Posts Tagged ‘Tucson real estate’

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The Many Features of Tucson Real Estate

Wednesday, September 29th, 2010

Tucson, Arizona, is a community that has over 500 square miles of communities and neighborhoods. Each area is vastly different, which is why it’s so easy for those who come to live in Tucson real estate find an area that they feel comfortable in. The city boasts of mountain ranges and over 300 days of sunshine, which is perfect for those who enjoy the outdoors and who don’t care too much for rain.

It would be surprising to those who live in history that Tucson has become the second largest city in Arizona, as it had very humble beginnings. Tucson was settled in 1775 by Spanish soldiers and now it has over a million residents, all living in different areas of this diverse city. Older neighborhoods have unique architecture and ambiance, while the downtown area features rambling ranch homes and pueblo style abodes on streets that are lined with trees, providing plenty of shade. Head into the metropolitan area of the community and you’ll find a golfer’s paradise, with amazing golf communities. But don’t think that you have to be a master golfer to enjoy the courses, as it’s easy to find courses for the novice as well as those for the professionals.

Tucson takes all the best of the nature that surrounds it and mixes it up with man-made beauty, to create something that is truly unique, including high class restaurants, guest ranches, ski resorts, and, of course, first-class golf courses. This absolutely amazing city features something for everybody, including high fashion as well as relaxing sections. With something for everybody, including midnight black skies and towering saguaros, cliff-side canyons and vast mountain ranges, Tucson is a wonderful place to visit and an amazing place to live in.

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One is Never Far From a Tucson House of Worship

Tuesday, September 28th, 2010

One of the most spiritually endearing aspects of living in Tucson, Arizona real estate is the fact that no matter your religion, you will be able to find people who share your beliefs and with whom you can create a spiritual home. With places of worship for religions ranging from many different branches of Christianity to Judaism to Buddhism, there will almost certainly be a community for you to join since Tucson and Tusconians are well-known for welcoming all religions with open arms. 

From a demographic point of view, according to www.bestplaces.net, nearly 45 percent of people in Tucson identify themselves as religious. Specifically, almost 27 percent identify themselves as Catholic, ten percent as Protestant and just over two percent as a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, or Mormon. Three-plus percent identify as Baptist and nearly 3.5 percent as “Other Christian”, with over two percent self-identifying as Jewish. Less than one percent each identify as Eastern and Islam, while approximately one percent each identify as either Episcopalian, Pentecostal, Methodist or Presbyterian.

Tucson features a number of ‘community’ churches, which focus more on spirituality in general than on a specific religion. Churches of this nature include the Community Church of the Foothills, the Community Interfaith Church and the Rosemont Community Church. Several nondenominational churches, such as the Broadway Christian Church, the Christian Faith Center and the CrossRoads Church, are also scattered across the city. 

Synagogues in Tucson include the Temple Emanu-El, the Congregation Anshei Israel, the Congregation Or Chadash and the Congregation Young Israel of Tucson. Mosques can be found at the Islamic Center of Tucson, the ICS Masjid Tucson and the Ahmeddiya Movement in Islam.

No discussion of houses of worship in Tucson would be complete without mentioning what is universally regarded as the most beautiful Catholic Church in Tucson, and arguably in the entire state of Arizona: the Mission San Xavier del Bac, which is listed as a National Historic Landmark. The church is covered with intricate paintings, statues and murals, which make it well worth a tourist-type visit even for those not intending to worship within its historic walls.

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Tucson Homes Offer a Thriving Fine Arts Community

Thursday, September 23rd, 2010

No Arizona city can truly be complete without the opportunities to experience various arts. In Tucson, real estate options are everywhere, but there are also plenty of cultural and artistic amenities to this wonderful city. One of only a few cities of its size with its own ballet company, professional theater, symphony and opera company, Tucson enjoys a thriving arts community.

The award-winning Ballet Tucson puts on an average of four shows a year, while the Arizona Theatre Company, which does performances in both Tucson and Phoenix, has numerous shows scheduled each season. For a delightful musical experience, take in a concert by the Tucson Symphony Orchestra, which features a fabulous choir and a full-fledged orchestra. If opera is your passion, visit the Arizona Opera’s website for a full schedule of upcoming productions.

In addition to the performing arts, Tucson definitely caters to those enamored of the visual arts. For example, the Tucson Museum of Art presents a revolving series of exhibits as well as permanent collections such as ‘Modern and Contemporary Art,’ ‘Art of the American West,’ ‘Art of Latin America,’ and ‘Rare Books and Manuscripts’. The University of Arizona Museum of Art houses both temporary and permanent collections, with a current count of over five thousand prints, drawings, paintings and sculptures. While on the university’s campus, make sure you check out the Center for Creative Photography. With over fifty archives of photographers including Ansel Adams and Harry Callahan, the Center provides a truly visually stimulating experience.

If you enjoy live concerts, Tucson is home to a number of venues that host nationally-known artists on a regular basis, in particular, the open-air AVA Amphitheater at Casino Del Sol and the Desert Diamond Casino. Meanwhile, the historic Rialto Theatre showcases concerts featuring a broad array of performers from flamenco to hip hop, from jazz to jam bands.

There are more than 35 art galleries in Tucson’s downtown district alone, and public art is displayed all across Tucson, including outdoor sculpture at El Presidio Park and a sculpture of Father Kino, a famous Jesuit missionary, at the northwest corner of Kino Boulevard and Winsett Street. If you’re a mural aficionado, there are said to be more murals at the El Rio Neighborhood Center than at any other location in Tucson, but if you’ve got a snake phobia, you might want to avoid “The Snake Bridge,” located on East Broadway Boulevard, west of Euclid Avenue, which is a functioning pedestrian bridge in the shape of a diamondback rattlesnake. #RS-A-0910~4

For more information on the arts in Tucson, visit www.visittucson.org.

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Many Theatres Are Close To Your Tucson Home

Monday, September 20th, 2010

Most folks think movies are a great way to relax, and Tucson, Arizona boasts many theaters located conveniently around the city. No matter where you live in Tucson there will always be a movie theater close to your home. 

To combine shopping and a movie, you can go to the Foothills Mall. Located in the foothills of the Santa Catalina Mountains, the mall features a fifteen-screen multiplex cinema along with over 90 stores for you to shop in before or after your show. Meanwhile, another popular mall-based theater is the Century 20 at El Con Mall. El Con can always be counted on to have new releases as well as movies that may have been out for a bit longer.

If you don’t mind waiting a few weeks to see that newest big release, you can catch it at theaters like the Gateway Century 12 for a much cheaper price than first-run features. In fact, tickets at the Gateway Century 12 are usually less than five dollars each, with even lower prices for children and seniors. Additionally, the theater also has a Senior Day, which lowers the price for a senior ticket even further, and All Day Tuesday, when tickets for everyone can be up to half-off the normal price. For movie buffs who want to save a few bucks, the Gateway Century 12 offers a way to please both your mind and your wallet. 

Other theaters in the Tucson area include the Century 20 at Park Place Mall, Tucson Spectrum 18, the Grand Cinemas Crossroads 6, Harkins AMC Loews Foothills 15, Oracle View, Tower Theatre, Century Oro Valley Marketplace and the Trans-Lux Desert Sky Cinema.

Finally, for “indie” aficionados, there’s no better place than The Loft Cinema Movie Theatre. The Loft, a nonprofit, independent art house, shows movies ranging from low-budget horror flicks to independently-released films. It’s perfect for those nights when you want to see a movie that’s different from the normal Hollywood fare.

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Finest In Tucson Luxury Real Estate

Wednesday, August 25th, 2010

While filled with plenty of more affordable housing options, Tucson, Arizona is also host to a plethora of high-end communities, subdivisions and neighborhoods, especially in the northern and northwestern sections of the city. For example, the Tucson luxury real estate communities of Oro Valley, Marana and Catalina Foothills are home to a wealth of upscale communities, both gated and non-gated, and in fact, Oro Valley has been called one of the most affluent communities in the southwest. Oro Valley’s master-planned community of Rancho Vistoso boasts a number of gated subdivisions, including the luxury subdivision of Honey Bee Canyon, which contains only 48 lots sized at over an acre each, as well as intimate venues such as Fairfield at Vistoso, a golf subdivision on the Vistoso Golf Course.

Nestled across the foothills of the Tortolita Mountains, the master-planned community of Dove Mountain lies in the nearby town of Marana. Like Rancho Vistoso, Dove Mountain is home to several gated communities, including The Gallery and Canyon Pass. The very private and gated Gallery Canyon has only 15 residences and The Overlook boasts just 17 custom-built houses, while gated courtyards are the pièce de résistance at the Private Collection at the Terrace. Within these communities, views typically are right on the fairways of one of the two courses of the Gallery Golf Club, making these addresses ideal for golfers and spectators of the sport. But that’s not all; there’s also Dos Lagos on the club’s south course. The posh living quarters here currently carry price tags of more than $1 million each.

Other subdivisions in Dove Mountain include the retirement community of Heritage Hills, The Villages, Quail Crossing, The Preserve and The Bluffs. Dove Mountain features four golf courses, including the course at the Ritz-Carlton Golf Club, host of the World Golf Championships – Accenture Match Play Championship.

Catalina State Park

The community of Catalina Foothills is also home to dramatic homes and estates, including Catalina Foothills Estates which is a collection of gorgeous neighborhoods located just slightly north of Tucson. These communities, some of which are gated, offer a subtle blend of architectural styles ranging from Tuscan-inspired motifs to magnificent desert estates to territorial ranch homes. For families with school-age children, it’s important to note that the Estates are served by the Catalina Foothills School District, which is consistently ranked as one of the top school districts in Arizona.

With spectacular views of the Santa Catalina Mountains and the city of Tucson itself, Cobblestone Homes is considered one of the most elite subdivisions in Catalina Foothills. If you’re a golf aficionado, you can choose to make your home in one of Catalina Foothills’ scenic golf subdivisions such as La Paloma, which is made up of several smaller neighborhoods surrounding the golf course at the exclusive Westin La Paloma Resort.

Meanwhile, The Canyons in Catalina Foothills is nestled right next to the base of the Santa Catalinas and features homes currently ranging in price from $2 million to $8 million. Every house is on a large, private lot and has a wonderful view of the mountains, with some also overlooking the city lights of Tucson.

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Colossal Cave Mountain Park Near Tucson is Amazing Real Estate

Saturday, August 21st, 2010

Just outside the city line of Tucson is an amazing piece of earth that will leave you in awe after your visit.  The Colossal Cave Mountain Park is something that will rarely be overshadowed, for it provides a connection with the earth that is simply unrivaled by nearly every other place on the globe.  First occupied in 900 A.D., this region of caves and mountains holds many secrets of our nation’s past.

The most popular aspect of this park is the cave tour that takes visitors a half mile into the caves to learn about what exists under our feet each day.  The tours last about forty-five minutes and travel nearly six stories into the earth.  Maintaining a constant temperature of seventy degrees Fahrenheit and remaining ever-dry, the caves are able to be traveled throughout the year.  If you have Real Player installed on your computer, the Colossal Cave Mountain Park invites you to take a virtual tour of the caves on their website, www.colossalcave.com. 

However, it is not just the caves that make this park magnificent.  There is a lot to take in on this large section of invaluable Tucson real estate.  The staff of the park has recognized that.  They have devised a game for all visitors in order to encourage full exploration of all that there is to behold.  In order to win the treasure of the park, visitors must visit all eighteen stops on the map supplied to them.  By punching the map with the paper punch available at each station, the visitors will demonstrate their willingness to explore and as a result will be rewarded.

For those who would rather follow a guide, there is also a horseback riding tour through the park.  The route followed was the same that was designated as the National Mail Stagecoach route.  The ride is safe for all level of riders, as the pace kept is meant to be slow and enjoyable.  There are also stagecoach rides and hayrides upon reservation.  Contact the park at (520) 647-3450 for more information.

For just five dollars per vehicle (and one dollar per person over six people in the car), you can enter the park and take advantage of all it has to offer.  The cave tours, which take place every half hour during regular park hours, cost an additional six dollars per child and eleven dollars per adult.  For such a small investment, you can truly experience all that Tucson and Arizona has to offer.

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Tucson is Home to Fun All Year Long

Friday, July 23rd, 2010

There are countless reasons that homes and real estate in Tucson, including the foothills, are so highly sought after by many individuals, couples and families of all ages. Along with outstanding real estate values, there’s plenty to see and do. What do we mean?

In addition to great schools, a wealth of cultural opportunities, gorgeous golf courses, fabulous nearby wineries, perfect weather and more, there are also a number of year-round events, some of which have become very well-known. For example, the Tucson Gem, Mineral and Fossil Showcase is held every year near the end of January/beginning of February. The Tucson “Gem Show,” as it’s informally known, attracts people from all over the world to display and add to their collections.

Every February, Tucson is the host of the world-famous Tucson Rodeo featuring events that range from bull-riding and barrel-racing to events for children. One of the centerpieces of the Rodeo is the Tucson Rodeo Parade, which is the world’s longest non-motorized parade and showcases dancers, floats, buggies, horseback riders and marching bands.

Starting in May and ending in August, the Fox Tucson Theatre, located in the heart of downtown Tucson, plays classic Hollywood films on Saturday nights in the Summer Classic Movies at the Fox series, making it the perfect time to catch that movie that’s been on your “must-see” list for ages.

From June to August, the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum extends its hours on Saturday evenings, choosing to stay open until 10PM in order to give more people the chance to come and experience plants and animals that only come out during at nighttime.

If you enjoy art, you can head to the Arizona State Museum, which has a revolving series of exhibits from a variety of different artists. Meanwhile, the Tucson Museum of Art also presents exhibitions on a regular basis from both local artists and artists from around the world. 

If you’re a golf aficionado, no need to wait for a special event — with over thirty golf courses in Tucson and the surrounding area, there is bound to be a course that matches up with your skill level. If wine is more your “thing”, no problem – there are a number of award-winning vineyards within an hour or so of Tucson. A few of them are Sonoita Vineyards in Elgin, Callaghan Vineyards in Sonoita and Rancho Rossa Vineyards, which is located a few miles southeast of Sonoita.

Are you a concert-lover? Be sure to check out the AVA Amphitheater at Casino Del Sol and the Desert Diamond Casino which both host visiting artists on a regular basis, while Tucson’s downtown Rialto Theatre puts on concerts by a variety of performers covering a wide range of genres, including pop, rock, jazz, hip-hop and more.

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One Tucson Area Resident is a 103 Foot Missile

Thursday, June 17th, 2010

There are a number of reasons that homes, land and real estate in Tucson, including the outlying foothills, are so eagerly sought after by families, individuals and those enjoying an active, high-end retirement lifestyle. Here’s one: there’s so much to do!

One of the most interesting museums in the Tucson area is the Titan Missile Museum. Showcasing the dramatic vestiges of the Cold War between the U.S. and the former Soviet Union, the Museum provides a vivid education about the history of nuclear conflict as well as a history of keeping the peace. In fact, what was once one of America’s most top secret places is now a National Historic Landmark, and nowhere else in the world can visitors get this close to an Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) in its operational environment.

The Titan II ICBM was the first liquid propellant missile that could be launched from underground. Equipped with a nine-megaton thermonuclear warhead, the Titan II was capable of reaching its target more than half a world away in less than thirty minutes. The preserved Titan II missile site was completed and turned over to the U.S. Air Force in 1963, and until 1987, when the last Titan II was deactivated, 54 Titan II missile complexes across the United States stood on alert 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

This one-of-a-kind museum gives visitors a rare look at the technology used by the U.S. to deter nuclear war. During a one-hour guided tour, visitors will experience a simulated missile launch in the underground launch control center, view the massive 103-foot tall Titan II missile in its launch duct, see the eight-foot thick silo walls and the three-ton blast doors and much more.

The Arizona Aerospace Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization in Tucson, Arizona, operates the Titan Missile Museum, the Pima Air & Space Museum and the Arizona Aviation Hall of Fame. In addition, the Foundation manages tours of the Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group and the military aircraft “Boneyard” located at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base.

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Numerous Vineyards Call the Tucson Area Home

Tuesday, June 8th, 2010

There are countless reasons that homes, land and real estate all across the city of Tucson, including the outlying foothills, are so highly sought after by many people of all ages. Along with outstanding value in Tucson real estate, there is plenty to see and do. What do we mean?

Well, in addition to great schools, a wealth of cultural opportunities, gorgeous golf courses, year-round perfect weather and more, there are also a number of fabulous wineries all within a pleasant day-trip of Tucson, Marana, the Oro Valley and the Catalina Foothills. Specifically, experts say the climate and soil conditions in the southern Arizona towns of Elgin, Sonoita and the Willcox area are ideal for growing grapes thanks to high elevations, warm days and cool nights. Once you’ve purchased a home or real estate in the area, why not see for yourself?

One you might want to check out is Sonoita Vineyards. Opened in 1983, Sonoita Vineyards is located in Elgin, about an hour’s drive from Tucson. Perched at an elevation of approximately 5,000 feet above sea level, Sonoita Vineyards is the oldest commercial vineyard in the region, and now grows over 40 acres of vines. They’re known for consistently creating award-winning wines, including a Cabernet Sauvignon chosen by national wine critics to serve at a Presidential Inauguration Gala. Varieties grown on the vineyard’s expansive real estate include Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir, Mission and Merlot.

For more information on other vineyards in the Tucson area, visit www.visittucson.org.

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See the Stars Shine on Your Tucson Home at Kitt Peak

Friday, June 4th, 2010

Homes, land and real estate around Tucson, including the outlying foothills, are highly sought after by families, individuals and those enjoying an active, high-end lifestyle because there’s so much to do!

One of the most interesting scientific and educational venues in the Tucson metropolitan area is Kitt Peak National Observatory, a National Optical Astronomy Observatory that represents several astronomical research institutions. Featuring the world’s largest collection of optical telescopes, Kitt Peak Observatory is located high above the Sonoran desertscape on Kitt Peak. Home to over twenty state-of-the-art optical telescopes as well as two high-tech radio telescopes, facilities include a Visitor Center, gift shop, National Solar Observatory exhibit gallery and more.

Kitt Peak Observatory is open to the public every day of the year except Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day. Guided tours are available on a daily basis, while group tours are available by appointment. One of the most popular events for people of all ages is the nightly observing program where the public is invited to learn about and gain hands-on experience with the latest astronomy-related technology. Using 20- and 16-inch Ritchey-Chrétien telescopes and a 16-inch Meade Scmidt-Cassegrain telescope, the program is offered to a small group of participants every night of the week, except from July 15 to September 1, when it is closed due to the summer monsoon season.

For more information on Kitt Peak National Observatory, visit their website or www.visittucson.org.

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