Yes, proper maintenance is the only way to go.
However, if you use the chalk-across-the-face-of-the-tread method of determining your CORRECT tire pressure for all four wheels you can go a long way to maximizing tire service life.
Now, if you are anal-retentive enough to do that every month, you can probably maintain a very even wear pattern on all four wheels even for periods well past the recommended rotation interval.
So, the only question is: Just how anal-retentive are you?
I usually only do the chalk test twice in the life of a set on a particular vehicle--when brand new, and six months following that. I mark the proper inflation F/R in the door jamb with a permanent marker and just set the tires to those pressures for the rest of their lives.
Oh, I'm also anal-retentive enough to check all four tires for identical size when I'm buying them.