Armory Park

Armory Park is a diverse community of working professionals, retirees, singles, families and students, due to the area's close proximity to the University. There are owner-occupied homes as well as rentals in the area and many families have lived in their homes for several generations. Others have more recently purchased and rehabilitated the historic homes in the neighborhood. Armory Park residents come from a variety of ethnicities, but white and hispanic are most common. The area tends to lean to the left politically, evidenced by the yard signs many proudly post on their property. It's a friendly neighborhood where young families with strollers wave to passing joggers and bikers.

Armory Park is the perfect place to live if you have a love for the arts, shopping, nightlife and the excitement of living in a city center. The neighborhood borders downtown and it's bars, clubs and restaurants as well as the Tucson Community Center, the Temple of Music and Art and is a quick bikeride away from the University's performing arts venues. Opera, symphony, concert, theatre and art gallery lovers can easily walk to performances and exhibits and those in the mood to dance, catch live music or just have a drink have plenty of options just a quick stroll away. The historic Fox Theatre, Rialto Theatre and Club Congress offer live performances in unique, historic venues. The neighborhood has it's share of artists and musicians who love the convenience of living so close to where it all happens.

Many of Tucson's most well known restaurants, such as El Charro, El Minuto, Cushing Street Bar & Grill, Barrio Grill, Cafe Poca Cosa and the Cup Cafe are all located downtown, as well, along with a diverse selection of other restaurants that serve everything from traditional Spanish, Italian and Mexican fare to fast food.

The rental homes and apartments range from inexpensive for historic buildings that are less-than-lovingly maintained to pricey, taking into account how much the owner has put into refurbishing the property. Theough rental prices have steadily risen in the area, there are still plenty of deals to be found. And even with steeper rents, the future tenant has to bear in mind that you are also paying for the incredible convenience of being walking distance to downtown, the University, the arts district, etc. 

There is plenty of street parking in Armory Park, which is crucial since it's not uncommon for historic homes to be garageless. Downtown's parking issues have been and continue to be addressed and it seems that parking garages are continuously being built. It's a good idea to not leave any valuables in your car if it's parked overnight as break ins occur, though during ten years of living in the neighborhood, I've yet to have anything stolen from my vehicle.

If you choose to live car-free, you are in the right place. There are bike lanes aplenty, everything is close by and the Ronstadt Center (city bus station) is walking distance. 

One of the best places to look for rentals in Armory Park is in the Tucson Weekly's classifieds section. Grab it as soon as it comes out Thursday morning and start making calls right away, especially when University students are arriving in town. The other best way to find rentals is the old-fashioned way- drive or bike through the neighborhood and look for FOR RENT signs.

Many Armory Park landlords are wonderful people, but on the other hand, if you find a great deal you on a rental you may need to be armed with a Tenant's Rights Handbook, as there are a handful of slumlords out there who will take advantage of a tenant who doesn't know any better.

During a walk through Armory Park it is apparent that residents love their pets. There seems to be a dog or two in every other yard that doesn't have a cat sunning itself on the porch. If you are ultra-sensitive to barking, then this may not be the neighborhood for you. The other downside is that there is a bit of a cat overpopulation in the area. Pro-animal groups are working on trapping, neutering and releasing them to aleviate the problem.

Sometimes finding decent rentals can be difficult if you have a dog, but most allow cats. Dog owners should be prepared to do a bit of calling around.

 Besides the art galleries and performance venues mere blocks away (see below), film buffs will love The Screening Room, which is a few blocks away and there are endless downtown festivals, such as Tucson Meet Yourself, All Soul's Procession, Family Arts Fair, Club Crawl and Film Festivals... and that's just the tip of the iceberg. Ther are plenty of parks in or near the neighboprhood, including Armory Park itself, which is adjacent to the Armory Park Senior Center.

Armory Park is the perfect place to live if you have a love for the arts, shopping, nightlife and the excitement of living in a city center. The neighborhood borders downtown and it's bars, clubs and restaurants as well as the Tucson Community Center, the Temple of Music and Art and is a quick bikeride away from the University's performing arts venues. Opera, symphony, concert, theatre and art gallery lovers can easily walk to performances and exhibits and those in the mood to dance, catch live music or just have a drink have plenty of options just a quick stroll away. The historic Fox Theatre, Rialto Theatre and Club Congress offer live performances in unique, historic venues

South Third Avenue is abound with big mature trees and big, beautiful historic homes. On the east side of the street between 13th and 16th Streets is the nationally recognized Armory Park del Sol development, an energy-efficient, solar community of single family homes designed by renowned solar builder John Wesley Miller. The new residences have been designed to blend in well with the surrounding historic neighborhood and the colorful cluster of homes is worth a peek.

The incredible 17th Street Farmers Market is a wealth of everyday and exotic groceries and gifts and it's stumbling distance from Armory Park Homes. It even has a music store that offers lessons! A Safeway grocery store is located just a few quick minutes east on Broadway and a cafe and small grocery is slated to open at the Historic Train Depot downtown. 

Since Armory Park is downtown adjacent, residents are just blocks from  the downtown branch of their favorite large bank. There is also a credit union on Stone Avenue, just west of the neighborhood if you are so inclined.

There is a Gold's Gym located in La Placita Village, which is a 10 minute walk west and the downtown Y is a great place to work out or enjoy the indoor pool.  Just around the corner from Armory Park on Toole Avenue is the Rocks & Ropes rock climbing gym. But with all the exercise you get biking and walking everywhere, who needs a gym membership?

Armory Park is in the Tucson Unified School District and is home to  Safford Magnet School. Other magnet schools, like Tucson High, University High and Carillo Intermediate are very closeby. For a list of public and private schools, visit Armory Park is in the Tucson Unified School District and is home to Safford Elementary Magnet School. Other magnet schools, like Tucson High, University High and Carillo Intermediate are very closeby. For a list of public and private schools close to Armory Park, visit http://www.downtowntucson.org/schools/.

Pima Community College's Downtown Campus is a 15 minute bikeride away and lest we forget, the University of Arizona is a short, 10-15 minute bike ride.