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Urban Retirement
Ahh....Where?
Ahh....Where?
| 12 Cities in 12 Months - Living the Life of a Local |
| UrbanAWhere.com |
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| Tucson |
Why Tucson?
Well, to begin with, one of my very best friends, Desiree, lives there. It would be great to have at least one
"built-in" friend. Also, the price of real estate is very attractive. I have lived in Arizona before (Phoenix for
5 years) so I know about the heat and all. It doesn't have the ocean but I thought it would be worth a try.
Well, to begin with, one of my very best friends, Desiree, lives there. It would be great to have at least one
"built-in" friend. Also, the price of real estate is very attractive. I have lived in Arizona before (Phoenix for
5 years) so I know about the heat and all. It doesn't have the ocean but I thought it would be worth a try.
Walkability & Biking (5)
Tucson is THE MOST bike-friendly town I've ever been to. It is definitely flat. There are serious wide
bike paths on the major streets. The laws are very bike-centric and cars seem to be respectful of
bikes. That said, it's sometimes just too hot to bike and it's not really a very pretty ride like it is in
San Diego or Seattle. By the middle of October, it was really nice and, of course, always sunny. I even
bought a floppy hat so I went around town looking like Jessica Fletcher! Also, since my little car/bike
incident in San Diego, I do have a pretty new bike! Walkability is not quite as good because the
stores, restaurants and shops are pretty spread out. I did need to use my car more for groceries, etc.
Tucson is THE MOST bike-friendly town I've ever been to. It is definitely flat. There are serious wide
bike paths on the major streets. The laws are very bike-centric and cars seem to be respectful of
bikes. That said, it's sometimes just too hot to bike and it's not really a very pretty ride like it is in
San Diego or Seattle. By the middle of October, it was really nice and, of course, always sunny. I even
bought a floppy hat so I went around town looking like Jessica Fletcher! Also, since my little car/bike
incident in San Diego, I do have a pretty new bike! Walkability is not quite as good because the
stores, restaurants and shops are pretty spread out. I did need to use my car more for groceries, etc.
My Temporary Digs
I knew I wanted to be fairly near Desiree and the university. I ended up in the West University
Neighborhood. I found a great place to live through VRBO, Casa De Jacobus. This house was quite a bit and
climbing trees. There was plenty of off street parking, laundry and, of course, air conditioning.and climbing
trees. There was plenty of off street parking, laundry and, of course, air conditioning.
I knew I wanted to be fairly near Desiree and the university. I ended up in the West University
Neighborhood. I found a great place to live through VRBO, Casa De Jacobus. This house was quite a bit and
climbing trees. There was plenty of off street parking, laundry and, of course, air conditioning.and climbing
trees. There was plenty of off street parking, laundry and, of course, air conditioning.
Transportation (3)
The Tucson airport is about a half hour from the University district. It does have direct flights to most
major airports (except NYC) including Seattle, Atlanta, LA, San Francisco & Dallas, so international
travel would be possible but a little cumbersome. There is a trolley system that is just finishing up
that services downtown and the university. For the most part, though, Tucson is a "car-bound" city.
It's very spread out and you need to use a car to get to many of the beautiful desert areas.
The Tucson airport is about a half hour from the University district. It does have direct flights to most
major airports (except NYC) including Seattle, Atlanta, LA, San Francisco & Dallas, so international
travel would be possible but a little cumbersome. There is a trolley system that is just finishing up
that services downtown and the university. For the most part, though, Tucson is a "car-bound" city.
It's very spread out and you need to use a car to get to many of the beautiful desert areas.
Weather, Culture, Food & Amenities (2)
Well, I already mentioned the weather...TOO HOT clear through mid October. Actually it's beautiful
cool nights. I think you'd need a second home, though, so you could leave in the summer. When you
are retired, you don't want to stay indoors in the nice cool air conditioning. On the culture side, I
really took advantage of everything the university had to offer. They bring a lot of shows, art and
events to the city. It was a great addition to life in the town. I didn't really find the food very admit I
was trying to stay in the town center and not travel up to the foothills (car required) and other places
where there were reportedly good restaurants.
Well, I already mentioned the weather...TOO HOT clear through mid October. Actually it's beautiful
cool nights. I think you'd need a second home, though, so you could leave in the summer. When you
are retired, you don't want to stay indoors in the nice cool air conditioning. On the culture side, I
really took advantage of everything the university had to offer. They bring a lot of shows, art and
events to the city. It was a great addition to life in the town. I didn't really find the food very admit I
was trying to stay in the town center and not travel up to the foothills (car required) and other places
where there were reportedly good restaurants.
Real Estate (4)
Real Estate prices in Tucson are VERY reasonable. A 3BR 2BA in the desirable Sam Hugh's neighborhood
is doable for $350K. The style of houses is pretty consistently adobe, although there are also some
craftsman bungalows too. The major drawback is the landscaping. It's mostly "xeriscape", which can
be translated to BROWN. There was one neighborhood, called El Encanto, that was specifically
designed to look tropical. The lots were also large there and it was convenient to everything.
Real Estate prices in Tucson are VERY reasonable. A 3BR 2BA in the desirable Sam Hugh's neighborhood
is doable for $350K. The style of houses is pretty consistently adobe, although there are also some
craftsman bungalows too. The major drawback is the landscaping. It's mostly "xeriscape", which can
be translated to BROWN. There was one neighborhood, called El Encanto, that was specifically
designed to look tropical. The lots were also large there and it was convenient to everything.
The People (3)
People were not UNfriendly here but it wasn't easy to meet them other than through Desiree. One
thing is that many people live in the suburbs (foothills) and commute. It wasn't just natural to strike
up conversations with strangers like it was in San Diego. I did not meet my neighbors. I believe that,
in this neighborhood, they are mostly UofA students and mostly pretty transient (renters). Of course,
I have Desiree and, having lived in Phoenix for 5 years, I have friends there so it's not like I wouldn't
know anyone if I lived here.
People were not UNfriendly here but it wasn't easy to meet them other than through Desiree. One
thing is that many people live in the suburbs (foothills) and commute. It wasn't just natural to strike
up conversations with strangers like it was in San Diego. I did not meet my neighbors. I believe that,
in this neighborhood, they are mostly UofA students and mostly pretty transient (renters). Of course,
I have Desiree and, having lived in Phoenix for 5 years, I have friends there so it's not like I wouldn't
know anyone if I lived here.
