East Coast to Sierra Vista or Tuscon or bust! (Tucson: apartments, leasing)

[south_east2west]

"........but have you thought about Sonoita?"

I haven't but I will now. How big is the city compared to Benson?

[south_east2west]

drb85650,

You sure you are not getting kick backs from the chamber of commerce. Hey is that you I saw in a visitarizona TV commercial?? LOL

[crazyme4878]

Originally Posted by drb85650

... Like you I've heard second hand from "authorities" about drug runners, gun battles deep in the canyons, even tales of a old mine pit full of bodies, lots of stuff. True? hell, could be. But here in SV it has no visible affect on our daily lives other than seeing Border Patrol vehicles.
Sorry that you hate SV, not sure what your reasons are?
It could be said I love it, great place. But I do still miss Phoenix, just a big city guy. And, yes we are considering moving back in a few months. Probably wait till it's about 117' out, makes moving so much more fun!!!!!

I agree that the immigration issue just doesn't affect your life in a day-to-day way. I was just trying to say that we probably won't have to worry about any violence coming across the border (not that Naco has too much that I'm aware of).

I'm a small-town type of person, so that is immediately one strike against SV. I also live 10 miles out of town, which I normally wouldn't mind, but I'm not in the country either, so I don't have the best of either world. But the biggest thing I don't like about SV is that it is all strip malls and the majority of stores are national chain stores. I don't feel like there is a real community here. I love living in an area that I can walk down the street, looking in store windows, build a rapport with store owners, and meet people that I know...also walking down the street. And it is about impossible for that to happen in SV. We had looked at buying a house in Bisbee, but again, the community is stretched apart into different "sections" that are divided by highway.

Add in the fact that the place I love best is in the far north on the shores of Lake Superior...well it all makes for one unhappy me. But I'm trying enjoy my stay and appreciate the area's own special beauty. It makes it hard giving out "advice" here, though. I think I can bring up some valid points to others, but I always end up sounding negative. There are definitely many people who really love SV.

[crazyme4878]

Originally Posted by south_east2west

"........but have you thought about Sonoita?"

I haven't but I will now. How big is the city compared to Benson?

It is very small--City-Data says the 2007 population was 918. So that is why I said it doesn't fit really any of your desires except for location. I don't get out that way too often, but everytime I do I am amazed at it's beauty. It is more grasslands compared to scrubby rangeland on this side of the Huachucas. It is also a small winery area and has a couple good places to eat. But I'm not sure on a grocery store and pretty sure there is no theater.

[wfurm]

Crazyme...that's OK. Not everyone enjoys the same thing. I happen to love it here. I've been here for four months and I feel like I'm finally home. I run my dogs down at the river, we have a great agility trainer that just relocated here, and there are a ton of horse barns....I ride, and I am now getting into agility training with my cattle dog. It's a small city, but nothing compared to where I just moved from. The strip malls don't bother me as I'm from southern CA.

Everyone I've met here have been so nice and there always seems to be something to do here, whether running to Bisbee, or maybe driving into Tuscon....there really is a lot to do here and around us. Hubby and I couldn't be happier.

[crazyme4878]

hahahaha...the differences in lives! To me, it is a big city...

Glad to hear you like it! Did you see the rainbow today? My son was a bit disappointed that school wasn't called off this morning.

[drb85650]

I should get paid, huh? Just the opposite of Crazyme, I'm more a city guy and will likely return to Phoenix soon, but still brag on how wonderful SV is.
Sonoita....ever notice the city limit signs are both on the same post?

[mikec34]

edit: never mind..... bleh

[wfurm]

Originally Posted by crazyme4878

hahahaha...the differences in lives! To me, it is a big city...

Glad to hear you like it! Did you see the rainbow today? My son was a bit disappointed that school wasn't called off this morning.

Yes...I saw the rainbow. I happened to be outside working my dog.

[south_east2west]

I am the originator of this thread and after several months of waiting my wife has received an offer for Ft Huachuca and we will be relocating sometime in June. However, I am sorry to report that neither of us are happy. Her job prospects were between GA, AL, and AZ and although I have posted on the other forums, Arizonians by far have been the nicest and the most willing to help but based on many thoughts, ideas, and opinions we've read on the AZ forums, we were hoping for AL or GA. We have concerns about our quality of life living in AZ. Although we have always looked forward to leaving the DC metro area, we will miss having access to simple things we have taken for granted until now. Simple things such as nice grocery stores, movie theaters, shopping malls, strip malls, etc. From what we read, most of these things seem nonexisient in SV unless one is willing to drive many miles for it. I have searched the internet high and low looking for information or pictures on Sierra Vista residential communities, strip malls, night life, day life, any life and all I seem to find are people who recommend driving to Tucson because it is the closest big city.

Besides becoming one with nature what else does SV have to offer?

Does anyone have any pictures of SV that shows pictures around town, etc?

Should we look to buy/rent in SV or save ourselves the trouble and move to Tucson and commute back and forth?
etc?


I am fully aware that part of my apprehension may be a resistance to change which can be attributed to having lived on the east coast my entire life.

As always your help/advice is appreciated!