Seeking Info about Sierra Vista, AZ (Phoenix, Tucson: house, utilities, living in)

[Sabas_girl]

Hi All!
Mtnbkrdr98 and I are looking for a new mountain town. Boise has out-priced us and has pretty much been ruined by greed.
Before we make a decision there are a few questions we have, so any info from locals is very much appreciated!
We like to hike and bike and enjoy the outdoors, he is an avid mountain biker, I am learning, and prefer fire roads or less technical trails with low exposure. Boise has been fun and the wilds are out the back door, which we have loved, hoping to find similar locale.
What can we expect as far as parks, trails, hikes and accessibility?
What kinds of wildlife are encountered most often?
What is the cactus situation?
We like four seasons, or at least spring, summer, fall, don’t know what to expect in a monsoon, please advise. I have always been puzzled about monsoon in AZ, I thought drought was the norm…
Cost of living in terms of what to expect of utilities, food, medical care?
Yes, we’re doing research like on best places.net, but local knowledge is important.
Basically, he “escaped” a beautiful remote, but way overcrowdedCalifornia years ago,
but it followed him here where we met, and now we need to escape Boise.
I work for United Healthcare remotely, and he’s looking for work now, so I’ll be bringing my job with me, and he
may or might have to find one there
Weather for growing a vegetable garden?
Any restaurants besides Mexican? We like Mexican food, but variety is nice too!
What about safety? Ladies, do you feel mostly safe walking alone?
Are there problems with homelessness?
Not trying to start a fight, but how are politics views in SV?
Thank you in advance for all responses!!

[Achi WaWa]

Sabas_girl;62842913
Hi All!
Mtnbkrdr98 and I are looking for a new mountain town. Boise has out-priced us and has pretty much been ruined by greed.
Before we make a decision there are a few questions we have, so any info from locals is very much appreciated!
We like to hike and bike and enjoy the outdoors, he is an avid mountain biker, I am learning, and prefer fire roads or less technical trails with low exposure. Boise has been fun and the wilds are out the back door, which we have loved, hoping to find similar locale.
What can we expect as far as parks, trails, hikes and accessibility?
Quite a few dirt trails in the mountains- for all skill levels- quite a few MB in the area too.

What kinds of wildlife are encountered most often?
rattlesnakes

What is the cactus situation?
EVERYTHING has thorns, stings or bites.

We like four seasons, or at least spring, summer, fall, don’t know what to expect in a monsoon, please advise. I have always been puzzled about monsoon in AZ, I thought drought was the norm…
For about a month it will pour down rain in buckets about an hour or two a day... wash-outs are common.

Cost of living in terms of what to expect of utilities, food, medical care?
Tucson is the closest decent care your gonna find outside Phoenix... local for the small stuff.

Yes, we’re doing research like on best places.net, but local knowledge is important.
Basically, he “escaped” a beautiful remote, but way overcrowdedCalifornia years ago,
but it followed him here where we met, and now we need to escape Boise.
I work for United Healthcare remotely, and he’s looking for work now, so I’ll be bringing my job with me, and he
may or might have to find one there
Weather for growing a vegetable garden?
Need a shade house and water... soil is either silty clay or rocky so plan accordingly.

Any restaurants besides Mexican? We like Mexican food, but variety is nice too!
A korean place near main gate is good, a couple others but mostly chains.

What about safety? Ladies, do you feel mostly safe walking alone?
Don't go to town at night... stay away from border areas... use common sense..

Are there problems with homelessness?
There are panhandlers everywhere... there are tents in the desert everywhere...

Not trying to start a fight, but how are politics views in SV?

was pretty conservative, so don't bring your liberal ideals and feelings... but Tucson rules that area and it is blue to to the bone... so if you ate the red pill, come'on down we need the support.

Thank you in advance for all responses!!

[Fernetty]

I moved down here from SLC and I love it. It's untapped, unparalleled outdoor access with no crowds. PM me if you need anything specific