Arizona’s population has been steadily growing over the past five years. While Tucson and Phoenix are Arizona’s fastest-growing cities, Sierra Vista stands as a hidden gem that’s one of the best places to live in the state. Nestled in the foothills of the Huachuca Mountains in Cochise County, Sierra Vista is a smaller city with no shortage of fun activities, great scenery, amazing local businesses, and friendly faces.
Much of Sierra Vista’s growth has been driven by the nearby Fort Huachuca Army base, which provides numerous job opportunities in both the military and private sectors. Whether you come to Sierra Vista for job opportunities, to raise a family, or to retire, there is plenty to enjoy when you call this city home. Here’s a closer look at why you’ll love living in Sierra Vista.
Mild Year-Round Climate
When most people think about Arizona, they envision scorching hot summers in the desert. However, Sierra Vista is at a higher elevation of about 4,623 feet, which makes the climate much milder than other cities in Southern Arizona. Summer temperatures are consistently about 10 degrees cooler in Sierra Vista than in Tucson. On the hottest days of summer, it’s easy to get away to cooler areas like the heavily shaded Ramsey Canyon or the ponderosa pine forests in the sky islands of Miller and Carr Peak. During the winter, weather is typically mild as well, although the city does see some occasional snowfall, with plenty sticking to the ground in the surrounding mountain ranges.
Beautiful Nature Views
Sierra Vista literally translates to “mountain view,” which is an accurate description of the city’s sweeping nature views. Along with the Huachuca Mountains, you can spot peaks in the Chiricahua, Dragoon, Whetstone, and Mule Mountains. The San Pedro River also runs near Sierra Vista, attracting a wealth of migratory birds during the wintertime. You don’t have to travel far to see amazing natural scenery, wildlife, and geological structures. Plus, all the nearby mountain ranges offer spectacular opportunities for hiking, camping, mountain biking, and backpacking.
Big City Amenities, Small Town Feel
If you’ve always dreamed of living in a quiet small town but don’t want to compromise the amenities that come with city living, Sierra Vista offers the best of both worlds. You’ll find an abundance of retail shops, grocery stores, chain and local restaurants, and social gatherings to keep you busy and entertained. If you ever do need services that you can’t find locally, Sierra Vista is just about an hour’s drive from Tucson and three hours from Phoenix. Because Sierra Vista does retain that friendly, small-town feel, it is the perfect place to raise a family or spend your retirement.
Ongoing Cultural Events
From bike races to wine tastings to parades and holiday festivals, there are various cultural events that take place in Sierra Vista throughout the year. Many of these events are held at Veterans Memorial Park, which includes an outdoor amphitheater, indoor pool and water park, and sprawling outdoor spaces with playgrounds and recreational equipment.
Exceptional Biking
While most people travel by car in Sierra Vista, there is also a thriving community of bicyclists supported by numerous public bike paths and other bike-friendly infrastructure throughout the city. Many businesses are bike-friendly, offering secure bike racks, repair tools, and other amenities for bikers, making it easy to explore the city by bike or even commute by bike to work or school. Additionally, there is a thriving mountain biking community for those seeking a more rugged adventure on unpaved trails.
Amazing Dining
Being in such close proximity to Mexico, Sierra Vista has many amazing Mexican restaurants for everything from late-night drive-through burritos to fine dining with mesquite grilled steaks. However, it’s not just Mexican food on the menu in Sierra Vista. The city is also home to many other amazing local restaurants, including The Angry German, Gunny’s Barbecue, Indochine Family Restaurant, and Pit Stop Gourmet Burgers.
If you are thinking about moving to Sierra Vista, don’t miss out on the beautiful homes and thoughtfully designed neighborhoods developed by Castle & Cooke. Find your next home with us by visiting our website or calling (520) 378-5110 to get in touch with one of our sales specialists. We have numerous move-in ready properties and properties that are coming soon in our Holiday community, which features a modern clubhouse and fitness center, community pool, playgrounds, and other exceptional amenities to enjoy.