Who knows anything about Tucson, AZ?
 

In about three weeks, I will be moving from Michigan to Tucson for a new job. Since I've spent a grand total of six hours of my entire life in the city, I could use a little help. I would appreciate some feedback on any or all of the following questions:

1) What are some good neighborhoods to live in? What do nice one bedroom apartments go for down there? I don't think I would want to live too close to the university, because I assume the cost of living is jacked up there, plus I know how college kids act at any time on any day of the week.

2) What are some good bars/hangouts? (I'm 24 and usually like the college kid/early 20s crowd, but also occasionally enjoy older crowds at bars)

3) I've heard there are two casinos in the area. What are they like? Are there poker rooms, and if so, how good are they?

4) What are the best restaurants (besides the obvious chain restaurants)?

5) I love to play golf, and I am excited about finally getting the chance to play in November - February. What are some of the best courses, and what can I expect to pay to play 18 holes on them? If not the absolute best courses, which ones are the best value?

6) If there is anything else that you think would be helpful/interesting to me, please let me know.

Thanks in advance for the help. I greatly appreciate it.

Re: Who knows anything about Tucson, AZ?
 

a couple of STTer live in tucuson

Re: Who knows anything about Tucson, AZ?
 

Hope you don't mind getting your car stolen!

Re: Who knows anything about Tucson, AZ?
 

It's ghetto. One time when I was staying at the DoubleTree by Reid Park I went to the little quickie mart next door and it got robbed while I was in line. Good times!

Re: Who knows anything about Tucson, AZ?
 

I live in Phoenix, and have only seen Tucson once, but here's about all I know of it. There's at least one casino with a pretty nice poker room which spreads limits from 2/4 limit up to a relatively high limit amount and a 2/150 spread limit game. In the Spring it is home to the Chicago White Sox and one other MLB team, though I forget which one. Another 10 or so are stationed in Phoenix at the same time. The cost of living in Phoenix is pretty cheap, and I would be extremely surprised if Tucson cost more. I'd say it's between $500 and $800 for a 1BR Apt in Phoenix, so expect less in Tucson. I can't tell you much about good neighborhoods, but all of Arizona can be relatively ghetto and sketchy in many areas, so be sure to look around the area before leasing an apartment. Good luck!

Re: Who knows anything about Tucson, AZ?
 

bring lots of parkas

Re: Who knows anything about Tucson, AZ?
 

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It's ghetto. One time when I was staying at the DoubleTree by Reid Park I went to the little quickie mart next door and it got robbed while I was in line. Good times!

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I think I stayed there!! I almost took a job there 15 months ago. Rent seemed cheap. Place seemed interesting because the dessert is the exact opposite of New England. But I'm glad I didn't go there because summer would've killed me.

Also, I remember driving through the nearby Indian reservation to check out some old mission. Probably the most depressing thing I've ever seen.

Re: Who knows anything about Tucson, AZ?
 

I lived in Tucson for 5 years while attending the UofA. During that time I bought a house and rented several other places. I also am pretty outdoorsy so I got to know the area better than most. I have been gone almost a year now so I'll try and help.

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In about three weeks, I will be moving from Michigan to Tucson for a new job. Since I've spent a grand total of six hours of my entire life in the city, I could use a little help. I would appreciate some feedback on any or all of the following questions:

1) What are some good neighborhoods to live in? What do nice one bedroom apartments go for down there? I don't think I would want to live too close to the university, because I assume the cost of living is jacked up there, plus I know how college kids act at any time on any day of the week.


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This really depends on how far you want to drive from work. There are some great places that are very cheap outside of the City limits to the west, north, and south, but it will probably be 20 minutes to get to the bars. Right now an okay one bedroom about a mile from the University will be $450-600.
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2) What are some good bars/hangouts? (I'm 24 and usually like the college kid/early 20s crowd, but also occasionally enjoy older crowds at bars)


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O'Malleys, Maloneys (most bars on 4th avenue), Trident, Dirtbags(the Greek crowd). For an older crowd something like Pastiche or Risky Business. There isn't a whole ton of selection in the bar area but you can still drink, have a good time, and meet a ton of pretty girls as they import new ones in every semester.
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3) I've heard there are two casinos in the area. What are they like? Are there poker rooms, and if so, how good are they?


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Desert Diamond and Casino of the Sun/Casino Del Sol. Casino Del Sol has a better rake setup and nice soft games all the time. When I left they were only spreading limit games but that may have changed.
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4) What are the best restaurants (besides the obvious chain restaurants)?


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There are a ton of great Mexican food places as well as chains like Claim Jumpers that may not be in your area. East of Speedway and south of Broadway is where to go to get good cheap Mexican food.
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5) I love to play golf, and I am excited about finally getting the chance to play in November - February. What are some of the best courses, and what can I expect to pay to play 18 holes on them? If not the absolute best courses, which ones are the best value?


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Drawing a blank here, but there are a ton of courses and a ton of people that would love to tell you all about them. Bottom line is that most places are pretty cheap during the summer months.

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6) If there is anything else that you think would be helpful/interesting to me, please let me know.


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Tucson is a great place to be if you are in any ways outdoorsy. Even if you aren't, take a drive up to Mt. Lemmon just before lunch time and grab a big slice of pie in Summerhaven on a hot day. Bring a long sleeve shirt.

If you are artsy-fartsy there are always things going on. Actually there are things going on for everyone. Don't get sucked into the "there's nothing to do here" attitude that a lot of the students bring with them. Most of the fun events are in the paper and if it can't be Googled it is hard for college kids to find. The monsoon season is starting now or very soon and the next few months are a great time to be in Tucson. Try and get an apartment with a window or a porch so you can watch all of the amazing lightning storms curled up with a pretty girl.

Re: Who knows anything about Tucson, AZ?
 

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1) What are some good neighborhoods to live in? What do nice one bedroom apartments go for down there? I don't think I would want to live too close to the university, because I assume the cost of living is jacked up there, plus I know how college kids act at any time on any day of the week.


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I live in Tucson. Generally speaking, the Foothills and Northwest Tucson are the better places to live. West Tucson is nice as long as you don't get too far South. For a nice apartment I think you're looking in the $650-800 range. I rent a 4 bedroom house in Marana for just $900.

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2) What are some good bars/hangouts? (I'm 24 and usually like the college kid/early 20s crowd, but also occasionally enjoy older crowds at bars)

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I no longer have my finger on that pulse, but 4th Avenue is where all of the college type bars are.


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3) I've heard there are two casinos in the area. What are they like? Are there poker rooms, and if so, how good are they?

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As others have mentioned there are two casinos here with poker rooms. Casino del Sol is the nicer of the two and attracts more of a recreational player crowd. There is not any no limit mostly 3/6 limit, but they have begun to offer spread limit games that are increasingly popular ($2-20 up to $8-80). Desert Diamond has more of a card player feel to it, and they offer higher limit games.

Both casinos offer a bunch of tournaments from wacky weekday Crazy Pineapple etc. To $120 buy/in NL tournaments at night.
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4) What are the best restaurants (besides the obvious chain restaurants)?

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El Charro, Mosaic Cafe, Old Pueblo Grill, Sullivan's, etc.


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5) I love to play golf, and I am excited about finally getting the chance to play in November - February. What are some of the best courses, and what can I expect to pay to play 18 holes on them? If not the absolute best courses, which ones are the best value?

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The World Match Play Championships will be here in February and played at The Gallery. There are several nice resort courses here La Paloma, Starr Pass, Tucson National (Home of the PGA Event). There are also a number of fairly nice public courses. The nicer resort courses are going to run you over $200 in the winter, but the public courses are right around $25. If you can handle the heat, you can get smoking deals all over during the summer.

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6) If there is anything else that you think would be helpful/interesting to me, please let me know.

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You are 40 minutes from Mexico (prescription meds and knock-off sunglasses). 45 minutes from pine trees and skiing. 5 hours from a beach. The basketball team is awesome, the football team will continue to suck and this is the fastpitch softball capital of the world.

Re: Who knows anything about Tucson, AZ?
 

I just moved to Tucson from Santa Barbara about 2 months ago. My GF got into the UofA nursing program and we bought a 3BR house for 170K, which is unheard of in California (unless you want to live in Barstow or something).

The town's been good to me so far, no real complaints (aside from the obvious heat).

1)You can probably land a one bedroom place for 500-600, rents are pretty low here. If you stay above 22nd, you should be fine.

2)It's been mentioned, but 4th St and the general downtown area are where most of the bars are at. I like O'Malley's and Club Congress.

3)I haven't been out to either of the casinos yet, but I'd love to try em out. PM me sometime when you make it out and we can arrange a trip.

4)El Charro is decent, their carne seca was impressive. Vivaci is good if you want more upscale dining, it's still reasonably priced, though, and the food is great. I eat a lot of Losbetos, a local 24-hour mexican chain. Try the carne asada burrito. Paco's on Broadway is also good.

5)I don't play golf, but there are 2 frisbee golf courses that I know of.

6)If you're up for a game of wiffleball, I have a field in the backyard. My golden retriever (Homer) plays the outfield.

Re: Who knows anything about Tucson, AZ?
 

Tucson is a major [censored] hole. Nuff said. I have been there a grand total of 3 times in my life, always because the State Bar of Arizona made me.

When you really need anything in the way of services, culture, life, etc., I'm sure we'll be seeing you in Phoenix.

Re: Who knows anything about Tucson, AZ?
 

Bah this thread keeps getting bumped and I can't take it anymore.

AS SOON AS YOU GET TO TUCSON REQUEST A TRANSFER TO PHOENIX. TUCSON [censored] [censored] [censored] [censored] SUCKS [censored] [censored] [censored] [censored]!!! I mean seriously, we're talking Albuquerque West, and that's West Coast speak for "Another Newark".

Lute Olson is the only thing that Tucson has working for it, and he's not getting any younger.

Re: Who knows anything about Tucson, AZ?
 

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this is the fastpitch softball capital of the world

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Interesting...By this, are you referring mostly to the U of A women's team and girls in general? I know Arizona is really good (Jennie Finch and whatnot). Or are you talking about men's leagues as well? I play in a men's fast pitch league here in Michigan and I absolutely love it.

Re: Who knows anything about Tucson, AZ?
 

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this is the fastpitch softball capital of the world

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Interesting...By this, are you referring mostly to the U of A women's team and girls in general? I know Arizona is really good (Jennie Finch and whatnot). Or are you talking about men's leagues as well? I play in a men's fast pitch league here in Michigan and I absolutely love it.

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I was mostly talking about women. I think that 6 of the 8 teams in the College World Series had girls from Tucson high schools on them.

Not only did Arizona win the NCAA Championship this year, but the Junior College won the NJCAA Championship as well.

One summer I worked with Jennie Finch when she was ugly and kinda hefty . . . damn my faulty crystal ball! I coulda got that at a bargain price!

There is a place here called SportsPark that has adult softball leagues every night of the week.

Re: Who knows anything about Tucson, AZ?
 

I lived in Tucson before bolting for The Cayman Islands.

My advice off the one year I lived there...get a new job.

Re: Who knows anything about Tucson, AZ?
 

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My advice off the one year I lived there...get a new job.

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Could you be more specific please?

Re: Who knows anything about Tucson, AZ?
 

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If you stay above 22nd, you should be fine.

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What exactly do you mean by this? North of 22nd street or something? Thanks.

Re: Who knows anything about Tucson, AZ?
 

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Hope you don't mind getting your car stolen!

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True dat!

I lived in Tucson for about a year before my car got stolen. I was one of the lucky ones though, I got it back, totaled, but I got it back.

It was running on fumes when they took it. The cops saw an old Chevy Celebrity with Illinois plates being pushed by 6 mexican kids and decided to investigate.

They had possession of the car for no more than 20 minutes before they got caught, but in that time they managed to trash the interior, to the point of totaling out the car.

Of course they were all found guilty, sentenced to pay restitution, but I never saw a dime.

I finally decided to get the hell outta that town when they found parts of 3 different guys in my apartment complexs' dumpster (and the dumpster down the street, and the one down from that...).


Sorry OP, no real answers to any of your questions. The best place to live in the Tucson area is Phoenix.

Re: Who knows anything about Tucson, AZ?
 

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If you stay above 22nd, you should be fine.

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What exactly do you mean by this? North of 22nd street or something? Thanks.

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That is what I meant.

Re: Who knows anything about Tucson, AZ?
 

4 year Tucsonan here. Lived in an apartment by UofA for 2 years--cheap, but a hellhole. Spent the next 2 years at Starrpass Apartments--very nice, but much pricier. Now have my own home in the NW part of town and love it. PM me if you want some more info. Tucson has some major ghetto areas that you need to avoid if you want to live.

Re: Who knows anything about Tucson, AZ?
 

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they found parts of 3 different guys in my apartment complexs' dumpster

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What part of town was this? It sounds like I might want to avoid that area.

Re: Who knows anything about Tucson, AZ?
 

Tucson has some kickass rock climbing and is very cyclist friendly, other than that I think it pretty much sucks and Phoenix is way better.

Im suprised by the number of people on this board that live there tho. I had no idea

Re: Who knows anything about Tucson, AZ?
 

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If you stay above 22nd, you should be fine.

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What exactly do you mean by this? North of 22nd street or something? Thanks.

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That is what I meant.

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Even though the official US/Mexico border is 30 miles south of Tucson, the actual border is 22nd street. I lived on 21st and one you cross the street everyone speaks Spanish and all of the signs are in kilometers instead of miles.

Re: Who knows anything about Tucson, AZ?
 

I live in Tucson and go to the UA. It is pretty ghetto compared to many places. My car (a [censored] honda accord) has been stolen 3 times in the past year (most recent one being last week). So make sure you park in a garage/nice area/use the club.

The college bars are located mainly on 4th Ave, and there are a handfull of them, although the ones that get busy are O'malleys (which draws mainly a college crowd) and Maloneys (which tends to have a more T-Loc crowd (You will learn that many T-locs, or Tucson locals are kind of crazy))
There are also a couple decent bars on Speedway, Dirtbags (tends to be known as a Frat/Soro bar) and Trident which crowd seems to vary, but is much more lowkey than the other bars.
For older bars people tend to go to North and Sullivans which are pretty far from campus and these bars tend to be much pricier (I havent really gone to either of the places for the bar so I cant really tell you much other than what I have heard.)


As for casinos, there is DesertDiamond, which is the best choice for poker as they actually get games up to 15/30 and 20/40 going, although the games are kind of seasonal based on who is in town and playing.

The other casino is Casino Del Sol, which for the most part has mainly lower games going though for a while they were getting a bigger mixed game together (ranging from 20/40 to 50/100) however it was mainly O8, and stuff like Crazy Pineapple, and I havent been around there lately so not sure if it still goes but I think they had Tuesdays chosen as the day to get that game together.



Im not sure if you are looking for really nice restuarants or just good places. For the nicer restaurants, Sullivans and Flemmings are pretty good steakhouses. Basically the restaurants in the northern area tend to be the better ones. There are also some cheaper decent places to check out on University Blvd where a lot of students go to eat.

Give me a PM if you have any other questions.

Re: Who knows anything about Tucson, AZ?
 

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they found parts of 3 different guys in my apartment complexs' dumpster


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What part of town was this? It sounds like I might want to avoid that area.

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This was at the intersection of Park and Drexel, southern part of the city. It was also 15 years ago, so maybe things have changed. Not really a bad neighborhood back then, I'm sure the guys had it coming. Don't eff with the Mexican mafia.