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Vail, Arizona

Vail, Arizona image 1

What It Is Like to Retire in Vail

Vail, Arizona, is a small town with a population of 10,208 (2010 census), in the Southeastern part of the state, about 25 miles southeast of Tucson. The town was named after pioneer ranchers Edward and Walter Vail, who established several large ranches in the area, and deeded a right of way across their lands to the Southern Pacific Railroad, which still has trains running through Vail several times a day.

Vail is known for its outdoor recreation with the desert and mountains offering hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, cave exploring, and golf. The nearby Colossal Cave is a tourist destination as is the Saguaro National Park. Money named Vail as one of the top towns in their Best Places To Retire  "Great Outdoors" category in 2015.   Public domain picture of the Headquarters of Empire Ranch, a working cattle ranch owned by Walter Vail, which was one of the largest in Arizona, and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, courtesy of Wikipedia and Bureau of Land Management (public domain); photo of Vail, AZ sign, Railroad spikes September 2017, courtesy of Wikipedia and 0pen$0urce, Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0/

Where to Retire in Vail and Home Prices

Zillow reports the median home value to be $434,304, in late 2023.

What Is Special about Vail

Vail is for the outdoor enthusiast and does not have the extremely high summer temperatures that other parts of Arizona experience.

What Is Not Special about Vail

Vail is a small town that may be a bit too quiet. Other than outdoor activities there is little to do here.

Who Will Like Retirement in Vail

Retirees who want a small town with outdoor recreation may enjoy living here.

Local Economy Is Driven by

The economy is diverse and driven by Public Administration, Manufacturing and Retail.

Climate and Physical Environment

The average January temperature is 52 degrees and July's average is 87 degrees. The Rincon Mountains help to keep Vail cooler than some other parts of Arizona.

Restaurants & Cultural Scene

The nearby Colossal Cave with over 3 miles of mapped passageways, and the Saguaro National Park are both tourist attractions.  The town has a golf course, a few wineries and restaurants.  Luckily, Tucson is only about 25 miles away for the cultural scene.

Crime

The crime rate in Vail is lower than the national average.

Medical facilities

Tucson offers all types of medical facilities.

Transportation

Tucson International Airport is only about 20 miles away.

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