The period of late fall through early spring usually reflects a distinctive character in town as the population tends to fluctuate at this time of year. Typically retirees and folks with second winter homes, otherwise known as snowbirds, will relocate to the desert to escape the harsh winter climate of their primary homes.

Unlike many eastern cities in the United States, Tucson was based around a grid plan, with one area planned to be the geographic center. While the geographic center has shifted as the city has grown, the streets help to set the borders between neighborhoods and make the town easier to navigate.