What is it like to live in

Sierra Vista, Arizona?

For anyone considering renting an apartment in Sierra Vista, or even those who are in the city on a short tour of duty in TDY housing near Ft. Huachuca, the question of what life in Sierra Vista is like will be forefront on their minds. To put it simply, Sierra Vista is a mixing pot in the truest sense, and it is entirely unique in its distinct blend of people and culture.

Located in Cochise County, Sierra Vista is home to about 40,000 people. While 73% of the population is comprised of white Anglo Saxon residents, there is also a 15% Hispanic population as well as a 10% African American minority group. Native American, Asian, and Pacific island residents make up most of the remainder. However, because of the proximity that Sierra Vista has to the border between Arizona and Mexico, there is a truly enthralling blend of American, Hispanic, and Native American culture. Living in Sierra Vista is almost like living in a private country.

Crime rates in Sierra Vista are well below the national average, with violent crime and sex crimes ranking fairly low in comparison with the rest of the United States. Sierra Vista is one of the safer places to raise a family, especially considering the close proximity to Fort Huachuca.

The weather in Sierra Vista is very mild nearly all year long, with warm winters, and hot, but not unbearable summers. The humidity level is fairly arid, meaning that mold and food spoilage in Sierra Vista is less of a concern than in other parts of the country. Despite these many sunny days, it is still easy to drive to skiing areas in the Arizona Snowbowl. The many ski resorts around flagstaff make for an excellent break from warm winter to snowy wonderlands.

Banking in Sierra Vista is very easy as well. The town boasts branches of all major banks, including Wells Fargo, JP Morgan, Compass, and Bank of America. If you have an account with the National Bank of Arizona, you will find a branch in Sierra Vista as well.

If you are renting an apartment in Sierra Vista, you will be delighted with the many opportunities for shopping and dining. While the town is rich in entertainment, if you don’t find what you are looking for, Tucson is an easy drive from Sierra Vista. In Tucson, you will find all the amenities of any large US city, like large movie theaters, shopping malls, and many national chains for dining and browsing.

If you have children, or even if you’re just an avid reader, the Sierra Vista public library is centrally located, and stocks a great selection of books. If you are in town on TDY stay near Ft. Huachuca, you are never far from ways to keep yourself occupied while on your trip.

How to choose an apartment that you'll actually enjoy living in

Choosing an apartment in Arizona is a major decision for anyone looking to move into the area. Apartment hunters should take this process seriously and expect to invest a lot of time into their search, after all, this is their new home. Many factors contribute to the perfect place, so each needs to be considered and weighed carefully.

Price range is a major factor in apartment hunting. Before signing a lease, you need to know what you are comfortably able to afford. There simply is no use is viewing apartments in Tucson that are way above your means. After doing so, apartments in your price range will pale in comparison. Make sure to budget in all expenses associated with apartment life so that you can have an accurate financial picture and make a wise choice based upon the correct numbers.

Proximity is also a very key concern. Make sure your new place is in close proximity to all of the important and relevant things in your life. Do not just think about the basic places you travel, such as work or school. There is more to consider. An ideal apartment location will allow you to be at the epicenter of all that you enjoy. Shopping, entertainment, hobbies, family and friends are just a few examples that should be considered. What is important in your life? Try to choose an apartment that will allow you easy access to everything pertinent in your life. If you are not moving into the apartment alone, compromises may have to be made so that both parties are happy with the location. For instance, if you work at Fort Huachuca, you may want to consider an apartment or TDY home in Sierra Vista.

Apartment size will also help you determine the appropriate place to lease. How many bedrooms do you require? Bathrooms? Is square footage important to you? All of these factors can be easily used to sort out apartments that will not work for your lifestyle.

Some apartments are all inclusive. Bills are paid for you by apartment management. Rent will likely considerably be higher at all inclusive apartments, but you will not have to worry about monthly bills. When comparing prices of apartments, you must factor is what is paid for at each location in order to create a more accurate financial picture.

It is also important to ascertain what lease options are available. If you are only in the market for a short term lease, you need to verify that the apartment you are renting allows for short leases. It is impracticable and financially unwise to break a lease, so aim to make your lease term lines up with you timeline so this will not happen.

Study the neighborhood. You need to feel comfortable in your apartment. Safety is always important. If you don’t like the area when you visit the apartment, chances are you will not be happy living there.

Many apartments offer amenities, such as an onsite gym. Check them out at all locations. Pick an apartment that offers the ones that you will enjoy the most. Some other popular amenities include onsite dog parks, trash pickup and car washing facilities.

The best kept secrets about life in Arizona

For many people who are moving to Arizona for the first time, the transition can come as a bit of a shock. An often-forgotten vacation destination, Arizona offers sights galore for the eye. Arizona's more than just the Grand Canyon. The ideal Spring and Fall destination, Southern Arizona is a beauty to behold. The mild climate of Tucson, a city of more than 1,000,000, offers supreme desert trails that meld Southwestern history into a modern journey.

Juan Bautista de Anza National Historic Trail
The Anza trail is a trek back in time. The more than 200-year-old, 1,200-mile route traverses Southern Arizona all the way to Presidio in San Francisco. The trail is a cultural experience that you can have by taking just a short trip from your apartment in Tucson.

In the shadows of the American Revolution, on the Western side of America, explorers adventured and settled throughout the American Southwest.

The route's namesake guided 300 settlers in 1776 from New Spain (present-day Arizona) to San Francisco to settle the land that eventually became California.

The Southern Arizona portion provides nature trails lined with eye-popping flowers. The route crosses the Sonoran Desert, featuring amazing flora, such as the saguaro cactus. The desert runs along the U.S. and Mexico borders from Arizona to California.

Take a vacation close to home
For the weary local that not only wants to get away, but escape. Tucson’s copious resorts offer stunning pleasure palaces to relax the mind, invigorate the body and soothe the soul. A resort vacation at one of Southern Arizona's more than half-dozen spas is more than just a vacation for the body; it's a siesta for the soul.

Arizona's prime resorts provide acres of picturesque fountains and gardens. The golf greens are plentiful and highly recommended. Pools and spas take a traveler's breath away with awe-inspiring views of Arizona's mountain ranges. Tucson locals can make a quick drive from their apartments in Tucson to some of the best courses in the US.

An out-of-sight outdoors life
Adventurists from all over the world know Tucson. They've hiked the unrestrained, exhilarating canyons. They've biked the trails taking in Southern Arizona's flora and fauna. They've taken slow rides on Horseback during desert treks.

They've parked at the edge of Mt. Lemmon, a 9,157-foot rocky cliff above the Sonoran Desert with more than 1,200 climbing routes. They absorbed the Sun and witnessed its many shades. They wish they never had to leave. Luckily, we locals don't. If you have an apartment in Tucson, you can see these things year round.

Apple of your eye
A secluded option looms for the traveler overwhelmed by Tucson’s people and the abundant choices for attractions: Sierra Vista, a city of more than 40,000 located 75 miles southeast of Tucson.

For the apartment dweller in Tucson that longs for more than the rocky trails and the outdoor life of Southern Arizona, Sierra Vista stuns. Sierra Vista transports travelers back to the garden, the root of American mythology. Sierra Vista's apple farms give Arizona tourists a chance to pick and savor the apple that catches their eye. With almost a dozen apple farms and orchards, apples are Sierra Vista's secret, a fruit of delight.

Garden Canyon in Sierra Vista is an oasis from the popular tourist sites of Tucson. Garden Canyon secludes travelers in a getaway that offers unsurpassed bird watching in the heart of the Huachuca Mountains.

Southern Arizona's more than an outdoorsman’s dreams, Southern Arizona is a requirement. Tucson and Sierra Vista whisk travelers away to journeys not to be forgotten.

Why Arizona is one of the best places to raise a family in America

When you think of one of the top places to raise your young family, Arizona should be at the top of your list. If you are looking for a state that encourages explorations in nature among some of the most beautiful scenery on the planet, or will provide a low level of crime, low real estate prices, and a high level of education, then Arizona should be your first stop.

To begin with, the outdoors provide a unique, beautiful environment to grow up in. Far from big cities where natural sites are hard to be found, Arizona offers beauty in nature that is beyond belief. There are many sites to see while raising your family in Arizona. To begin with, let's take a look at Sedona. This Arizona town holds many amazing art and sculptures. There are many opportunities for your children be exposed to arts and local artists. The scenery is phenomenal. Sedona also offers numerous opportunities for hiking and exploration. There are many well marked paths in Sedona. Want to live in a place where your kids will be outdoors getting exercise instead of indoors playing video games? This might be your spot. One of the most beautiful sites for you and your family can be watching the sun set from Cathedral Rock in Red Rock crossing. Next up, of course, would be the Grand Canyon. Arizona's paramount tourist spot, the Grand Canyon is one of the natural wonders of the world. Could you imagine raising your family so close to such beauty? You can walk along many paths, or use a bus to ride around the rim of the canyon. Your family could spend many weekends hiking the canyon. There are also numerous forests, natural parks and monuments. These could provide your family with culture, beauty, and a love of the outdoors.

As well as an opportunity to see the natural beauty, your child also has the resources available for a top notch education. In addition to the stellar public school systems in many Arizona cities, there are also additional options for your child's education. Arizona has a large number of charter schools. Charter schools are privately run school with public money and smaller class sizes. Programs are usually more selective as well. You can research and check up on possible schools for your children at the Arizona Department of Education website. Arizona also has a number of magnet schools. These unique opportunities will help focus your child's education towards a particular skill base, and can be found inside local public schools in your area. Clearly high education of all levels can be found in Arizona.

There are also many other selling points for raising a family in Arizona. Overall crime statistics show that many parts of the state are very safe. This would be an important factor in choosing to raise your family here. The cost of living is very low in comparison to other states. The median home cost is a mere $166,000 and real estate prices are falling. For someone raising a family, this could be just the ticket to grabbing up some real estate in a great state before the market bounces back.

Apartment hunting with a pet

If you find yourself looking for a pet friendly apartment in Sierra Vista, or Tucson, finding the perfect place may seem to be a daunting task. Many people these are a pet owners, a distinction that makes it harder to find the right apartment that will allow your pets to live with you. Here are a few tips on how to successfully apartment hunt with a pet.

Plan in advance
Because there are fewer pet friendly apartments, the search will take longer. Plan on looking a few months in advance so that you can find a place that is not only perfect for you, but also for your pets. Search ads online, in apartment guides, or at realtors’ offices. Know in advance what apartment features you have to have, in addition to an apartment being pet friendly, so you can narrow down the field quickly.

Be prepared to pay extra
Most apartments that are welcoming to a pet and their owner come with a price tag. Apartments will issue a pet related deposit in the case that your pet decides to tear up the apartment. Some complexes have higher pet deposits than others, so try to find one that is in your price range. You can also check with your new landlord as to how much the fee will change based on the size of your pet. Some apartments will lower the deposit fee if your pet is less than 50 pounds.

It’s always OK to Ask
If a perfect apartment appears in your search but they do not have themselves listed as pet friendly-- or even worse, say "no pets allowed," don’t take it as an absolute shut door. It never hurts to ask the landlord if they would be willing to make an exception for you and your pet. This may work in cases where your pet is smaller and is very well behaved. Regardless, you have nothing to lose by asking!

Act Maturely
Pet owners who let their pets run rampant or behave badly can ruin the pet friendly apartments for the rest of the pet owners who happen to have well behaved pets. If your landlord refuses to allow pets, try to understand that they have probably had bad tenants previously who took advantage of their pet friendly policy. Make the decision to respect the apartments that do allow pets to make them exceedingly likely to rent to pet owners in the future.

Pet Resumes
It couldn’t hurt to make up a pet resume for your dog or cat. Show the apartment owners who they will be dealing with. Their age, weight, a cute photo and a history of behavior classes or talents they posses will make the apartment owners see your pet as a unique, well behaved individual animal. A little pizzazz with this resume can help convince your potential landlord that your pet will not cause the apartment any harm.

Write it down
When you do find your Sierra Vista or Tuscson apartment , make sure that the pet stipulations are in your lease. Apartment hunting with a pet can be hard, but it will all be worth it in the end.

Why rent in Arizona?

If you have tired of your current surroundings and are currently contemplating moving out of state there is no better place in these grand United States to call home than Arizona. The forty eighth state has been pegged as the fastest growing state in the USA, and there are many reasons why so many people are renting an apartment in "The Valley Of The Sun". Just a few of the reasons for their relocation to Arizona include:

Low Cost Of Living:
While the cost of living is rising throughout the nation, Arizona has one of the lower rates in the country. It is also backed by a relatively strong housing market, and property values are increasing with regularity.

Consistent Climate:
You know exactly what you are getting when you come to Arizona. Dry warm days, and cool mild nights. While the temperatures may alarm you at first, after a couple of days in Arizona you will realize that the thermostat can be deceiving. The lack of humidity provides a much more comfortable and tolerable heat. The winters have been described as pleasantly mild, and you may even be able to keep that nice bronze tan year around! Alternatively if you get tired of the Southern Arizona sun, you can always head up North to the mountains where the climate is considerably cooler and they often get snow during the winter months.

Job Growth:
With the recent influx of people moving to the Arizona area, and Southern Arizona in particular, this has opened up a great number of job opportunities. This has lowered the unemployment rate as well as opening the door for those contemplating the move to Arizona.

Entertainment:
While it might not be traditionally viewed as an entertainment Mecca, Arizona has plenty of attractions to keep you entertained. Southern Arizona in particular, due to its national sports franchises. The Phoenix Suns from the NBA, the Arizona Cardinals of the NFL, the Arizona Diamondbacks of Major League Baseball, the Phoenix Mercury of the WNBA, and the Phoenix Coyotes of the National Hockey League all call Arizona home. If you are not a sports fan, there are a plethora of historic landmarks for you to enjoy.

Historic Landmarks:
The giant landmark that stands out would obviously be the Grand Canyon. An attraction for tourists worldwide, the Grand Canyon is one of the new 8 wonders of the world according to a USA Today poll. In addition to the Grand Canyon, there is Tombstone which is a virtual ghost town and home of Wyatt Earp and rich in history of the Old West.

The Varied Land Formations:
Arizona is one of the few states in the United States where you can experience the desert, mountain ranges, and forests all within a few hundred miles of each other. It is definitely a beautiful piece of countryside and provides a little something for everyone.

Arizona is in the middle of a giant expansion, and is emerging as one of the places in the United States to be. If these aren't enough reasons to persuade you to take that leap into "The Valley of the Sun", just ask someone who lives there! They will be more than happy to tell you how great the state is!

At Apartments-AZ.com we know Tucson is an amazing place to live. Many will agree that when renting an apartment in Arizona one is free to explore, without the worries and costs typically associated with homeownership. One of our wonderful natural resources is Mount Lemmon. Located in the Coronado National Forest, and one of Tucson’s greatest treasures. The highway leading up to Mount Lemmon from the East Side of Tucson is a marvel itself. Known as Catalina Highway, Mount Lemmon Highway, Sky Island Scenic Byway, Arizona Forest Highway 39 or its’ official name, General Hitchcock Highway (in honor of Postmaster General and newspaper editor Frank Harris Hitchcock, who played a key role in the construction of the highway) this breath-taking 27 mile drive will take you from the lower Sonoran desert floor to an altitude of over 9,000 feet. It is like driving from the Mexican desert to the Canadian Forest in under an hour. The geological and botanical diversity on this drive is unparalleled.

Mount Lemmon is named in honor of botanists John and Sarah Lemmon who hiked to the top of the mountain with Native American guides by mule and by foot in 1881. At the very top of Mount Lemmon you will find Mount Lemmon Ski Valley, the southernmost ski area in the continental United States. The ski area is usually open from December to April.

But summer is an even better time to visit Mount Lemmon. While the summertime temperatures in Tucson are always more pleasant than Phoenix, the temperature on Mount Lemmon is usually 20-30 degrees cooler than in the city of Tucson. Escape the heat and explore the beauty of Mount Lemmon by hiking, biking or picnicking. For the more adventurous, Mount Lemmon boasts some of the best rock climbing in all of Arizona. The rock is mostly gneiss and granite. Beginners and experts will both find a challenge. The “chicken heads” are legendary. These are naturally round formations protruding from the rock faces as years of exposure have eroded the surrounding material. As any climber will tell you, you won’t find a more user-friendly climbing hold in nature.

If you are looking for a more relaxing day, explore Windy Point, where your friends working for the Federal Bureau of Prisons, law enforcement, or the Border patrol will tell you was built by a prison work program over an 18 year period and is now a popular wedding site! Additionally, visit the observatory, formally the site of a radar base of the air defense command. The telescopes at the observatory are still used for astronomical research by the University of Arizona and Catalina Sky Survey. Of course every visit to Mt. Lemmon should include the quaint little town of Summerhaven for a bite to eat. Rent a cabin for a night or a week. Hike amazing trails by mountain streams and try to keep track of the many animals that populate the region.

You haven’t seen Tucson until you have seen Mount Lemmon.

Starting school in the fall? Looking for off campus living near University of Arizona? Want a place to live near school? Maybe you don’t want to live on campus, but you still want to be close to your classes and some of the activities that the school offers to students.

There is a great off campus housing option located conveniently near the University of Arizona campus. We have just the place for both serious students, and nontraditional off campus residents of The University of Arizona. Check out Bella Vista townhomes. We are located near the campus, in midtown Tucson. Are you looking for an experience that is not your average college experience? We offer a serene, quiet and restful environment. Want to get as far away from the dorm life and Greek noise as you can? Looking for a place to study that is quiet, where you can get your work done and live quietly? We have a comforting atmosphere for traditional and nontraditional students alike.

We understand why you may want to live in off-campus housing. Sometimes the campus offerings are communal, lacking the privacy you may want. Or you may be a student who is part of a family, or you may have children or pets and need an apartment near the University of Arizona. Not every student is looking for the same living experience. We understand your needs.

We offer a range of floor plans at Bella Vista Townhomes, giving you the choices in layouts, sizes and price ranges that you would want in an off campus apartment. We strive to give you value, while also giving you the peace and quiet you need in off campus housing near the University of Arizona. You can choose which floor plan works best for the way you want to live.

With a great midtown location, we are within striking distance of everything you could need in town. We are a short drive to campus, as well as to many of the fun activities in Tucson. Our location will allow you to get to class on time, as well as easily access the rest of the city in no time at all.

We also offer many amenities that you won’t get in on campus housing. How would you like your own patio? That option is available at Bella Vista. You can also enjoy our sparkling pool without worrying about half of your Statistics class sitting around enjoying it too.

It’s time to stop looking for the place you will live this fall. If you are student looking for a non-traditional student experience, Bella Vista is the place for you. We understand that you want a quiet, comfortable and convenient place to live. We also realize that you are not just a student – you want more from this time in your life than a simple college experience.

If you are looking for great off campus housing near the University of Arizona, I recommend you drive over and see us today. Convenient to campus, convenient to everything, Bella Vista is your next home. Stop by and come home today!