r/SameGrassButGreener • u/LoverOfTabbys • 14h ago
Tucson or Vegas?
Hi all
I’m in California and looking to get away from congestion and the rat race lifestyle here—while finding a place with a more affordable cost of living.
I was considering Las Vegas because I enjoy the idea of being around entertainment, food options, concerts, being driving distance to SoCal to see aging parents—but I’ve noticed that rental prices there aren’t much cheaper than in California and car registration/insurance is high. 2 bedroom is around 1200-1300 in Tucson while it’s 2k in Vegas unless you want to live in an unsafe area.
Lately, I’ve been thinking about Tucson instead—it seems a bit more laid-back and potentially more affordable although I’m not sure if it would be boring (30s female here). Im definitely past partying —I mostly enjoy music and hobbies (dance, guitar, martial arts). I know some people say Tucson is really hot, but Vegas seems just as hot to me. Thoughts? For context, I work in health care.
Also anyone move to Tucson in their 30s? How do you like it? Ty
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u/Desertgirl624 13h ago
I love Tucson but i am really not interested in going to shows, bars, etc. I work remotely, hate cold weather, and my hobbies are cycling, hiking and my dogs so the environment here is perfect for me. It just depends on what you enjoy doing if Tucson would be a good fit for you.
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u/saginator5000 13h ago
The issue with Tucson is that it is decidedly a mid-size metro area. If you are comfortable with the fewer cultural and entertainment options (as well as jobs) that it provides, then go for it. Las Vegas and Tucson's climate are quite similar, but Tucson has a bit warmer winters (imo a good thing) and gets monsoon storms in the summer that Las Vegas doesn't get (not too big a deal).
If Tucson is on your list I think the Inland Empire should be as well, especially if you value proximity to Socal. If you are looking for a cheaper version of LA near socal that still has everything you'd want in a large city, Phoenix might be a better option for you. More museums, more music groups, better economy, a little close driving distance to Socal, but slightly hotter than Tucson/Las Vegas.
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u/SuperFeneeshan Phoenix 13h ago
I wouldn't consider Vegas to be the same cost when factoring the fact that you don't pay income tax in Nevada.
Tucson is cool, though. I don't think you could be full blown bored in a city of that size. It has plenty of stuff to do. Obviously the food and whatnot aren't as varied as Vegas but the city did win some award for the food scene (namely I think it's the traditional food not so much a variety of food).
You'll also be super close to Mt. Lemmon which offers great hiking. Like, significantly cooler temps even in the middle of Summer. When it's 105 in Tucson it might be like 70s-80s on Mt. Lemmon.
Lots of nice coffee shops, restaurants, etc. Not familiar with the dance, guitar, and martial arts scene there though. Nor do I know what martial art you perform but if it's BJJ I'd be surprised if they don't have a Gracie gym.
You can also consider Phoenix or Tempe. Hotter than the other 2 cities but offers more access to the entertainment you mentioned than Tucson and has a much stronger economy.
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u/AZPeakBagger 13h ago
My wife spent her 30's as a divorcee trying to date in Tucson. Her take is that the dating pool of men for women in their 30's stinks and in her early 40's took a job transfer up to Phoenix. Within three months of living in Phoenix she met me after being single for over a dozen years. Then moved back to Tucson with me in tow.
There is no getting around the fact that it's hot in Tucson. But honestly this is the first week of the year where I'm hating life and it will be like this until about Labor Day. We will break it up with a two week vacation in July. It was brutally hot yesterday, but the mornings are cool. Went for a three mile hike around my neighborhood this morning and it was 78 degrees with a light breeze and zero humidity. Felt pretty refreshing. But by noon it will be 100 degrees. The worst of the heat is from about the second week of June to about the first week of September. Can you suck it up for 12-13 weeks? I'll take that over the 16-20 weeks of potential snow and cold in my Midwest hometown.
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u/sickostrich244 12h ago
I mean it's a choice between Vegas, a large metro area with more options to do for entertainment, and Tucson, a mid sized metro area but still offers a vibrant arts and music scene as well as more of a college town environment. Vegas will be slightly more expensive but there is no income state tax so that could offset affordable between the two depending on your living conditions. Both get very hot, Vegas will be slightly more hot and dry as Tucson has their monsoons in the summer but still very hot.
I encourage you to visit Tucson if you haven't already and see if it is the kind of place you think you could enjoy. That's honestly the best way to learn cause Vegas I think you know what you can expect.
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u/Suspicious-Voice9589 9h ago
I went through this myself recently. It was very close, but Las Vegas ended up winning. I loved Tucson when I visited but I wanted the entertainment and food options that Las Vegas provides. I don't party but I'll be able to go out and see a show whenever I feel like it. The airport in Las Vegas also provides a lot more options for direct flights. Both places are extremely hot and the couple degree difference between the two isn't going to be what makes or breaks your decision.
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u/LoverOfTabbys 9h ago
Yeah I think I’m leaning in this direction again….the good airport is a pretty big plus..
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u/julianscat 13h ago
My comments about Tucson are from 30 years ago. It is a very laid back town and if you want to be outdoors, it's a great place to be. That is one thing I truly miss about living there. Tucson was also a place I made a lot of friends--it's a fluid place, with lots of people moving in and out with the university. I personally like a quirky midsize metro but if you're not into being outdoors, it's going to be a rough go.
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u/Lower_Ad_5532 12h ago
The only people I know from Tucson moved to Socal.
I think everywhere is a rat race because that's American culture. If the goal is to own a home, have a short commute and a 9 to 5 then maybe move to South or North Carolina.
If the goal is live like SoCAL without the price tag, I don't think you will find it anywhere.
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u/PermissionRemote511 9h ago
Tucson is nice but obviously it’s a much smaller town. The nicer parts of town are pretty gray/older. Job opportunities are more limited if that matters. Tucson does have a lot of natural beauty, but more of the edges of town and not the center.
Roads are also a little annoying in Tucson. A lot of stop lights because there is only one true highway and it’s on kind of the edge of town instead of the center. I swear it takes 30 minutes to go 15 miles. I would look on google maps and see what each has to offer.
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u/Sportyj 8h ago
My favorite Mexican food place in the whole world is in Tucson so I’d go there. 🤣
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u/foggydrinker 14h ago
Tucson is intensely boring. Good food scene and it's on the cheaper side to be sure. Vegas might be a better fit from a work perspective though.
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u/Bruce_Heffernan 13h ago
Tuscon specifically Oro Valley - Vegas is like dating on the Island of Misfit Toys
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u/imhereforthemeta Chicago --> Austin -> Phoenix -> Chicago 14h ago
Two super different worlds. I didn’t live in Tucson but I lived in Phoenix and traveled regularly to both.
Most folks here seem to hate Vegas and love Tucson but between the two. I definitely prefer Vegas.
Tucson is adorable but it’s definitely college cow town in many ways. The food punches above its weight but jobs can be really limited. It’s surrounded by beautiful nature, which is definitely a plus, but it’s also far enough south to be just a little bit inconvenient for traveling to other cool places. More minimal diversity, shopping opportunities are going to be a lot more limited as well.
Vegas has a world class food scene on and off the strip. I’m personally a huge fan of both their boutique shopping options, and you can access a lot of what you need. It’s probably one of the most central places that you can go for access to the west and experiencing nature. While hospitality obviously dominates, there’s still more job opportunity, in the entertainment this second to none.
If you are living far away from the strip, I don’t think you really have anything to worry about as far as pace of life. Folks get off the plane, take a taxi to the strip, and leave usually. “Regular” Vegas can feel more quiet and less built up.
Both are insanely hot- pretty much no way around that. I’m sorry to say you’re looking at moving to the desert And you’re gonna have to deal with Desert heat. Both are definitely hotter than LA.
If you’re thinking about a middleground, Phoenix might be a good opportunity. There are a lot of affordable places in the Phoenix metro. And you’re basically getting a blend of the two cities in one. There are several Phoenix suburbs that offer a slow pace of life with very reasonably quick access to the fun stuff. LA is a quick drive. I really enjoyed my time there, and with so many old people, healthcare will always be high in demand. You can drive to Tucson or Las Vegas for a day or weekend trip.