Living in Tucson Arizona
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Hey everyone, it's Rachel Clark. Today we're going to be going on the Tucson Community Tour. We'll be exploring the greater Tucson area and all the wonderful communities within it.
Oro Valley
Oro Valley is located in the Northwest region of Tucson, and it's about 30 minutes away from downtown Tucson.Â
The community was incorporated in 1974 and has a population of around 45,000 people. The average home price is around $301,000 and the median household income is around $75,000. The community consists of newer built homes that feature Santa Fe style homes, contemporary, and Southwestern style homes.Â
Oro Valley is surrounded by many beautiful golf courses. Some of the more popular ones in the area are The Views Golf Club, El Conquistador, and Stone Canyon Golf Club.Â
The school district within Oro Valley is Amphitheater School District. Now for the public schools for high school you have two options between Ironwood Ridge high school and Canyon Del Oro high school. Depending on where you live in Oro Valley, you have the option between those two public schools.Â
Some fun things to do in the area is the Gaslight Theater Music Hall. This is a melodrama theater that is tons of fun for the entire family. Plus it was also voted Tucson's best theater.Â
Or if you're looking for a little bit of outdoor fun, the Oro Valley farmer's market is hosted every Saturday at Steam Pump Ranch. This helps support local farmers, ranchers and food purveyors. Are you in the mood for a hike? Catalina State Park is right around the corner. One of my favorite hiking trails is Romero Pools. Say you're in the mood for a little staycation, El conquistador resort is also nearby.
Catalina Foothills
Catalina Foothills is located in the Northern region of Tucson, Arizona. It's also about 20 minutes away from downtown Tucson.Â
Catalina Foothills, or what it's also referred to as the Foothills, started to be developed in the early 1920s. The population for this area is around 27,000 people. The median home price is around $480,000 and the median household income is around $79,000.Â
The community has a wide range of home styles throughout the area. Some of the more popular build styles are Southwestern, Contemporary, Modern, and Santa Fe style homes.Â
The Foothills has breathtaking views of the Catalina Mountain range, and also because it's in higher elevation, some awesome city views as well. There's also beautiful golf courses in the area. Two of those golf courses are LA Paloma Country Club and Skyline Country Club.Â
The public school district within the area is Catalina Foothills School District. The public high school within the area is Catalina Foothills High School.Â
There are tons of fun things to do within the area. The Foothills offers amazing fine dining and shopping. One of the luxury outdoor shopping malls within the area is La Encantada mall.Â
For some outdoor fun, don't forget to check out the Rillito Farmers Market. This awesome farmer's market is hosted every Sunday from the early morning to early afternoon, depending on the season.Â
If biking or cycling is more of your thing, look no further than the infamous bike trail known as The Loop. This 131-mile car-free paved bike trail is a local favorite. Or if you're looking for a little staycation, look no further than the Westin La Paloma. This spectacular resort is great for a romantic getaway or a family friendly vacation.Â
Marana
The Town of Marana is located in the Northwest region of Tucson and it's about 30 minutes away from downtown Tucson.Â
It was incorporated in 1977 and has a population of around 47,000 people. The median home price is 260,000 and the median household income is $75,000.Â
One of the more popular home styles in Marana is the contemporary styled homes. There's also some amazing golf courses in Marana. Some that you definitely don't want to miss are the Highlands at Dove Mountain, The Golf Club at Dove Mountain, and The Gallery, which used to host the PGA match play championship.Â
The public school district within the area is Marana School District and the public high school within the area is, you guessed it, Marana High School.Â
There are tons of fun things to do within the area. One of those being Top Golf, which is an entertainment venue with a high-tech driving range and a fun filled lounge with food, drinks and games. Or if you're out for some shopping, you definitely want to check out the Tucson Premium Outlets. It's an outdoor mall with some amazing storefront options.Â
Or if you're up for a short drive, you definitely don't want to miss checking out the Biosphere 2. This glass enclosed ecosystem is one of the world's most unique facilities dedicated to the research and understanding of global scientific issues. It was constructed between 1987 and 1991, and is one of the 50 must see natural and man made marvels of the world.Â
During Fall, make sure you check out the Marana Pumpkin Patch. Filled with festivals, corn mazes, pumpkin picking, and even a petting zoo, it's a seasonal fun adventure for everyone. Or if you're in the mood for a little staycation, make sure you check out the Ritz Carlton at Dove Mountain. This beautiful resort is perfect for a romantic getaway or for a fun family vacation.
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Downtown Tucson
Downtown Tucson is located in the central/western part of Tucson. And a few of the neighborhoods in the area are El Presidio, Armory Park and Menlo Park.Â
Tucson was incorporated in 1877 and is the oldest incorporated city in Arizona. The population of Downtown Tucson is around 5,300 people. The median home price is around $293,000. And the median household income is around $36,000.
In this area there are many different styles of homes that range from a lower end price point to a higher end price point. It's an eclectic area that so many people love.Â
Some of those popular home styles include bungalow homes, which are similar to cottage style homes and tend to have dormer windows and verandas. Another great option is the contemporary modern home, which draws heavily on the exterior architect and tends to have more open floor plans. Lastly, the historic Victorian style home, which focuses on asymmetrical shapes throughout the home.Â
The public school district within the area is Tucson Unified School District and the public high school within the area is Tucson High Magnet School.Â
Some fun things to do in the area are visiting and exploring all of the museums. Some of those include the Tucson Museum of Art, the Arizona Historical Society Museum, and the Children's Museum, but that's just naming a few.Â
There are so many amazing options for restaurants, coffee shops, bars, and breweries in downtown Tucson. The nightlife scene is definitely something you don't want to miss.
Be sure to catch the Tucson Gem and Mineral show that is hosted downtown every January and February. It's one of the oldest, largest, and most prestigious gem shows in the world.Â
And lastly, Downtown Tucson has a lot of options for boutique hotels, but if you're looking for a unique and historic experience, you have to visit Hotel Congress. This historic hotel is a local and well sought out establishment filled with history, culture, experiences, nightlife, and amazing dining. You definitely will want to book a night or two here.Â
Central Tucson
Central Tucson is located near the University of Arizona and extends to East Tucson. A few neighborhoods within the area are Sam Hughes, El Encanto, Winterhaven, and Poets Square.Â
Neighborhoods in this area started to be developed around the mid 1900s, and the population is around 70,000 people. The median home price is around $250,000 and the median household income is around $40,000.Â
There are many different styles of homes within these areas ranging from a lower end price point to a higher end price point. Some of these styles are ranch style, mid century modern and contemporary homes.Â
The public school district within the area is Tucson Unified School District and the main high schools within the area are Tucson High School, Catalina Magnet, and Rincon High School. Or if you're looking for a private school, Salpointe Catholic High School is a great option as well.Â
If you're looking for some fun things to do in the area, the Tucson Botanical Gardens is a great option. This 5.5 acre garden is recognized as one of the best small public gardens in America. Or if you're up for a zoo trip, the Reid Park Zoo hosts over 500 amazing animals. Are you up for a little golf, Randolph golf course and Del Urich are right down the street.Â
During the winter holidays you do not want to miss out on visiting Winterhaven's Festival of Lights. Lighting up the holidays for over 70 years, this wonderful festival attracts crowds from all across Southern Arizona. It definitely should be on your holiday checklist.Â
During the school season, don't forget to catch a UofA football, basketball or baseball game. With state-of-the-art facilities, you'll have so much fun cheering on the Wildcats.Â
South Tucson
It's located about 8 minutes away from Downtown Tucson. Believe it or not, the city of South Tucson is its own city within a city. They even have their own Mayor.
It was incorporated on August 10, 1936, and has a population of around 5,700 people. The median home price is around $131,000 and the median household income is around $33,000.Â
Some of the more popular home styles within the area are territorial, bungalow and ranch style homes.Â
The public school district within the area is Tucson Unified School District and the main public high school within the area is Pueblo High School.Â
Some fun things to do in the area are checking out some of the amazing cultural restaurants within the area. An amazing place to check out is American Eats Company. This is a local food court with seven local restaurants, a beer and wine bar, a coffee shop, a juice bar, and an arcade.Â
If you're up for a round of golf nearby, Sewailo Golf Club is the place to go. Located at Casino Del Sol, this beautiful golf course is one not to miss. Ranked one of Arizona's finest courses you can play, it's also home of the 2018 women's golf NCAA championship for the University of Arizona.Â
Or if you're looking for something fun to do in the month of February, you don't want to miss the Tucson Rodeo and Parade or La Fiesta de los Vaqueros. This is a top 25 pro rodeo in the United States. There's so much fun for the family, it's definitely something to add on your checklist.Â
Sahuarita
Sahuarita is located near the southern end of Tucson and close to Green Valley. And it's about 25 minutes away from downtown Tucson.Â
It was founded in 1911 and incorporated in 1994. And the population is around 31,000 people. The median home price is around $250,000 and the median household income is around $65,000.Â
Sahuarita consists of newer subdivision homes that feature contemporary, mediterranean, and ranch style homes.Â
The public school district within the area is Sahuarita School District and the two main high schools within the area are Walden Grove High School and Sahuarita High School.Â
There are so many fun things to do within the area. Some of those include the neighborhood parks and communities that offer amazing amenities. One of them being Club Rancho Sahuarita, which features a full fitness facility, meeting rooms, the Anza Sports Bar, children's facilities, athletic courts, a playground and activities lawn, a full lap pool, and a splash park complete with water slides.Â
Or you can take a short drive to the Titan Missile Museum. This is the only remaining Titan II site open to the public, allowing you to relive and learn the history of when there was a nuclear threat against the United States.Â
If you're up for some outdoor fun, Madera Canyon national forest is known for exceptional hiking trails. Madera Canyon was originally named White House Canyon after a prominent white Adobe house was built there in the late 19th century. The Canyon was renamed sometime in the early 1900s, although some locals still use the original name. Or if you're up for around a golf, the Haven and Quail Creek are a few of the courses nearby to definitely check out.Â
Vail
Vail is located towards the Southeastern end of Tucson, and is about 30 minutes away from downtown Tucson.Â
It was established in the late 19th century and has a population of around 12,000 people. The median household price is around $280,000 and the median household income is around $84,000.Â
Vail consists of many newer subdivisions within the community. And within the community they feature contemporary and ranch style homes. Also within the community is Del Lago Golf Club. You definitely want to check it out to play a round of golf.
The school district within the area is Vail School District and the main high schools within that school district is Empire High School and Cienega High School.Â
Some fun things to do in the area are Colossal Cave, which is a large cave system that contains about 3.5 miles of mapped passageways. The formations within the cave were formed by water depositing limestone. It's a fun adventure for anyone trying to escape the heat.Â
If you're up for a short drive to visit the closest winery, Charron Vineyards and Winery is just south towards the town of Sonoita. This winery was established in 1995 and is considered one of the oldest and most picturesque wineries in the state.
Are you up for a little bit of horseback riding? All Around Trail Horses is a family fun adventure with wagon hayrides, dining under the stars by campfire, and exploring the Saguaro National Park with their special park rides with the horses.
East Tucson
East Tucson is located on the Eastern side of Tucson, and it's about 30 minutes away from downtown Tucson.Â
Development for this area of town started in the mid 1950s and the median home price is around $300,000, with the median household income being about $70,000.
In this area of town, there are many different style of homes that range from a higher end price point to a lower end price point. Some of those styles of homes consist of Ranch style homes, Contemporary. and Santa Fe style homes.Â
The public school district within the area is Tucson Unified School District. And the main public high schools are Sabino High School, Saguaro High School, Palo Verde High School, and Santa Rita High School.Â
Some fun things to do within the area are Sabino Canyon Recreation Park, which is located in the Catalina Mountains and part of the Coronado National Forest. This beautiful Canyon offers outdoor recreation, including hiking, swimming, biking, and picnicking.
Or Trail Dust Town, which was built in 1961, which it's a Tucson favorite. Experiencing a trip to the old wild west, Trail Dust Town offers amazing restaurants, shopping, and attractions. From a miniature train ride to stunt shows, this is a family fun adventure you do not want to miss out on.
And Agua Caliente Park, which is a 101 acre park that features a warm spring and pond that is home to an exceptionally rich mixture of plants and animals. It's a great place to explore and discover the rich culture all around.Â
Maybe you're up for a quick drive to escape the heat. About an hour north of Tucson, Mount Lemmon and the town of Summerhaven is a great getaway. With beautiful hiking trails, homemade fudge at the cookie cabin, and even snow during the colder months, you can rent a cabin or enjoy the scenery or go for a quick day trip.Â
Well, that wraps up the Tucson Community Tour. I hope you enjoy getting to know the greater area of Tucson. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to reach out.
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Rachel Clark
Hi, I'm Rachel!
As a Tucson native, I have been fortunate enough to experience everything Tucson has to offer! I love being able to speak to people on a daily basis who are either looking to move to Tucson or are fortunate enough to already live here! You can reach out too. Send me a text, give me a call or shoot me an email. I'm here to help however I can when it comes to moving to Tucson!
