Tucson, Arizona Retirement

Tucson is Arizona's second largest city and is the hub of activity and commerce for southern Arizona. It is a clean, modern and attractive city. Tucson is located in a valley at the base of 4 different mountain ranges. Just northeast of Tucson, the Santa Catalina Mountains rise to over 9,000 feet. They are home to the southernmost ski resort in the United States.

Population: As of July 1, 2006, a Census Bureau estimate puts the city's population at 518,956.

Weather: Tucson has two major seasons, summer and winter; plus three minor seasons: fall, spring, and the monsoon.

Colleges and Universities: University of Arizona: established in 1885; the second largest university in the state in terms of enrollment with over 37,000+ students.
Pima Community College: located in the Tucson area with six campuses.
University of Phoenix has four Tucson campuses.
Prescott College has a Tucson branch campus.
Northern Arizona University has a Tucson branch campus.

Transportation: Tucson International Airport is Tucson's public airport and is located six miles south of Tucson's central business district. TIA is the second largest commercial airport in Arizona, providing nonstop flights to 28 destinations throughout the United States, and 1 destination in Mexico. Overall, Tucson International Airport serves 29 destinations. Sun Tran is Tucson's public bus system. It was awarded Best Transit System in 1988 & 2005 and serves the major part of the metropolis of Tucson. The city remains largely dependent on automobiles for transportation. Amtrak, the national passenger rail system, provides service to Tucson three times weekly in both directions, operating its Sunset Limited between Orlando, Florida and Los Angeles, California.

Things To See and Do: The city is home to more than 120 parks, including Reid Park Zoo. There are five public golf courses located throughout the area. Several scenic parks and points of interest are also located nearby, including the Tucson Botanical Gardens, Saguaro National Park, Sabino Canyon, and Biosphere 2 (just north of the city, in the town of Oracle). The Tucson Gem & Mineral Show is held every year in February for two weeks. It is one of the largest gem and mineral shows in the world, and features many of the finest mineral specimens. There is no single location for display of minerals, but rather dozens of locations spread across town. The show has an estimated attendance of more than 50,000 people from over twenty countries. Attendees frequently include the general public, experts, beginning collectors, museum employees, dealers, retailers, and researchers. Many museums and universities, including the Smithsonian Institution and the Sorbonne, have displayed materials at the show.

Housing Costs: Estimated median house/condo value in 2005: $144,400 (it was $96,300 in 2000).

Health Care:

Arizona Cancer Center - Tucson, Arizona


Carondelet Saint Joseph's Hospital - Tucson, Arizona
Saint Mary's Hospital - Tucson, Arizona

El Dorado Hospital - Tucson, Arizona
El Dorado Surgicenter - Tucson, Arizona


Kindred Hospital Tucson - Tucson, Arizona

Kindred Hospital Tucson - Tucson, Arizona
Kino Community Hospital - Tucson, Arizona

Northwest Medical Center - Tucson, Arizona

Saint Mary's Hospital - Tucson, Arizona
Sierra Tucson - Tucson, Arizona

Sonora Behavioral Health Hospital - Tucson, Arizona
Southern Arizona VA Health Care System - Tucson, Arizona

Tucson Heart Hospital - Tucson, Arizona
Tucson Medical Center - Tucson, Arizona

Retirement Communities: (not inclusive) Santa Catalina Villas, 520-742-0505, The Manor At Midvale, 520-294-3200

Retirement in Jerome, Arizona

Located high on top of Cleopatra Hill (5,200 feet) between Prescott and Flagstaff is the historic copper mining town of Jerome, Arizona. Once known as the wickedest town in the west. Jerome's personality has changed dramatically in the past 30 years. Once a thriving mining camp between the late-1880s and early 1950s, Jerome is now a bustling tourist magnet and artistic community with a population of about 450. It includes a modicum of artists, craft people, musicians, writers, hermits, bed and breakfast owners, museum caretakers, gift shop proprietors and fallen-down-building landlords.

Population: As of the census of 2000, there were 329 people.

Things To See and Do: Jerome is known as Arizona's Art Destination with over 30 galleries and working studios. In September of 2006, First Saturday Art Walk began and has become a favorite monthly event.In 2007, Jerome became a sponsor of The Sedona Plein Air Festival and hosted some of the finest plein air painters in the country for a day of painting. The Sedona Film Festival will be welcomed to Jerome for the Kodak Quick Shoot in February of 2008.The Old Jerome High School is home to world class artists and their studios, including Mark Hemleben, Robin Anderson and Margo Mandette. These open studios are welcoming to art lovers who enjoy seeing the creative process. Jerome is known for its one of a kind art and Great American Crafts, beautifully displayed in galleries like Raku, Pura Vida and Gallery 527. Leather artisans, potters, glass blowers, jewelers, photographers, painters all abound including an open air art park in nice weather.



Retirement Communities In Jerome Area:
Cottonwood Village - maps.google.com - (928) 634-4229 -

Cottonwood Manor Christian Care - www.christiancare.org - (928) 634-7571

Tuzigoot Village For Seniors - - 928-634-3669

Verde Valley Manor Retirement Center - www.verdevalleymanor.com - (928) 646-6040

Assisted Living Concepts Inc (928) 772-3690 -

Prescott Valley Samaritan Center - maps.google.com - (928) 775-0045 -

Sedona Winds - www.sedonawinds.com - (928) 284-1021

Cottonwood Village: (Leasing Office) - maps.google.com - (928) 634-2956

Verde View Senior Apartments - maps.google.com - (928) 567-9378

Westfield Assisted Living - maps.google.com - (928) 775-4336