Considering a move to Tucson? Old Pueblo has several great suburbs that offer affordable living options, quality amenities, convenient access to nature, and more. Here are the five best Tucson suburbs!
Catalina Foothills
- Home Price: $453,200 median purchase price; $1,105 median monthly rent
- Crime Rate: Safer than 67% of Arizona cities
- Perfect For: Families, retirees
Looking for a Tucson suburb with stunning scenic views? Located at the base of the Santa Catalina Mountains—you’ll find Catalina Foothills—one of the best places to live in Tucson! Those interested in living in Catalina Foothills can settle down in charming Southwestern and Spanish Revival-style homes. Residents here stay active and love to spend time hiking in Tucson, hanging out with family at surrounding parks, and teeing off at high-quality golf courses in the area like the 27-hole course at La Paloma Country Club. However, there are also plenty of things to do in Catalina Foothills, AZ that don’t involve outdoor recreation, whether you want to explore the suburb’s diverse dining scene, art galleries, or Tucson shopping outlets. Beyond the various local attractions, this suburb is an excellent place to raise a family due to its proximity to several local Tucson schools like Manzanita Elementary School, Esperero Canyon Middle School, and Catalina Foothills High School.
Things to Do in Catalina Foothills
Immerse yourself in rotating exhibitions, permanent collections like DeGrazia and Padre Kino, and other works highlighting Southwestern culture at the DeGrazia Gallery in the Sun Museum. Take in the stunning desert landscape and golf on lush fairways tucked near the Catalina Mountains at Ventana Canyon Golf. Spot diverse local wildlife and marvel at cascading waterfalls while trekking 30 miles of Tucson hiking trails at Sabino Canyon Recreation Area. Get your retail therapy in while shopping from local stores like Spirit of Santa Fe and Southern Arizona Arts Guild, or participate in free outdoor yoga classes at La Encantada Shopping Center. Celebrate the weekend with a Big Breakfast Burrito, Brunch Bowl, or Churro French Toast for brunch at Reforma Modern Mexican. Sit on the patio and order Grilled Beef Tips, Crispy Soft Shell Crab, or a Garlic Salmon Salad from the French-inspired Wild Garlic Grill. Make a reservation for date night to share Escargot and Artichokes or Spinach and Cheese Souffle with a bottle of Zinfandel at the upscale Vivace Restaurant. Or meet up with friends for happy hour specials and Italian appetizers like Crostino and Gnocchi Zingarella with a Tiramisu Martini to drink at Trattoria Pina.
Green Valley
- Home Price: $185,600 median purchase price; $1,020 median monthly rent
- Crime Rate: Safer than 34% of Arizona cities
- Perfect For: Retirees
The Green Valley community is one of the best areas to live in Tucson, Arizona for retirees! Located just 30 minutes south of Tucson, this suburb offers contemporary and Southwestern-style homes, along with top Green Valley, Arizona retirement communities like La Posada. Best of all, you’ll be surrounded by stunning views of the Sonoran Desert and Santa Rita Mountains! While Green Valley provides residents with quick access to Downtown Tucson, the suburb also offers world-class amenities right in town, such as the Green Valley Village—an outdoor mall featuring popular retail outlets, delicious eateries, and community events like the Green Valley Village Farmers & Artisans Market. Of course, Green Valley is also filled with opportunities for residents to enjoy the outdoors, with multiple parks, hiking options like the nearly 3-mile-long Bog Springs Trail, and public courses like Haven Golf Course!
Things to Do in Green Valley
Go for a scenic hike in Tucson, ride your bike, or take your pup for a walk on the Abrego Trailhead, one of the best Green Valley attractions. Catch diverse performances from local talent, attend workshops, check out art exhibits, and more at the vibrant cultural hub CPAC Community Performance & Art Center. Schedule a tee time to enjoy the challenge of the fairways at San Ignacio Golf Club. Sign up for fitness classes, play pickleball, go swimming, and more when you become a member at Green Valley Recreation Center. Start your day with Eggs Benedict, the Cowboy Breakfast, or French Toast from locally-owned Mama’s Kitchen. Enjoy brunch in Tucson with an order of Lemon Ricotta Cakes, Roadhouse Sliders, or the Biscuit & Gravy Scramble at Arizona Family Restaurant. Fill up on Shrimp Fajitas, a Seafood Chalupa, or Carne Asada Tacos at Los Agaves Restaurant. Or order Mexican dishes like Steak Ranchero, Mexican Chicken Supreme, and Manuel’s Stir Fry at Manuel’s Mexican Restaurant.
Marana
- Home Price: $271,200 median purchase price; $1,295 median monthly rent
- Crime Rate: Safer than 64% of Arizona cities
- Perfect For: Singles, young professionals, families, retirees
A large Tucson suburb northwest of the city center, Marana is a fantastic place to live! The suburb is split right down the middle by I-10, giving residents easy access to Downtown Tucson for inner-city fun. However, there’s plenty to enjoy within Marana itself! You can learn all about the active Marana community through the Real Talk with the Town Podcast or the suburb’s detailed event calendar. Around the fall, winter, and springtime holidays, the Marana Pumpkin Patch & Christmas Express is the place to be—offering rides, live entertainment, paddle boating, and more. Families, in particular, love having access to the Marana Parks System and top schools like Gladden Farms Elementary School, Marana Middle School, La Paloma Academy, and Marana High School. When searching for Marana homes for sale, you’ll find plenty of Mediterranean and Spanish Revival styles common to other Tucson homes, as well as some modern style additions. And be sure to check out the golfing, trails, and luxury living in the Dove Mountain area on the Eastern side of town, too!
Things to Do in Marana
Enjoy high-end amenities, carefully-designed courses, and desert views on the fairways at The Gallery Golf Club. Meet up with friends, and beat the Arizona heat with a dip in the Marana Pool. Play fetch and let your furry friends roam free in the dog park at the San Lucas Community Park. Venture just outside of this Tucson suburb to admire unique desert landscapes and tackle scenic trails at Saguaro National Park West. Fuel up for the day with a Waffle Sammy, Eggs Popeye, or Crazy Burro at Bisbee Breakfast Club. Pick up Chicken Tacos, Chile Relleno, or Machaca & Eggs at Nico’s Mexican Food. Get your fix of Top Sirloin or Beef Ribs with Homemade Pecan Pie for dessert at Li’l Abner’s Steakhouse. Or order artisan wood-fired pizzas like the Capricciosa, Salsiccia, or Anima from Vero Amore.
Oro Valley
- Home Price: $330,400 median purchase price; $1,326 median monthly rent
- Crime Rate: Safer than 86% of Arizona cities
- Perfect For: Families, retirees
The Oro Valley suburb is an outdoor enthusiast’s dream! There are plenty of hiking and biking trails, multipurpose fields, and other outdoor recreation opportunities at Oro Valley parks like Naranja Park and Vistoso Trails Nature Preserve. Just east of the Oro Valley border, you also have easy access to the trails at Catalina State Park—or you can take a half hour drive for a more extreme climb up Mt. Kimball. Aside from outdoor recreation, this Tucson suburb has fun community events near Tucson—including live music and Second Saturdays at Steam Pump Ranch—and great shopping at the Oro Valley Marketplace and Oracle Crossings. When looking for Oro Valley homes in this Tucson suburb, expect to find the red tile roofs of Mediterranean, Southwest, and Spanish Revival-style homes intermingled with single-family Ranch-style homes. And for families living near Tucson, there are fantastic Oro Valley schools like Ironwood Ridge High School, Casas Christian School, Wilson K-8 School, and Copper Creek Elementary School.
Things to Do in Oro Valley
Challenge yourself to a round of golf on championship courses against a backdrop of the Catalina Mountains at El Conquistador Golf. Entertain yourself with hilarious comedy acts, country shows, bluegrass jam bands, and more at The Gaslight Music Hall of Oro Valley. Wind down trails to see ancient treasures like petroglyphs and a rock dam at Honey Bee Canyon Park. Relax while taking in waterfront views, get active on the basketball, tennis, and sand volleyball courts, or have a family gathering at the picnic tables at Canada del Oro Riverfront Park. Enjoy breakfast in Tucson with the House-made Crab Cake Benedict, Heartland Waffle, or specials like the New York Strip and Eggs at The Views Restaurant. Find something for everyone with the Prosciutto & Melon Panino, Peach Panzanella, or Chocolate Chip Pancakes during brunch at Bottega Michelangelo, one of the best Oro Valley restaurants. Savor the Calabacitas Tacos, Poc Chuc Burrito, Ensalada Mixto, and other Mexican food in Oro Valley at Seis Kitchen. Or share Firetruck Loaded Nachos, snack on a Hometown Burger, and sip on rotating brews like the Hotshot Hazy with friends at Firetruck Brewing Company.
Sahuarita
- Home Price: $237,300 median purchase price; $1,350 median monthly rent
- Crime Rate: Safer than 81% of Arizona cities
- Perfect For: Singles, young professionals, families, retirees
Want to enjoy a small-town feel just outside the bustle of Tucson? The town of Sahuarita might be the right choice for you! This growing suburb located just 20 miles south of downtown Tucson offers convenient access to renowned museums, cultural attractions, and great Tucson green spaces like Anamax Park. Residents of this Tucson suburb love supporting local businesses and connecting through community events like Try A Business Tuesdays—featuring local crafts and cuisine—or the Sahuarita Sunset Market—which offers live music, handmade goods, and more. You’ll be able to confidently raise a family in this connected community with great area schools like Cooper View Elementary, Sahuarita Middle School, and Sahuarita High School. When it comes to housing in this Tucson suburb, residents can settle down in Southwestern and ranch-style homes.
Things to Do in Sahuarita
Cast a fishing line, pack a picnic, and relax at Sahuarita Lake Park. Learn about Cold War history and tour a preserved underground missile silo at the Titan Missile Museum. Adventure through scenic trails, and explore the Sonoran Desert landscape with a hike along the Llano Grande Trailhead. Explore the history of mining through engaging exhibits, informative mine tours, and more at the ASARCO Mineral Discovery Center. Order a Ranchero Omelette, Machaca Plate, or Dos Huevos for an all-day breakfast at Tania’s Mexican Food. Explore Sahuarita restaurants by savoring Thai dishes like Spicy Rice Noodle Tofu Vegetable Soup, Saigon Fried Shrimp, and Egg Rolls at Saigon Flavor. Get your fix of Indian cuisine with Chicken Tikka Kabab, a Haryali Roll, and a side of Veggie Samosas at Kababeque Indian Grill. Or pick up an order of Catch ‘22 Fish & Chips, Sam’s Steak & Cheese, or Ray’s BBQ Burger at neighborhood favorite Pub 1922.
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Suburb statistics from AreaVibes.
