Why Tucson?

That’s a question I’m often asked. The truth is, Tucson wasn’t even on my radar at first. I had been considering Los Angeles, Portland, and even San Miguel de Allende in Mexico. It wasn’t until a trip to visit family in Scottsdale that Arizona became an intriguing possibility. My husband and I explored Scottsdale and Phoenix, but nothing quite spoke to us. On a whim, we decided to check out Tucson and booked a stay at the Hotel Congress, a historic downtown landmark full of vintage charm.

After just two days of exploring, we thought: why not give Tucson a try? It was a leap of faith, a hunch that this city could become home. That first visit was in March 2020, right before the world shut down, so our move had to wait. By August, we’d finally arrived in Tucson, renting a mid-century home with big windows that brought the desert right inside. Coyotes, lizards, and even our first encounter with a snake kept us — and especially our dog — entertained. We suddenly realized we had made the right choice to leave Oakland for something new.

Our rental was meant to be temporary while we figured out where we wanted to live, but that plan didn’t last long. With the help of Brad and Sebastian from Tierra Antigua Realty, we found our home in less than two weeks. The day it hit the market, we saw it and made an offer. Two weeks in Tucson, and we were already homeowners! In September, we moved in and began dreaming of all the ways we could make it truly ours.

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