The Simple Life

According to a recent article in USA Today and AARP The Magazine, Tucson tops the list of the Best Places to Live a Simple Life.  Demographers used figures from the US Census Bureau and other sources in their evaluation.

From a list of 25, then pared down to 10, it was decided that Tucson was number one in terms of places one could live simply.  Here’s the list of the cities:

1. Tucson
2. Greenville, S.C
3. Montpelier, VT
4. Logan, Utah
5. Ames, Iowa
6. Northampton, Mass
7. Lexington/Fayette, KY.
8. Texas Hill Country
9. Oxford, Miss.
10. Walla Walla, Wash.

The demographers looked at affordability and low rates of unemployment, as well as factors including the ability to walk and bike.  Also included were the availability of “outdoor amenities”  such as farmer’s markets and hiking trails.  Visit the Metropolitan Tucson Convention and Visitors Bureau website to explore the many outdoor amenities we have to offer.

Another factor considered in the evaluation was the “stress index”.  This measure takes into account our low rates of suicide, crime, divorce and depression.

Great education played a role in the measure; a plus is the proximity to colleges and universities.  The fact that Tucson is home to University of Arizona helped boost our fair city to the top of the list.

We do enjoy an affordable lifestyle here in Tucson, as well as the many wonderful and diverse opportunities to enjoy our community. Residents rave about Tucson’s multicultural, melting pot feel.

Tucson’s Mayor Bob Walkup, self proclaimed “Mayor of Paradise” says he wasn’t surprised to hear his city was at the top of the list.  He believes we have the best quality of life in the country, adding that our temperate climate and low crime rate make it an ideal place to live.

It’s our abundance of sunshine that simply makes one feel good!

I invite you to check us out, investigate our affordable Tucson Real Estate and start enjoying Tucson Arizona.

Denise McCreary

Summer in the Desert

Summers in Tucson offer a different experience than what our visitors normally  find in the winter and spring.  Tourist  and winter visitor traffic falls off, making getting around town much quicker and easier.  Our resorts have been advertising “Staycations”, with bargain rates targeted at getting the locals to enjoy an easy weekend getaway.  The pace slows down and everything happens with regard to the heat of the day.  It’s sort of like the cabin fever you northerners experience in the dead of winter.  We tend to do our outside chores at sun up, wearing big hats and long sleeves for sun protection.

But in the midst of oppressive heat come  the monsoons–that glorious time of year when the clouds gather late in the day and the heavens bless us with spectacular rain storms and the fragrant smell of creosote bushes.  The creosote bush, or larrea tridentata, is native to the southern third of Arizona.  It’s a great example of a plant’s ability to adapt to tough conditions.  The creosote has small waxy resinous leaves which emit a wonderful pungeant aroma after a rain.  When I came to Tucson in the summer of 1986 I had never experienced the desert.  The smell of creosote in the rain became something that triggered that “ahhh” feeling in my brain.  It makes me happy;  it reminds me how much I love living in Tucson.  My friend Pam who spends the winters in Tucson sometimes sends creosote cuttings to friends with a note saying, “This is what the desert smells like.”

Come to Tucson– enjoy the summer monsoons and that fragrant freshness the rain brings!

Denise McCreary

Stay Cool In The Desert

My friends who live in more temperate areas of the country often ask me, “How can you stand the heat in the summer?”  I often respond, chuckling, with something like, “It’s really not THAT bad—it’s a dry heat.”  If you live here in Arizona you know what I mean.  (And Tucsonans are always at the ready to defend our precious Old Adobe.)   In the sun, in the middle of the day the heat is, well, searing.  But in the shade it’s quite bearable, even comfortable.  Here are a few things you can do to make the high and dry temperatures even more tolerable:  Create your own evaporative cooling by wearing a wet cloth around your neck…I know that sounds yucky, but it really works!  You can purchase one of these cooling devices at the drugstore.  It’s a neckerchief containing some kind of bead which, when wetted, retains moisture.  I keep mine in the fridge and take it with me when I know I’m going to be out in the heat (golfing, fishing, and gardening) for a long period of time.  Spray bottles filled with cool water offer another easy way to beat the heat outdoors.  You can buy these, again, at your local drugstore—I‘ve even seen some with little fans attached.  Lastly, to keep yourself hydrated, drink lots of water–before you are thirsty.

I love to play golf, and even though it’s hot in Tucson in the summer, the season has its advantages.  The snowbirds have gone home, so good tee times are available, as well as bargain green fees.  You can go to golfnow.com 24/7 to reserve and pay for tee times.  My husband, LJ, and I received a free round of golf at the new Ritz Carlton Dove Mountain course when we attended the Accenture Match Play in February.  We look forward to checking out the new links in one of Tucson’s newest luxury home communities.  You can review a couple of  luxury golf course properties, as well as other luxury homes on my website.

Tucson is a great place to enjoy year round–even when the temperature climbs to above 100 degrees.

Denise McCreary

Twenty Five Years…

My husband and I recently celebrated 25 years of (mostly!) wedded bliss.  Don’t misunderstand me; it hasn’t been a cakewalk, but our years of hard work have given us a great marriage and lifestyle together.  Our anniversary gave me an opportunity to reflect upon and appreciate the keys to what makes our wonderful relationship work so well.  These behaviors, if practiced regularly will have a positive effect on all of your relationships, personal or business.

1.  Take responsibility for yourself and your relationship(s).  Don’t play the blame game–ever. Even if you’re not the cause of something negative, acknowlege the fact that you are sorry for it’s impact on your relationship. 

2. Forgive each other.  A friend once pointed out to me the definition of FORGIVE: to give as before.  Forgive often and sincerely.

3. Don’t ever complain to another person about your spouse, friend, or partner.  If you’re around someone who starts complaining  about their spouse, try to change the subject or offer something positive. 

4. Encourage, encourage, encourage!  You will be profoundly blessed  by this.

5. Be happy!  Abraham Lincoln said,”People are just as happy as they make their minds up to be.”  Happiness is a choice; as trivial as this sounds, it starts with putting a smile on your face.  Try it!

6. Take time out for yourself.  Recharging your “batteries’ brings vitality to all of your relationships.

7. Be ongoingly grateful and acknowlege what you appreciate in each other.

8. Play together and enjoy each other.  LJ and I just returned from a two week road trip to celebrate our anniversary.  We had a blast just being together.

9. Be honest with each other.  Keeping secrets is like putting a road block between you and your spouse.  “Oh what a terrible web we weave, when first we practice to deceive.”  Sometimes telling the truth can be risky, but hiding the truth for a lifetime can be deadly.

10. Share your relationship and what’s good about it with others.  People want to be around those who are happy and prospering. 

So much has happened in these past 25 years.  We’ve had several recessions and housing downturns followed by periods of incredible prosperity.  Knowing this is what keeps me optimistic about the future of our Tucson Real Estate Market.  I’ve been blessed with so many wonderful clients in my real estate business. LJ and I have built a successful custom homebuilding company, McCreary Homes, in buisness since 1988.  We’ve raised 2 wonderful kids, Abby and Connor, and made a place in our home for LJ’s mom, Erma, now 91 years old.

Life continues to be good, simply because we say so.

Denise McCreary