University of Arizona - Local Atmosphere

College Prowler Take

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 is green, and it’s aesthetically pleasing. Tucson, though, is a historical legacy carved out of the desert, and it shows; every so often, I have to dodge a tumbleweed blowing across the highway as I drive to class. Phoenix is contemporary and its architecture is modern; Tucson is called “the Old Pueblo” for a reason. But don’t get the wrong impression. Tucson, as far as I know, 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. Students wishing to indulge in underage drinking should first talk to friends and read up before going to Mexico. 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.

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Students Speak Out

Anonymous says:

I’d say the whole town is pretty... I’d say the whole town is pretty laid-back. But I would stay out of the South side at night. It’s not a really bad neighborhood; it’s just way different from the area around the school. Most people like to take a trip down to Mexico, which is about a 45-minute drive away, at least once. 12345 Local Atmosphere Report

Anonymous says:

Tucson has some awesome scenery... Tucson has some awesome scenery that’s too beautiful to describe, especially at sunset. 12345 Local Atmosphere Report

Anonymous says:

The sunsets are awesome; the... The sunsets are awesome; the mountains are amazing; the palm trees are great. It’s a really, really great campus. 12345 Local Atmosphere Report

Anonymous says:

I would stay off the streets when... I would stay off the streets when it first starts to rain. Drivers in Tucson get stupid when it rains, and, without fail, at least three people crash every time it drizzles. There is a junior campus near the U of A, and Arizona State is about a one-hour-and-45-minute drive away. 12345 Local Atmosphere Report

Anonymous says:

Tucson isn’t the best place, but... Tucson isn’t the best place, but you really don’t go into the middle of town very often, so it doesn’t matter. It’s totally a college town so that is really fun! There aren’t any other universities, so it’s all directed around U of A. Around campus is fun! 12345 Local Atmosphere Report

Facts

Did You Know?

5 Fun Facts about Tucson:
• 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, 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.
• 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, and across Fourth Avenue.

Famous People from Tucson
Brooke Burke (model)
Richard Carmona (U.S. Surgeon General)
Neko Case (musician)
John Dillinger (infamous gangster)
Bob Dole (politician)
Barbara Eden (the bare-midriffed I Dream of Jeanie genie)
Linda Ronstadt (singer)
Margaret Sanger (Planned Parenthood founder)

Local Slang:
The slang in Tucson varies depending on what season it is and which students are here. Primarily in the summer it is the true “Dirty-T slang” where they speak a completely different language than those from California. When school is in session, there is a hybrid of New York, New Jersey, California, Tucson, and Mexico slang. Whether you are at the gym, the library, or the bar, there is a different lingo for everything. Good luck figuring it out!

Most Recent Contributing Author

Name: Kalin Mowry
Hometown: Carefree, AZ
Major: Economics/Regional Development

Kalin's perfect Monday is doing the crossword puzzles, reading the Economist, and watching Gossip Girl.

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