Is it true that Howard Hughes named Rita Ranch — a master-planned community 20 miles south of Tucson — after Rita Hayworth? While the eccentric billionaire owned this swath of Arizona land at one time, most local historians dismiss this as an unfounded rumor. Some say the master-planned community takes its name from a nearby train depot, while others believe a Realtor named it after a family friend. In any event, the story lends an air of glamour to the residential area, wedged between Interstate 10 and the Rincon Mountains. Since Rita Ranch is so close to the highway, getting in and out of Tucson is a breeze. “The traffic can get rough down in Vail,” says Jennifer Smith, Realtor with Realty Executives, “but Rita Ranch has more ways to get in and out.”
Rita Ranch is defined by Rita Road, which splits the community in half.
Interstate 10 is quickly accessible to Rita Ranch residents, only minutes away.
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Modern builds in the Spanish Revival style
Most houses in Rita Ranch feature a Spanish Revival design, although they were built within the last 25 years. There are tan stucco walls and gently sloping tiled roofs around every corner. Many homes are single-story with 3 to 4 bedrooms, and some offer views of the Rincon Mountains in the distance. Short, paved driveways and attached garages are standard, but it’s not unusual to see a lot of cars parked along the two-lane residential streets. The lots typically measure a quarter acre or less, which means the homes are grouped close together. While trees and shrubbery enliven the streets, and some properties include fences, there’s not much privacy among neighbors in Rita Ranch. Some smaller homes sell in the upper $200,000 range, while new builds can cost as much as $500,000. “You can get more house for your money here than in Vail,” Smith says. “The taxes are lower, too.”
Rita Ranch homes are typically made out of stucco and beige in color.
Driveways that can fit at least two cars are standard in Rita Ranch.
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Skating and splashing at Purple Heart Park
Families head to Purple Heart Park when they want to get some fresh air. The space spans 37 acres and includes a skate park, playground, baseball field, swimming pool and splash pad. There’s also plenty of open space for kite flying, playing tag or relaxing with a book. Ivan’s Spot Dog Park is also onsite and features a concrete walking path, shaded pavilions and dog-friendly drinking fountains. Hikers should check out the Rincon Mountain Wilderness Area east of Rita Ranch, where they can crest Rincon Peak or Mica Mountain for some of the most unforgettable vistas around Tucson.
Ivan's Spot Dog Park has plenty of shade for pups of all sizes.
Every summer, kids enjoy the cool water at the splash pad at Purple Heart Park in Rita Ranch.
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Vail School District’s grade-A reputation
According to Smith, many families move to Rita Ranch because it’s part of the Vail Unified School District, one of Arizona’s top-performing districts. “It’s not quite as far out as Vail, but the kids go to the same school,” Smith says. Students can start at Desert Willow Elementary on Esmond Loop before moving on to Desert Sky Middle School on East Rita Road. Vail Academy and High School is also nearby and allows students to attend from kindergarten through 12th grade. All these schools get an A from Niche. Vail Academy High students can join the BoxerBots, a robotics team that joins forces with Mica Mountain High School students. “BoxerBots is a newer program,” says Smith, who grew up in the area. “They’ve started a lot of new teams and events since I was in school there.”
Cottonwood Elementary is an A+ rated school in Rita Ranch.
Desert Sky Middle School serves grades 6-8 in Rita Ranch.
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The Shoppes at Rita Ranch
Folks who enjoy the fare at fast-food chains like McDonald’s and Panda Express will find tons of options in Rita Ranch. One local hot spot is Rancho Rustico in Houghton Town Center, serving tacos, fajitas and other Mexican favorites. The Shoppes at Rita Ranch shopping mall includes a Fry’s Supermarket for the basics.
Fry's serves the Rita Ranch area with a super store.
Sizzling fajitas are the house specialty at Rancho Rustico in Rita Ranch.
Serial Grillers offers a variety of American food and craft beer on tap in Rita Ranch.
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Traveling into Tucson
Usually, the 20-mile drive from the heart of Rita Ranch to downtown Tucson takes about half an hour. Tucson International Airport is within 15 miles, but since it’s across the interstate, drivers should also plan on 30 minutes for that trip. Additionally, Tucson’s Sun Tran bus service has several stops in Rita Ranch.
Although less common than Midtown, Sun Tran busses do still serve Rita Ranch.
Rita Ranch residents can easily access Houghton Road, a main thorofare.
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Riding the Loop
The Loop, a system of bike paths that traverses 130 miles, has several access points in Rita Ranch. There’s also a trailhead for Fantasy Island, which offers adrenaline seekers an extreme mountain-biking experience. In April, the Pima County Fair arrives at the fairgrounds on South Houghton Road just a 15-minute drive away.
The Loop has over 130 miles of paved road for Rita Ranch residents to hop on.
The Pima County Fair is a cherished tradition every April for Rita Ranch residents.
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
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The city of Tucson is full of great, local small businesses. I believe these small businesses make up a large portion of Tucson's businesses and this city would not thrive without them. This may be slightly bias given that my father owns his own successful small business and has for all my life. There is really nothing you cannot get your hands on in Tucson. I believe there is a great balance between big corporate companies and box stores and all the mom-and-pop shops in the area.
3.0Niche User
6/12/2014Niche Review
We have the park to go walk around at, and we have baseball fields for kids to join a baseball team, but we need exercising facilities.
4.0Niche User
11/12/2014Niche Review
the food is great but we go to the same places so i don't know all the foods and if they are great but i have the basics.
3.0Niche User
4/27/2015Niche Review
It's kinda bad, but not enough to deserve the bad rating. It's tough for people to find permanent jobs and tough for young workers in high school to find part time jobs.
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Rita Ranch Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Rita Ranch, Tucson sell after 76 days on the market compared to the national average of 52 days. The median sale price for homes in Rita Ranch, Tucson over the last 12 months is $357,000, up 2% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Discover elegant living in The West at Rita Ranch with this beautifully updated 4 bed, 2 bath home. The kitchen offers durable Corian counters, updated cabinetry, and stainless steel appliances that stay with the home. Both bathrooms have been tastefully remodeled with designer finishes, while rich Koa hardwood floors add warmth and sophistication. The open concept design is filled with natural
Check out this STUNNER! 5 bedrooms (all with large closets), a large loft & 3 FULL bathrooms with one large bedroom and a bathroom downstairs. Triple pane windows, extended patio, custom fire pit seating, and a finished backyard! You'll find impeccable finishes and owners who truly care about every aspect of the home. Minutes from Cienega, and a short stroll to the neighborhood park make this
100-Day Home Warranty coverage available at closing. Welcome to this stunning property with a natural color palette throughout. The spacious kitchen boasts a center island, perfect for meal prep and entertaining. The primary bathroom features a separate tub and shower, double sinks, and good under sink storage. Step outside to enjoy the fenced backyard with a covered sitting area, ideal for
Highly sought-after single-story home featuring a full 3-car garage and stunning mountain views. Enjoy the privacy of no rear neighbors, backing to open space. The spacious floor plan includes vaulted ceilings, an open-concept kitchen, and a cozy family room with a fireplace. Recent updates include newer flooring throughout, new HVAC in 2020, and new hot water heater in 2022. Ceiling fans in
This move-in ready home has been very nicely updated and offers a low 2.99% assumable loan to VA qualified buyers. The floors have been replaced with easy to maintain wood plank tile flooring in the living areas. Solar screens have been added to all of the windows and the financed solar panels help keep the electric bills low. The bathrooms have been upgraded as well with new vanities, light
Seller will accept or counter offers between $400,000-$415,000. Welcome home! Enjoy a fully fenced backyard with a refreshing pool to beat the summer heat. 3 bed 2 bath with a den! New tile flooring and stainless steel appliances. Granite countertops. Just under 2000 sq ft of comfort living. Kitchen opens to great room with a breakfast nook. Solid 8'' Stucco construction, tile roof and well
Welcome home to Encantada Rita Ranch! Premier luxury apartment community located in the Rita Ranch area, offering you a 100% SMOKE FREE living environment. Families in our premier Rita Ranch location will reside in the highly rated Vail School District, which boasts a variety of top-ranked schools, from preschool to high school.Providing luxury lifestyle and convenience all in one location, with
AVAILABLE NOW! ** All Atlas Real Estate residents are enrolled in the Resident Benefits Package (RBP) at a monthly rate of $60/month with a one-time utility set-up fee of $30. Fee includes Renters Insurance, HVAC air filter delivery (for applicable properties), utility concierge service making utility connection a breeze during your move-in, our best-in-class resident rewards program, and much
---- SCHEDULE A SHOWING ONLINE AT: ----Move in special $500 off first full month's rent!Welcome to Desert Crossings, a Rita Ranch Community! Rita Ranch is known for being a family friendly community with walking paths, schools close by, Vail district option, parks galore, close to Davis Monthan Air Force Base and I-10 for easy travel access. This beautiful 4 bedroom, 2 bathroom home
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