Moving from Los Angeles, CA to Tucson, AZ

Thinking about moving from Los Angeles, CA to Tucson, AZ?

Just 488 miles separates you from your new home in “The Old Pueblo”! While that isn’t too far away from L.A., there are some things you should know before you start the move. Let’s take a look at transportation, weather, education, and much more so you can be prepared when moving from Los Angeles to Tucson. Keep reading!

Making your way from L.A. to Tucson

Driving 6 hours or flying one hour to move to Tucson is going to be a piece of cake, especially if you move with U-Pack®. U-Pack takes care of the driving for you, freeing you up to drive your personal vehicle (or fly) instead of driving a rental truck. The best part is that our rates are comparable to truck rental, and you can save even more by loading at a service center. It’s like having your cake and eating it, too! Click here to get a free moving quote.

Tucson’s size

You’ll find that it’s not too crowded in Tucson compared to Los Angeles. Tucson’s metro area is just shy of 1 million residents, while L.A. boasts 12.8 million residents! You’ll definitely appreciate being able to get to work faster and getting around Tucson in general.

The weather in Tucson

Moving from a subtropical-Mediterranean climate to a desert climate will certainly bring about a few changes. Summers in Tucson are hotter than L.A. summers, with temps regularly exceeding 100 F. Winters are mild, with daytime temps in the 60s-70s, and nighttime temps in the 30s-50s. During monsoon season (Mid-June to late July), the humidity and potential for flash flooding is high. The city sits at 2,389 ft., approximately 2,156 ft. above Los Angeles! Be sure to drink plenty of water as you adjust to the elevation.

Tucson transportation options

If you’re used to getting around town via the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority, then you’ll easily transition with local public transit provided by Sun Tran in Tucson. In 2014, Tucson will introduce the Tucson Streetcar. Read more about it here. Tucson also offers the Old Pueblo Trolley for weekend service, the Tucson International Airport, Interstates 10 and 19, and Amtrak rail system.

Where to learn in Tucson

L.A. is full of education instructions, and so is Tucson! If you’re looking for options for your school-aged children, look no further than the Tucson Unified School District. There are 326 private schools and 87 charter schools in the area, too. For higher education, Tucson has many options to choose from. The University of Arizona, Prima Community College, and Arizona State University to name a few.

The top employers in Tucson

If you’re looking for a job in Tucson, there are a few places that might interest you. The University of Arizona, Raytheon Missile Systems, the State of Arizona, Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, and Walmart are the top 5 employers in the area. The Arizona Daily Star Classifieds Section is also a great place to look for jobs in Tucson.

Fun things to do in Tucson

It might be difficult to leave all the fun in Los Angeles, but Tucson is just as fun!

  • Experience the desert at the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum
  • Be amazed at the Pima Air and Space Museum
  • Spend a day at Saguaro National Park
  • See the animals at Reid Park Zoo
  • Grab a bike and participate in the El Tour de Tucson charity event in November
  • Enjoy the 4th Avenue Spring/Fall Street Fairs
  • Love to read? Tucson has a Festival of Books
  • Have fun at Arizona’s only Intimate Illusion Show
  • Be entertained at the Arizona Theater Company