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University of Arizona - Local Atmosphere - College ProwlerCollege Prowler3.46

Local Atmosphere

B
Where does this grade come from?View all Local Atmosphere rankingsReview this school to add your opinion

Comparable Schools' Local Atmosphere Grades:

Quick Stats

Fun Local Trivia Famous bank robber John Dillinger once hid out in Tucson while running from the FBI.
Notable Natives
  • Jerry Bruckheimer – TV and movie producer
  • Tedy Bruschi – professional football player
  • Joan Ganz Cooney – creator of "Sesame Street"
  • John Denver – musician
  • Farrah Fawcett – actress
Points of Interest
  • Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum
  • Biosphere 2
  • Colossal Cave Mountain Park
  • Fourth Avenue
  • Mount Lemmon
  • OK Corral
  • Old Tucson Studios
  • Pima Air & Space Museum
  • Reid Park Zoo

Student Author OverviewWhat's This?

Tucson is a chill town. The majority of students here (thrill-seekers and bookworms alike) seem to enjoy themselves. It’s the second-largest city in Arizona, but it’s still vastly different from Phoenix in terms of vibe and size. Phoenix, Arizona’s capital, has enough going on to keep its constituents cheering, clubbing, or eating out—that is, until they finally get sick of the California-like traffic jams. Phoenix is to New York or Massachusetts (fast, crowded, and important) as Tucson is to the California coastline (relaxed, spread out, and still important, but in a different kind of way). Arizona’s capital city is heavily landscaped, its grass green and aesthetically pleasing. Tucson, though, is a historical legacy carved out of the desert, and it shows; it's not uncommon for monsoon rainwater to puddle on major streets and stay there for a while. Phoenix is contemporary and its architecture is modern; Tucson is called “the Old Pueblo” for a reason.

Don’t get the wrong impression: Tucson offers residents both outdoor plumbing and electricity. Things are just a tad slower in this city. Tucson is also home to Pima Community College and various technical schools, which have campuses spread around town. Arizona State University in Phoenix is an hour and a half away to the north. The Mexican border is about an hour away to the south, with fan-favorite hiking and camping spot Mount Lemmon to the east. Students wishing to indulge in underage drinking should first talk to friends and read up before going to Mexico, especially with cartel wars and other current events happening. Also, they should be aware of drug dangers and certain Mexican laws that could either land them in jail or have them paying exorbitant bribes to crooked officials. Even though Tucson can seem weird, rundown, and sometimes even dangerous, the majority of the town is safe, fun, and habitable.

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Arizona Student ReviewsWhat's This?

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Local Atmosphere at University of Arizona

compscigirl

'14

Computer Science

3.8
B+

Plenty of Culture If You Look Around

Tucson might at first seem like a small, not-terribly-exciting little city, but it actually has a lot to offer. Be sure to check out 4th Avenue, which is very close to campus, for lots of unique restaurants and shops.

Jan 30, 2012

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Local Atmosphere at University of Arizona

jimmylishis

'15

Business

2.3
C

Dirty T

Tucson is in no way shape or form a college town. The area surrounding campus and anywhere south is very run down and somewhat dangerous. There are a couple parks but they are filled with homeless people and are very dangerous at night. 4th ave. is as close to a college town as you are going to get. There are some great restaurants and head shops and some cool bars but you need to be 21 or have a really good fake. There is also a pretty good music venue downtown called the rialto That books some pretty good shows (mac miller Tyga, hopsin, andre nickatina off the top of my head) Other than 4th and rialto, the heart of Tucson consists of chain restaurants, auto shops and liquor stores. A friend with a car is necessary. With a car you can go to the mountains to bike, hike, just watch the arizona sunset or even snowboard. The mountains are absolutely beautiful and are great for a day trip. Also the Catalina foothills neighborhood is very nice. Overall Tucson is not a college town. It is run down, dangerous, and for he most part not very fun when you are looking for something other than a house party but it does have its bright spots.

Jan 26, 2012

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Local Atmosphere at University of Arizona

aMAYzing

'13

Molecular Biology

3.8
B+

Don't Judge a Book by Its Cover

Many people describe Tucson as a boring city in Arizona because outside of University of Arizona, which is located in Tucson, there are not many attractions. However, Tucson has a lot to offer -- from the four major mountains around the perimeter of the town to hike and explore to the great scenery from the hill tops. Arizona is one of the greatest outdoors scenery to explore. It's pretty awesome; gotta check it out.

Dec 31, 2011

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Student Survey Poll ResultsWhat's This?

Rate the local atmosphere on the following topics

What is the local atmosphere like at your school?

What is the proximity to other universities? Is there much interaction?

Can you see yourself living here after graduation?

Facts

Shopping Centers
  • El Con Mall
  • Foothills Mall
  • La Encantada
  • Park Place Mall
  • St. Philip's Plaza
  • Tucson Mall
Major Sports Teams
  • Arizona Cardinals: NFL
  • Arizona Diamondbacks: MLB
  • Phoenix Coyotes: NHL
  • Phoenix Suns: NBA
City Web Sites www.ci.tucson.az.us
Distances to Nearest Major Cities
  • Phoenix: : 2 hours
  • San Diego: : 7 hours
Did You Know?
  • The Mineral and Gem Show is the largest in the world and brings in lots of neat gems, rocks, stones, and all the stuff in between for good prices. The booths are located in almost every hotel lobby, the TCC (Tucson Convention Center), and across Fourth Avenue.
  • In January, Tucson celebrates the capturing of the notorious gangster John Dillinger with film screenings, costume contests, antique car shows, and photo booths.
  • "Dia de los Muertos" (Day of the Dead), usually falling at the beginning of November, shuts down all of Fourth Avenue, and people dress in papier-mâché masks and black clothing to celebrate the lives of those who have passed. Fireworks, bonfires, and dancing are, of course, mandatory.
  • There are disc golf courses scattered throughout Tucson where you can make your attempt at the hybrid sport that combines golf and Frisbee.
  • "Club Crawl" happens twice a year. Local bands and artists showcase their talents at the bars and clubs in the downtown area. It is usually $10, but it's well worth it to walk around, listen to good music, and drink cheap beer.

Movie TheatersWhat's This?

AMC Loews Foothills Cinemas
7401 N. La Cholla Blvd.
Tucson
(520) 742-5050

Fox Tucson Theatre
17 W. Congress St.
Tucson
(520) 624-1515

Grand Cinemas
4811 E. Grant Rd.
Tucson
(520) 327-7067

Harkins Theaters Tucson Spectrum 18
5455 S. Calle Santa Cruz
Tucson
(520) 889-5588

The Loft Cinema
3233 E. Speedway Blvd.
Tucson
(520) 795-7777

Oracle View
4690 N. Oracle Rd.
Tucson
(520) 292-2430

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Most Recent Student Author

College Prowler guides are in the hands of students throughout the entire process. Because you can't make student-written guides without the students, we have students at each campus who write, edit, and survey their peers for every guide that we publish. Thanks to our most recent student author at UA

Name: Joe Dusbabek

Hometown: Scottsdale, Arizona

Major: French/Linguistics

Grad Year: 2012

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