Do people in Tucson still have gravel/park cars in front yard? (Phoenix: homes, landscaping)

[mysticaltyger]

l lived in Tucson from 1988-1994. I loved the desert and the mountains. I liked that it had a lot to do for a medium sized city.

However, one thing I really hated was that a lot of people in Tucson, even in the relatively decent neighborhoods would have gray gravel or bare dirt in their front yards, often parking their cars in the front yard instead of in the driveway.

I always thought this looked horrible. People would tell me the bare dirt/gravel was the "natural" desert. But if you go out to the desert around Tucson, you see there are many cacti and other plants as well as small trees. You certainly don't see gravel and 100% bare dirt. I would never advocate planting grass in the desert. But a lot of people wouldn't even have as much as a cactus out front.

Is Tucson still like that? If so, why do you think people don't make their front yards look nice?

[miamiman]

Originally Posted by mysticaltyger

l lived in Tucson from 1988-1994. I loved the desert and the mountains. I liked that it had a lot to do for a medium sized city.

However, one thing I really hated was that a lot of people in Tucson, even in the relatively decent neighborhoods would have gray gravel or bare dirt in their front yards, often parking their cars in the front yard instead of in the driveway.

I always thought this looked horrible. People would tell me the bare dirt/gravel was the "natural" desert. But if you go out to the desert around Tucson, you see there are many cacti and other plants as well as small trees. You certainly don't see gravel and 100% bare dirt. I would never advocate planting grass in the desert. But a lot of people wouldn't even have as much as a cactus out front.

Is Tucson still like that? If so, why do you think people don't make their front yards look nice?

Yes, many people still do this. It looks like people hopped the curb doing 65MPH, threw their car in park, and went inside. I don't know why this is still legal at all.

As far as the yard situation, gravel is simply the easiest to maintain. No yardwork necessary ever. With a town where many people don't have high incomes, not having to pay to maintain a yard is a very attractive. Even desert vegetation requires some upkeep and outside cost. Let's not even talk about the agony of trying to maintain grass and non-native trees here.

[Clnconcpts]

I think it just depends on the neighborhood. I don't see it in my area nor anywhere near my work.But, I do see it closer in to town though.

Tucson is very laid back in their style.whether someone parks their car in their front yard is no bother to me.I have other things that concern me more.

[sierraAZ]

Originally Posted by Clnconcpts

I think it just depends on the neighborhood. I don't see it in my area nor anywhere near my work.

Neither do I, but I guess I don't venture much where it can be seen as well...

As a matter of fact, I've seen all-gravel front yards only once (it was a street parallel to Broadway, a block or two South of it, around Jessica) and I also thought it looked quite awful.

[Bummer]

I'm with you 100% on the front yard car parking issue, Mystical. I believe there may be City Ordnances and/or Zoning Laws against such activities but not a top priority for TPD and only enforced if someone complains.

However, I kinda like the environmentally proper landscaping of gravel and a few cactus. Not only is it simple and easy to maintain but also much more Mother Nature Friendly than a "water wasting" front lawn which serves little or no purpose whatsoever. Grass is fine on a Golf Course or other applications where it serves a purpose but not on a front lawn where it is nothing but a blatant waste of precious water.

MY TWO CENTS WORTH

[sierraAZ]

Originally Posted by Bummer

However, I kinda like the environmentally proper landscaping of gravel and a few cactus.

What I mentioned was gravel ONLY! That's ugly!

[LordBalfor]

Yup. We noticed a lot of that "look" - mostly in the older or less desirable parts of town. The newer/nicer areas generally had desert landscaping that was pretty attractive. No where in Tucson did we really notice homes with grass lawns they way you have them in Phoenix.

Ken

[sierraAZ]

Originally Posted by LordBalfor

No where in Tucson did we really notice homes with grass lawns they way you have them in Phoenix.

Ken

Phoenix has water... We can't do it even if we want to... which some of us do!

[ZonyPony]

I dunno... call me crazy... but most people who've lived in the desert most of their lives are somehow NOT really wanting cacti in their yards... front, side or back.

Gravel seems to be a good alternative to a water-wasting green lawn, plus it helps one when walking to their front door when much rain has flooded the driveway. Now... does that make me... a backwater hillbilly?

[sierraAZ]

Originally Posted by ZonyPony

I dunno... call me crazy... but most people who've lived in the desert most of their lives are somehow NOT really wanting cacti in their yards... front, side or back.

Really?! Not even YOU?!