1. It Pays To Live In Tucson
Living in
Tucson isn’t just cheaper than the average cost of living in Arizona, it’s cheaper by the national average by less than 6.4 percent. From groceries to gas, most things average out cheaper here, helping to keep a few extra bills in your pocket.
2. You Can Feel Good Buying A Home Here
You can score a home on average here for $135,500. Compared to the national average of $185,000, that’s quite a difference. The housing market has been growing slow but steady every year, too, with a predicted increase of 4.6 percent over the coming years, making buying in Tucson a solid investment.
3. The Job Market Is Lukewarm
The good news is that the job market in Tucson, while not breaking any records, is holding steady. The bad news is that your paycheck probably won’t be as good as you want it to be. Household incomes are 30 percent less in Tucson than the national average. So make sure you’re factoring that into your budget planning.
4. Tucson Goes Out, Not Up
This isn’t a city filled with high-rises and condos. Tucson is spread out over 200 square miles and is broken up into a variety of neighborhoods. So keep in mind that living and working in Tucson doesn’t necessarily mean living close to work. Paying attention your location in proximity to all the places, people, work, and amenities that you’re interested in will make all the difference.
5. Living In The Desert Doesn’t Mean You Won’t Hit Traffic
The average commute time in Tucson is 23.8 minutes, falling just lower than the national average of 24.4 minutes. But don’t assume that means you won’t sit in congestion during rush hour because you will.
With Tucson spread so far out and only two freeways, in order to get from one end of the city to the other or to head out into the sprawl, driving is a necessity.
6. But Do Yourself A Favor And Buy A Bike
Pull aside, Portland. Tucson is making huge strides in becoming a super-bike friendly city. The streets have fairly large bike lanes, giving you plenty of room on the road.
And you can cut your commute times significantly by taking shortcuts through the city via the bike paths that run along the creeks and riverbeds. Events like Cyclovia make cycling in the city even more fun.
7. Downtown Tucson Is Getting Better Every Day
Compared to Downtown Tucson 10 years ago, this current state of downtown is like a whole new city. With trendy places to eat and shop opening up every day, events and festivals, local coffeehouses, live music, a growing art scene, and much more, Downtown Tucson will give you all the perks of city living close by.
8. What You Need To Know About Tucson’s Crime
Here’s where trouble comes into paradise. Tucson’s crime rate is really high--and not just by a little. Tucson’s crime rates are a whopping 133 percent higher than the national mean.
That doesn’t mean that you can’t walk around Tucson safely, of course. There are good neighborhoods and there are bad ones. Know the difference and you’ll be fine.
9. Got Kids? They’ll Get A Good Education If You Do Your Research
Tucson schools have been facing some turbulent times as they sort through funding issues. But there are still plenty of good schools available in the city and they’re still churning out a great graduation rate.
The University of Arizona is also located here, giving a great secondary education option at a slight discount when you factor in-state and local rates.
10. Don’t Be Afraid To Consider The Metro Area
If the crime is a major deterrent for you, the option of living in the metro area is still viable. The surrounding areas see all of the same perks of living in Tucson with close proximity to the city but have better crime rates and less congestion.
Some areas to check out include Marana, Oro Valley, Sierra Vista-Douglas, Vail, and Green Valley.
