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