Each city and each state has something different to offer us. Today, we are talking about Tucson, Arizona. Let’s see what it’s like living in Tucson- pros and cons and everything you need to consider.
Tucson offers great outdoors, landscape, and climate. The open spaces the area offers are great for any free-spirited soul. The reasonable low cost of living paired with flourishing job and education opportunities makes the place attractive. Among its very few downsides, the hot, humid weather and lack of commute, highways are mentionable.
Interested to know more? Read along!
About Tucson
Tuscan was founded initially as a Spanish military fort in 1775 and became a part of the US in 1853. The city is only a two-hour drive away from Phoenix, the capital of Arizona state. The area of Tucson, AZ is about 240 sq mi. Five minor ranges of mountains surround the city.
The city has racial diversity and a steady population growth rate. The city’s culture, calmness, and beauty inspire many retirees to move to Tucson towards the end of their lives. The community is very welcoming.
Pros of Living in Tucson
For those who do not mind a little sun and desert- Tucson can be heavenly. Let’s look at some of the pros of living in Tucson and why you should consider living here-
The Great Outdoors
One of the biggest attractions of living in Tucson is the great outdoors. Not many areas have the same landscape as Tucson. While it is deemed a ‘desert’ area, the typical idea doesn’t apply here. The horizon is not filled with endless sand and emptiness. Instead, the area is surrounded by cacti forests and mountains. The area has one of the lowest air pollution records, as it is one of the cleanest metropolitan areas.
Tucson has very little air and light pollution. So, you can even enjoy the views on the horizon at any time of the day and night. The open spaces all around let you enjoy spectacular sunset and sunrise.
Open Spaces
Speaking of open spaces, the area has a staggering 125+ parks and 20+ recreational centers. The area is perfect for hikes, marathons, horseback riding, etc., besides your regular jogging and running experience. On weekends, you will find hundreds of bikers out for rides. The parks are an excellent place for the community to come together and socialize.
Reasonable Cost of Living
Tucson is more affordable than the average US city. The most significant difference here is the housing and utility prices. While the price range of houses has increased in recent years, Tuscan still offers more affordable housing options than the rest of the US. It is cheaper to both rent and buy housing in the area.
Many think that being situated in the middle of the desert is a disadvantage, as goods can’t be easily transported. They speculate that the scarcity would cause amenities, goods, and services to have a high price tag. But surprisingly, the city manages to keep the price lower than most other US cities.
Renowned Cuisine
Tuscan is world-renowned for its expertise in good food. So much so that UNESCO named it ‘World Heritage City of Gastronomy.’ Tuscan serves the best Mexican food in the US. Other than this specialty, you can also enjoy traditional Tuscan dishes. Of course, there is an abundance of bistros, cafes, restaurants of different foods and southwestern cuisine, etc.
Pleasant Weather
The weather in Tucson is more tropical if you’re more used to the cold. The area is sunny almost 290 days out of the year. The average temperature is around 90-100 degrees. It snows very little compared to other regions. So if you’re someone who enjoys sunny weather more than snowy, chilly weather- Tucson is the place for you.
It also should be mentioned that the geographical position of Tucson is impressive. The area has steady weather and climate. There is close to no natural disaster or calamities. So, there are not many catastrophes to worry about.
Culture
The city is bursting with life and culture. Especially for nightlife- it is captivating, glamorous, and euphoric. Themed bars and clubs stay open till as late as 2 AM. The city has entertainment for every kind of person. Not just clubs and bars for nighttime- you can even ding many themed restaurants and parks around the city. The people of Tucson are friendly and welcoming, and they’d love to embrace you into their colorful, cultural life.
Education & Job
The student-to-teacher ratio is very impressive in Tucson, almost 18-20:1. This ensures quality education as well as proper care in the school. Tucson offers a range of private, public, and charter schools. Not to mention, the University of Arizona is situated close by.
Speaking of the University of Arizona, it is one of the biggest job-creating spaces in Tucson. The health sector and defense sector are the other two big fields of employment. As the city’s economy is flourishing, more and more employment opportunities are opening up for youngsters.
Cons of Living in Tucson
Great things must come at a cost. Let’s discuss the cons of living in Tucson-
Inefficient Commute
If you’re someone who likes the open road and likes to move around a lot, you may not like Tucson. The city doesn’t have many highways and lacks streets even inside the city. There is next to no way to drive around at high speed or hold a casual race. Even though there were talks of establishing a new railroad, that wait is still not over.
Hot Weather
We know, we know. Yes, we have raved about the sunny days of Tucson. But we should also keep in mind our friends who are not comfortable with heat and sunnier days. Temperatures can be 90-100 and can frequently hit triple digits in the summertime.
The humidity can rise exponentially in the monsoon season, making even staying indoors unbearable. The high temperature can cause dust storms, hail storms, thunderstorms, etc. every time you step out of your house, sunscreen and full-body sun lotions are your best friends. Coolers barely work, and you may end up needing to buy an AC.
Crime Rate
Unfortunately, this is one of the biggest reasons many do not want to shift to Tucson. The state of Arizona has a higher crime stat than the national average. However, even among AZ, Tucson has lower crime rates.
Reptile scare
As the city is so close to the desert, you may have the misfortune to come across reptiles. You can find reptiles almost anytime, anywhere- and most of them are highly harmful. However, if you stay a bit cautious, you can avoid any significant scares and problems.
Bottom line
Tucson can easily be your new forever home with breathtaking outdoors, landscape, cuisine, and a tight-knit community. Of course, there are a few drawbacks, but the clean, fresh air of the desert and all the city has to offer surely make up for it. We hope this article gives you an overview of living in Tucson, pros, and cons in detail.
Have any more questions for us? Let us know!
FAQs
- How far is Tucson from the Mexican border?
Arizona is situated right between California and New Mexico. Near the southwest border or the US, Tucson is only about an hour’s drive away from the border of Mexico.
- Are there any nearby beaches in Tucson?
The closest ocean beach to Tucson is about 416 miles. You need to drive at least six and a half hours to get to the beach. We would say most do not consider that as ‘nearby.’
- Does it rain or snow in Tucson?
Tucson is situated by the mountain ranges and has hot, humid weather. On average, Tucson has about 12 inches of rain per year. Surprisingly, it does not snow in Tucson, and the average is 0 inches per year.
