Arizona
Gilbert -- Gilbert, Arizona, a distant suburb of Phoenix. The interesting thing about Arizona is that in some part of the state, it looks JUST like all the other 49 states. There are mountains, canyons (one of them really GRAND!), deserts, palm trees, large lakes, and farm areas. Our nearest ocean beach is probably Rocky Point (Puerto Penasco), Mexico, about 4 hours away. (San Diego's beaches are about 5.5 hours away and not as warm.)
Most people think we only have deserts and cactus, but in truth, we could go snowskiing and waterskiing in the same day by travelling from north to south. In fact, Tucson, one of the furthest cities south, has a ski area at Mt. Lemmon. There was one Civil War battle fought here at Picacho Peak. Arizona was the last of the continental states to be added to the Union, on Valentine's Day 1912.
We only get about 7-14" of rain a year in my area. The hottest it's been since I've lived here (1986) was 122 degrees, one day in June. Anything over 108 feels HOT, but under that, it's not too bad because it's so dry. Our interesting wildlife consists of javelina, coatimundi, bobcats, some brown bears, elk, and jackrabbits. Even in Phoenix, we have trouble after a dry winter (like this past one) with bears and javelina coming in from the wooded areas to find food.
This area has a
number of high tech industries and it's becoming more of a biotech hotspot.
University of Arizona is well known for its cancer research, especially skin
cancer. Arizona is also considered a safe and inexpensive place to live, as we are
not normally subjected to earthquakes, tornadoes, hurricanes, volcanoes, or other natural
disasters. I see a few "dust devils" during the late summer,
mini-tornadoes that are more nuisance than destructive.