Is Tucson Really That Bad?? (Phoenix, Catalina: movie theaters, elementary schools, subsidized)

[lrmsd]

Originally Posted by Roli

Tucson is a quirky place. A lot of the original people have a slightly altered view of what they need in life, like basically they get by with a little. When you see that teeny adobe with the dirt yard and the chicken wire fence, I'd like you to see that this person might be content with bright sunlight and family. I don't think some of you get that. Don't get caught up in thinking every poor person is into drugs. Being content is not the way most Americans think. The people from other parts of the country usually go to the "nice" fixed-up edge of Tucson. They can't cope with small and simple. Tucson is about downsizing and relaxing, though. It's not for many people and that's perfectly okay.

I just visited tucson from san diego, and oh my gosh, it's a magical place! and in large part due t what you have said. Priorities are different. And I agree with other comments-it felt like new mexico to me. It's definitely behind the 'southwest veil' or along the dreamcatcher corridor, as I like to call it. (:
I can definitely see much of the undesireable aspects that people have mentioned, just from visiting. But it truly depends on how you choose to see those elements of living in tucson. That said, there's a rough and tumble that lacks in rural new england or the midwest, for sure. And I can completely understand that some people prefer a more bucolic existence.

I find it amazing that it's considered cow town, as I found it so inspiring, geographically, and was impressed with the food, amenities, and overall vibe. It's definitely got soul. Phoenix to me is so cal; it's sterile and rather soulless. But it is the right lifestyle for some-to each their own.

Tucson was, for us, quite friendly, down-to-earth and great folks overall. I would live there in a heartbeat, were it not for the summer heat; some of us are decidedly not desert people. But Tucson is up there with the best of the college towns, in my mind. I've lived in boulder, missoula and san francisco, as well as boston [and was born and raised in small town new england]. Tucson's great. I saw more and better true art in a few days, than I have in several years in san diego.
And De Grazia gallery? It's something you'd find in taos. What a treasure for Tucson to have! I feel like I could spend weeks exploring the quirky and funky of tucson and southern arizona.

Caveat: Overpriced! It's quite expensive, as per a college and tourist destination. We eat cheaper and better in san diego, at restaurants and grocery stores, overall.

[actinic]

Interesting to see the common theme - visitors like Tucson more than the residents. Makes sense, people are generally in a better frame of mind when visiting but those rose colored glasses can get easily tarnished when experiencing the reality of living there. As a former resident who visits occasionally I find Tucson a more enjoyable place now that I've left.

[Prodigal Native]

Originally Posted by actinic

Interesting to see the common theme - visitors like Tucson more than the residents. Makes sense, people are generally in a better frame of mind when visiting but those rose colored glasses can get easily tarnished when experiencing the reality of living there. As a former resident who visits occasionally I find Tucson a more enjoyable place now that I've left.

I won't be surprised if I feel the same way once I move away from here. There are things here that I like small doses of, but have simply lost their charm due to repetition.

Sadly, the number one thing will be our favorite restaurant, Zivaz.

[kansassun]

We moved to Tucson over a year ago after extensive research and multiple visits over a 5 yr period. However, after actually living here, we are very disappointed and are planning to leave as soon as possible. There are some things that can't be determined by short visits. Here are some things you might want to know if you're considering a move here: 1) food is very expensive 2)there are very few "nice" stores (with the exception of LaEncantada, a small shopping mall) 3) people are not friendly 4) the built environment (homes, commercial buildings) is very ugly 5) the arts here are very second-rate. The sun and weather are wonderful, but don't let that overly influence you. If aesthetics and the arts are important to you, Tucson may not be the place for you.

[Catastrophy]

I'm there every year for conventions and have lived in Phx for 29 years. Had two friends who lived in two different areas of Tuscon and both had horrible experiences. Tuscon blows. Lack of federal support for SB1070 has prevented Tuscon from bouncing back.

[Spot]

After moving away from Tucson in May of 2009, I enjoy returning there for short visits. Tucson has its charms and there are some great restaurants, but I wouldn't ever move back. It's a very poor city and the career options are still terrible. I owe my kids better than what Tucson has to offer.

[Slater]

I was stationed at Davis-Monthan AFB from 1978-1980 while in the Air Force. I have to say that I really liked Tucson. I live up in Williams AZ now after retiring from the USAF, and lived for a time in Phoenix while stationed at Luke AFB.

Phoenix has a lot more to offer in the way of entertainment than Tucson, especially if you like professional sports (Cardinals, Suns, Coyotes, Diamondbacks), and it's a much larger city. If I had to choose between the two though, I'd probably pick Tucson. I felt more at home there than in Phoenix, for whatever reason.

I'm the most boring person I know, so maybe that has something to do with it

[Jukesgrrl]

Originally Posted by bwdbluesman

amen. I have been here 9 yrs and it is one of those cities you get trapped in because you dont make enough to get out. I keep seeing oro valley as nice, sure. but it is north of the main city area and mostly upper middle class $150k- $200k homes. There is minimal employment because Tucson is in existence because of retirees and construction. And right now there isnt much construction at all. Also, traffic is absolutely HORRIBLE, and if you do not speak decent spanish you are the minority.

Please stop perpetuating this erroneous idea. Your claim is easily measurable through 2010 U.S. census data. In Pima County 34.5% of the population is of what the census calls "Hispanic descent." Within the city limits of Tucson, including the neighborhoods where Mexican immigrants congregate, the total only goes up to 41.6%. That is NOT a majority. And if you factor in that most of these people speak some, if not perfect, English you don't have a leg to stand on with your statement. And, by the way, the University of Arizona's Latino student population is less than 30%

I have lived in Tucson for six years now. In all that time, I have encountered only two residents I couldn't converse with at all. The first was a neighbor, the matriarch of her family — all of whom were able to translate for her. The second was a friend's housekeeper. She was a recent immigrant when I first met her; now that she's been here for five years she speaks English perfectly well. When I worked for two years in a large store near the Tucson mall I met many customers who didn't speak English. But they were not residents. There were here shopping from Sonora, something the city encourages because Tucson could use the money.

There certainly are neighborhoods in this city where the majority of people on the street will be speaking Spanish to each other. But most of those people are able to switch to English on a dime. And as far as I can tell, most non-Latino Tucsonans have little reason to go to those neighborhoods except to partake of the great food, which many do with enthusiasm.

I'm not the biggest fan of Tucson, but to give non-residents the idea that if they come here they will be surrounded by people who speak only Spanish is a totally unsupportable notion.

[tijlover]

Originally Posted by bwdbluesman

I couldn't have said it any better. I have been here 9 yrs and it has absolutely nothing to offer other than go to work and go home! You can drive the hour or so to phoenix for concerts, the only sporting events are UofA relatedModerator cut: snip

Talk to the many thousands of low-income people here in Las Vegas, and so many other "exciting" cities, and that's their world: work, home, work, home! How they yearn to have enough disposable income to take advantage of a small fraction of the myriad entertainment/restaurant options in their cities! And with this grueling recession, their numbers have grown substantially. May as well be living in Fargo, North Dakota!

That's the conclusion I've made, a going-to-be lower income retiree, does it really matter?

I'm choosing Tucson. I'm sure there'll be some affordable local theatre down there, free concerts in the parks occasionally, some bars with some cheap happy hours with a jukebox, retirement centers for card games and bingo.
And Tylenol PM's are cheap enough! Sleeping, dreaming, now that's some great entertainment!

And, being fearless of Mexican border cities, loving them all, one of my big splurges will be hightailing it to Nogales on a van, go cantina hopping, perhaps hop a bus to Guaymas along the coast.

I like Tucson's location, easy access to more exciting points south of there!

[Roli]

If you keep buying and buying and buying at all the glitzy malls and you still can't get happy, and Tucson doesn't have any really "nice" stores for you, maybe something has hold of you that isn't safe. Give up on all the shopping. What is it you are searching for anyway? When will YOU ever be good enough? I say YOU are great. Are you defined by your possessions? How about hugging a nice kid instead and teaching them to read English or letting them, heaven forbid, teach you some Spanish? If you don't hear what I'm saying then a lot of Tucson will not make sense to you.