Dental Implants in Tucson, AZ

Living In

A city celebrated for its food scene also provides hiking, cycling and stargazing in the natural beauty of the desert.

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Abbie Kozolchyk is a regular contributor to The New York Times who grew up in Tucson and visits her home desert regularly.

“Is Tucson in Arizona?” John Lennon asked Paul McCartney as they worked out a hometown for Jojo in “The Beatles: Get Back” documentary. McCartney’s answer: “Yeah, it is, yeah — it’s where they make ‘High Chaparral.’”

More than half a century later, Tucson’s vintage TV-Western identity lingers in the public imagination, and to be fair, this is still the kind of place where you’ll find working ranches, as many pickups as sedans, and citywide school closures during February’s Rodeo Break.

But some things have changed. Since Jojo’s day, the metro area population that has more than tripled, to about 1,080,000. Roughly 547,000 live in the city proper, although locals consider themselves rightful Tucsonans inside or outside the city limits. Today, Tucson is also the kind of place that boasts the first UNESCO City of Gastronomy designation in the United States, enough optical sciences expertise at the University of Arizona to service some of the largest telescopes in the world — and so many local observatories, an official astronomy trail launched this year.

By The New York Times

Location: Pima County in southern Arizona, about 70 miles north of the Mexican border and 110 miles southeast of Phoenix

Population: 547,239 in the city and 1,080,000 in the metro area

Area: About 240 square miles in the city and 500 square miles in the metro area

Homeownership: 52 percent in the city and 65 percent in the metro area

The vibe: Aerospace hub meets outdoorsy college town with a distinct Mexican flavor.

Having grown out of a 1775 Spanish presidio, Tucson is about an hour’s drive north of Mexico in the Sonoran Desert, where mountains surround a saguaro-studded valley that has sustained people for more than 10,000 years. That precolonial history accounts for the “+” in the 250+ Anniversary party on the city’s 2025 calendar — one that’s already packed with crowd pleasers such as the Tucson Festival of Books and the Tucson International Mariachi Conference. Even the century-old Tucson Rodeo Parade — in which Linda Ronstadt, a hometown heroine, used to ride as a child — draws an estimated 200,000 spectators.

“It’s a big city that feels like a small town,” said Mayor Regina Romero, the first woman and first Latina elected to the office. Despite living in Arizona’s second-largest city, she added, “we still sometimes see ourselves as a little pueblo.”

Indeed, Tucsonans’ nickname for their city is the Old Pueblo. And after decades of sprawl expanded the larger metropolitan area’s footprint to about 500 square miles, the city’s older central neighborhoods — most famously, the adobe-filled Barrio Viejo — are regaining popularity.

One key factor is the Sun Link, a free electric streetcar that connects many of these places: An estimated 100,000 Tucsonans live or work within half a mile of the route. “It is a perfect example of a public investment that leveraged billions of dollars of private investment,” said Mayor Romero. Since the route’s inception almost 11 years ago, new restaurants, businesses and housing projects have thrived along the once-ailing corridor.

The plan is to increase rapid transit throughout the city over the next several years, in part to encourage more mixed-use walkable communities — and in part, said the mayor, “to make sure that if someone wants to live, work and play in our city, they can actually get on the bus or streetcar and go anywhere.”

Where some Tucsonans tend to go, of course, is far away — at least in the summer, when triple-digit temperatures are a fact of life. Like much of the Sunbelt, the city loses a number of snowbird retirees to their other homes in the Northeast or Midwest.

Retired or not, home buyers are choosing Tucson over pricier places. “Interestingly, the market that’s really jumped up a lot in the last few years has been the high mountains,” said Kevin Kaplan, chief operating officer of Long Realty. “Places like Denver have become very, very expensive,” he explained, and Tucson offers comparative affordability — with no shortage of mountains.

And that ring of peaks is more than a physical feature, said the mayor. “It is serenity.”

Going Out and About

Getting There, Getting Around

Tucson is largely a car (and pickup truck) town, but there are options.

Neighborhoods

Homes range from single to multifamily, depending on the neighborhood.

Housing

Schools

There are 335 public schools and 92 private schools serving 155,763 K-12 students (2024-2025) in the Tucson metro area.

For weekly email updates on residential real estate news, sign up here.

The State of Real Estate

Tucson, AZ (April 15, 2025) – Authorities responded early Tuesday morning to a crash involving injuries at the intersection of S Wilmot Rd and E Park Place Dr in Tucson. The incident was first reported at approximately 2:55 a.m. and confirmed to involve at least one injured individual.

According to Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) records, emergency responders arrived at the scene shortly after the call came in. Medics treated at least one person for injuries sustained in the collision, though further details regarding the extent of injuries or the number of vehicles involved have not yet been released.

The crash occurred in a busy commercial area just south of Park Place Mall—an area that typically sees light traffic in the early morning hours but can still present hazards due to poor visibility, speeding, or impaired driving. As of the latest updates, the roadway remains open, and traffic flow was not significantly impacted beyond the initial response window.

Authorities are investigating the cause of the crash and evaluating potential contributing factors such as fatigue, distraction, or failure to obey traffic signals.

We extend our best wishes for a swift and full recovery to those injured in this morning’s crash.

Early-Morning Crash Risks in Tucson’s Urban Zones

The crash at S Wilmot Rd and E Park Place Dr highlights the dangers that persist even during low-traffic hours. In Tucson and other urban centers, early morning collisions often involve reduced visibility, driver fatigue, or impaired operation—factors that significantly increase the risk of serious injury.

Though traffic volume is lower before dawn, crashes that occur at these times can still cause significant harm. Streets like Wilmot Rd, lined with commercial centers and intersected by high-traffic connectors like Broadway Blvd and 22nd St, remain active corridors where vigilance is required at all hours.

For injury victims, the aftermath of such a crash can be overwhelming. Medical treatment, vehicle repairs, and insurance issues often follow quickly, creating stress and uncertainty. Quick access to care and support services is crucial for beginning a full recovery.

If you or a loved one was hurt in a crash like this one in Tucson, taking early action to protect your health, rights, and well-being can make a meaningful difference.

At Local Accident Reports, we’re committed to supporting Arizona residents following serious roadway incidents. Whether you need help locating medical care, exploring legal options, or managing insurance claims, we’re here to provide trusted guidance. Contact us today to begin your recovery process after a Tucson-area accident.

A major three-year project to widen a section of Interstate 10 in Tucson is set to begin this summer.

In fact, the widening project is being called the “largest highway construction project in Southern Arizona history,” by the state transportation department.

I-10 is set to be widened between South Park Avenue and South Alvernon Way, according to officials on the April 4 episode of the “On The Road With ADOT“ podcast.

The interstate will be widened to three lanes in each direction between South Kino Parkway and Alvernon, and to four lanes in each direction west of Kino to just east of South Park Avenue, officials say.

Two open houses are scheduled in May to discuss the work. The first open house will be from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m on May 7, at the Kino Sports Complex Event Center, 2805 E. Ajo Way. The second open house will be held virtually, beginning at 5:30 p.m. May 14. The meeting link is: https://bit.ly/KinotoCCMay2025.

All the work that requires closing lanes on the interstate will take place between 7 p.m. and 6 a.m., Carissa Klaus, of ADOT, said during the podcast.

In addition to the road widening, the transportation department will re-construct the traffic interchange at I-10 and South Kino Parkway, said Joanna Bradley, its assistant communications director. And a new interchange at I-10 and South Country Club Road also will be built.

The two will both have “diverging diamond” interchanges. That’s like the interchange at South Houghton Road and Interstate 10, Bradley said.

The Palo Verde Road, I-10 interchange will be removed, Klaus said during the podcast. In its place, a new westbound entrance ramp will be built for the Alvernon Way interchange, she said.

Because the Kino Sports Complex expanded, it is now split by I-10. To deal with that, ADOT will be installing an underground crossing to link the two sides, Bradley said.

“This project is the largest highway construction project in Southern Arizona history,” Bradley said. “We could not be more excited that this is coming.”

Visit the project’s website to learn more: azdot.gov/interstate-10-kino-country-club.

Nestled in the Sonoran Desert and surrounded by stunning mountain ranges, the city of Tucson, Arizona, is a vibrant city rich in history, culture, and natural beauty. This popular southern Arizona city is an activity hub for the Grand Canyon state, making it a great place for Arizona locals and tourists to visit throughout the year.

From outdoor adventures to cultural experiences, Tucson offers a plethora of attractions and activities to suit every interest. Whether you’re a nature lover, history buff, or food enthusiast, here are some of the must-see attractions and things to do when visiting Tucson this year.

Saguaro National Park

Home to towering saguaro cacti and diverse desert wildlife, this national park is one of my all-time favorites in the country. There are tons of trails to hike, or you can just take a scenic drive to enjoy breathtaking views of the desert landscape.

Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum

At the edge of the park’s entrance is an amazing museum that combines a zoo, botanical garden, and natural history museum, offering you a unique opportunity to learn about the desert’s flora and fauna. If you have the time, this is worth a stop on your way out of the park.

Beofre you go, make sure to check the hours for the day, as they can vary depending on the day and the season.

Old Tucson

Step back in time at Old Tucson, a Western film studio and theme park that recreates the spirit of the Old West. You can explore the movie sets, watch live entertainment, and experience fun Wild West reenactments. This is fun for the entire family, and a tour of the set will cost you and your family about $17 per person.

Mission San Xavier del Bac

Another great stop is the “White Dove of the Desert,” a stunning Spanish colonial mission located about 10 miles outside of Tucson. Admire the intricate architecture, beautiful frescoes, and rich history of this historic landmark. It is Arizona‘s oldest European structure and a masterpiece of Spanish Colonial architecture, and a true piece of the state’s history.

Admission to the church is free, but donations are always accepted.

Tucson Botanical Gardens

At the Tucson Botanical Gardens, you and your group can stroll through the themed gardens, including a butterfly garden and a cactus and succulent garden, and enjoy tranquil ponds and winding pathways. It’s a great way to spend an afternoon if you want to see some beautiful desert plants but need something more leisurely than a hike.

Mount Lemmon

On the hotter summer days, elevation is your best friend, and Mt. Lemmon is the perfect escape from the desert as it’s the highest peak in the Santa Catalina Mountains. A venture up the mountain offers cooler temperatures and breathtaking views as you drive through a number of different biomes as you climb the mountain.

When driving the Mt. Lemmon Scenic Byway, the winding road begins in the desert, and at the top, you’re met with towering pine trees and sometimes snow. There’s even a ski hill at the top of the mountain for those looking for some snow sports in the desert.

Pima Air & Space Museum

Aviation enthusiasts won’t want to miss the Pima Air & Space Museum, one of the largest air and space museums in the world. At this museum located just north of Tuscon, you can find over 300 aircraft on display, including historic warplanes, vintage helicopters, and even a retired Air Force One.

Tucson Mountain Park

Located west of the city, this park is perfect for experiencing the rugged beauty of the Sonoran Desert at Tucson Mountain Park.

Hike, bike, or horseback ride on miles of scenic trails, and keep an eye out for desert wildlife, including javelinas, coyotes, and desert bighorn sheep. If you’re out in the summer, make sure you’re drinking enough water and only venturing out when the temperature is bearable.

Tucson Museum of Art

The southwest has a rich artistic heritage, and the Tucson Museum of Art is a great place to delve in and explore exhibits featuring works by local and regional artists, as well as pre-Columbian and Spanish colonial art.

General admission is about $15 per person, but it’s important to check for any discounts before you go.

Sabino Canyon

Located in the Coronado National Forest, you can take a tram ride or hike along the canyon floor, surrounded by towering cliffs, lush desert vegetation, and seasonal waterfalls. It’s a fun alternative to hiking or driving, especially if you’re looking for an activity to awe your young kids.

Reid Park Zoo

This is another great activity to do if you’re visiting Tuscon with young kids. Spend a day with the animals at Reid Park Zoo, home to over 500 animals representing 200 species from around the world. Explore exhibits featuring elephants, lions, giraffes, and more, and if you have kids who love to learn, there are tons of educational programs and interactive experiences.

Tucson Food Tours

For all the foodies, Tucson Food Tours allows you to embark on a culinary adventure where you can sample delicious local cuisine and discover the city’s vibrant food scene. From traditional Sonoran Mexican dishes to innovative farm-to-table fare, Tucson offers something to satisfy every palate.

Tucson is also a UNESCO City of Gastronomy, which isn’t a title bestowed on anyone. The food you can find throughout the city dates back over 4,000 years, combining the tapestry of Mexican and Native American traditions as told through food.

Fourth Avenue

Tucson’s eclectic Fourth Avenue is a lively street lined with funky boutiques, vintage shops, art galleries, and eclectic eateries. Here, you can browse unique gifts, listen to live music, and soak up the bohemian atmosphere of this vibrant neighborhood.

Tucson Symphony Orchestra

Experience the magic of live music with the Tucson Symphony Orchestra, which offers a diverse range of performances throughout the year. From classical concerts to pop and chamber music, there are tons of events to enjoy regardless of your taste.

Make sure you check their events calendar before your trip.

Biosphere 2

If you have time and are renting a car or drove your own car to Tuscon, I highly recommend venturing out to the Biosphere 2, an iconic research facility located north of Tucson. You can take a guided tour of this unique structure, which was designed to replicate Earth’s ecosystems, and learn about ongoing research on climate change and environmental sustainability.

Titan Missile Museum

Another historical stop, the Titan Missile Museum is a step back into the Cold War Era as it is home to a preserved Titan II missile silo. The museum offers guided tours of the underground facility, where you can learn about the history of nuclear deterrence and the role of the Titan II missile in America’s defense strategy.

Tucson Ghost Tour

You may not immediately think of Tucson as being haunted, but the city has quite a history of paranormal activity. Taking a Tucson Ghost Tour is a fun way to explore the city’s haunted history, hear chilling tales, and visit historic hotels and eerie cemeteries. It’s a more unique way to explore the town if you are up for it!

El Presidio Historic District

The historic El Presidio neighborhood is where you’ll find beautifully restored adobe homes, charming courtyards, and vibrant murals depicting Tucson’s multicultural heritage. Visit the Presidio San Agustín del Tucson Museum to learn about the city’s Spanish colonial history or just walk around the area and enjoy a nice brunch.

Tucson Craft Beer Scene

Tucson has a booming craft beer scene with many local breweries and taprooms. Sample a variety of beers, from hoppy IPAs to rich stouts, and experience the creativity and craftsmanship of Tucson’s burgeoning craft beer scene. Barrio is my favorite, so make sure to stop in there at a minimum!

Five years after first making public transit free in Tucson, the city council is again debating if they should — or can — continue to keep buses, the streetcar, and other forms of public transit free.

“I deeply believe we should keep a free system,” Tucson Mayor Regina Romero said at the April 8 study session, but noted that the city is facing a deep budget deficit.

“Something has got to give.”

The last time city officials debated the topic was in November 2024, when staff was instructed to provide the mayor and council with more data and lay out options for moving forward.

The council voted again Tuesday for ongoing analysis about how the city could maintain free fares and what would happen if they started charging again.

As city council went back and forth about how to proceed, members of the public sat in the audience holding up signs saying “Keep Fare Free Transit,” “Local Business Loves Free Transit,” and “Free Fare for Clean Air.”

There are many paths forward for both options.

Continuing to fund free transit could include increasing hotel and motel surcharges by about $1, shifting to a percentage surcharge model, implementing a public utility tax or pursuing public-private partnerships.

There are already some partnerships in place: Tucson Medical Center contributed about $800,000 to help keep fares free.

Additional options include: implementing a transportation utility fee, developing a special taxing district, adding a rental car tax or forming a Metropolitan Public Transit Authority.

Council member Lane Santa Cruz, of Ward 1, made a motion to consider all of the above options, plus raising parking fees, obtaining more funds from the state, and various ways of increasing the motel/hotel surcharge to keep public transit free. Mayor Romero also mentioned exploring funds generated by lottery fees.

Council member Paul Cunningham, of Ward 2, specifically asked for more data about how much each funding option would actually generate.

“Phoenicians have taxed themselves to pay for public transit,” Romero said about how Phoenix pays for public transit. She suggested that Tucson should explore how to find a dedicated funding source, such as a new tax or one of the other options, rather than using the city’s general fund for transportation costs.

“Ideally I would like to have a conversation with Tucsonans to find out what their priorities are and how they pay for those priorities,” Romero added.

“The general fund is breaking. It’s not a self-inflicted wound,” Romero said, adding that the wound was the result of the flat tax passed by former Arizona Governor Doug Ducey’s administration and by “the chaos the Trump administration is causing.”

Nikki Lee, of Ward 4, said that all council members are in favor of finding a way to maintain free fares, but she made a motion to conduct a Title VI analysis to explore potentially reimplementing fares.

“While a return to fares has not been considered in the past, the Mayor and Council do have the flexibility to direct staff to perform a Title VI Fare Equity Analysis without committing to a return to fare collections,” according to an April 8 memo,

A Title VI analysis is legally required if there is a significant change in fares for public transit — in this case from fare-free to charging again. The analysis would consider if the change would disproportionately impact minority and low-income populations, according to Sam Credio, director of the transportation and mobility department.

Council member Kevin Dahl, of Ward 3, meanwhile, asked the mayor and council to commit to at least another year of free fares. Santa Cruz concurred, saying “we need to stay creative and compassionate about how we serve” the community, calling to continue the free-fare model.

Lee’s motion, however, about studying how reimplementing fares would impact the community, passed, with Santa Cruz and Cunningham voting against.

On top of the Title VI analysis, the city will also study how much it would cost to start collecting fares again and how much revenue fares would generate.

If the city does eventually return to charging people for riding public transit, there are a number of options for that approach as well.

Those options include: returning to the 2018 fare structure, which cost between $1.75 and $2.35 for express routes; begin charging only for Sun Link (the streetcar) and express bus routes; simplify all fares to $0.50; implement fare caps, which would limit the total amount a rider pays in a given period; or create a fee fare pass for qualifying low-income residents.

Before the city council meeting, a group of about fifty supporters of free transit gathered with pizza, signs, and music to push the city to maintain free fares.

Tucsonans have rallied around the idea of keeping the rides free.

“Psychologically, it changes your view about what the city allows you to do,” Prabjit Virdee, open streets manager of Living Streets Alliance, told Arizona Luminaria.

“Can they travel throughout the city without burden or barriers, and then make a positive impact in their city?” Virdee said.

“Free public transit is a public good through and through.”

Kylie Walzak, a longtime advocate for public transportation, said while “business leaders are using safety as a reason to reinstate fares, public transportation is significantly safer than driving.”

Walzak noted that transit riders reduce their chance of being involved in a crash by more than 90 percent by taking public transit, compared to commuting by car. That adds up to traveling by public transportation being ten times safer per mile than traveling by car.

At the community, car-free event Cyclovia this weekend, Walzak was part of a team thatcollected 300 postcards expressing support for free fares and sent those to all council members. Cyclovia is organized by Living Streets Alliance.

The Tucson-based Transit for All Coalition included suggested talking points in a recent call to “KEEP PUBLIC TRANSIT PERMANENTLY FARE-FREE!”

The talking points noted “the crucial role that public transit plays in the daily lives of students,” and the fact that Tucson Unified School District, the University of Arizona, and Pima Community College are not currently reimbursing the city for their students and staff to benefit from free transit.

The discussion on free fares comes as the city prepares its budget for next fiscal year, and on the heels of the resounding defeat of Proposition 414, which would have increased the city’s sales tax by a half-cent. Voters rejected the measure by 40 points. It did not include any money for fare-free public transit.

The projected operating deficit for the Fiscal Year 2026 budget is almost $28 million.

Tucson is one of a handful of cities nationwide making public transit a free public service, like parks and libraries. In Arizona, Sierra Vista is piloting free-to-ride transit services.

When Tucson first made public transit free, the city relied on COVID-19 relief dollars, granted from the federal CARES Act, the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, and the American Rescue Plan Act.

Public transit generates revenue in a variety of ways. Fares can help, but by themselves won’t make up transit costs to the city. In 2020, the system cost $65 million and fares paid for about $9 million, or 13%, when ridership dropped and the city stopped collecting fares in the pandemic.

That makes the current annual funding shortfall about $9 million.

According to a comparative analysis included in the April 8 memo, “the City of Tucson has the highest percentage of general fund investment with approximately 9.04%. By comparison, the City of Mesa contributes 2.67% of its general fund expenditures towards transit services.”

In 2024, in a newsletter from Mayor Romero’s office, her staff members referred to fare-free transit as “a public good that connects our community to resources so we can thrive.”

Also on the table is the elimination of SunTran’s Route 5, which runs from Sabino Canyon to Pima Community College West, taking passengers by the Arizona School for the Deaf and the Blind, Catalina High School, Pima Community College West, and the University of Arizona, among other locations.

According to SunTran’s website, an average of 17,388 passengers take the route each month.

Route 22, meanwhile, would be expanded to extend it to Pima Community College West.

The total savings of the shakeup would be about $1 million, annually, according to a presentation by Credio at the April 8 meeting.

If the mayor and council decide to pursue the change, they would need to do public outreach and further analysis.

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John WashingtonArizona Luminaria reporter

jwashington@azluminaria.org

John Washington covers Tucson, Pima County, criminal justice and the environment for Arizona Luminaria. His investigative reporting series on deaths at the Pima County jail won an INN award in 2023. Before...