| Tucson loves to celebrate its rich medley of | | | | "snowbirds" flee colder regions to enjoy |
| cultures, architecture, and peoples. The | | | | Tucson's warmth in the winter when |
| community places an emphasis on preserving | | | | temperatures hover around 68 degrees during |
| its colorful heritage and on maintaining a | | | | the day. |
| casual attitude despite fresh growth. As | | | | |
| Arizona's oldest city, established the same | | | | Resorts & Shopping |
| year Paul Revere made his famous ride through | | | | |
| Boston, Tucson has become a trendy spot for | | | | Tucson's natural beauty makes it an ideal |
| cosmopolitan ambience. Named "a mini Mecca | | | | location for world-class resorts and spas, |
| for the arts" by The Wall Street Journal, and | | | | and although much of Tucson's shopping is |
| included in the book, "50 Fabulous Places to | | | | focused around five malls, there are many |
| Raise Your Family," The city has been named | | | | boutiques and small shops with Southwest |
| one of "America's 100 Best Retirement Towns" | | | | character and unique wares on open plazas. |
| and Money Magazine ranks Tucson in the Top | | | | The historic 4th Avenue neighborhood near the |
| Six places to retire in the country. | | | | University of Arizona is fertile ground for |
| recently chose Tucson as the fifth best place | | | | unusual and artsy items, good little |
| in America to live, rating 331 cities on cost | | | | restaurants, and local art. El Presidio |
| of living, crime rate, education, home prices | | | | Historic District around the Tucson Museum of |
| and weather. | | | | Art and Old Town Artisans is the city's |
| | | | center for local and regional crafts. |
| Housing | | | | |
| | | | Lifestyles |
| Tucson real estate is abundant in the Tucson | | | | |
| metropolitan area and, although Tucsonans | | | | American Heritage magazine recently named |
| treasure their pristine desert surroundings, | | | | Tucson the "Great American Place." The |
| new housing starts are consistently higher | | | | metropolitan area has much to offer, and is |
| than the national average and prices are | | | | known for nurturing the body, mind and soul. |
| generally less than in other major | | | | A sun-lovers' climate and the lush Sonoran |
| metropolitan areas. Despite Tucson's growth, | | | | Desert hemmed by mountains, canyons, wildlife |
| housing and land costs are still well below | | | | and desert trails promote active lifestyles. |
| the norm and the recent boom in real estate | | | | Intellectual and cultural liveliness are |
| investing and construction is expected to | | | | enhanced by the oldest university in the |
| continue. Diverse housing options range from | | | | state, and by a high percentage of creative |
| 100 year-old haciendas to trendy downtown | | | | artists, musicians and writers who call |
| lofts, adobe estates designed by architect | | | | Tucson their home. The city is also home to |
| Josias Joesler, Santa Fe and Territorial | | | | the Tucson Sidewinders Triple-A baseball |
| designs, contemporary California Ranch | | | | club, nationally televised PAC-10 |
| styles, and environmentally-friendly solar | | | | intercollegiate sports, men's and women's |
| and strawbale construction. | | | | golf tournaments, bowling tournaments, |
| | | | bicycling races, and the world-famous Tucson |
| Climate | | | | rodeo. Outdoor recreation adds to the local |
| | | | economy with the more popular activities |
| Known for its mild winters, dry desert air, | | | | being hiking, backpacking, rock climbing, |
| low annual rainfall and abundant brilliance - | | | | hang gliding, mountain biking, paragliding |
| about 360 days of sunshine a year, more than | | | | and tennis. |
| any other U.S. city - Tucson is a popular | | | | |
| health destination, winter resort, and | | | | Despite all the it's steady growth, Tucson |
| retirement community. The metropolitan area's | | | | still is an unassuming community that remains |
| population swells from November through | | | | a small town at heart. |
| February as thousands of part-time | | | | |