Southern Arizona boasts a variety of living experiences, including eclectic downtowns, outdoor adventures, a thriving arts scene, world-renowned colleges and universities, and more. Families, singles, and retirees alike can benefit from the various locations and year-round warm temperatures from nearly 300 days of sunshine a year.
Whether you’re moving to the area to begin a new job in a big city such as Tucson or interested in the quieter suburbs in the surrounding area, southern Arizona has a lot to offer. While the following list is not exhaustive, some of the best suburbs include:
- Green Valley
- Dove Mountain
- Catalina Foothills
- Sahuarita
- Oro Valley
These suburbs are close enough to enjoy all that Tucson’s urban living offers: the culture, food, and energy. But they are removed enough to avoid the undesirable aspects, such as traffic, busyness, and student life at the University of Arizona.
If you’re in the market to build a new home, these suburbs have a lot to offer in terms of property settings. To help you decide where you would like to settle, let's take a closer look at some of the best areas to find land in southern Arizona.
Tucson
In this post, you can plan to hear a whole lot about mountains, sunshine, and outdoor activities. The warm temperatures and low humidity make it easy to enjoy Tucson’s great mix of outdoor and indoor life.
Downtown Tucson has had a bit of a rebirth over recent years and has attracted plenty of small businesses and beautiful public art, yet it still has a more manageable pace of life than some larger cities, such as LA or NYC. On top of that, the exciting cuisine and fresh produce make this city perfect for the foodies out there.
For those seeking an education at any level, Tucson is home to the University of Arizona and a great primary school system.
Green Valley
This quaint suburb is about 20 miles outside of Tucson and west of the Santa Cruz River, surrounded by a variety of outdoor activities in the nearby Santa Rita Mountains.
Although Green Valley was initially started as a retirement community and a significant percent of the population is over the age of 65, there are plenty of schools and attractions for the kids of the community as well. A few of the standout schools include the Air and Space Academy, which is a charter school, and Continental Elementary School.
There are plenty of entertainment options, including shopping and restaurants, the CPAC Community Performance & Art Center, and a farmers market, among others.
Not only is there plenty of homes to choose from in Green Valley, but there is plenty of space to build as well. And as a bonus, Green Valley’s cost of living is four percent lower than the national average.
Dove Mountain
Located in the town of Marana, Dove Mountain is a smaller settlement with about 3,000 residents, including a mix of families, business professionals, and retirees. One of the more popular new neighborhoods, Dove Mountain has a high-end golf course at the base of the Tortolita Mountains, located about 40 minutes north of Tucson.
In addition to a well-known retirement community, Del Webb at Dove Mountain, this small community is part of the Marana Unified School District, which includes four great schools.
Dove Mountain has plenty of dining, shopping, and entertainment options, including hikes on the Wild Burro Trail, golfing at the Gallery Golf Club, or listening to live music at the Gaslight Music Hall.
Catalina Foothills
The Catalina Foothills neighborhood lies just north of Tucson at the base of the Santa Catalina Mountains, providing some of the best views of downtown in the area. Plus, it’s only a 15-minute drive from the city.
Catalina Foothills is a minimalist setting with few sidewalks and narrow streets that wind through the hills. The residents of the neighborhood are a mix of upper-middle class and wealthy retirees, families, and professionals.
In addition to the city and an upscale outdoor shopping center, residents enjoy the St. Philip’s Plaza, which has a farmers market on the weekends and a wide range of music events.
Instead of traditional bluegrass on the front lawn, the front yards of these homes have a natural desert landscape with cacti and desert flowers, which you can match perfectly to your custom home.
Sahuarita
Located about 15 miles south of Tucson, Sahuarita features the planned neighborhoods of Rancho Sahuarita, Quail Creek, and Madera Highlands as well as the residential neighborhoods of La Joya, Valle Verde del Norte, Los Colonias, and Los Arroyos.
With below-average living costs and an above-average public education system, Sahuarita is a great setting for most families that want all the benefits of the city but with a quiet home to return to. This suburb is rich with history, and its residents enjoy local coffee shops, dining, and retail.
Oro Valley
Located just six miles north of Tucson in Pima County, Oro Valley is a medium-sized suburb with a population of 41,000 and varying housing costs available for modest incomes.
Oro Valley is a great place for families to live with plenty of arts and entertainment. Because it is so close to Tucson, it takes only minutes to experience the sights and sounds of the city as well. The Oro Valley Farmers Market is held at the Steam Pump Ranch every Saturday. It holds concerts from time to time as well.
Adair Homes
So there you have it—the suburbs of southern Arizona are filled with a rich history and culture and have something for people of all ages. Schooling, entertainment, and gorgeous outdoors are readily available in this region. More than anything, these suburbs give residents the opportunity to carve out a piece of land to build a custom home of their own.
Now is an ideal time to partner with a Home Ownership Counselor at Adair Homes to find the home that fits you perfectly. Southern Arizona has plenty of beautiful land available at a reasonable price, and many buyers are able to find property in their preferred area.
To learn more about finding land in southern Arizona or about the custom homebuilding process, give us a call at our office in Tucson.
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