My parents have long yearned to move to Tucson from Sierra Vista, the relatively small burg the Kjos family has occupied since the early 19802.
It's a beautiful place, Sierra Vista, but it lacks certain things - such as quick access to Wildcats' football games, diverse shopping. and restaurants that aren't jampacked.
Finally this spring, my folks picked up and relocated to a townhome on the east side.
They moved to this part of Tucson to be near me and other family members. They met that goal. Yet a certain one of my parents is having second thoughts. Should they have moved closer to the University of Arizona? The northwest side? Stayed put?
So I posted a note on Facebook asking friends to help me compile a list of east-side amenities.
Herewith is a list of some terrific things you won't find anywhere else in Tucson.
1. The Ace Hardware on East 22nd Street - chock-full of fun stuff for the whole family, especially if you sneak next door to the hobby shop.
2. Ready access to the office of my parents' longtime cardiologist (Dr. Timothy Marshall), not to mention lots of other health-care options.
3. Trail Dust Town - a great place to take out-of-town guests, especially around the holidays.
4. Proximity to Pima Community College's East Campus.
5. Sam Levitz, Table Talk and La-Z-Boy furniture stores within walking distance of one another.
6. Agua Caliente Park - a cool spot for a breakfast bagel and some time outdoors.
7. Arguably the best plant nurseries in town; among them, Mesquite Valley Growers, Harlow's, Civano Nursery … the list could go on.
8. Udall Park - catch free community concerts here.
9. The Murphy-Wilmot Library - the newly renovated bastion of books and other materials is a local favorite.
10. Colossal Cave Mountain Park - much more than a hole in the ground, this destination makes a good day trip.
11. Academy Village and its Arizona Senior Academy - free concerts and lectures make this an east-side treasure.
12. Abounding Grace Sanctuary on South Kolb Road - home to the Live Acoustic Venue Association's concert series.
13. Saguaro National Park East - with its miles of trails and beautiful scenery, nothing says "east side" more than this stretch of desert.
14. Pima Air & Space Museum - like Trail Dust Town, the museum is a hit with year-round residents as well as visitors.
15. The delightful dinosaur at East Grant and Tanque Verde roads - you can't miss this creature when he's (she's?) all dolled up for Halloween.
Wrapping this up, I realize I missed something critical: restaurants. Email me your favorites for another column.
Tiffany Kjos is the Star's Regional editor. Email her at tkjos@azstarnet.com
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