Tucson is Ranked One of the Top U.S. Dog Friendly Cities

A Cute Picture of Baxter that we Overlayed on Top of a Flower Bed in our Garden, a Green Oasis in Tucson, One of the Top U.S. Cities for Man's Best Friend

We Love Tucson Dog Friendly Neighborhoods

If you’ve ever had the pleasure of owning a dog, you’d know that dogs have a powerful, if not magical, effect on humans. They decrease stress and blood pressure levels and can help people overcome feelings of loneliness and depression and so much more. Having a fido friend can drastically improve a person’s quality of life and I know this first hand.

The Huffington Post published an article about the analysis of data collected from a financial consulting company SmartAsset to rank the most wag-worthy cities across the map. The study considered both dog and human-friendly factors. A city’s dog accessibility as in the number of dog parks, dog-friendly shopping areas and dog-friendly restaurants was one and the other was based on the city’s quality of life, which took walk-ability, weather and housing costs into consideration (happy pets need happy owners).

petcationThe ranking is as follows:

  1. San Francisco
  2. Las Vegas
  3. Denver
  4. San Diego
  5. Albuquerque
  6. Sacramento
  7. Chicago
  8. Minneapolis
  9. Tucson
  10. New York City

I’d have to agree that Tucson has a lot of dog-friendly parks, beautiful Tucson dog-friendly walk and bike paths, lots of open properties with acreage for a dog to roam if that’s your style but also many of the homes backyards. There are dog-friendly bars and restaurants and even hiking trails. Tucson loves doggies.

In line with the other ranking, I can attest to that fact that the quality of life in Tucson is also high for humans. Tucson is one of the most affordable places to live, one of the most kid-friendly cities for children, and also a foodies paradise.

If you have any questions about Tucson, relocating, housing please don’t hesitate to call me. I’d be more than happy to speak with you to see if Tucson is right for you and find you your dream home.

Have a great day,
Tony Ray
(520) 631-TONY (8669)
Free relocation package and Tucson fun info

The 10 Cheapest Places for Millennials to Live

The Hub - Downtown Hot Spot for Millenials, Cheapest Places for Millennials to Live
The Hub - Downtown Hot Spot for Millenials

10 Cheapest Places for Millennials to Live

Housely.com published an article, The 10 Cheapest Places for Millennials to Live in the U.S. where they considered data about cheap housing, availability of jobs, and social + cultural advantages.

In the past, New York City and Silicon Valley were enticing millennials in groves with fast paced tech jobs and other business opportunities; unfortunately, housing prices were so high (and they still are!) that millennials had trouble finding affordable housing and those with dreams of home ownership had a difficult decision to make and the opportunity cost was high. But now people are saying that Tucson may be the next Silcon Valley.

On the flip side, Florida is known to have an abundant affordable rental housing market, but the retiree demographic and job availability makes it a less desirable long-term destination for millennials.

Young people today are being challenged to think-outside-the-box and find destinations that will offer a more complete package and Tucson definitely does.

Without further ado, The Cheapest Places for Millennials to Live:

10. Austin, TX

9. Dallas, TX

8. Louisville, KY

7. Columbus, OH

6. Dayton, OH

5. Wichita, KS

4. TUCSON, ARIZONA

3. New Bedford, MA

2. Sioux Falls, SD

1. Cape Canaveral, FL

“With a median one bedroom apartment price of $540, it’s no wonder that Money rated Tucson number 4 of their best places for millennials. The article credits the city’s revitalized downtown area and ethnic restaurants as a draw for young renters. Tucson’s job growth is expected to rise 11% over the next five years.”
We’ve done the research and this isn’t an all-encompassing description of why Tucson is one the cheapest places for millennials to live. Did you know we have one the lowest point of entry housing markets in the country? Boasting many programs to help first time home buyers and some the lowest homeowners insurance prices making Tucson a great place for someone just starting out to start their life.
Tucson also has an abundance of art, culture, and a very fun and hip downtown. There’s an abundance of nature– to hike, climb, ski and explore and there are a lot of other amazing places that are a short road trip away like: Las Vegas — 4 hours, Phoenix– 1.5 hours, Rocky Point, Mexico (Where you can rent entire beach front houses for the weekend for a couple hundred dollars)– 4 hours, San Diego, CA– 6 hours, and Showlow, AZ (home of Arizona’s biggest ski & snowboard mountain)– 4 hours.
This is only the tip of the iceberg… If you have questions about art, culture, or housing in Tucson please contact me– I’d be happy to help you however I can.

Tucson Ranked in Top 10 Cities Best Positioned for Pandemic Recovery

According to Forbes magazine, Tucson is one of the top 10 cities in the best position for a post pandemic recovery. Using data collected from Moody’s Analytics they predict the top 10 and the 10 worst cities. “Note that they are sorted alphabetically in order to avoid assigning false precision to our calculations,” Kamins tells Forbes Women.

Tucson is a Top City That Will Recover From Coronavirus
Tucson is a Top City That Will Recover From Coronavirus

Pandemic Recovery Ranking Method

Moodys examines the density of population and compares it against the number of jobs that require a higher degree. They also take into consideration the density of cases across different counties. Those 2 factors alone could indicate why Tucson makes it into the top 10. Because it’s a college town Tucson is overflowing with smart people and has an abundance of open spaces

Some of the other top contenders are Denver (CO), San Jose (CA), and Washington DC. Noticeably these places are also university towns and have beautiful natural resources. Surprisingly Austin, TX did not make this list. Austin is frequently set side by side to Tucson as another blue city in a red state.

Now that the gloating is over we will look at a few of the cities that did not make it. Some of the results may surprise you.

The Have-nots

What do Honolulu (HI), Los Angeles (CA), New York City (NY), and Tampa (FL) all have in common? Aside from being on the top 10 worst recovery cities list? High density, overcrowding tourist traps. Yup, the higher your tourism the more likely you’re in an area heavily afflicted with Coronavirus. They predict that there will be mass out-migration from these densely populous areas towards more sprawling towns. 

Covid 19 is going to loom large in the public consciousness for years to come. For the very young and impressionistic pandemic recovery may always haunt them, much like children of the Great Depression often stockpile non-perishables or hideaway cash money. 

We are certainly fortunate to be in a position where, not only are we poised to recover well, but it’s such a beautiful, and delicious, place to be till then. But, for the foreseeable future, we still have to be vigilant. We have to be willing to do our parts for the greater good. Yes, we are all sick of wearing masks, but for a better future, we must do better now.

UArizona: A Stellar Leader in Astronomy and Astrophysics

For five consecutive years, the University of Arizona (UArizona) has held the prestigious title of being ranked No. 1 in astronomy and astrophysics by the National Science Foundation (NSF). This accolade is more than just a feather in the cap for UArizona; it symbolizes the university’s unwavering commitment to pushing the boundaries of space exploration and scientific discovery. But what does this mean for our community? It means living in a city that’s a beacon of innovation, education, and opportunity, drawing some of the brightest minds to Tucson. Let’s delve into what makes UArizona a powerhouse in these fields and why it matters to us all.

Leading the Way with Groundbreaking Research

UArizona’s dominance in astronomy and astrophysics is underpinned by significant financial investments. With over $123 million dedicated to these fields annually, the university’s expenditures account for a staggering 15% of all U.S. spending in this category​ (University of Arizona News)​. This funding fuels groundbreaking projects that not only advance scientific knowledge but also place Tucson at the heart of global space research.

One of the university’s crowning achievements is its role in the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) project. UArizona scientists developed the Near-Infrared Camera, a critical instrument for the JWST, which will provide unparalleled views of distant galaxies, potentially transforming our understanding of the universe​ (University of Arizona News)​. This is just one example of the high-impact research conducted at UArizona, demonstrating why it consistently ranks at the top.

In addition to its No. 1 ranking in astronomy and astrophysics, UArizona excels across various scientific domains. The university is ranked No. 6 in NASA-funded activities and No. 7 in physical sciences​ (University of Arizona News)​. These rankings highlight the breadth of UArizona’s research capabilities and its pivotal role in addressing some of the most pressing scientific questions of our time.

A Community Enriched by Diversity and Innovation

UArizona’s accolades extend beyond research expenditures and rankings. The university is celebrated for its commitment to diversity and inclusion, particularly its high enrollment of Hispanic students, earning it the designation of a Hispanic-Serving Institution​ (University of Arizona News)​. This inclusive approach enriches the academic and research environment, fostering a community where diverse perspectives drive innovation and creativity.

Discover More About Tucson and Its Treasures

The achievements of UArizona in astronomy and astrophysics are a source of pride for Tucson and a testament to the city’s role as a hub of scientific excellence. But there’s so much more to discover in Tucson. From vibrant dining scenes and unique cocktail bars to comfortable hotels for your stay, Tucson offers a wealth of experiences for residents and visitors alike.

If you’re considering making Tucson your home, we invite you to explore our accolades section on SeeTucsonHomes.com. There, you’ll find all the information you need, including our free relocation package, to make an informed decision about moving to this incredible city. Tucson is not just a place; it’s a community brimming with opportunities and excitement, waiting for you to join.

For more information about UArizona’s space program and other accolades, visit UArizona Research, Innovation & Impact and stay connected with the latest updates on Tucson’s vibrant offerings.