Don't Believe the Hype : Tucson, Arizona (Williams, Miami: public schools, colleges, live in)

[AJT75]

Born and raised in NYC, and living there most of my life, I've seen gangs, traffic, vermin, eyesores, ghettos and anything else you can name. Here's my take on just retuning from a month's stay in Tucson:

-Felt safe to me, downtown had nice, funky sense. If you don't like ethinic/funky stay away from there. Surprisingly good ethic restaurants. U of A is bland & unattactive.
-Traffic is as bad a NYC. That's bad. Plan your day to avoid it.
-Surrounding desert areas are spectacularly senic with great hiking very close. Inspiring beauty. Sonoran desert is unique and to me, more beautiful than other parts of AZ., which is a gorgeous state.
-Man made portion of city is a discrace. No sense of architecture, planning or restraint in deveopment. If you want to live in a sophisticated, attractive place, this isn't it. And what a shame. Tucson had the potential to have it all. Instead it became a tragic example of what happens when money, greed and bad taste overwhelm Mother Nature at her best.
-Winter weather is fickle and interesting. More than enough perfect days if you're staying for a month. If you come for a short winter vacation and hit a stormy patch, you'll be dissapointed. This is not the tropics, and fronts stay for 2-3 days.
-Like many things in life, Tucson is a contrasting mix of good, bad and ugly. I couldn't live there, but a month with a view of the Catalinas was wonderful.
-Least unattractice parts of city are North and NE.

[Mi_Mom]

Originally Posted by AJT75

Born and raised in NYC, and living there most of my life, I've seen gangs, traffic, vermin, eyesores, ghettos and anything else you can name. Here's my take on just retuning from a month's stay in Tucson:

-Felt safe to me, downtown had nice, funky sense. If you don't like ethinic/funky stay away from there. Surprisingly good ethic restaurants. U of A is bland & unattactive.
-Traffic is as bad a NYC. That's bad. Plan your day to avoid it.
-Surrounding desert areas are spectacularly senic with great hiking very close. Inspiring beauty. Sonoran desert is unique and to me, more beautiful than other parts of AZ., which is a gorgeous state.
-Man made portion of city is a discrace. No sense of architecture, planning or restraint in deveopment. If you want to live in a sophisticated, attractive place, this isn't it. And what a shame. Tucson had the potential to have it all. Instead it became a tragic example of what happens when money, greed and bad taste overwhelm Mother Nature at her best.
-Winter weather is fickle and interesting. More than enough perfect days if you're staying for a month. If you come for a short winter vacation and hit a stormy patch, you'll be dissapointed. This is not the tropics, and fronts stay for 2-3 days.
-Like many things in life, Tucson is a contrasting mix of good, bad and ugly. I couldn't live there, but a month with a view of the Catalinas was wonderful.
-Least unattractice parts of city are North and NE.

Winters in the midwest and NE aren't predictable either. Especially in the months of February and March. We had sun and almost 70 degrees one day and then ice and snow 2 days later. I think that's pretty common in a few geographical locations.

We arrived here a week ago Friday and literally it's been sunny and beautiful every.single.day. Mid 80's for the most part and today I think it's low 80's with a wonderful breeze. I think at this time a year it's an 'adjustment' weather period when spring is trying to arrive. And sometimes can't make up her mind.

[Cato the Elder]

Originally Posted by londonbarcelona

The universities here are the nations worst for their size. Even the departments that were considered highly recognized are no longer as strong as they used to be. It is a darn shame too, because if this state continues it's heavy brain-drain, it will be in the same situation as other rust belt cities.

I just came back from a conference at the University of Florida - I think I found the U of A's sister university. It was a déjà vu moment. From what I was told, the relationship between U of F and FSU is also similar to the relationship between U of A and ASU. In Florida, there is a convoluted history resulting in U of F and FSU sharing "flagship" status, though the former has 2x the endowment and 2x the faculty.

What is it that makes two of our largest and fastest growing states have such underachieving state universities? Warm weather makes it hard to work? It is interesting to note that U of A, ASU, U of F, and FSU are among the top party schools.

[lijohy]

I have to chime in that it is definitely overpriced for the quality of life that it offers, in my opinion.

[ArizonaBear]

Originally Posted by lijohy

I have to chime in that it is definitely overpriced for the quality of life that it offers, in my opinion.

Very true.

Tucson has all of Phx's drawbacks plus lower wages for trades and possibly more expensive housing.

Sad because I probably would have loved Tucson 25-30 years ago.

[sierraAZ]

Originally Posted by ArizonaBear

Very true.

Tucson has all of Phx's drawbacks plus lower wages for trades and possibly more expensive housing

Funny... looks like it's getting to be this way... Perhaps it's more desirable then. Btw, remember reading once that mafiosos tend to retire in Tucson, so... If you google "mafia retire Tucson," you'll see some interesting stories.

[odinloki1]

Originally Posted by Cato the Elder

I just came back from a conference at the University of Florida - I think I found the U of A's sister university. It was a déjà vu moment. From what I was told, the relationship between U of F and FSU is also similar to the relationship between U of A and ASU. In Florida, there is a convoluted history resulting in U of F and FSU sharing "flagship" status, though the former has 2x the endowment and 2x the faculty.

What is it that makes two of our largest and fastest growing states have such underachieving state universities? Warm weather makes it hard to work? It is interesting to note that U of A, ASU, U of F, and FSU are among the top party schools.

I don't know about your question, but I'll make this observation. I am going back to school at the U of A because I'm stuck here for another year. I've found the U of A to be the equivalent of a mid level school in the midwest (Central Michigan, Bowling Green etc.) or maybe a little below. It doesn't hold a candle to the upper level schools. Indiana University, U of M, Northwestern.

My fiance and I were both teachers and after growing up in the midwest. We've seen that kids don't value education compared to the ones in the midwest. We've agreed we won't raise a child here.

[odinloki1]

Originally Posted by Steve97415

Actually the great thing about Tucson is that it ISN'T carved up a freeway system like Phoenix is. Tucson's great strength is that it is one of America's great bicycle-friendly cities. That may not be much of a consolation to motorheads, but with peak petroleum being only about a decade away, the future of transportation will be very, very different. The gang problem is really just a manifestation of the fact that Tucson is one of the few sunbelt cities that still has relatively affordable housing. It is certainly disingenuous to claim that "most of Tucson is ghetto". Even if one accepts the assertion that "the only nice places to live in Tucson are in the North and NW part of town", that takes in more than a third of the city.
Tucson has some problems and hard-core motorheads will be frustrated by the lack of inner city freeways, but it is still offers a higher quality of life than any other city in the southwest.

Its not that bike friendly. Get out and deal with some of the drivers here. I went for a 2 hour bike ride doused in sunscreen and I still came back with a burn.

Road condition as well. Its mediocre at best and for a place with such "perfect" weather, the road construction takes longer than in Detroit. Its pretty sad.

[ahmed ahdouti]

FOR ALL THOSE WHO AGREE PLEASE FORGIVE ME.....I haven't figured out (yet) to reply to those who don't.

YES....its true TUCSON SUUUUUccccccccccKs! So bad, I bet Paul McCartney is thinking about taking it out of his song. Too bad though because it USED TO BE (with emphasis on USE TO BE) very cool. BUTTTT....its been infiltrated by people who would either starve or freeze to death if they lived anywhere else--not to mention the way too large shortfall in mental health facilities and donkey farms. For those of you who don't know: if you are thirsty--drink water NOT BEER! And, if you think you are suffering from heat illness, you are--find shelter from the sun then drink water! How many sun-baked Tucsonans does it take to screw up an traffic intersection? ans: none they're always screwed up--the sun-broiled brained drivers are just extra! Bicycle friendly...huh? Just 3 years ago(?) a heat struck suffering drunk tucsonan rear-ended a bicyclist (God rest his soul and give solace to his family)and the flipping drunk didn't even st.....well, I don't think anyone can argue "bicycle friendly" is a little out of context when used with "Tucson" in the same sentence!! Don't believe it! You roll the dice whenever you go bicycling in Tucson! In fact, if your feeling cheery--your not in Tucson, at least not in June July or August or even just riding a bike and if you not scared see above treatment for heat illnesses....

[Clnconcpts]

Originally Posted by swiss_miss

I know i hate tucson!! its so boring here!!!

Its only boring, if you allow it to be.What do you need for it not to be boring?