Tucson Real Estate
The city of Tucson is currently the second largest in the state of Arizona. Nicknamed “Old Pueblo,” Tucson has a history reaching back hundreds of years, even before Arizona officially became a state. The Tucson Presidio was established in 1775 by Hugo O’Conor, and it is this date that is used as the official beginnings of Tucson.
Between 1821 and 1854, Tucson was a part of Mexico but became part of the United States with the Gadsden Purchase of 1854. The territory of Arizona was officially established in 1863, and Tucson served as the territorial capital for ten years, from 1867 to 1877. A far cry from its humble beginnings in terms of population, Tucson is currently home to over one million residents.
On an annual basis, Tucson gets approximately 11.2 inches of rainfall and a tad less than an inch of snow, numbers in keeping with the dry climate of southern Arizona. The average high temperature in July is 100.1 degrees Fahrenheit, while the average low in January is 37.5 degrees Fahrenheit.
Tucson Real Estate
While still filled with plenty of more affordable housing options, Tucson, which is located in Pima County, is also host to a variety of higher-end subdivisions and neighborhoods, especially in the northwest section of the city. Looking for additional options for Tucson real estate, the areas of Oro Valley and Marana are home to several exclusive communities, both gated and nongated. The master-planned community of Rancho Vistoso features a number of gated subdivisions, including smaller venues such as Fairfield at Vistoso, which is a golf subdivision on the Vistoso Golf Course itself, and the luxury subdivision of Honey Bee Canyon, which contains only 48 lots sized at over an acre each.
One of the best places to find Tucson homes for sale is the community of Catalina Foothills. It is also home to several gorgeous subdivisions. For example, Catalina Foothills Estates is a collection of sensational neighborhoods located just slightly north of Tucson. These communities, some gated and some not, are a mixture of styles of architecture, ranging from territorial ranch homes to Tuscan-inspired motifs to sprawling desert estates. For families with school-age children, it’s important to note that the Estates are served by the Catalina Foothills School District, which is consistently ranked as one of the top school districts in the state. We would be happy to assist you in finding that perfect Tucson home for sale. Great Tucson real estate is what we are all about.
Tucson Education and Schools
The educational opportunities provided in Tucson and the surrounding areas are considered to be some of the finest in the state of Arizona. For example, if you want to enroll your child in a charter school, Tucson has several options from which to choose, often featuring an emphasis on specific curriculum areas, such as the Sonoran Science Academy. Tucson also has a number of private schools, both religious, such as Salpointe Catholic High School, and secular, such as the St. Gregory College Preparatory School, that frequently produce some of the best scholars in the city.
When it comes to higher education, Tucson is home to the Pima Community College system. With six campuses in various locations around Tucson, these community colleges provide an alternative to a university education, as well as offer lifelong learner classes and general education courses that can often be transferred to a university setting.
Meanwhile, the University of Arizona was established in 1885 and was the first university to be established in the Arizona territory. From the first graduating class of three students (the class of 1895 consisted of just one man and two women), to a current undergraduate population of nearly 30,000 students, the U of A has always been an integral part of the Tucson community.
Things to Do in Tucson, Arizona
Tucson is the home of many annual events, some of which have become known throughout the nation and the world. One such event is the Tucson Gem, Mineral and Fossil Showcase. Held every year near the end of January/beginning of February, the Tucson “Gem Show,” as it’s informally known, attracts people from all over the world to display and add to their collections.
Every February, Tucson is the host of the world famous Tucson Rodeo. This rodeo features events that range from bull riding and barrel racing to events for children. One of the centerpieces of the Rodeo is the Tucson Rodeo Parade, which is the world’s longest non-motorized parade and showcases dancers, floats, buggies, horseback riders and marching bands.
Starting in May and ending in August, the Fox Tucson Theater, located in the heart of downtown Tucson, plays classic Hollywood films on Saturday nights in the Summer Classic Movies at the Fox series, making it the perfect time to catch that movie that’s been on your “must-see” list for ages.
From June to August, the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum extends its hours on Saturday evenings, choosing to stay open until 10PM in order to give more people the chance to come and experience plants and animals that only come out during at nighttime.
If you enjoy art, you can head to the Arizona State Museum, which has a revolving series of exhibits from a variety of different artists. Additionally, the Tucson Museum of Art also presents exhibitions on a regular basis from both local artists and artists from around the world.
Hitting the Links – Golfing in Tucson, Arizona
If you’re a golf aficionado, Tucson is definitely the city for you. The beauty of the Arizonan climate is the mild winters, which allow for golfing to occur year-round. With over thirty golf courses in Tucson and the surrounding area, there is bound to be a course that matches up with your skill level. One of the more famous golf courses in the Tucson area is located in the town of Marana at the Ritz-Carlton Golf Club. This course, contained within the property of the Ritz-Carlton at Dove Mountain, is the home of the World Golf Championships – Accenture Match Play Championship every February. For those new to Arizona be sure to wear your polarized sunglasses or migraine sunglasses (for light sensitivity), Tucson’s sun is BRIGHT! For indoor relief and Photophobia, wear migraine glasses by TheraSpecs.
Tucson, Arizona Restaurants
Some of the best restaurants in Tucson can be found in the many resorts scattered across the city. The Westward Look Resort features two award-winning restaurants, GOLD and the Lookout Bar and Grille, while The Lodge at Ventana Canyon offers the high-class Ventana Bar and Grill as well as the Catalina Dining Room. For a different type of experience, head to the Desert Diamond Casino and take in a buffet lunch while you try and hit it big in a Nevada-style environment.
For authentic Mexican cuisine, you can take in a meal at El Charro in downtown Tucson. The restaurant, established in 1922, is the nation’s oldest Mexican restaurant continuously operated by the same family. Serving traditional Mexican fare such as quesadillas, tamales and enchiladas, the restaurant also serves up its own line of homemade salsas for you to eat there or take home.
