By Stephanie Hyland, Storage.com

If you’re tired of living in an area that sees snow every year, moving south to a city that has 350+ days of sunshine might be just what you need. Here are ten reasons why you should move to Tucson, Ariz.

1. NO NEED TO BUNDLE UP.

Tucson, Arizona Sabino Canyon
Photo by Ken Bosma

If you hate bundling up to the extent of Ralphie’s little brother Randy in A Christmas Story every time you have to remove snow from your driveway, moving to Tucson’s warm and dry climate will clear up your wintertime blues. With temperatures ranging in the high 60s to low 70s during the winter months, Tucson residents can enjoy being outside in December without having to layer from head to toe.

2. BIG CITY CULTURE IN 227 MILES.

Tucson Live Theatre Workshop
Photo provided by Live Theatre Workshop

Despite the total area of Tuscon only being 227 miles, it offers major attractions to residents and tourists. It’s also home to Ballet Tucson, Tucson Symphony Orchestra, Live Theatre Workshop, and Savoy Opera House. Basically, you’re getting a whole lotta culture in a little space.

3. UNIQUE JOB OPPORTUNITIES.

Tucson, Arizona
Photo by Bill Morrow

Tucson is home to large companies like Raytheon Missile Systems (the leading employer in Tucson with more than 12,000 employees) and industries such as aerospace engineering, education, and health care. This means there are plenty of opportunities for people looking to relocate for work.

4. PERFECT SUNSETS EVERY NIGHT.

Mount Lemmon Sunset
Photo by Raquel Baranow

Tucson’s desert landscape creates the perfect platform for some of the most breathtaking sunsets in the United States. Some of the best places to get a front row seat to an Arizona sunset are Gates Pass and Mount Lemmon in Tucson. Both areas also offer hiking, camping, and a firsthand look at desert vegetation like the Saguaros and Owl Clover.

5. ROCK-CLIMBING ADVENTURES FOR EVERYONE.

Rock Climbing in Tucson
Photo by Kevin Dooley

Besides being a good place to watch sunsets, Mount Lemmon is one of the top rock-climbing destinations in Arizona and has more than 1,200 routes. The surrounding mountain ranges in Tucson make for the perfect environment for climbers of all ages and abilities.

6. A GOOD HOME FOR CYCLISTS.

Tour de Tucson
Photo by Bill Morrow

Tucson is an extremely cyclist friendly area with more than 700 miles of marked bikeways with a number of bike trails also located just outside of the city. Tucson is home to El Tour de Tucson as well. This annual cycling event is held the Saturday before Thanksgiving and attracts cyclists of all ages and skill levels. The city has also made a number of lists in regards to cycling over the years, but was most recently named on the Travel Channel’s list of Top 10 Best Bike Cities in May 2013.

7. UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA.

University of Arizona Campus
Photo by Ken Lund

Since 1885, University of Arizona has prided themselves on academics, research, and community service. It’s a leading public research institution, conducting more than $625 million dollars of research annually, and has more than 300 majors to offer its students. It’s also one of the nation’s top producers of Fulbright Scholars, as well as a major employer in Tucson with approximately 10,363 employees. Fun Fact: Photographer Ansel Adams helped found the university’s Center for Creative Photography, the largest institution in the world committed to documenting the history of modern North American photography.

Are you a U of A student that needs a place to keep their things this summer? Find summer storage near University of Arizona today!

8. ECCENTRIC MUSEUMS.

Tucson's Mini Time Machine Museum of Miniatures
Photo provided by The Mini Time Machine Museum of Miniatures

In case you’re not the outdoorsy type, there are a number of museums in the Tucson area that can keep you entertained. A popular stop in Tucson is The Mini Time Machine Museum of Miniatures, which displays over 300 different dollhouses and roomboxes for visitors to enjoy in a state-of-the-art exhibit space. Visitors can get an up-close look at historical and fantasy-themed miniature displays that have been created with excellent detail.

9. LIONS, TIGERS, AND BEARS…OH MY!

Giraffe at Reid Park Zoo in Arizona
Photo by Max Wolfe

Animal lovers will love Tucson, as it’s a great place to not only see exotic animals, but to also learn about their habitats and history. The International Wildlife Museum is home to more than 400 different creatures and also promotes the importance of wildlife conservation while Reid Park Zoo is a 24-acre campus that sees approximately 600,000 visitors a year and is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums.

10. GRAB A BEER.

Beer Samplings
Photo by J R

If you’re a beer drinker, check out Gentle Bens Brewing Company and Dragoon Brewing Company. Gentle Bens has been winning awards for their products since 1991 and is known for its Red Cat Amber. Dragoon Brewing Company, on the other hand, got its start in the mid-1990s when owner and founder Bruce Greene began brewing in his kitchen. You know what they say…the rest is history!

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If you’re planning to move to Tucson and need storage space to help with the transition, view Storage.com’s directory of storage units in Tucson, Arizona to find, compare, and rent self storage in the area.

All images have either been provided by a listed organization or are licensed under the Creative Commons license.