Tucson, Arizona

Tucson Arizona is popular amongst college students, working families and retirees alike. Residents agree that Tucson's weather is second to none, although the summers have been known to get "a bit toasty." The ideal dry climate makes Tucson a magnet for "Snowbirds," who add to the city's population during the winter months.

Surrounded on all four sides by four different mountain ranges, Arizona's second largest city abounds with a plethora of things to do and places to see. Whether it is hiking the nearby mountain trails or a day of shopping at Nogales Mexico or taking a spontaneous weekend getaway to historic, small-town Bisbee, the residents agree, Tucson is a city with, "something for everyone."

Tucsonans have good reason to rejoice as the long awaited downtown revitalization project, "Rio Nuevo," is finally happening. Downtown Tucson has two historic old theaters, the Rialto and the recently remodeled Fox Tucson Theatre. Historic urban neighborhoods include Armory Park, Pie Allen and Iron Horse, which are all within walking distance of Congress Street and 4th Avenue, the cultural hub of Tucson's arts and entertainment community.

For those who prefer foothills and a more suburban lifestyle, areas like the Catalina Foothills, Casa Adobes or Marana might be more to their liking.

Tucson's name derives from the "foot of the black mountain," but the locals more commonly refer to Tucson as "the Old Pueblo." Tucson is the seat of Pima County and is the home of both the University of Arizona and Pima Community College, two of the areas largest employers. As Tucson does not have its own pro sports team, school kids, senior citizens and even working class locals seem to have adopted the University of Arizona Wildcats as "their sports team."

Tucson has seen unprecedented growth since 1950 when it it's population was a mere 50,000 people. By 1960, the population more than quadrupled to 212,000. Today, it is the USA's 32nd largest city with an urban population of 525,529 and a metro population of just over one million people. There are many people who believe that Tucson will one day be a major solar energy center with rapid job growth in this industry.

Interesting to note that the recent 2008 presidential election is proof that Tucson could serve as the city that best reflects the diversity and politics of the USA as a whole as both Tucson (Pima County) and United States shared identical percentages, 52% for Obama, 46% for McCain.

Tucson hosts several festivals each year including the semiannual, Fourth Avenue Street Fair, the Tucson Gem and Mineral Show, the Tucson Folk Festival and Tucson Meet Yourself.