Situated in the Santa Cruz Valley and surrounded by the Tumacacori Mountains, Tubac's setting could not be more idyllic.   Large stands of cottonwood, mesquite and acacia trees dot the area, and centuries-old adobe houses line the town's main streets.   Four nations (Spain, Mexico, the Confederate States of America and the United States) have flown flags over this tiny desert oasis, and it is the second oldest European settlement west of the Mississippi.   It was also once Arizona's largest town.  Today, city facilities are comprised of the Tubac Historical Society, a fire department and the McCollough Regional Health Center; there is no official city government. There are two churches, two parks, a new community center and a small library.  

Tourists come to stroll the cobbled sidewalks, shop in tasteful boutiques and dine in some excellent restaurants; retirees come to find a slower pace and a laid back Southwestern lifestyle.  This is a place where one can taste Old Mexico without leaving the U.S.

Tubac real estate is not cheap and not overly plentiful, which is to be expected considering the size of the town.  The median home cost is $345,000, although at the time of this writing, most two bedroom, two bath single-family homes with 1,500-plus square feet are starting at around $450,000 and rising significantly from there.   Town homes with 1,200 to 1,500 square feet, two bedrooms and one bath are available starting in the low to mid-$300,000s.   In keeping with local history, every home in Tubac is built in the southwestern, adobe style.   

This is an interactive map.  Click on the arrows in the upper left hand corner to move the map to the East, West, North or South, and click on the +/- signs to zoom in and out.

There are several new upscale master-planned communities, including the Tubac Golf Resort (lots for sale on this 200 year-old ranch start in the high $200,000s) and Barrio de Tubac.  The Townhomes at Embarcadero (800-700-2506) are beautiful, completely furnished (Southwestern-style) town homes with a full-time concierge, housekeeping services, laundry services, valet service, errands' service, covered parking and meal delivery.  One bedroom units with a year-long lease start at $1,676 per month.  Weekly and monthly rentals are also available.  Tubac does not have a manufactured home community.

The average property tax rate in Santa Cruz county, where Tubac is located, is $7.56 per $1,000 in property value.  Social Security and Railroad Retirement benefits are exempt from state income taxes.  Up to $2,500 total of military, civil service, and Arizona state/local government pensions are also exempt.  All out-of-state government pensions are fully taxed.  Single homeowners 65 and older who earn less than $3,700 and married couples who earn less than $5,500 are eligible for a tax credit of up to $502.   The sales tax rate is 6%.

The town does not have a public transportation system, but this is a very walkable community.  No one is in a hurry to get much of anywhere, anyway.   Even though things move rather slowly, a number of volunteer opportunities are available, including working with the Tubac Historical Society, an all-volunteer preservation group, giving time to the Tubac Center of the Arts, and doing a variety of jobs, including acting as a docent, a gardener or manning the visitors' desk, at Tumacacori National Park.

Tubac, Arizona, Continued....