How would you describe Tucson to someone who has never been there? (Phoenix: living, shops)

[Galeana]

Originally Posted by Greenvalleyfan

You can sugar coat Tucson any way you please, but it's not very appealing. And, I paid for the "Tour of Tucson".
I tried to like the city, but I was underwhelmed by the positives and overwhelmed by the negatives. And, someone please tell me why the city leaders thought it a good idea to have a statue honoring Pancho the Mexican enemy of the state in the middle of a downtown square? I asked one of the many homeless zombies that shuffled on by, but all they could do is mumble something incoherent.

Tucson was part of Mexico until the 1850s. It is a very Mexican city culturally. It is only 1 of 2 US cities named a World Heritage Gastronomic city.

[Greenvalleyfan]

Originally Posted by Galeana

Tucson was part of Mexico until the 1850s. It is a very Mexican city culturally. It is only 1 of 2 US cities named a World Heritage Gastronomic city.

I'm very much aware of the Gsdsden purchase. But, the fact of the matter is that Villa murdered US citizens and also slaughtered innocent Mexicans.

[E-Twist]

As I recall it's near Saguaro National Park and the Kartchner (?) caverns, both great places. The city....um.... nothing special.

[Galeana]

Originally Posted by Greenvalleyfan

I'm very much aware of the Gsdsden purchase. But, the fact of the matter is that Villa murdered US citizens and also slaughtered innocent Mexicans.

War is hell.

[Greenvalleyfan]

Originally Posted by Galeana

War is hell.

Agree.

[steiconi]

TL/DR:
Ridiculously hot, but at least it's not Phoenix.


Beautiful area, with mountains, lush desert (palo verde trees keep it surprisingly green), and majestic saguaros.
Spectacular sunsets.
Cool winters, with occasional snowfalls.
Pleasant but too short spring and fall.
Freaking hot summers.
Very dry, always carry plenty of water with you.
Monsoon is great; drenching rain, floods, lighting and thunder...and ten minutes later, it's over. Don't drive through a running wash; your car can be swept away, and you may be fined for stupidity.

Incredible selection of Mexican restaurants, ranging from cheap local chains to upscale fine dining. You should be ashamed to go to Taco Bell, Chipotles, Chilis or other national chain while you're here.

The town itself has fairly good infrastructure. My standards are kind of low, since I've lived rural, but there are four grocery stores within ten minutes of my house! And I'm out on the edge.

Many people who live north of town seem to believe that everywhere else is full of criminals and drug addicts. That hasn't been my experience, but I wouldn't walk around South Tucson at night.

Population goes way up in the winter, when snowbirds arrive. Even the panhandlers increase in winter and leave in summer.

North-South transit is provided by I-10 on the western side of town, but otherwise it's surface streets, which makes for slow commutes.
Speedway lives up to its name.
Many drivers feel a red light is a signal to speed up, so watch out for them.

Mediocre public transit, and you'll see many roadside memorials for cyclists and pedestrians. But there is a good bike trail that loops around.

Favorite things I do with visitors:
Saguaro National Park (west) drivethrough
Visit Bisbee or Tombstone or Nogales Mexico
Have lots of Mexican food and margaritas

Things I've never done because my visitors haven't been interested:
Desert Botanical Garden
Biosphere II
Titan Missile Museum
Old Tucson

[steiconi]

Originally Posted by Axxlrod

I went to U of A, so I'm quite qualified to answer.

My nephew went to UA, calls Tucson the armpit of Arizona. But he grew up and lives in Phoenix, the bowel obstruction of Arizona, so what does he know?

[pathrunner]

Originally Posted by Greenvalleyfan

You can sugar coat Tucson any way you please, but it's not very appealing. And, I paid for the "Tour of Tucson".
I tried to like the city, but I was underwhelmed by the positives and overwhelmed by the negatives. And, someone please tell me why the city leaders thought it a good idea to have a statue honoring Pancho the Mexican enemy of the state in the middle of a downtown square? I asked one of the many homeless zombies that shuffled on by, but all they could do is mumble something incoherent.

You expected them to know who "Pancho the Mexican enemy of the state" is? Let alone address the question coherently? They've got a lot more to worry about than a statue in the town square.

[Greenvalleyfan]

Originally Posted by pathrunner

You expected them to know who "Pancho the Mexican enemy of the state" is? Let alone address the question coherently? They've got a lot more to worry about than a statue in the town square.

It was a joke?

[Axxlrod]

Originally Posted by steiconi

My nephew went to UA, calls Tucson the armpit of Arizona. But he grew up and lives in Phoenix, the bowel obstruction of Arizona, so what does he know?

I moved to Scottsdale after college in Tucson. I enjoyed Scottsdale, but after a couple years (summers, really), I came to my senses and moved to San Diego.