Tucson: The Ugliest City in The West? (Phoenix, Scottsdale: house, to live in)

[abqsunport]

Originally Posted by Steve-o

I think Phoenix is far uglier than Tucson, setting wise, but Tucson is uglier in regards to man-made things. Tucson was unimpressive to the utmost extreme, but I dont think its the ugliest in the west. Id say that honor goes to Nogales, AZ or Gallup, NM.

No, Gallup is sorrounded by gorgeous red rock.

[skydude24]

Originally Posted by eric351982

Hi Bummer,
Yes, I have seen the backside of Portland and Long Beach, California. The difference between the "backsides" of Portland and Long Beach is that the "backsides" of Portland and Long Beach have public transportation, cool bars,
second-hand clothing stores, old buildings and culture.
The "backside" of Tucson has the same Walgreens and Frys as the frontsides........

No, I don't think you have seen the seedier sides of these places.

Having lived in Tucson, Portland, Seattle, and currently Phoenix (with and apartment in Long Beach too,) I think that you haven't left your apartment to actually explore Tucson.

Actually years ago I lived in South Tucson. The place with the old sign on I-10: Spanish Trails. A pretty scary place for sure.

However, I always loved going out and exploring Tucson. As I do in Long Beach.

Tucson has alot to offer people. The only problem is you have to actually get off the couch to see them.

[Steve-o]

Originally Posted by abqsunport

No, Gallup is sorrounded by gorgeous red rock.

Im talking about the town itself. But yes, the Gallup area is very beautiful. Its a shame most of the town sucks.

[sierraAZ]

Originally Posted by eric351982

I am a native Californian who grew up in Portland, Oregon. I've been in Tucson for a year so my partner can earn his masters degree at the U of A. I grew up lower middle class and don't have an ounce of snobbery in me, but I just can't swallow the sprawling nothingness of Tucson. The sprawl is sprawling away from nothing, just sprawling further (or nearer?) to the next Walgreens or Frys? My only frame of reference for a city like this is Bakersfield, CA or Fresno, CA. If they held a contest for the ugliest, worst planned city in the country, my vote would go for my temporary home of Tucson, Arizona.

Speaking of ugly , let's be fair and show something pretty! It's all over AZ anyway - I shouldn't have posted it only on the Phoenix forum.



Mojave Desert Wildflowers Photos

[normsw]

All cities in the U.S. have ugly areas. If you don't like it, don't live there or stay away from those areas. Tucson has never been an exciting place (I lived there for 2 yrs) but it is far from one of the worst places to live. Try Fresno or Amarillo or cities south and east of L A. proper if you don't think so. Wow.

[Dedalus]

I spent about a month and a half in Tucson. It didn't strike me as ugly. And, the people were some of the warmest and friendliest I've ever met.

[irwin]

I would say most of central and southern Arizona is pretty ugly. There are of course bright spots, but generally that part of the state is pretty uninspiring.

Now, Northern Arizona (in and around Flagstaff, Grand Canyon) and parts of Eastern and North Eastern Arizona are very nice. Sedona is probably one of the most beautiful places in the United States.

Too bad they built the major cities in Arizona in ugly, brown, ungodly hot places.

[sierraAZ]

Originally Posted by irwin

Too bad they built the major cities in Arizona in ugly, brown, ungodly hot places.

Exactly my thoughts about the nice urban environments reversed - why did they have to build them in such ungodly freezing or rainy or foggy places?!

[azhiker]

Originally Posted by sierraAZ

Exactly my thoughts about the nice urban environments reversed - why did they have to build them in such ungodly freezing or rainy or foggy places?!

LOL. Seconded.

[mortimer]

irwin mused:

> Too bad they built the major cities in Arizona in ugly, brown,
> ungodly hot places.

Do you mean Phoenix and Tucson?

Sorry, those places were *not* "ugly, brown" back in those days. Phoenix had the Salt River flowing through it 24x7x365 surrounded by a river bosque and nearby there was the Gila River doing the same thing. Those rivers were dammed/diverted and the bosque shriveled up and died.

The same goes for Tucson:
Tucson Weekly : Currents : A River Ran Through It

For clues as to what it used to look like go see Albuquerque as it exists today.

Also, without the massive amount of irrigation and influx of population, the natural desert environment was not as opressively hot and cooled off at night every night.

I'm not making judgements about good/bad here, only saying that the location picked was not as harsh as it is today.

Also, not everyone thinks that the desert is ugly as so many who curiously move to Phoenix and Tucson (and Albuquerque) seem to think. Life is too short to live in a place you find nasty. People should move somewhere more to their liking.