Red Rock is a rapidly expanding area outside Tucson
Set against a backdrop of the Pinal Mountains and signature reddish clay soil, Red Rock features a landscape dominated by recently built homes. This growing community, about 30 miles north of Tucson, provides a more affordable alternative to the city and the even closer town of Marana. Developers are latching on to the lower land prices here. “They can go out there and develop starter homes,” says Roger Daggett, a Realtor at Coldwell Banker Realty with about seven years of experience. “And that attracts young buyers to that area. Because the homes probably will be $20,000 to $40,000 less expensive than what’s in Marana.”
Construction boom is transforming this community
The oldest houses in Red Rock date only to the mid-2000s, and there were few new homes here before that, Daggett says. But new construction has taken over and most of Red Rock’s homes were built over only the last several years. Most have New Traditional Mediterranean styling and fill sidewalk-lined suburban subdivisions like Red Rock Village and Seasons at Red Rock. “There’s more and more home development there, because of the prices that are creeping up in Tucson and Marana,” Daggett says. Options in Red Rock sell for $220,000 to $390,000.
Red Rock Elementary offers extended care and athletics programs
This community is home to Red Rock Elementary, which includes prekindergarten through eighth grade, carries a C-plus grade on Niche and makes up the Red Rock Elementary School District. Red Rock has before- and after-school programming through the Champions organization. The school also offers sports ranging from girls volleyball to co-ed soccer for grades 6 through 8. Students can move on to Santa Cruz Valley Union High in the Santa Cruz Valley Union High School District No. 840 — both have B-minus grades. The high school has a Career and Technical Education Department with culinary arts and graphic design classes.
Interstate 10 is the main artery for commuters
Red Rock branches directly off Interstate 10. The highway flows south into Marana, about 13 miles away, and to Tucson. Northwest Medical Center is roughly 27 miles away in North Tucson, and Tucson International Airport on the city's south side is a 40-mile trip. Drivers can also take I-10 north to Phoenix, just over 80 miles away.
Marana is a destination for commercial amenities
Red Rock is heavily residential, but locals have a Dollar General just off I-10. From Friday to Sunday, Red Rock Bar offers a weekend for a drink. Daggett says a new shopping center is in development, but he estimates that 80% of residents head to Marana for retail. Marana has a Walmart Supercenter, Kohl’s, Petco, a couple of Fry’s supermarket locations and the Tucson Premium Outlets. La Olla Mexican Cafe, located about 3 miles from the outlets, is among Marana’s popular restaurants, particularly for its margaritas. Luna Cafe is another favorite, but for its breakfasts.
Neighborhood playground and hiking trails are close by
Red Rock Community Park, located just outside the Red Rock Village development, has a playground, basketball court and athletic fields. The complex also includes a pool and a skate park, which require a Red Rock Village resident key card to enter. The nearly 3,800-acre Picacho Peak State Park is about 8 miles north. The park features six trails and has a 1,500-foot peak with views of the valley below. “If you’re living in Red Rock or Marana and looking for something to do, Picacho Peak is kind of a go-to place,” Daggett says. He adds that the Rooster Cogburn Ostrich Ranch is in the Picacho Peak area, where visitors can see and feed ostriches, stingrays, tortoises, bunnies and more.
Red Rock Village and Marana organize community events
Red Rock Village hosts assorted programs for its residents, including a Popsicle Party and Food Truck Night series every other week from May through July at the community pool. People around the Red Rock community can head to Marana for more events, including the Star-Spangled Spectacular Fourth of July celebration at Crossroads at Silverbell District Park. In early December, the Holiday Festival and Tree Lighting is held at Ed Honea Marana Municipal Complex.
Written By
Wayne Epps Jr.
