Off-Campus Housing & Apartments near University of Arizona (U of A)

Welcome to off-campus living at the University of Arizona. If you're headed here for the first time because you've just been accepted, congratulations! If you're already here but you're looking to move off campus into Tucson next semester, you've come to the right place. ForRentUniversity.com® offers advice for students and parents, plus hundreds of listings of the best apartments near the University of Arizona. But when you're moving, you always want to know a little more about your new home. How's student life in Tucson? What are the best neighborhoods for University of Arizona students? Read on for the details in our UA off-campus guide.

The University of Arizona is a school that is extremely invested in its students. With over 350 student organizations, UA is sure to have an experience that you'll be able to throw yourself into. If you're interested in band, this is the place for you. The Pride of Arizona, UA's award-winning band, played for halftime in the very first Super Bowl! If Greek-letter life is more your thing, you'll be pleased to learn that UA supports 52 fraternities and sororities. Of course, if you're into sports, the Arizona Wildcats field 17 teams. Their mascots, Wilbur and Wilma the Wildcats, are known nationwide for their persistence. The school's bold choice of navy blue and cardinal red as school colors is also an instantly recognizable combination.

The University of Arizona campus is located in Midtown Tucson. Much of the economy here centers on tourism. In 2016, tourism generated nearly $2 billion for Pima County, where Tucson is located. But even with the urban setting, an air of relaxation runs through town. Whether you’re enjoying delicious restaurants, beautiful arts, or just a lovely day outside, Tucson is a beautiful place to visit. It's even better when you live here. Just like most of the Southwest, Tucson is incredibly sunny, with an average December low of 41 degrees Fahrenheit. If you're from anywhere farther north, you'll relish the sun in the winter here. Tucson is incredibly proud of the University of Arizona and has a great relationship with it. UA is actually Tucson's largest employer, and the city is all but built around the campus. That makes it easy to get to Tucson's hotspots directly from your last class. As a Wildcat, you definitely won't feel left out in this beautiful city. Because of its size and the amount of influence it has on the city, UA is basically its own neighborhood within Tucson. The area is generally called Midtown Tucson though the borders are unclear. Still, Midtown and Central Tucson encompass a good amount of the Tucson experience. The area shows off everything from gorgeous botanical gardens and huge parks to a lovely retail center and a comedy theater that's been running for more than 35 years.

Staying Safe in Tucson

It's common to be worried when you move to a new area. It's common for your parents to be worried, too! UA understands and makes the campus as safe and welcoming as possible so you don't have to worry. The University of Arizona Police Department serves the UA campus 24/7. Campus police have a Crime Prevention unit along with assigned liaisons for sororities and fraternities so you can be sure you're safe. When you’re looking for housing off campus, don’t forget that ForRentUniversity.com lets you sort apartments near UA for safety and privacy features such as shuttles, parking, and controlled access.

Sam Hughes

Sam Hughes is a Tucson neighborhood that's a little bit more residential. It's located directly to the east of UA. The neighborhood is a casual, comfortable place where everyone seems to know each other. Just because Sam Hughes is widely residential, however, that doesn't mean there's nothing to do within the neighborhood. There are plenty of restaurants and businesses, mostly to the south, like Tucson Tamale Company and the Laff's Comedy Caffé.

West University

If you want to live in a place with rich history and beautiful homes but still be close to UA, West University is the place for you. West University is a Historic Preservation Zone, meaning a lot of homes have looked the way they do now for years. The neighborhood is not all residential, though. West University encompasses Historic Fourth Avenue, a buzzing shopping/restaurant district perfect for all ages.

Downtown Tucson

If you want to live in the heart of the city with not a moment to rest, check out Downtown Tucson. It's got wonderful nightlife, and it's easy to get around on bicycle paths or via Tucson's streetcar service. You’ll find a full calendar of events happening in Downtown Tucson any day of the week. If you hate being bored, you'll love living down here. And you’ll still be connected to the UA campus via the Sun Link streetcar.