Looking for warm weather and a view of the mountains? Look no further than Fort Huachuca. Here are five things everyone should know about the installation and the surrounding city of Sierra Vista, Arizona.
1. The basics.
Fort Huachuca is located about 15 miles north of the Mexico border, an hour and a half away from Tucson and three hours from Phoenix. The post, which offers plenty of mountain views and desert terrain, was named a national landmark in 1976 and neighbors the city of Sierra Vista. It’s currently home to the U.S. Army Intelligence Center and the U.S. Army Network Enterprise Technology Command/9th Army Signal Command as well as the Army Military Affiliate Radio System, Joint Interoperability Test Command and the Electronic Proving Ground. There’s also a hospital on post, though it doesn’t provide emergency services, and a local Veterans Affairs clinic. Fun fact: Libby Army Airfield, which is located on post, also serves as a potential alternate landing location for the space shuttle.
2. Employment.
There are approximately 6,000 service members and 4,400 civilians at Fort Huachuca. And while the numbers aren’t as robust as Fort Hood, this area is a great place to look for a job in the intelligence and technology fields. Northrop Grumman and Raytheon are power players in the area and are looking to fill positions such as systems administrators, web developers, technical writers and program managers. The unemployment rate in the surrounding town of Sierra Vista is 7.6 percent, which is slightly higher than the national 6.2 percent. Tucson has an unemployment rate sitting at about 7 percent.
3. It’s affordable.
The cost of living in Sierra Vista is about 8 percent less than the national average with the median home price sitting around $153,000. However, if you’re willing to commute from Tucson, your cost of living would be 9 percent less than the national average and median home prices fall to $135,000. Both options are much more affordable than living somewhere like Virginia or Colorado. However, regardless of which city you lived in, one downside to being in Arizona is that most military retirement benefits are taxed. Only the small amount of $2,500 in military retirement pay may be exempt each year.
4. Higher Education.
The University of Arizona is located in Tucson, but also has a sister location located in Sierra Vista. The University of Arizona South offers bachelor’s degrees in several fields and is part of the Servicemembers Opportunity Colleges. The SOC is funded by the Department of Defense and helps mobile service members and their families complete degrees without losing credit. They also award credit for military experience and training when appropriate. Another member of the SOC is Cochise College. This community college has a Sierra Vista branch and offers opportunities to earn certifications and associate’s degrees.
5. Entertainment.
If you’re looking for large museums, big malls and lots of restaurant options, you’ll probably spend most of your weekends driving to Tucson or Phoenix. However, if you enjoy spending time in a smaller city with a relaxed vibe, Sierra Vista may be for you. For the outdoorsy adventurer, Kartchner Caverns State Park is a must see attraction. For the wine enthusiast, there’s a trail of wineries about half an hour from Sierra Vista. Those looking for antiques, local beers and mine tours have the option of driving to nearby Bisbee. And of course, for more historical attractions, there’s a day trip to Tombstone for gunfights and lunch at a saloon.
To sum it up, if you’re looking for a hot job in the intelligence or technology field, enjoy affordable living costs and appreciate the mountains, Fort Huachuca and Sierra Vista may be perfect for you.
