What BestPlaces Users Say about Tucson
Tucson, Arizona is a city located in the southern region of the state, known for its vibrant arts and culture scene, beautiful desert landscapes, and warm weather. It is also home to the University of Arizona and has a growing economy. With its unique characteristics, many people have chosen to call Tucson their home. To gain a better understanding of what it's like to live in Tucson, we will summarize and include excerpts from various user reviews on BestPlaces.net.
According to user "Rachel O.", who has lived in Tucson for 6 years, "Living in Tucson is like living in a colorful and diverse community. The people are friendly and welcoming, and there's always something to do, whether it's exploring the downtown area or hiking in the nearby mountains." This sentiment is echoed by user "Sammy G.", who has been a resident for 10 years, stating that "Tucson has a small-town feel with all the amenities of a big city. It's a great place to raise a family with plenty of parks and family-friendly events."
While many enjoy the vibrant atmosphere of Tucson, there are also some challenges that come with living in the desert. As user "Mark T." shares, "The summers can be brutal with temperatures well over 100 degrees, but the rest of the year is pleasant. Just be prepared for monsoon season and dust storms." Similarly, user "Maria D." adds, "The cost of living is also on the rise in Tucson, and it can be challenging to find affordable housing options."
Despite these challenges, many still find Tucson to be a great place to call home. As user "Liz W." describes, "Tucson has a unique charm and character that you won't find in other cities. The food scene is amazing, and there are so many outdoor activities to enjoy. Plus, the sunsets are simply breathtaking." From its welcoming community to its diverse amenities, Tucson has left a positive impression on many of its residents.
based on 287 ReviewsGet to know Tucson with the latest comments and reviews from people who live in or have visited Tucson
Recreation - 9/8/2007
not much as far as employment, and if you have kids there is not much
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Tons of Sun - 8/29/2007
We're very recent (three months) Tucson residents, having moved from Minnesota. Yes, it does get hot, but everyone has AC and you don't have to shovel heat. Tucson is a bit spread out, but nothing like Phoenix. The ongoing (2007-2010) work on I-10 makes getting around more complicated and Tucson drivers aren't the most patient. But, it has many big-city amenities,while still being very liveable. The only thing we miss is pro sports, but Phoenix is only 1 1/2 hours away. We love the Sonoran desert scenery and the mountains on all sides. And if you love Mexican food, it would be hard to find anyplace
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Climate - 7/25/2007
Hot in the summer month and cold in the winter. I don't personally like the desert climate. I'm here because the Air Force has me stationed at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base in
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Must love heat, monsoon seasons, and decorative st - 7/22/2007
I love many aspects of Tucson, the small town casual feeling with some western aspects still remaining. We live Northwest of Tucson and it takes a bit of time to get downtown, or to major shopping (25 miles away) The downtown is relatively small, but has museums and cultural events to please most everyone. We have a very high car theft rate due to being in close proximity to the Mexican border and a meth problem. Lots of "snowbirds" clog the roads in fall, winter, and spring when the weather is beautiful. If you love thunder and lightening shows then our summer season is for you and it does take some getting used to decorative stone if you love the look of grass even if our desert flora and fauna is considered "lush". The saguaros are spectacular and
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Public Transportation - 7/18/2007
Tucson has become quite a large community, & while it does have alot to offer,good public transportation simply is not available at the present time.
In order to really participate in what the area has to offer you should be able to drive or have a means of transportation that can be relied
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Tucson Climate - 7/10/2007
I moved to Tucson 18 months ago and I am ready to move out! My nose bled regularly from the dryness of the desert air. I am from the Caribbean, so coming from a humid climate, with regular rain, beaches, 70's to 80's F all year, etc, Tucson was a stretch. The city is spread out and is simply not a very unattractive place, aesthetically speaking. The people are very friendly but there is not much to do in terms of entertainment. There is the usual movie theatre and mall, but the general atmosphere is very laid back. If you like this, and don't mind 110 degrees F in summer, Then Tucson is for you...good
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What you should know before moving to Tucson - 7/9/2007
-Weather - I grew up in Tucson, so the hot weather doesn't bother me. However, I have had friends that moved to Tucson and had to be hospitalized for heat stroke or dehydration - be careful, it only takes a few hours in this weather! Summer lasts from about April to October. It then starts getting colder. No snow, but it gets below freezing at night.
-Recreation - The UA offers athletic games, museums, and some academic related activities for the community. There are several National Parks if you enjoy hiking and sight-seeing. Most concerts, shows, and athletic events are in Phoenix, which is about an hour and a half away. It's too hot to do things outside most of the year. Kids are always super tan from swimming all summer!
-Education - The UA is a great deal for a University Education. However, the public school system is not very good. It's ranked one of the lowest in the country. Catalina Foothills is probably the best public schools you will find here, but
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Tucson has a lot of crime - 6/23/2007
Tucson has a wild west heritage and is close to the border with Mexico. As a result, there is quite a bit of violent and property crime here. Our neighborhood, near downtown, has had more than 6 home invasions in the past two months. Criminals break down doors and take their time, even as nieghbors yell at them and call the police. Arizona is also a state where you can feel free to carry a handgun as long as it is not concealed, which means that the place is a free-for all and you'd best keep your head down and watch out or you might get shot by a drunken biker, cowboy or neighbor that mistakes you for a
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Climate is the attraction; otherwise, brace for Hi - 6/20/2007
The mountains and weather are great. Locals have a third-world, anti-intellectual, uptight, inferiority complex that makes moving here from a cosmopolitan area a real challenge. Sophistication about cuisine and local food shopping rates a 2 out of 10. There's close to no interest in recycling, water, or energy conservation (they talk the talk but don't walk the walk) and local government is a joke. Welcome to the 1950's. It's a macho, gun-toting society. But Tucson is the bluest city in the state. Forewarned is
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Tucson - Needs better infrastructure & water is go - 6/18/2007
I'm a transplant to Tucson from the Midwest. The climate is a whole lot better. There are good restaurants and shopping and the natural beauty of the place really grows on you. But, there are problems:
-- Traffic is really bad 9 months of the year
-- The streets are in bad shape
-- The city is underserved in medical care. There aren't enough hospitals. The low socio-economic levels of the residents doesn't sustain adequate medical services.
-- Wages are low, yet housing is expensive (unless you come from California!).
-- There's only one significant freeway, and it's on the far west side of the city and does not help much in getting around.
-- The water situation is really scary. I am not confident that anyone has a long-term solution. Population is growing rapidly in this region and there's just not enough water in the Colorado River. It's always dusty (a brown haze in the air).
-- Did I mention that population is growing
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