin' a song just for you and me/Down in Nogales" - "Down in Nogales" by Kevin Costner and Modern West
Nogales is a fairly small city that is as far south in Arizona as you can go, sitting right at the border between the US and Mexico. In fact, you might even get confused about whether you are in Nogales or Sonora, Mexico -- you know, if you accidentally wandered a bit south of the border. It's no wonder so many of this city's 20,837 residents speak both English and Spanish.
Apparently being right on an international border makes you popular, because this city's vacancy rate is a low 4%
"I heard a Spanish melody drifting along Nogales street / In the shadows the accordion man, now / Danced on the keys with his long brown hands / Playin' a song just for you and me/Down in Nogales" - "Down in Nogales" by Kevin Costner and Modern West
Nogales is a fairly small city that is as far south in Arizona as you can go, sitting right at the border between the US and Mexico. In fact, you might even get confused about whether you are in Nogales or Sonora, Mexico -- you know, if you accidentally wandered a bit south of the border. It's no wonder so many of this city's 20,837 residents speak both English and Spanish.
Apparently being right on an international border makes you popular, because this city's vacancy rate is a low 4%. Luckily, more than half of those vacancies are rentals of some kind, so as long as you get started on your search at least a month ahead of time, you should be able to find a house, condo or rental apartment here.
What will you pay for housing in Nogales?
Home prices here are rather low. The median home value is just over half of the national average, and the median rent is just under the average for both Arizona and the rest of the country. So if you like affordable rental condos, houses and apartments, it's time to make your way to Nogales.
What should you take when you search for a home here?
Since the vacancy rate is lower than average, it makes sense to be as prepared as possible when you are looking for a home. You never know when you will find the one-bedroom apartment you have been looking for all your life or at least one that will serve its purpose. This means you should bring your last few pay stubs to prove you have some regular income and your checkbook in case there is a deposit for the rental you have your eye on.
Nogales features a few different neighborhoods that you should know about before you make your move. So get to know the basics of each area if you want to feel confident that you are moving into a community that suits you.
Beyerville: This is the main neighborhood of Nogales, since it makes up most of the city. It features a good mix of apartment complexes and single-family homes, so whether you're looking for a two-bedroom apartment or prefer to check out three-bedroom houses for rent, you'll be happy with the housing here. This neighborhood also features State Route 82, making it easy for you to get around Southern Arizona, if that's your goal.
West Mariposa Road and North Grand Avenue: This is one of the more expensive places to live in Nogales, but the good news is that it has lots of housing types to choose from. Whether you want a large house, apartment or mobile home, you can find it here, and you might even be able to stick to your budget. And if you just love to travel, you're in luck, because this area features Interstate 19, taking you north to Sahuarita, Green Valley or even Tucson. The possibilities are practically endless -- as long as you want to go to any of those cities.
West Target Range Road and North Mariposa Road: This area has slightly more affordable housing. Though most of the area features single-family homes, there are also some mobile homes, townhomes and apartment complexes. Plus, places like IHOP and the Home Depot are within this neighborhood, so it's a pretty convenient place to live.
City Center: As you might assume, this is pretty much at the center of the city. As such, it has everything from the War Memorial Baseball Stadium and Fleischer Park to several banks and places to eat. The housing is a mix of single-family homes and apartment complexes, so you should be pleased with this place no matter how much space you need.
Old Tucson Road and South River Road: If your goal is to get as far north of the border as possible without leaving Nogales, check out this area. As a bonus, it is also one of the most affordable parts of the city. It is right off Interstate 19, too.
Now that you know where to live in Nogales, you need to know what to do once you arrive. Many of the residents here take advantage of the fairly nice weather to golf at Kino Springs Golf Course, but you can also take a trip to Arizona Vineyards for some wine and take a look at the pistachio groves here, if you like looking at pistachio trees.
If you're into history, check out the Santa Cruz County Courthouse, which has been around since about 1900. A trip to the Pimeria Alta Museum is another way to learn about the history of Nogales. If you prefer to shop, you'll enjoy the department stores, clothing boutiques and more at the Morley Avenue Border Shops.
So not only is there a lot to do in this city, but there are also plenty of affordable housing options. Nogales really deserves your attention as you look for your next home.
