University of Arizona/Tucson Fanatics

[PooAndGlue]

I'm going to be attending the University of Arizona in the fall, and I was wondering if any fellow fanatics that are there right now or graduated from it or any Tucson residents could give me some advice...

1. What cell phone service is the best there? My contract expired a while a long, and I really want a need phone/service ASAP, I just want to make sure it is good in Tucson as well. Cingular, Verizon, or T-Mobile?

2. Tucson as a town isn't really that nice until you go a bit north/west, and I was wondering where are some fun places to hang out at on nights and weekends.

3. How safe is it for our cars there? I don't have an alarm yet, but I will get one installed before I leave, but right now I really want to get rims but my dad doesn't want me to get rims before I have my own apartment (ie soph year).

4. Is HWY10 always full of cops? I'll be buying a V1 before I head off because the drive from Silicon Valley (ncal) to Tucson is long and I <3 speeding. (Side note: is there a way to hardwire the V1 in a steptronic?)

5. Are there any school-related activites you would recommend joining as a freshman? (ie greek, intermural sports leagues, etc.)

6. Finally, is there anything I should know before heading over there? Like, a laptop is a must, make sure to bring sandles, etc.?

Thanks. And please... let's avoid the ASU/UA rivalry. And yes, this is a repost.. I had this posted in OT, but it was never answered.

[Brahman Bull]

Whats Up Poo? Welcome to Tucson, AZ! I am a senior at UA. I'll try to answer some of your questions for you as best I can.

1. Most of the Tucson/Phoenix BMW guys post on www.bimmerforums.com under the Southwest section.

2. As for cell phone service I have AT&T wireless which is pretty good. My gf has Sprint which she absolutely loves and my Dad uses T-mobile which he says is good enough for him.

3. Hanging out is kind of lame. Find some awesome friends and you will not have a problem with doing anything. Tucson is absolutely beautiful in the Foothills area where I live but there are definately areas that are not too safe. Just becareful until you become more familar with the area.

4. Tucson is relatively safe for our cars but if you are going to be living on campus your first year wait on the rims. If you cant wait, just buy some wheel locks and you will probably be safe. UA is notorious for car break-ins so never leave your CDs or stereo face in plain view b/c it most likely be gone in the morning.

5. There are the occasional cops on I-10. Get the V1...you will be happy you did. AZ DPS is very tricky when hiding and shooting radar. My Escort Solo S2 has helped out quite a bit.

6. Join whatever you want really. I didnt go Greek b/c it wasnt for me. Joined some clubs my freshman year and made a ton of friends. Now I am on the UA cycling team. The clubs on campus are really fun b/c people are just trying to meet other people.

7. A laptop would be nice. Sandals are a must along with shorts, t-shirts and water.

If you anymore questions whatsoever let me know via email. Post up on bimmer forums. The AZ crew is mostly there. See ya in the fall.

[winston smith]

1. I had Sprint for a long time in Tucson and hated it, dropped calls all the time. They claimed it was my phone. I surveyed a bunch of ppl I went to school with, everyone with Verizon was happy, I was too when I switched.

2. I spent my undergrad down there ’94-’98, then went back for an MBA ’02 – ’04. So I have really seen the town grow up. Way west is nice, Starr Pass area (Apartments = Moonrise & Starrview) “University House” is over there if you want a crazy huge party scene, you won’t get any peace & quiet. I lived in the NW too (Orange Grove & I10) That’s ok, I would go further east toward the foothills though (1st & East) Nothing really nice around the campus unless you can get a place in the “Sam Hughes” area next to campus.

Tons of places to hang out when you are 21, which I take it you are not, so for you see #5

3. It’s fairly safe for your car, but I didn’t take it to any downtown/4th ave bars at night. Parked it in a garage at school too (which I suggest).

4. Not sure about the cops on I10, just don’t cruise on Speedway blvd with all the *****s, cops are out there all the time.

5. Well in relation to the other post, Greek may not be for you but if you join you certainly will have a lot to do. I didn’t think it was for me either, I rushed just to see and I found a house that wasn’t typical, turned out to be a lot of fun, and I gained tons of great friends and business contacts. The University has been cracking down on the greek system as of late so I’m not sure how that scene is anymore.

Intramurals are good. My freshman year was spent in the dorms so that helps a lot too.

6. Uhh water is great. Ohh sunscreen too, if you burn easily :)

[Iniquity]

hey.. i'm a "senior" at UA.. i actually graduated.. just job searching and what not but a part time student... and liek the bull said.. most az peeps are at bimmerforums because most have e36's..only a few have e46s...

1. my friends with T-mobile get spotty service, friends with ATT get decent service.. anything outside of tucson and they get no service.. i've had sprint my entire time in tucson.. never had a dropped call.. great service... my friend with verizon never gets dropped calls either..verizon and sprint are the best choices for tucson probably.. it also depends on your phone.. for sprint.. higher end sanyo phones tend to have the best reception... for verizon i've heard it's motorolla and audiovox..

2. nicest area to hang out in tucson is north central.. cambell and sunrise area.. it's basically the foothills.. this is where you'll see all the expensive imports and catalina foothill high school students in their bmws and jags thinking they're gangsta.. :rolleyes: another relatively nice area with more UA student population is the swan and broadway area.. a couple miles east and west of swan.. bookstores, restaurants, etc.. as a freshman you'll be hanging out on University Avenue a lot.. not necessarily a bad thing...walking distance and lots of activity..

3. relatively safe.. like winston said.. just don't take it to the bars downtown unless they have valet parking right by the entrance where the cars are always in view by the bouncers, valets, and people waiting in line.. parking on campus is okay too.. i would suggest a garage.. an alarm won't do anything waste of money.. the only thing it will do is go off when a car with a fartcan goes by or let you know that someone backed into your car.. speaking of which.. when parking in a garage.. park near the top and away from others cars.. prefferably near walls.. get as close to the wall and as far in as possible to avoid dings and unexpected bumper damage (my old car was hit 3 times in the open parking lots on campus within a one year period..)

4. I-10 is on and off with cops.. sometimes you'll see tons of em and sometimes you'll see none... most are there to scare you and don't even have radar on... you can hardwire a V1 in any car.. it's very simple.. I hardwired my V1 myself.. I can help you if you need it.. or just search for a DIY on here.. there are plenty..

5. I did the frat thing and hated it.. nearly got them kicked off campus because they wouldn't leave me alone.. but we settled.. and now they're off my back.. plus some frat *******s pissed on my car and a couple of my friends cars and then ran back to their house giggling like girls and running like chuahuas when we came out to kick their asses... I work at the rec center and would highly recommend intramurals and clubsports.. also.. I would recommend joining a club.. if you want to meet people the fraternity APO is okay.. it's a community service frat.. it's like a 2-1, girl-guy ratio.. guys join it to meet girls.. it's basically a 90210 thing still.. oh the drama..

6. if you're living on campus I would recommend a desktop.. it's much harder to steal than a laptop.. but a laptop is good.. wireless network adapter as well for working in ILC or the library.. and even coffee shops that offer free wifi (ike's cafe on speedway between alvernon and country club).. oh.. and for your car.. a california car duster..

i think that covers everything... good luck and welcome.. hopefully i'll see you around..