Dietetic Internship Program
Southern Arizona VA Healthcare System - Life in Tucson
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Life in Tucson
Tucson is Arizona’s second largest city with approximately 1-million residents. However, it maintains a small town feel. Tucson International Airport is a smaller and accessible airport, and the Sky Harbor Airport in Phoenix is only 100 miles away. The cost of living in Tucson is consistently lower than the national and state average.
Located in southern Arizona, Tucson boasts about 325 days of sunshine per year. Hiking, biking and other outdoor activities are widely available. Tucson is home to the “The Loop,” a network of paved, shared-use paths over 100 miles in length and used by walkers, runners and bikers. The Loop was voted the best recreational trail in the US in 2021. Just an hour away is Mount Lemmon in the Coronado National Forest with pines and cool temperatures, perfect for summer day trips. Other outdoor local attractions include Catalina State Park, Colossal Cave, Arizona Sonora Desert Museum, Saguaro National Park, Sabino Canyon, Patagonia Lake, and more.
The University of Arizona in Tucson offers cultural experience through museums, arts and music. The Arizona Wildcats compete in PAC-12 athletics in over 15 sports teams, including football, basketball, tennis, soccer, golf, gymnastics, swimming, baseball and softball.
Southern Arizona has a rich local history and you will want to explore the historic Tucson neighborhoods and ranches, El Presidio San Agustin del Tucson, Mission San Xavier del Bac, nearby mining towns of Tombstone and Bisbee, and Tubac Presidio State Historic Park. Art, theatre and music venues provide abundant cultural options.
Finally, if you like food, you will enjoy living in a designated UNESCO City of Gastronomy. Tucson restaurants offer foods ranging from Sonoran hot dogs and street tacos to gourmet plant-based tamales and chimis, and everything in between. Check out “The Best 23 Miles of Mexican Food.”
Explore Tucson via these sites:
Southern Arizona Heritage & Visitor Center
Popular Things to Do in Tucson
Note: The links above will take you outside of the Department of Veterans Affairs Website. VA does not endorse and is not responsible for the content of the linked websites.
