Tucson is Tops!
Tucson is #1 Bike Town in U.S.
Tucson has been named #1 on a list of the nation's "Top 10 Bike Towns" by Outside Magazine. The college town is a pedaler's paradise surrounded by picturesque mountains and over 700 miles of city bike lanes. (July 2012)
The University of Arizona Medical Center Ranked "Best Hospital"
The University of Arizona Medical Center (University Campus) was ranked among U.S. News & World Report's "2012-13 Best Hospitals" nationally in geriatrics and was rated as "highly performing" in 11 other medical specialties. (July 2012)
Tucson Ranks 4th Among Top 10 Best Places to Retire
According to the Wall Street Journal's MarketWatch, Tucson in one of the best places to retire in the U.S. Tucson was chosen for its good weather, access to health care, low property taxes, outdoor recreation, scenery and a certain "WOW" factor. (March 2012)
Two Tucson High Schools Rank Best in the Nation
U.S. News & World Report's "2012 Best High Schools Rankings" places University High and BASIS Tucson in the Top 10 Best High Schools in the nation. (May 2012)
Arizona Ranks #1 in the Nation for Rate of Entrepreneurial Activity
The Kauffman Index of Entrepreneurial Activity found that people in Arizona were more likely to launch a business than residents of any other state in the country. (June 2012)
According to the April 12, 2012 edition of Forbes, the #1 place to buy a home right now is Tucson Arizona
See Forbes article on line: http://www.forbes.com/pictures/mhj45hlfg/1-tucson-az/#gallerycontent
UMC Ranks #1 as Best Hospital in Metro Area
Out of 5,000 nationwide, U.S. News & World Report names University Medical Center as the best hospital in or near major cities. The honor goes to hospitals which are exceptionally skilled in handling the most difficult cases.
University of Arizona Takes #1 Spot in Peace Corps Rankings
This recognition comes from having the highest number of participants throughout the U.S. in the Peace Corps Fellows/USA Program. Graduate students in the program combine studies with meaningful volunteer programs on the local, national, and international level.
Tucson Ranked #1 in Air Quality
Breathe easy in Tucson. The American Lung Association in its "State of the Air: 2011" gives Tucson two high rankings for air quality- Ranking 1st for cleanest metropolitan area in the country for 24-hour particle pollution and 3rd for cleanest metropolitan area in the country for annual particle pollution. http://www.stateoftheair.org/2011/city-rankings/cleanest-cities.html
#2 Entrepreneurial Hot Spot
Tucson is ranked #2 among mid-size cities according to the National Research Policy Council. The rankings combined data on a region's startups and their growth.
#5 Best Place for Outdoor Activities
In "Best Places for Outdoor Activities," MSN placed Tucson 5th in its "Close to the Big Outdoors" survey. MSN cited the city's closeness to outdoor activities, coupled with a balance of quality education, housing, jobs, health, and arts and entertainment.
#7 Community in the Nation for Energy Star Homes
Strict guidelines are set by the Environmental Protection Agency for a home to earn this designation. Homes and offices that meet the Energy Star standards save consumers money, reduce energy use and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
#9 Top Medical Schools for Hispanic Students
Enrollment, retention, programs and student services earned the UA a No. 9 ranking nationally by Hispanic Business magazine (Sept. 2009).
#9 Tucson is Heart Healthful for Women
Tucson is listed by the American Heart Association as one of the top 10 "Heart Friendly" cities for women, among midsize metro areas.
#9 Cities Best Suited for Fitness and Walking
Prevention magazine, in conjunction with the American Podiatric Medical Association, ranked Tucson 9th for cities that are best suited for fitness and walking. Criteria include crime, mass transit, air quality, and the number of historic sites, museums, parks and gyms each city has.
#10 Healthy Lifestyle
Cooking Light honored Tucson with 10th place in its search for the cities in America that best support its philosophy to eat smart, be fit, and live well. The following are a few of the criteria that earned Tucson its high ranking: Farmers' markets, access to gourmet ingredients, highly rated restaurants, percentage of residents in good health, and low percentage of overweight residents.
Gallup Survey Rates Arizona 10th Happiest State
Based on a Well-Being Index, factors include overall evaluation of life, emotional health, physical health, healthy behaviors, and job satisfaction.
Another Accolade for Tucson Being a Bicycle Friendly City
Outdoor Magazine names Tucson as best for road biking. The August 2010 issue says Tucson is a "cyclist's paradise." You can cycle all year long on well maintained roads and bicycle paths.
Tucson is Top Alternative Energy Industry Leader
According to Business Facilities Magazine's Jack Rogers, editor-in-chief, "In addition to Tucson's well-earned reputation as The Solar City, we were really impressed with this region's intelligent approach to maximizing its resources. An aggressive and innovative economic development strategy combined with unlimited growth potential made this an easy choice." Also in the state rankings, Arizona takes first as Solar Energy Manufacturing Leader and places in the top ten for Economic Growth Potential.
Three Tucson Schools Rank Best in the Nation
Included in U.S. News and World Report's 2011 list of America's Best High Schools, Basis Tucson is #9, Sonoran Science Academy is # 27 and University High School ranked #34.
http://azstarnet.com/news/local/education/precollegiate/article_b632270a-831c-11e0-b6c0-001cc4c03286.html
Tucson is Cycling Mecca for the United States
Lance Armstrong training in Tucson with his Radio Shack Team for the 2010 Tour de France, declares Tucson a cycling mecca. He says Tucson has a good infrastructure of roads, good climbs and nice flats. With many bike lanes it's helpful for the cyclist, and even for their team riding with up to 24 guys.
Among the Top Ten for Efficient Homes
The Tucson and Phoenix metropolitan areas rank in the top 10 for 2009 for communities with the most homes certified under the federal Energy Star energy-efficiency standards, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced. Energy Star-qualified new homes are independently verified to meet guidelines for energy efficiency set by the EPA.
Solar American Cities Award
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has named Tucson as one of its 25 Solar American Cities. DOE recognizes these cities as partners highly committed to solar technology adoption at the local level. (www.solaramericacities.energy.gov)
Tucson Touted as 'The Solar City'
A feature article in the April 2010 edition of Business Facilities Magazine says Tucson is "the U.S. home to some of the world's leading photovoltaic manufacturers..."
#20 Best Cities for Jobs
Forbes annual ranking of "Best Cities for Jobs" placed Tucson at 20th among 100 cities listed. Criteria included Median Household income, Unemployment, Income Growth, Cost of Living and Job growth.
Tucson on 2011 List of Best Places to Thrive
The article in Best Boomer Towns cites examples like the city's vibrant arts scene, and Tucson being a city that retains its Old West flavor, as reasons for its selection. Tourists and citizens alike enjoy the area's restaurants, shopping and and beautiful mountain vistas. Close by is the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum—coming in second only to the Grand Canyon as a favorite place to visit.
Tucson Festival of Books Marks 3rd Year
For two days in March, more than 400 authors and 200 exhibitors converge on the campus of the University of Arizona to celebrate reading, and books in their many forms. People of all ages come to see their favorite authors, visit exhibits, take in demonstrations, hear music and in general learn and be entertained. Money raised at this event goes to organizations that promote literacy and education.
Grad Programs at University of Arizona Get Top Ten Rankings in U.S. News & World Report's New 2012 List
Geology with a #1 ranking, and Speech-language Pathology ranked #5, are a couple of more than a dozen that were rated from a list of over 1200 programs.
Home to World Tournament
Marana, just a golf ball's throw from Tucson, will be home to the Accenture Match Play through at least 2010. This event features the top 64 players in the world. The World Golf Championships feature some of the largest purses in professional golf. First prize money is in excess of $1 million.
World-Class Grants and Honors Given to UA Department of Planetary Sciences
Astounding $800 million NASA grant given to UA-Led Mission to address the question of the origins of humanity by collecting samples from an asteroid. http://uanews.org/node/40051 The Department of Planetary Sciences is also proud to be recognized this year for being the top ranked research university for citations appearing in scientific literature related to planetary exploration. http://uanews.org/node/40090
Outside Magazine Nominates Tucson for “Best Town Ever”
The results will be decided by Facebook voting. Fans will choose their favorite based on culture, scenery, affordability, low-stress living, and access to the outdoors. These criteria are what make Tucson a great place to live! http://azstarnet.com/news/local/article_6c0e6145-edd9-5d3a-8f64-2343af76dbaf.html