Top Rated Neighborhoods in Tucson

I always get asked, “Is this a good neighborhood?” “What areas of town do you consider safe?” “What neighborhoods are good for families?” These questions are top of mind when deciding where to purchase a home for you and your family. 

Tucson is generally a great city for families. With a tight-knit community, fantastic culture, academics, an incredible parks program, and a killer food scene, what’s not to love?  

As in any city, specific neighborhoods are better suited for families than others. As you’ll read, central Tucson tends to be a hot spot for family-oriented neighborhoods and ease of convenience.

Below is a list of some of Tucson's top-rated neighborhoods and suburbs, offering lower crime rates, highly rated public schools, great nightlife, convenience, and diversity.

(all stats via niche.com 2022)

Family-friendly neighborhoods

Northwest:

• Marana - Northwest of Tucson, Marana is a more rural option than Tucson while still reasonably close to downtown, with easy access to the highway. Marana has a lot of families, and there is always some kind of event at a local farm to bring everyone together. The median income is $89,689, with a population of 47,164.

• B Public Schools

• Hot spots: Shop all the deals at the Marana Premium Outlets. Explore Marana Pumpkin Patch for the ultimate fall experience and spend a day at the Ritz-Carlton at Dove Mountain for relaxation and fine dining.

• Oro Valley - Also located just northwest of Tucson, Oro Valley is a beautiful place to call home. With several families and retirees, Oro Valley offers a sparse suburban feel. There are parks, golf courses, and shopping. 

• A- Public Schools

• Hot Spots: Naranja park has something for everyone and stunning mountain views, browse the Oro Valley Farmer’s Market for local artisan goods and fresh produce, dine at Charred Pie for drool-worthy pizza, and La Hacienda when you’re craving Mexican food.

• Casa Adobes - A bit south of Oro Valley is Casa Adobes. Casa Adobes offers many parks, shopping, restaurants, and above-average schools. Residents tend to be young professionals or families. The population is 70,516, and the median income is $67,480.

• B+ Schools

• Hot Spots: Visit Tohono Chul Gardens for a relaxing walk around the botanical gardens and bring the kids to play at the Children’s Museum. Take Fido to Northwest Community Dog Park for a run and dine at Wildflower for a fantastic meal, perfect for date night.

North:

• Catalina Foothills - Located in the foothills of the Santa Catalina Mountains, the Catalina Foothills boasts upscale shopping, resorts, golf courses, spas, and DeGrazia Gallery in the Sun. There is a population of 50,631 with a median family income of $95,589.

• A+ Public Schools

• Hot Spots: For an upscale dining and shopping experience, visit La Encantada. Brandi Fenton Memorial Park is equipped with a splash pad and equestrian fields, and find excellent hiking and views at Finger Rock or Pima Canyon Trail.

Northeast:

• Udall Park - Located on the northeast side of town, the Udall Park neighborhood borders Morris K. Udall Park, which has sports fields, a splash pad, play ground, pickle-ball & bocce courts, a dog park, and a recreation center. The neighborhood also offers excellent schools, shopping, and restaurants. The median income is $63,863, with a population of 204.

• A Public Schools

• Hot Spots: Play at Udall Park & Recreation Center, dine at Zio Peppe for a collaborative Italian/Sonoran experience, and visit Trail Dust Town for some old western family fun!

• Tanque Verde - Nestled into the Rincon and Santa Catalina Mountains, not far from Mt. Lemmon, is Tanque Verde. A fantastic suburb to call home, Tanque Verde has a small-town feel, with less traffic, several parks, highly rated schools, and nature all around. It has a population of 15,446 and a median household income of $407,500.

• A Public Schools

• Hot Spots: Check out the Barnyard for dinner and enjoy outdoor games, live music, and excellent food. McDonald Park offers baseball fields, a basketball court, a playground, a dog park, and stunning mountain views. Make a weekly visit to the Kirk-Bear Canyon Library on Thursday at 10:30 am for Story Time!

Central:

• Highland Vista Cinco Via - Located in east-central Tucson, Highland Vista is a family-forward, highly desirable neighborhood. The neighborhood offers excellent schools, nearby shopping, restaurants, and a community pool and park. Highland Vista has a median household income of $42,497 and a population of 1,415 residents.

• A- Public Schools

• Hot Spots: Park Place Mall, just a hop across the street, offers a variety of retail shops, dining, an arcade, and a movie theater. While most malls are dying out, Park Place is still bustling. The mall borders a disc golf course and playground as well. 

•  Poets Square - Poets Square is a highly desirable east-central neighborhood, close to great schools, shopping, parks, and dining. Most residents own their homes, and they are very welcoming and tight-knit. There is a population of 1,052 people with a median household income of $51,283.

• A- Public Schools

• Hot Spots: Check out Heroes & Villains for all your comic book needs, Little Bird Nesting Company, which is a second-hand shop stocked with adorable, higher-end baby and children’s clothing and goods, and Opa’s Best American Grill – my go-to when I’m not feeling well: Avgolemono soup and a slice of chocolate cake.

• Broadmoor-Broadway - Located in central Tucson, nearly half a square mile, near Reid Park, El Con Mall, the University of Arizona, and less than 15 minutes from downtown, this neighborhood location is prime. Broadmoor-Broadway has 1,553 residents and a median family income of $42,147.

• A- Public Schools

• Hot Spots: Kitty-corner to Reid Park and the El Con shopping center, which houses Wal-Mart, Target, a movie theater, restaurants, and other shops. Stop by Side Car on a night sans kids for a craft cocktail and cozy conversation, or hit up Bisbee Breakfast Club for brunch with the family.

• San Clemente - Another centrally located neighborhood on the border of Reid Park, San Clemente has 781 residents that call it home and a median household income of $40,067. 

• A- Public Schools

• Hot Spots: Bordering the east side of Reid Park, there is always something to do at the Randolph Recreation Center.

• Peter Howell - Centrally located near an array of coffee shops, dining, and shopping as well as Reid Park, the University of Arizona, and Downtown, Peter Howell is one of the city’s most desirable neighborhoods. It has a population of 2,310 and a median income of $42,497.

• A- Public Schools

• Hot Spots: Locale Neighborhood Restaurant, serving excellent Italian dishes and cocktails, offers a courtyard perfect for relaxing with an aperitif at sunset. The neighborhood also lies on the east of the El Con Shopping Center.

• Sam Hughes - Historic and charming, this neighborhood is a Tucson classic. Filled with beautiful, eclectic homes and neighboring the University of Arizona, downtown Tucson, restaurants, shopping, and nightlife, it’s an incredible place to live. It has a population of 4,769 people and a median household income of $36,909.

• A- Public Schools

• Hot Spots: Flora’s Market Run, previously the Rincon Market, is an upscale neighborhood market and restaurant from the Ares Restaurant Group. Grab some snacks at Flora’s, head down the street to Himmel Park, and have a picnic in the fields while the kids play on the playground.

• La Madera - Another neighborhood near the University of Arizona and downtown, La Madera is home to many young professionals and has lots of dining, bars, coffee shops, great parks, and culture. The median household income is $47,604, and there are 1,311 residents.

• A Public Schools

• Hot Spots: Right across the street from Winterhaven, you won’t have to worry about parking during the holidays to view the Festival of Lights. Spend an afternoon browsing the metaphysical shop, the Ninth House, and take an evening stroll around La Madera Park with the family.

• Campbell/Grant Northeast - Located right at the Campbell Corridor, this neighborhood has something for everyone. Next to the University of Arizona, minutes from downtown, close to shopping, restaurants, and great parks. The median income is $42,373, and there are 987 residents.

• A Public Schools

• Hot Spots: Blue Willow Restaurant and Gift Shop has been a Tucson Staple for over forty years! Enjoy their scratch comfort food on the patio, browse the gift shop for local goods, and grab a cookie from the bakery before you leave. On the other side of the neighborhood is Culinary Dropout, great for large gatherings, happy hour, and watching football games.

• Shaheen Estates - Located near the University of Arizona and just a skip away from downtown Tucson, Shaheen Estates is a great spot to live. The median household income is $32,472, with a population of 621.

• A Public Schools

• Hot Spots: This neighborhood, located on the northwest corner of the Campbell corridor, is convenient to many restaurants and shops. Baja Restaurant has the most decadent and gigantic pancakes. Head to El Jefe Cat Lounge, where you can play with many adoptable cats or enjoy a post-workout shake from Core Nutrition. 

• Old Fort Lowell - Located in north-central Tucson, Old Fort Lowell is a family-oriented neighborhood right next to the Historic Fort Lowell park, complete with sports fields, a swimming pool, playgrounds, and a duck pond. It has a population of 1,470 and a median income of $59,507.

• A Public Schools

• Hot Spots: Spend the morning exploring Fort Lowell Park and head up the street to The Quesadillas, one of Tucson’s favorite taco spots. 

Southeast:

• Mesquite Ranch - Located just southeast of the Air Force base, Mesquite Ranch is a close-knit community, offering above-average public schools, mountain views, and regular neighborhood events such as movie nights and community yard sales. The median income for Mesquite Ranch is $89,890, and the population is 2,191.

• A Public Schools

• Hot Spots: Spend a day exploring the Pima Air and Space Museum, or cool off at Purple Heart Park in their new splash pad. On Saturday mornings, browse the Rincon Valley Farmer’s Market for local goods and farm-fresh veggies.

•  Corona de Tucson - Located just southeast of Tucson in the Santa Rita foothills lies Corona de Tucson. A more rural suburb of Tucson, it’s a quieter option with excellent public schools. The median income is $96,396, and the population is 9,492.

• A Public Schools

• Hot Spots: A small community, check out Roadrunner Market and Grill, Corona de Tucson’s local gas station, deli, and convenience store. 

• Vail - Right next to Corona de Tucson, even sharing a zip code, is Vail. Rated the #2 suburb in Arizona to buy a house Vail is home to many young professionals and families. Vail is a growing community that offers highly rated public schools with a median household income of $103,051 and a population of 14,099.

• A Public Schools

• Hot Spots: Saguaro Corners is an excellent spot for dinner and Sunday Brunch. Spend a day discovering the caves at Colossal Cave Park, or head to the Tanque Verde Ridge Trail for a morning of hiking and bird watching. 

 If you’re looking to buy or sell in Tucson or the surrounding areas or have questions about real estate, contact me at alissa.noel@exprealty.com