Tucson Apartments and Rentals

Tucson, AZ, offers a large selection of apartments and rentals for those seeking a new home in this southern Arizona city. Tucson and Phoenix are the largest metropolitan regions in the state, and they are about 118 miles apart. Together they are end points of the so-called Sun Corridor, which is a "mega-region" of four metro areas: Phoenix, Tucson, Prescott and Nogales. It is estimated that more than 86 percent of the state's population lives in this Corridor.

Present day Tucson was originally populated by the Hohokam people from about 600 to 1450 AD. They farmed the area using irrigation canal systems that later European settlers copied. The first mission was established in 1700. It wasn't until 1853 that the community, now called Tucson, joined the U.S. as part of New Mexico Territory. In 1863, Arizona was named a territory and Tucson served as capital from 1867 to 1877. The city was officially incorporated in 1877 making it the oldest city in American Arizona. Statehood came in 1912.

Tucson grew slowly and steadily for many decades with some periods of explosive growth. The population doubled during the 1950s. The city was among the fastest growing regions during the 1990s and early 2000s. Today the number of residents tops 520,000, with more than 1 million residing in the metro area. Popular neighborhoods in Tucson include: Central, Pullman, Campus Farm, Jefferson Park and Miramonte.

Tucson earned the nickname Optics Valley for the more than 150 companies based here involved in the design and production of optics and optic-related electronics. The city also has a strong base in high-tech industries with a number of advanced technology employers. The U.S. military also is a major employer with the Davis-Monthan Air Force Base and the U.S. Army Intelligence Center at nearby Fort Huachuca. Tourism also is an important part of the local economy.

As for educational opportunities, the University of Arizona was founded in Tucson in 1885. It was the first university in the state 27 years before the territory achieved statehood! In 2011, U.S. News & World Report ranked it the 59th best public university in the U.S. Today, it also is a major employer in the region as well.

The cost of living in Tucson is about 6 percent lower than the national average. Tucson offers a wide range of choices in apartments and other rentals, and because of the low cost of living, the rents are quite affordable. In fact, in 2011 Forbes Magazine named Tucson to the list of Best Retirement Places. Rent on one bedroom apartments start at about $400 monthly, with studios starting at $350. Two-bedroom apartments in the typically low-rise buildings rent for $550 monthly.

Tucson is a major metropolitan area, and as such offers an array of attractions and entertaining diversions that will appeal to people of all ages. Among these is the Pima Air and Space Museum, the Tucson Museum of Art, the University of Arizona Art Museum and the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum , which has zoo, museum, botanical garden and Sonoran Desert display.

The city also is filled with wonderful eateries, vibrant nightlife, high end retailers, spectacular golf courses, and many other cultural attractions. Plus there's the amazing outdoors where you can hike, bike, rock climb, explore caves and horseback ride.

The largest and probably most notable event associated with Tucson is the annual Gem, Mineral and Fossil Showcase. Held for two weeks every winter, thousands of people explore the more than 40 venues as part of the event. The Tucson Gem and Mineral Show is the highlight of the two weeks, when treasure hunters from around the world flock to this desert city in search of glittery gems. The events are open to the public and most are free.

Many other events are held around the city throughout the year, many of them family friendly. The Tucson Folk Festival, with more than 400 local, regional and national musicians perform, is billed as one of the largest free festivals in the U.S. Tucson Rodeo or La Fiesta de los Vaqueros is the first major outdoor event on the pro circuit. More than 650 people compete for more than $400,000 in prize money. And the Pima County Fair has been held for more than 100 years. It is Tucson's largest annual event. It features concerts, food, exhibits, rides, car shows, animals and more.

If you are looking for an apartment for rent or a house rental in Tucson, AZ search for rental properties at Rent.com®.