POPULATION: 520,116
MEDIAN AGE: 33
MEDIAN ANNUAL SALARY: $35,565
MEDIAN HOME VALUE: $162,400
VOTES: 5,925 (27%)
The Grand Canyon State largely deserves its reputation as a place of unchecked sprawl and snowbird escapism. Tucson works hard to be the exception. Growing organically out of the Sonoran Desert, it’s by far the most forward-thinking community in the state, thanks largely to the University of Arizona. In 2010, mayor Bob Walkup declared his town the Winter Training Capital of America, and he wasn’t full of hot air: flanked by five mountain ranges, Tucson is prime workout ground for pro cycling teams and triathletes. Providing the pulse is a young population that betrays Arizona’s retiree stereotype: the clubs, restaurants, and vintage shops along Fourth Avenue are a slice of Greenwich Village, and because the Old Pueblo is eminently affordable, it’s long been home to a strong community of artists, writers, chefs, and environmentalists. The burritos? You could eat a different one every day of the year.
Staying Power: Last year, Tucson decided that its 700 miles of bike lanes weren’t being used effectively, so it’s now transforming 170 miles of slower streets into mixed-use bike boulevards to encourage cycling. And with a healthy tech sector anchored by defense contractor Raytheon, the university, and an accelerating number of solar and clean-tech startups, employment has held steady throughout the recession.
Playgrounds: Starting on the city’s northeast boundary, the road ride up Mount Lemmon goes from 2,500 feet to 9,000 in 26 miles—with the country’s southernmost ski resort at the top and 5.6–5.13 crags along the way. Sabino Canyon, in the northern foothills, has 235 miles of rolling, saguaro-studded running trails, and 30 minutes south of the city is Madera Canyon, offering some of the best birding in the country.
The Voters Speak: “Mountain views, big night skies, and lightning during the monsoons.” “El Charro: margaritas and carne seca burritos.” “You don’t have to shovel sunshine!”
Comments
After relocating here from California, I can say that the description above is all true. Being shown the area by a local cyclist, hiker, nature enthusiast the beauty of the surrounding mountains is astounding. 7-9,000 ft. elevations breaks the summer desert heat by 20-30 degrees. I have seen more lightning that in two months of the monsoon season than in my previous 30 years. Cost of living good, opportunites for work, local travel, dining, entertainment all at par with larger cities, but as the article said not the big city feeling. I am having a blast here in Tucson and see great future.
Flag Thisin march tucson has a great book festival on the univ of arizona campus. authors do panel discussions and many are local authors. out west of the" old pueblo" (tucson's other name) is the great arizona sonora desert museum which is a flora and fauna "zoo" to educate you on the sonoran desert. tucson is an island of progressivism for arizona. the rest of arizona is more tea partyish and some say downright racial with the recent anti immigration issues, etc
Flag Thisin march tucson has a great book festival on the univ of arizona campus. authors do panel discussions and many are local authors. out west of the" old pueblo" (tucson's other name) is the great arizona sonora desert museum which is a flora and fauna "zoo" to educate you on the sonoran desert. tucson is an island of progressivism for arizona. the rest of arizona is more tea partyish and some say downright racial with the recent anti immigration issues, etc
Flag ThisI just moved back to Arizona after 23 years in North Carolina. I am so glad to be in Tucson - it is the place I've wanted to be for a long time. Everything you read here is true, including the heat :)
Flag This"... by far the most forward-thinking community in the state ..." What does that mean?
Flag This"... by far the most forward-thinking community in the state ..." What does that mean?
Flag ThisIn the past two years Downtown has undergone what one can only call a revolution. New restaurants, clubs, venues are popping up daily. The city is definitely consolidating its tech startups into a tech scene of sorts that's become more visible. Young people who used to flock to PHX and SoCal in droves are moving back now. In addition to all the outdoors, the city is attracting more big ticket companies like Edward Jones. In a decade, this will be the next Austin.
Flag ThisThank you, Outside Magazine. You've got it right! Tucson is a hot spot in more ways than one. Outdoor recreation, arts, culture, history and the best food in the southwest. Combine that with our growing science, solar and high-tech industries and you've got a recipe for success. Come visit us and see why we are one of the Best Towns in America.
Flag ThisThank you, Outside Magazine. You've got it right! Tucson is a hot spot in more ways than one. Outdoor recreation, arts, culture, history and the best food in the southwest. Combine that with our growing science, solar and high-tech industries and you've got a recipe for success. Come visit us and see why we are one of the Best Towns in America.
Flag ThisMoved to Tucson after checking out the Valley to the North. We also refer to that metroplex as the land of M-B, Bentley's & Jags, compared to our college town of more practical means of transportation. Temps are cooler in the summer than our neighbors to the north. Cleaner air is another big PLUS. It truely is a college town with many students offering their part-time services throughout the landscape. It;Int'l airport can expand with another 100 gates due to the land to the south. Our visitors praise this city & express their desire to move here in the near future.
Flag ThisMoved to Tucson after checking out the Valley to the North. We also refer to that metroplex as the land of M-B, Bentley's & Jags, compared to our college town of more practical means of transportation. Temps are cooler in the summer than our neighbors to the north. Cleaner air is another big PLUS. It truely is a college town with many students offering their part-time services throughout the landscape. It;Int'l airport can expand with another 100 gates due to the land to the south. Our visitors praise this city & express their desire to move here in the near future.
Flag ThisWOW, someones been fooled.....the highest red light runners in the country, highest carjacking anywhere, 35,000 illegals a month, a meth heaven for crack heads, lots of liberals, and no place to park at the football games
Flag ThisWOW, someones been fooled.....the highest red light runners in the country, highest carjacking anywhere, 35,000 illegals a month, a meth heaven for crack heads, lots of liberals, and no place to park at the football games
Flag ThisParker, fact checking your claims will make you look less ignorant. And if you can't find somewhere to park for a football game, you have other problems (i.e. laziness).
Flag ThisFact check: Illegals and carjacking confirmed; liberals and other problems open question.
Flag ThisFact check: Illegals and carjacking confirmed; liberals and other problems open question.
Flag ThisTucson has one of the greatest communities I've ever lived in, and I've lived in many throughout my life. Plus- Tumamoc Hill rocks my socks!
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