Here’s Why Sierra Feels Like Home

When I was a kid, I lived in a lot of places. When I tell people how often we moved, the next question is always, "Was your dad in the military?" It's a logical inquiry, but no, my father wasn't in the service while I was growing up. Still, the company he worked for moved him around a lot—about every 4 to 6 years, on average.

Putting down roots was tough for me until I reached adulthood. When I was in my twenties, I moved to Arizona. Our family has lived in a few different houses in Arizona, but we never left our adopted town. More than any place I've ever lived, Arizona feels like home.

How Did You Get to Sierra Vista?

I live in Sierra Vista, right next to Fort Huachuca. Until a few years ago, most of the people I knew settled in our town because of the Army, to some degree.

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Either a parent or a grandparent was stationed at the fort and stayed after separating from the military, or they arrived, as I did, because their spouse or they themselves were stationed here. It sounds counterintuitive, but the shared experience of not being from here gives us common ground.

Why is Sierra Vista So Special?

Maybe it's the nice weather. Possibly, the beautiful scenery. Perhaps there's something in the shared military family experience. Whatever it is, people in Sierra Vista, Huachuca City, Whetstone, and the entire surrounding area are just friendly and kind.

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Three Reasons to Love Sierra Vista

I really like the people here, but here are three more reasons I think living here is really special:

• The sunsets are a Technicolor treat we can enjoy nearly every day.
• The breathtaking mountains are like nowhere else in the world.
• The weather is amazing. We get a lot of sunshine and clear days, but even the rain is treasured here.

Not every place is perfect, but I speak from experience: Sierra Vista certainly comes close.