
After deciding to move to Tucson, there were times when I felt overwhelmed. I didn't know where to start or what to do first, and I was confused.
I hope no one else feels lost like I did, so I've organized the things to take care of in order for those moving in.
The first is finding housing. It's possible to search for apartments or houses online before arriving in Tucson. You can look on Zillow, Apartments.com, Craigslist, and more. Initially, you might start with a short-term rental or a furnished apartment, and then decide on a long-term place after getting a better sense of the area.
It's important to understand the characteristics of different neighborhoods before making a choice. Areas like Catalina Foothills and Oro Valley have good school districts and safety, but the rent is higher. If your budget is limited, you might consider Rita Ranch or Marana.
The second step is vehicle registration and obtaining a driver's license. After moving to Arizona, you need to switch to an Arizona Driver License within a certain period. You can make an appointment to visit the MVD (Motor Vehicle Division) online. You also need to re-register your vehicle in Arizona and update your car insurance. Living in Tucson without a car can be difficult, so it's best to handle this quickly.
The third step is applying for utilities. You can apply for electricity through Tucson Electric Power (TEP, tep.com), and for water, you should contact the City of Tucson or the local water authority depending on your area. Major internet providers include Cox Communications and CenturyLink (now Lumen). The fourth step is setting up health insurance and finding a primary care physician. If you have insurance through your job, it's a good idea to find a primary care doctor within the network first.
You can sign up for individual insurance through the ACA marketplace at healthcare.gov. It's helpful to know which hospital network your insurance is affiliated with, such as Banner University, TMC, or Carondelet, to reduce confusion in emergencies.
The fifth step is checking school districts if you have children. TUSD, Catalina Foothills School District, and Oro Valley are among the districts, and assignments are made automatically based on your address. You can check school assignments on the respective district websites.
Getting local information and living tips through Tucson Korean churches or community organizations can be just as helpful as official information.
I don't think I need to explain how useful the stories of those who have already experienced moving are for newcomers.



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