If you’re considering relocating to Southern Arizona, Sierra Vista may be the perfect place for you to call home. Sierra Vista is a smaller community than Tucson or Phoenix, but it has plenty to offer residents in terms of dining, culture, and amenities. Plus, Sierra Vista offers some unique traits that larger cities in Arizona don’t have. Continue reading for a closer look at why everyone loves living in Sierra Vista, AZ.
Mild Climate
Southern Arizona is known for searing hot summers, but thanks to Sierra Vista’s higher elevation and high desert landscape, it sees milder summer temperatures than other parts of the state. Generally, Sierra Vista is about 10 degrees cooler than Tucson on summer days, and it sees more summer precipitation from monsoons. During the winter, Sierra Vista can get chilly—especially at night—but rarely sees snow. It’s the perfect climate for those who like to go outdoors year round and enjoy seemingly endless days of sunshine.
Beautiful Scenery
You’ll be happy about the city’s mild climate as you begin to explore a wealth of outdoor recreation opportunities right in your own backyard. Residents enjoy access to stunning mountain peaks in the Huachuca Mountains along with unique wildlife viewing areas like the San Pedro Riparian National Conservation Area and the Ramsey Canyon Preserve Nature Conservancy. At Ramsey Canyon, you’ll discover a birdwatcher’s paradise—this area is one of the reasons Sierra Vista is known as the Hummingbird Capital of the U.S., as more than 300 species of hummingbirds take residence here or travel through during their annual migrations.
Sierra Vista’s mountain surroundings also welcome hikers, mountain bikers, fishers, hunters, and backpackers who are always seeking their next adventure.
Big City Amenities With a Small Town Feel
Sierra Vista is home to the Fort Huachuca – U.S. Army Garrisons, which has influenced the development of the neighboring city. You’ll find plenty of retail and grocery chains, restaurants, medical care providers, and entertainment opportunities to give you all the comforts of a big city while retaining a small town feel. With a population of just 45,308, Sierra Vista is a great place to get to know your neighbors and enjoy community events with lots of familiar faces.
Great Schools
Sierra Vista’s public schools rank in the top 50% of Arizona schools, and there are several notable private schools in the area, including St. Anthony of Padua School, First Baptist Christian Academy, and Veritas Christian Community School.
Sierra Vista also offers higher education opportunities with the University of Arizona South Campus and Cochise College, which offers numerous undergraduate research opportunities and transfer partnerships with all three of Arizona’s state universities.
Family-Friendly Community
With a relatively low cost of living, a low crime rate, great schools, and extensive opportunities for outdoor recreation, Sierra Vista is a perfect place to raise a family. Many young families flock to Sierra Vista to purchase their first homes. In fact, the median age of residents in Sierra Vista is 36, with an average household size of four, meaning that many of your neighbors will have kids, making it easy for your own kids to make new friends.
If you are looking for your next home in Sierra Vista, explore the move-in ready homes of Castle & Cooke at two beautiful communities: Holiday and The Oaks. Contact us today to find your dream home.