While Phoenix is a massive city worthy of the attention it gets, but it’s not the only powerhouse in the state of Arizona. Tucson offers its residents ample job opportunities, affordable living, and plenty of the great outdoors to enjoy—along with the sun to match.
But if you’re moving to The Old Pueblo, here are five things you need to know before living in Tucson.
1. You can find jobs in Tucson
A big reason most people relocate is for employment opportunities, and Tucson has plenty of chances for you to earn some money. And fortunately Tucson’s economic outlook is strong. According to George Hammon, the director of the Economic and Business Research Center, Tucson has positive trends in job growth, with rising incomes and migration to the city specifically for jobs, particularly in construction and healthcare. Tucson also recently ranked high among WalletHub’s list for best STEM job markets.
And if you’re looking to create your job rather than find it, Tucson is among the top ten most affordable cities for startups, making it an attractive spot to start a business of your own.
2. You can afford Tucson
A big pull for the city is affordability. According to BestPlaces, Tucson across the board is more affordable than national and state averages, particularly in the areas of health costs and housing. For instance, median home costs are more than $45,000 less than the national average—more than $63,000 less than the state average too—and a two bedroom apartment is nearly $200 less than the national average.
3. Know your Tucson neighborhoods
As with any city, Tucson has its choices for your neighborhood to live in or visit and enjoy. Each area offers its own distinct flavor and experience. For instance, Armory Park near downtown has Barrio styled homes and bungalows as well as old brick roads and established trees. Meanwhile many families or employees of at U of A enjoy Catalina Vista, which offers you the benefit of being in a central location of the city as well as closeness to the desert and its natural beauty.
Check out this helpful Tucson guide for further details on the wonderful communities you can find here.
4. It’s great to be outside in Tucson
Before we get too far into this point, please remember Tucson is in a semi-arid climate, with very hot summers and mild winters. And while this means midday treks in summer may need extra water and sunscreen, it also means that you can enjoy being outside year-round. Tucson was ranked among the best places to live in 2019 by Outside, particularly for its biking opportunities such as the 29-mile route that takes you 6,600 feet up Mount Lemmon.
5. Where to Eat in Tucson
You’ll read it often on this site, but if you’re going to call a place home, you’re gonna want to know where to eat, and Tucson thankfully has plenty of fare to choose from. Locals love hit up spots such as Noodleholics in Palo Verde, enjoy Southern cuisine at The Parish in Orange Grove Village, or savor some good old-fashioned Mexican food with Street Taco and Beer Co. downtown.
These are just a few things you should know before moving to Tucson. Do you live there and want to share more? Please do in the comments below! And whether you’re living in Tucson now or plan to relocate there soon, we do have one helpful tip: consider a storage unit in Tucson.
Click here to learn more on how Tucson self storage can help.
