Tennessee`s EasternStar Here Comes The Sun in Tucson,AZ

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Holli and Rick Palmer
of Tucson, AZ
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PROFILE:
TUCSON, AZ
The Sonoran Desert area is a lot more than its trademark saguaro cactus. Retirees relish
sports games and performances at the University of Arizona as well as Tucson’s museums,
Southwestern culture and weather reports filled with sunshine and low humidity.
> BY CANDYCE H. STAPEN
UT
St. George
NV
CO
Las Vegas
Flagstaff
Lake
Havasu City
Gallup
Prescott
AZ
NM
CA
Phoenix
Saguaro
National
Park
TUCSON
Sierra Vista
Gulf of
California
MEXICO
Southern Arizona
makes an impression on you. It’s a different landscape, like going
to the moon. You have
these great vistas of
lush desert.”
— Bob DeLaney
N TUCSON, towering saguaro cactuses hover above a landscape where jackrabbits cool off in the shade of mesquite trees and javelinas leave tracks in the sand.
Sunlight plays across the five mountain ranges that ring the metropolis, a nearly 500-square-mile mix of desert and distinctive peaks in southern Arizona’s
Pima County. The slopes turn from dawn’s soft orchid to midday’s ocher and
dusk’s magenta as the setting sun touches the Tucson Mountains west of the city.
The region has the quintessential cowboy feel. Prospectors once searched for
gold in the area and ranchers drove herds of cattle across the valleys. Saguaro National Park, which edges metropolitan Tucson on two sides, preserves the scenic panoramas of the Sonoran Desert — the only place in the U.S. where saguaro cactuses grow.
The desert landscape and the climate attracted Jay Pierstorff, 61, and his wife, Jan,
65, who moved from Woodland, CA, about 20 miles northwest of Sacramento, CA.
Like many, they first fell
in love with Tucson on
vacations. “We were
snowbirds,” says Jay, a
semiretired photographer. “We visited family;
my wife’s brother and
mother live here. Then
we started to spend more
time in Tucson. We rented a place for a few
months and realized we
would rather spend all
our time here than in the
Sacramento area.”
Jay and Jan, a former
salon owner and hairdresser, moved to the
city in 2006, purchasing
a house in an all-ages
community. “In California, we lived in suburbia
and had a ‘good-neighbor fence’ 6 feet high,”
Jay says. “Where we live
in Tucson, we sit on our
back patio and we see
saguaro cactus. We have
Surrounded by mountains and desert terrain, Tucson
is a haven for outdoor adventurers. The city also
neighbors, but they are
has a thriving downtown and public streetcar that
not right near us.”
connects shops, arts venues and restaurants.
Their home is about 5
miles from the ArizonaSonora Desert Museum, where inspiration and learning is nurtured through natural
history exhibits, a zoo, botanical garden, art gallery and aquarium. The 98-acre,
FROM LEFT: DOWNTOWN TUCSON PARTNERSHIP, BILL LESCH/VISIT TUCSON
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mostly outdoor museum features 2
miles of walking paths that lace through
cactuses, creosote bushes and mesquite
trees. Bobcats, ocelots, Gila monsters,
skunks and other local creatures live in
the exhibits’ habitats.
Jay began serving as a docent at the
museum in 2007 and in 2010 he took a
part-time paid position, teaching a photography course. He has taken photos of
javelinas, mule deer and birds in their
backyard.
“Southern Arizona makes an impression on you,” says Bob DeLaney, a commercial real estate broker, who with his
wife, Lucy, a homemaker, first experienced the Tucson landscape on dude
ranch vacations. “It’s a different landscape, like going to the moon. You have
these great vistas of lush desert.”
After the DeLaneys, both 64, became
empty nesters, they left Winchester,
MA, in October 2007 for Tucson as part
of their pre-retirement planning. Bob
continued in commercial real estate,
switching his focus from finding prop-
The DeLaneys like being in the same
town as the University of Arizona. “We
enjoy going to U of A basketball games,”
he says. Comedians and other performers are on stage at the university’s famed
Centennial Hall, which has hosted
erties to leasing warehouses and manufacturing facilities. They purchased a
home in a community on the city’s east
side, a half-mile from Saguaro National
Park. “We hear coyotes howling every
night,” Bob says.
speeches by national figures.
Tucson is about 70 miles north of the
Mexican border and sits at an elevation
of more than 2,600 feet. Retirees are
lured by its relatively low humidity and
350-plus days of sun each year. “We love
The Fox Tucson Theatre, which opened in
1930, today hosts concerts and shows and
is one of the main draws to downtown.
the sunshine. It makes us feel good,” Jay
says. “It’s OK in summer if you are good
with the heat and we like the heat.” By
venturing out in the hottest part of the
season, they have witnessed monsoon
rainfalls and spectacular desert lightning.
Real estate broker Glenda Grow, a senior specialist with Keller Williams Southern Arizona, reports that weather is the
No. 1 reason people retire here. “It’s a
great place in winter, fall and spring,” she
says. In summer, some people take trips
or visit family in milder locales.
Linda Cloninger, 63, a former school
counselor, and her husband, Gary, 63,
who worked as a postal inspector, split
their time between residences in St.
Louis and Tucson. They became
acquainted with the area when their son
attended the University of Arizona.
The couple retired in 2006, and last
September, they bought a two-bedroom, two-and-a-half-bath house in
Del Webb at Dove Mountain, a 55-plus
development in Marana at the base of
the Tortolita Mountains, about 35 miles
northwest of Tucson. “Because the community is new, most of us are on the
younger side of retirement,” Linda says.
The couple take advantage of the city’s
cultural attractions, including the Tucson
Symphony Orchestra and concerts at the
Fox Tucson Theatre on West Congress
Street. An Art Deco gem, the theater
opened its doors on April 11, 1930, as the
city’s movie palace. Downtown’s decline
in retail and new competition led to the
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Fox’s closing in 1974. Following its purchase in 1999 by the Fox Tucson Theatre
Foundation and a $14 million restoration,
the Fox reopened in December 2005.
Enjoying Tucson’s downtown has
never been easier. The Sun Link streetcar,
launched in July, covers a 4-mile route
connecting the University of Arizona
with entertainment venues, restaurants,
shops and other highlights.
Among the trendy restaurants in the
Congress Street area are chef Janos
Wilder’s Downtown Kitchen and Cocktails, which offers a savory mix of
modern American cuisine with global
influences; Hub Restaurant and Ice
Creamery, serving tasty pastrami sandwiches and lobster rolls at lunch as well
as house-made ice cream; and Proper,
with menu items like lamb sausage and
caramelized pork chops.
Rick and Holli Palmer
considered at least
a half-dozen cities
before relocating from
Alexandria, VA, to
Tucson in 2014.
FROM TOP: RICK MACHLE/METROPOLITAN TUCSON CVB, BRANDON SULLIVAN PHOTOGRAPHY
The Mission San Xavier del Bac was
founded in 1692 and the current church
was built in the late 1700s.
El Presidio Historic District, Tucson’s
oldest neighborhood, takes its name
from the Spanish fort built in 1775.
Although the fort is no longer standing,
the partially reconstructed Presidio San
Agustin del Tucson, now a museum, features mannequins in historic attire and
artifacts found on-site, among other
items. The district also contains the six
structures of the Tucson Museum of Art
and Historic Block. Arts shops and the La
Cocina Mexican restaurant are arranged
around a courtyard, where locals and
tourists relax and listen to the twittering
of hundreds of sparrows in the branches
of the huge tombstone rosebush. El
Charro Cafe, also in the district, has been
serving Mexican food since 1922.
Visitors grab a Turquoise Trail tour
brochure and follow the turquoise line
painted on the sidewalks. The path
winds past Spanish 19th-century adobe
houses and other noteworthy 19th- and
early 20th-century structures.
Another drawing card is the Tucson
Gem and Mineral Show, held for two
weeks or so each January and February
at more than 40 sites. “I am a beader and
I enjoy going to the show,” Linda says.
“It’s a feast for your eyes. Everyone who
visits us loves to go there. Last year, my
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QUICK FACTS
TUCSON, AZ
83 Where to Retire
worship encompassing nearly all faiths, including Roman Catholic, Presbyterian, Baptist, Mormon, Jewish, Islam, Methodist and Episcopal.
Education: The University of Arizona offers
125 courses in its Osher Lifelong Learning Institute. Annual OLLI tuitions at four Tucson-area
campuses range from $125 to $250. Members
can sign up for unlimited classes. Pima Community College, one of the nation’s largest community colleges, has several campuses in the
region and sponsors continuing-education
classes and noncredit courses and workshops
for varying fees.
Tucson’s architecture reflects
a vibrant history of cultures,
including Native American,
Spanish and Mexican.
Transportation: The city is served by Tucson
International Airport and an Amtrak station.
The Sun Link streetcar travels a 4-mile route
connecting the University of Arizona, downtown and some of the city’s primary dining and
shopping areas. Sun Tran buses operate
throughout Tucson with a basic fare of $1.50.
Walk Score: Tucson has an overall walkability
rating of 39 out of 100, or “car dependent,”
according to WalkScore.com. Neighborhoods
will vary.
Health care: Several major health-care systems, some with multiple hospitals and institutes, operate in Greater Tucson. Carondelet
Health Network includes the Carondelet Heart
and Vascular Institute as well as three hospitals. The University of Arizona Medical Center’s
University Campus facility has 479 beds and its
South Campus has 245 beds. Southern Arizona
VA Health Care System’s 277-bed hospital provides care for veterans.
Housing: Del Webb at Dove Mountain,
(866) 210-7583, is a new active-adult community about 25 miles northwest of Tucson in
Marana. Residents use the fitness center, tennis courts and pool at The Gallery Sports Club
until construction is completed on its own
recreation center. The neighborhood offers
eight designs, starting at $227,990 for a 1,537square-foot, two-bedroom, two-bath home to
$344,990 for a 2,514-square-foot, two-bedroom, two-and-a-half-bath home. Homeowners
association fees are $160 per month. SaddleBrooke Ranch, (866) 818-6068, an activeadult Robson Resort Community roughly 30
miles north of Tucson in Oracle, has a community center with indoor and outdoor pools, gym
and bistro. Residents enjoy the tennis and pickleball courts and an 18-hole golf course. The
11 model homes range from the 1,513-squarefoot, two-bedroom, two-bath Hermosa from
$206,900 to the 2,808-square-foot, two-bedroom, two-and-a-half-bath Montera from
$401,900. HOA fees are $1,560 per year, plus a
$326 amenity fee. Del Webb at Rancho Del
Lago, (866) 340-9322, an active-adult development about 25 miles southeast of Tucson in
Vail, has an 18-hole golf course, clubhouse
with a fitness center, resort-style pool and
tennis courts. Nine designs (six models) start
at $164,990 for a 1,474-square-foot, two-bedroom, two-bath home to $256,990 for a 2,571square-foot, two-bedroom, two-and-a-half-bath
residence. HOA fees are $144 per month, plus
$72 per quarter to the master association
development that covers all Rancho Del Lago
communities. Rentals: The median rental price
in Tucson is $900 per month, according to Zillow. A four-bedroom, two-bath home in Marana
lists for $795 per month. A two-bedroom, twobath unit at Sabino Canyon Apartment Homes
in northeast Tucson rents from $750 per month.
Visitor lodging: Del Webb at Dove Mountain
offers a maximum of two nights at the RitzCarlton, Dove Mountain, for $199 per night,
(520) 572-3000. The Westin La Paloma Resort
and Spa has 27 holes of golf and a spa, from
$119, (520) 742-6000. Tucson has many chain
hotels. Rooms at the Hilton Tucson East start
at $82, (520) 721-5600.
Information: Tucson Metro Chamber, 465 W.
St. Mary’s Road, Tucson, AZ 85702, (520) 7921212 or TucsonChamber.org. Visit Tucson, 100
S. Church Ave., Tucson, AZ 85701, (800) 6388350 or VisitTucson.org.
March/April 2015 83
FRED HOOD/METROPOLITAN TUCSON CVB
Population: 526,116 in Tucson and 996,554 in
Pima County
Location: Tucson is in southern Arizona’s
Sonoran Desert, about 70 miles north of the
Mexican border and approximately 115 miles
southeast of Phoenix. Interstate 10, the main
connection between California and Florida, runs
through Tucson.
Climate:
January: High 65˚/ Low 40˚
July: High 99˚/ Low 69˚
Average relative humidity: 39%
Rain: 15 inches annually
Snow: 1 inch annually
Cost of living: Below average
Housing cost: The median sales price of
homes in Tucson was $165,000 in the third
quarter of 2014, according to the Tucson Association of Realtors Multiple Listing Service.
Sales tax: 8.1%
Sales tax exemptions: Groceries and prescription drugs
State income tax: For married couples filing
jointly, the rates are graduated from 2.59% of
taxable income up to $20,000 to 4.54% of taxable income of more than $300,000. For single
filers, the rates range from 2.59% up to
$10,000 to 4.54% of more than $150,000.
Income tax exemptions: Social Security benefits and up to $2,500 in federal, state and
local government pensions are exempt. (Pensions from state and local governments outside
Arizona are not exempt.)
Estate tax: None
Inheritance tax: None
Property tax: The rate in Tucson is $16.7672
per $100 of assessed value, with homes
assessed at 10% of full cash value. Annual
taxes on a $165,000 home would be about
$2,205, which includes a state aid-to-education reduction given to all owner-occupied
primary residences. The reduction typically
is capped at $600.
Homestead exemption: None, but there are
property tax relief programs for widows/widowers, disabled persons and those older than
65 who meet certain income requirements.
Personal property tax: The state has a vehicle license tax based on an assessed value of
60% of the manufacturer’s base retail price.
The assessed value is reduced 16.25% each
year after the vehicle is registered in Arizona.
The rate is $2.80 per $100 valuation for new
vehicles and $2.89 per $100 valuation for used
vehicles. There’s also an annual vehicle registration fee of $8 and an annual air quality
research fee of $1.50.
Religion: Tucson has hundreds of places of
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The Arizona-Sonora Desert
Museum holds classes and
field trips on topics like
wildflowers, hummingbirds
and archaeology.
attendant, bought a house in February
2014 at Del Webb at Rancho Del Lago,
an active-adult development in Vail,
about 25 miles southeast of the city.
“Tucson has plenty of what we require
and a heck of a lot less of what we don’t
like,” Rick says. “We are close enough to
shopping, a military base and good medical facilities.” The University of Arizona
Medical Center is known for its care in
cancer, cardiology and orthopedics.
North of the city, Mount Lemmon is an oasis for cycling, hiking, rock climbing
and bird-watching.
Tucson real estate proved to be a good
buy for the Palmers. “For what you pay in
Alexandria for a house, you could purchase two to three homes in Tucson,”
Holli says. The good value extends to their
Pulte Homes residence. “It’s open, airy,
light and easy to maintain,” Rick adds.
“The house is smartly built, well-insulated
with properly polarized windows.”
The couple enjoy the community’s
activities. “Each month, a potluck, line
dancing and karaoke are held. I go to the
gym, the ladies’ breakfasts and lunches,”
Holli says. “The neighbors are very welcoming.” Rick lifts weights at the fitness
center and swims in the pool. The
Palmers also walk the network of trails.
Like other Western states, Arizona
may experience a water shortage in the
future. Expert sources predict a 17 to 29
percent chance of water scarcity in any
year from 2016 to 2026. Such a shortage
depends upon many factors, including
continued below-normal rainfall and
climate change. On the plus side, Arizonans are getting better at conserving
water by utilizing less in landscaping and
by recycling “graywater” for use on golf
courses. Although a shortage is not synonymous with a drought, continued
FROM TOP: ARIZONA OFFICE OF TOURISM, RICK MACHLE/METROPOLITAN TUCSON CVB
sister bought a necklace with a big stone
and she said it was a great deal.”
Rick and Holli Palmer moved from
Alexandria, VA, to Tucson after six years
of pre-retirement research that included
visits to Austin, TX; San Antonio; Las
Cruces, NM; Las Vegas; Albuquerque,
NM; and Phoenix.
Rick, 57, a former naval officer and
business developer in the defense industry, and Holli, 52, who worked as a flight
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FROM TOP: GILL KENNY/METROPOLITAN TUCSON CVB, ARIZONA OFFICE OF TOURISM
water conservation and the creation of
contingency plans are real concerns for
some residents.
Retirees, however, often see more pros
than cons. The active lifestyle convinced
longtime Tucson resident Nancy Gray,
63, to remain here after her husband
died in 2010.
“You can do things outdoors every day
in Tucson,” says Nancy, who sold the public riding stables business that she and her
husband owned for more than 20 years
Hotel Congress, dating to 1919,
attracts patrons with its signature
Tap Room and its Cup Cafe,
serving American cuisine.
Guest ranches and horseback riding
stables offer tours through the desert
terrain surrounding Tucson.
after closing on a house in Del Webb at
Rancho Del Lago in January 2014.
“As a widow, I didn’t want to have to
maintain 3 acres of horse property or
feel isolated at my home on 4 acres,” she
says, adding that she takes advantage of
the get-togethers at the clubhouse as
well as its gym and sports courts. “I have
three dogs and I feel safe walking
them — about 5 miles within the community each day. If a person is an active
senior, you cannot beat this place.”
How do the locals handle the summers when temperatures sometimes top
100 degrees? “You just adjust your
schedule,” Nancy says. “You change your
life so you do your outdoor activities
early in the morning and then do things
indoors in the afternoon.”
Holli also gives Tucson a thumbs-up.
“In the evening, Rick and I look out at
the stars, moon and the mountains,” she
says. “We enjoy the beautiful sunsets. I
am so glad we moved here.”
Candyce H. Stapen is a writer in Washington, DC.
Reprinted from Where to Retire. Copyright 2015. For subscription information, call 713/974-6903, or visit www.WheretoRetire.com.