Tucson…history meets natural health meets high-tech

What do you get when you combine a modern metropolis with the immensity of the Sonoran Desert?

That would be Tucson, Arizona.

Not that it was always so full of glass buildings and shopping plazas—Tucson goes way back. Originally settled about 4,000 years ago by Paleo-Indians, the city was re-established in the late 1600s by a Jesuit priest who founded the beautiful and historic Mission San Xavier del Bac (located on the South Side) and paved the way for what the city is today. Now, its population flirting with seven figures, Tucson is one of the fastest-growing metropolitan areas in the Sunbelt.

And who wouldn’t love the temperate climate, desert vistas and rolling foothills? (The cacti are pretty cool, too.) There’s a surprising richness about the desert and the way it teems with life. Its quiet vastness relaxes and recharges—just ask anyone who’s been to Canyon Ranch.

Speaking of sights, the rapidly growing tourism industry here is definitely making a scene. These days, as environmentally conscious travelers make the journey to pristine locales, Tucson offers an affordable, year-round escape. Its popularity has borne several resorts, spas and golf courses that add to a serene, whole-health vibe. Techies are welcome here, too—there’s a U.S. Army Intelligence Center and Davis-Monthan Air Force Base that have attracted some 1,200 other high-tech businesses to the area, employing more than 50,000 people in southern Arizona.

If you're one of those employees and you’re looking for an apartment in Tucson, think about the lifestyle you’re looking for. Do you want to drop into your studio to freshen up and then get out on the town? Then look for downtown Tucson apartments. If you need jogging and walking paths for your pup (lookin’ for a pet-friendly apartment?) check out our city map and look for the big swaths of green that represent parks. No doubt, there’s a nearby Tucson apartment for rent that will keep you and the pooch happy!

If you’re in town for one of the festivals like All Souls Procession Weekend—celebrating the Mexican heritage that permeates the town—or you’re studying (and partying) at the University of Arizona, or you’re just looking for a more outdoor lifestyle, Tucson is a laid-back, easygoing part of the Southwest—and that’s a combination anyone can live with.

Tucson Apartments for Rent