Where to move to in Tucson?

I will be moving to the Tucson area in a couple weeks and all I know is that it is a good place for climbing.

What I don't know is the best location to live if I want to be close to the climbing community and as close as possible to the best climbing.

I was wondering if I could get some advice on where a good place to place myself would be.

Much thanks.

Pretty much all the climbing is along the Catalina Highway, which starts on the extreme Northeast side of town. There is backcountry all over the mountain, and some bouldering on the west side, but you will be spending most of your time driving up Lemmon on the East side. Depending on your job, there are not too many places to work on that side of town, and a ton of retired folks, although the Bloc is on the east side, which is pretty chill. It would be best to live near the university if you want to be close to younger folk, and get a membership to rocks and ropes. You will then make friends and carpool up the mountain.

Thank you very much. This is very helpful.

Anyone else care to throw in there 2 cents?

Be prepared to drive all over creation no matter where you lay your head.

California.

Muscrat wrote:California.

Sure, if you like really high taxes, crumbling infrastructure, and nightmare traffic then go to Cali!

I live on a farm in NorCal, dirt road. 15 minutes to huge crag, 1 hr to 4+ local crags, 2 hrs to Tahoe, 6 hrs to Smith, The Valley, Bishop. Traffic? We see more deer than cars! Yeah, it ain't typical, but it's possible. Had a climb partner who lived in Tuscon, did not climb for months on end due to weather, drive, <rock, etc. Just saying. And ya, i am a California native, so i am admittedly biased.

Lol! Yep, we hardly ever get to climb in Tucson.

I wasn't aware this was an AZ vs CA thread. Stupid me for not picking up on that sooner... Anywho, Tucson has year round climbing, so be stoked for that. Lemmon has an elevation change of almost 7,000 feet, so it's pleasant at the top in the summer. There are a few areas that have Falcon restrictions around that time, off the top of my head I don't remember where or when, but MP has that info. And in the winter, when there's snow up top (a few years back, ski valley got over 200 inches) you climb lower elevations. Make sure to pick up "Squeezing the Lemmon II" by EFR.

First off, welcome to Tucson!

I actually just moved here ~5 months ago myself and was asking the same questions not too long ago.

I ended up choosing a house downtown south of the University. I am about a 2 minute drive from Rocks and Ropes. When I arrived I got a membership and showed up around three times a week. It was really easy to meet people. I did the same thing at various yoga studios and met quite a few climbers there too.

I wouldn't worry about being close to any one particular climbing area. I thought I wanted to live close to Lemmon, but I'm glad I ended up closer to work and the gym. If you want to meet people in the community I would recommend starting there.

You might get more specific answers if you also defined "best climbing". It will vary widely depending on who you ask. I would much prefer to drive to Cochise or Flag before I climbed on Lemmon. In my humble opinion I think the real draw of Tucson is that it's a great size town with reasonable proximity to ultra-classic areas in TX, NAZ, UT, CA, and NV. The climbing in-town isn't what it's about. I would recommend choosing your living space for what it offers you during the week, and just make the drive to your spot of choice on weekends.

R

This is all wonderful information. Thank you for responding.

Even more input is welcome.

I grew-up in Tucson and learned to climb there back in 85'. I've climbed all over the West. I gotta tell you, Tucson is an amazing and under-hyped climbing town. It's been awhile since I've lived there but it seems to retain a quiet feel despite it being a large city. Looks like the climbing community there has grown and is talented, tight, and friendly. Do you like Mexican cuisine?

Mt. Lemmon
I almost want to say world class.
- Easy access
- Vast area, beautiful...don't expect crowds
- Bomber weather. Truly year-around climbing even in the dead of..summer ;-)
- Endless amounts of classic, varying face climbing
- Not much in the way of crack climbing is my only complaint. Paradise Forks is your crack-climb training ground..or Granite Mtn

Milagrosa is on the valley floor. Fun option when it's too cold on the Lemmon?

Cochise Stronghold is an amazing area 2hrs out of town.

Other new areas that look amazing...that I've never climbed at

Just look through the Mtn Project guide. You will not be bored or disappointed! Raines spelled it out well especially regarding living situations.

Enjoy!

Came down here 20 years ago just for the weather, ended up staying year round eventually. I live west of the freeway but I can still be on top of Lemmon in under 2 hrs, and at the bottom meeting spot in about 40 min.

I work on the far east side. People will say the traffic is terrible, just don't try to drive thru midtown at 8 am or after 3 on a weekday. I can jump on the freeway and go the long way around in the same time, and with a lot less stop and go, I'll go that way even when there's no traffic.

Cochise is a world class destination, and not just for the climbing, the place has a special quality.

Mt Lemmon offers an escape from the Summer heat, the highest stuff opens later after Peregrine closures end. But there's still a good amount of stuff at all levels, close to the road or bushwhack from hell there's something for everyone.

Also don't forget Mendoza Canyon & Babo are about an hour or so SW of Tucson.

I would not move to Tucson. Maybe for one winter that's it. If you do check out San Carlos in Mexico. Catalina foothills or Starpass mountain would be half way decent to live in.
Join Rocks and Ropes and rebuild it into a gym where people actually lead routes. That all I have to say about that gym.

gotta love MP. someone posts an honest question about what area of tucson is best for a climber to live in, and you get a flood of folks telling him how much tucson sucks and how their particular town is where it's at. classic.

personally, i live just west of the freeway and it takes me about 35-45 minutes to get to the base of mount lemmon, depending on traffic, though rocks and ropes is less than 10 minutes from my house. despite the crappy facilities at this gym, the route setting is very good and it offers a nice community atmosphere.

i would recommend centralish tucson, maybe just east of the university if you can afford it (housing prices are always higher near a university). from there it's probably 25-30 minutes to the catalinas and a great location to experience tucson culture with 4th avenue and downtown a short drive or trolly ride away.

oh, and despite what people are saying about tucson it's hard to beat this place as a climbing town. if you're super gung-ho competitive and want to push yourself as much as possible it may not be the town for you, but we have a vibrant and very friendly climbing community, year-round climbing that is great but not world class (meaning you will almost never find a crowd at a crag), the cost of living is very low and the city is big enough that employment is available for almost any skillset.

though let's be clear, it gets HOT in the city during the summer months. luckily there's plenty of climbing near the summit of mount lemmon at around 9,000 feet of elevation.

welcome to town!

Ruland, don't feed the troll. Eye sonic is elanor.

Oh, and Tyler, I have a studio for rent near the 4th ave/downtown underpass. A bike ride away from R&R, and walking distance to all the bars and the U of A.

tucson.craigslist.org/apa/4…

^^^ghetto!
Watch out for needles while riding your bike. ..and I'm not talking the pine kind...

Thanks for visiting my ad, you beautiful bridge dweller you. The more hits it gets, the happier I am.

Steven Groetken wrote:Thanks for visiting my ad, you beautiful bridge dweller you. The more hits it gets, the happier I am.

Saint Rita's park is safer and way cheaper. You also got free meals and a skate park right in your back. Way safer too! May even meet some faithful MPusers at St . Rita's.
About 2 blocks from the gym too!
I'm serious about being safer though. Since it's frequently patrolled by the cops and located on a major street getting mugged is pretty much nill. Unless you got them clif bars....

Again, thank you everyone so much. This has been a huge help and I cannot wait to be in Tucson. I am very excited.