With collaborative co-working spaces like Connect Co-Working, The RailYard,Spoke6,GangPlankHQ, and Co+Hoots plus entrepreneurial, art and tech meet-ups springing up across the sunny city, Tucson is wooing young entrepreneurs like crazy, and was even named one of the top tech hubs of last year.
Top it off with really cheap rent, one of the lowest housing markets in the country and a happening downtown, Arizona starts to looking like a delicious place for young creatives with an idea and a dream.
The affordable housing market really does set Tucson apart from big cities.
Young creatives thriving in these cities are obviously pulling in a chunky paycheck, but when you factor in how much of that money is going towards housing, the big city appeal starts to dwindle. Not to mention many of these rentals are tiny, and crowded and lack privacy.
Home ownership still is a great way to build wealth and invest in the future. The peace of mind that comes with having this kind of stability and not having to move every year or every few years is also incredible.
Another thing to consider when you’re looking for a place to live and deciding where to buy a house, is would the property and location also make a good rental? Because you never know, with your more settled and thriving life, maybe you’ll be in a place to buy another home and rent out the first, or possibly you’d want to travel and rent out your house to a long term tenant or even AirBnB. There are many options and benefits of home ownership.
With the way things are booming in Tucson, self-starters, smarty-pants and other hard workers could even pull in those fat, big city paychecks. Mix that with a low cost of living and you’re on track to build actual wealth.
Another cool thing about Tucson is we have one the best music scene’s in the country and a huge population of young people… around 30% which is the same as Austin, Seattle, San Francisco, Portland and other young people melting pots.
The logo of the Condé Nast Traveler Magazine
We all know Tucson is pretty amazing but, it’s always nice to see others recognize it too. In April Tucson received some well-deserved attention from Condé Nast Traveler. If you don’t know what the Condé Nast Traveler is or why we should care let me tell you.
The Condé Nast Traveler
This worldwide magazine is filled with high luxury and lifestyle as well as hard reporting. Originally the magazine was originally bought by Condé Nast in 1987 and has gone on to win over 25 National Magazine Awards. It’s kind of a big deal to be mentioned by them. They published a list of 11 must-see destinations around the world. Taking that into consideration we think that makes this honor even more prestigious.
What They Said
It goes without saying that Tucson is known for its food. We have tons of accolades and it’s no surprise that most of them revolve around our food. There’s a reason we were UNESCO’s first city of gastronomy. So, it is no surprise to us that the very first thing they mentioned was our food.
Condé Nast Traveler mentions sonoran dogs.
Specifically, they mentioned the hotdogs of El Güero Canelo which won the coveted James Beard Award back in 2018. If you are wondering what is so special about a Sonoran Dog? Well, for starters, it’s wrapped in BACON! From there you pile on beans, sour cream, caramelized onions… No words we have will do this hotdog justice. If you ever find yourself in the Old Pueblo you simply must try one.
Condé Nast Traveler tips its hat to the Saguaro National Park.
Condé Nast Traveler also mentioned the Saguaro National Park, highlighting the majestic cactus and the abundance of beautiful wildflowers we see every spring. You may think you’ve seen flowers in spring before but the blooms of cacti and succulents you will find here are truly spectacular.
Condé Nast Traveler mentioned our beautiful sunsets.
And lastly, they rounded out the article mentioning our sunsets. We can’t blame them, it would really be a shame to not mention them. In fact, we’d wager that we have the most dazzling sunsets in the 50 states. Come to Tucson and find out for yourself!
La Estrella Bakery Recognized by Washington Post for Pan De Muerto
Congratulations to local paneria La Estrella Bakery on their national coverage by the Washington Post! Their article covers the making and baking of pan de muerto, a staple offering for Tucson’s Dia de los Muertos. Day of the dead.
La Estrella Bakery has been a Tucson touchstone since they opened 35 years ago on Halloween. “We actually opened on Oct. 31, 1985, just in time for Día de los Muertos,” Erica Franco told the WP. And we are so glad they did! Estrella is one of the top bakeries in Tucson and we are not surprised they’ve made headlines nationally.
The Ofrenda
If you’re new to the area, firstly welcome, and don’t know what Dia de los Muertos is don’t worry. We’re here to give you the basics. This holiday is celebrated primarily in Mexico and Latin America, but here in Tucson is holds a special place in our hearts. Since 1990 Tucson celebrates with an All Souls Procession.
This holiday honors the lives of loves we have lost. Outside of the spectacle of the procession many make altars to dead loved ones. The Ofrenda. Lots of things can go on an altar, photos, mementos, and candy as examples. But many choose the pan de muerto, for which La Estrella Bakery is famous for.
The bread takes its sweet time rising (pun intended.) Then it’s pulled and stretched into loaves or mini cakes with strips of dough meant to resemble bones on top. Once it rises again it goes into the oven to bake. Once out the delicious pastries get a generous brushing of locally sourced honey and cinnamon. You can stop there or use the sticky glaze as glue for brightly colored sugar crystals.
If you don’t want one by now go read the Washington Post article or enjoy a PDF of the article below! Then run down to La Estrella Bakery to find out for yourself what all the buzz is about.
Tucson Murals - Tucson Voted The Best Big City for Art
The Best Big City for Art is Tucson Arizona!
American Style Ranks Tucson #18 Best Big City for Art and we couldn’t agree more!
Tucson is Covered in Artwork!
Murals, murals everywhere! The Tucson Mural Arts Program was created to help diminish property damage and vandalizing in Downtown Tucson.
These murals have not only brightened the community streets, it has given many artists the opportunity to showcase their work and talent to the public.
The City of Tucson Mural Program has attracted many new artists seeking their big break, as well as turning prior graffiti taggers into graffiti artists. Also many struggling artists can now have the chance to get paid and to be recognized.
Tucson assigns artists to the wall owners, allowing communication and planning for the outdoor gallery. This has been a great way for Tucson to showcase its cultural diversity, which has caught the attention of national press and media.
While you walk the streets of Downtown Tucson sometimes it feels as if you are walking through an art museum. Downtown is the best place to see a lot of murals in a small area.
So get you camera or cell phone ready because mosaic, hand painted and kiln fired tile murals are abundant and easy to find.
Accolades or Kudos for Congress Street Award in Tucson, Arizona.
Congress Street Award
A view of Tucson’s beautiful sunset down Congress Street to Church Avenue. Photo courtesy Steven Meckler.
Again, another accolade for Tucson, Arizona. Recently, Congress Street was awarded Great Street by the American Planning Association. Congress Street was a happening place back in the day. However, due to a skyrocketing population and increased car traffic, it ever so gradually became less friendly to the pedestrians walking on the street. This was a huge problem. The city planners wanted to address the situation head-on which ended up labeled from the American Planning Association as a 2017 Great Street Award.
In early 2000s, city planners, Tucson officials, and engineers planned out a series of inventive plans to breathe new life into the local economy and restore its commercial opalescence. Since then, Congress Street, has had several makeovers to try bringing mode-sharing back to the street.
Congress Street Award: Renovations Since Early 2000s
Reduced the street from three lanes to two
Sidewalks widened to encourage more pedestrian activity
Trees planted to help with the relentless Arizona heat
Bike parking added for cyclists
SunLink, a modern streetcar added
Restoration of the Rialto Theatre and the Fox Tucson Theatre
Congress Street Award: By The Numbers
Congress Street is a major cultural hub for Tucson and hosts an array of events, including the annual Tucson Jazz Fest every January. Photo courtesy Steven Meckler.
67 new businesses have opened along the street since 2008
25 restaurants are currently operating along Congress Street, 16 of which are in historic buildings and 22 of which are locally owned or Arizona based
40 years is how long the Fox Tucson Theatre sat empty before it was revived as a significant community resource
12 historic buildings have had facades restored with private investment matching public funding at a ratio of 6:1
4 of SunLink’s 23 stops are along the street
Congress Street Award: The Designated Area
The designated area for Congress Street extends 1.63 miles from Toole Avenue on the east, which serves as a gateway to downtown, to Silverbell Road on the west, home of the historic Menlo Park Neighborhood and the Mercado District. The street’s commercial corridor runs about four-tenths of a mile between North Church Street and East Toole Avenue.
In conclusion, I truly hope that you get a chance to take a trip downtown and checkout the newly planned and reconstructed Congress Street. There are so many things to do and plenty of fun businesses to take your money. lol 😉
