Loading properties..

University of Arizona

Tucson, Arizona

The University of Arizona sits in beautiful Tucson, AZ. Though Arizona is very much a "red state" with some of the loosest gun laws in the country, Tucson is a very liberal town, and very weird--almost as weird as Portland. Downtown is comprised mostly of small dingy coffee shops, dive bars, hookah lounges, and tattoo parlors. While that may sound unappealing, beneath the grime of Downtown Tucson there's an undeniable charm and a recipe for a great time every day of the week (if you're over 21). If you're not, you can still enjoy the wide variety of nature driven experiences Tucson has to offer. Right by the U of A lies Tumamoc Hill and Sentinel Peak (known here as "A" Mountain), which are both prime areas for hiking. Tucson also has a surprisingly great music scene and intimate venues to enjoy great artists. The city is quietest during the summer when the heat is unbearable and all the students are away, and busiest in the winter when all of the old folks we call "snow birds" arrive to escape the harsh cold winters of their native lands. If there's one thing to know about Tucson, it's that it's hot and dry. Swimming in Tucson is not a hobby; it's done for survival.

View more information about University of Arizona

Living at University of Arizona

Nightlife

Tucson has tons of bars and nightclubs that supply all of the nightlife you'll need if you're over 21. For our younger friends, there are still a few options to keep you busy. If you're into music, there is no shortage of both indie and mainstream artists playing at Club Congress and the Rialto. The U of A also provides lots of entertainment for its students so they never have to leave the safety of the campus. Frat parties are constantly kicking off all weekend long, and sometimes even during the school week. If you literally can't find anything to do, you can always hop on the streetcar, go down to 4th Ave, and just see what's going on. If something is happening in town, it's usually happening there.

Transportation

Tucson is an extremely bike friendly city. If you don't like to bike, and you have a car, there's never any shortage of parking on campus--but be prepared to pay. If you don't like to bike and you can't drive, there's still the streetcar, which is what you'd get if a bus and a train had a sordid love affair. Keep an eye out for apartments on the streetcar route; if you can reach it, it's extremely convenient. Tucson also has a bus system, but literally no one recommends it. The weirdest of the weird in Tucson take the bus, and it's almost never on time. A lot of apartments in town have regular shuttles to and from the University. If you can't drive, are too far to bike, and not on the streetcar route, an apartment with a shuttle is really a must.

Walkability

The University and Downtown are extremely walkable. It's a sprawling campus, and biking is definitely easier, but you will have no issue walking around. The rest of Tucson, however, is not walkable at all. While it is bike-friendly, the heat and the hills make biking more than a couple of miles pretty prohibitive. To get anywhere off-campus, you're definitely going to want to drive (or hitch a ride). That being said, the U of A is pretty good at making sure you don't need to leave campus if you don't want to. So long as you stick to the U of A and downtown area, shoes should be the only transportation you need.

Party Scene

There is no shortage of parties in Tucson. On weekends near the University, there's at least one house party on every block. If you're into Frat parties we have plenty of those, too, but you'd better be a member of a Fraternity or Sorority if you want in. The University also usually has at least one or two big parties a week, but they're always sober events. If you're looking to turn up on a Tuesday, you're going to have to go off-campus (or an illicit dorm-room party).

Area Crime

Like many cities its size, Tucson has a very high crime rate, especially on the South and West sides of town. Tucson is actually in the top 10 for property crimes in the US, and our violent crime rate isn't stellar either. That being said, the University area is pretty safe. The closer you get to campus, the safer you are. While there can be issues on campus from time to time, there's a system in place to alert students of dangerous events on and near campus. Still, it pays be to smart. Lock your doors, lock your cars, and lock up your bikes. Some towns you can get by leaving your door wide open; Tucson isn't one of them.

Off-Campus Dining

Tucson has a spectacular culinary scene, especially if you like Mexican food. The city is a UNESCO City of Gastronomy, which is a pretty big deal internationally. If you're not into Mexican food, there's plenty of great restaurants in town for your next date, just be prepared to drop a little bit of money. The best bang for your buck in town is probably the Bolognese at Wild Garlic on First. If you do like Mexican food, be warned. The best Mexican food in town is almost always found in the most dangerous areas. Still, the food is worth it.

Neighborhoods around University of Arizona



Starr Pass

Starr Pass is one of the nicest areas you'll find university housing. If you don't drive, finding an apartment with a shuttle is a must, because it's a little bit far, and full of hills that will make you hate your life if you try to bike. It's known for being part of the desert and having beautiful views. If you're outdoorsy, like the sunset, and have a car, this area is perfect for you.

University Area

This is a nebulously defined area but obviously it's very conveniently located. The prices of houses and apartments increase exponentially as you get closer to the University. If you like to party and need to bike to school, you're definitely going to want to stay around here. The places get really affordable even just 4 or 5 blocks from the University, and it's one of the most bikeable areas in town.

Downtown

If you live Downtown the world is your oyster in terms of transportation. You can bike around, walk around, or easily take the streetcar. The only thing you won't want to do is drive, because parking is either hard to find or super expensive. It's an expensive area, and it's noisy on weekends. There's no shortage of fun stuff to do or good places to eat in this area. The biggest drawback is the rent; anything cheap don't want, and anything you want won't be cheap.

Sam Hughes

Sam Hughes is by far the nicest neighborhood in Tucson. It's an historic district, but the houses all have pretty modern amenities because it's heavily gentrified. Depending on where you are in the neighborhood, you might be even closer to school than Downtown, and it's similarly priced. Sam Hughes comes with all of the benefits of Downtown and none of the noise or chaos. One thing to consider is that a lot of old folks and snow birds call Sam Hughes their home, so if you want to throw wild parties, you have a higher chance of entertaining some uninvited guests with badges.

Armory Park

Armory Park is extremely centrally located, smack-dab between Downtown and the U of A. Anyplace worth going to is walking distance from Armory Park. It's full of old Spanish Colonial-style architecture, but a lot of the houses lack modern amenities like gas stoves and stainless steel appliances. This is definitely one of the up-and coming areas of Tucson, and it's pretty reasonably priced.

The Foothills

If you're living up here, you better have a car, and you better have good money. The mountainous terrain and distance to campus make biking all but impossible, and the buses are pretty much non-existent out here. While it's pricey, it's beautiful, and you'll really feel one with nature living here. This is probably the safest area in town, with the local wildlife being more of a safety concern than criminals. The Foothills are known for beautiful views of the city and excellent hiking and mountain biking trails, if that's the sort of thing you're into.


View neighborhoods near this school


Average Rents at University of Arizona

Average rents within 5 miles of University of Arizona.

Landlords with properties upgraded to Pro Listing have access to detailed rent data at the nearby schools.

Find Your College Crib