I moved to the Sonoran Desert from the Big Island of Hawaii, which is currently getting hammered by Hurricane Lane. Check out this web cam - it overlooks Hilo Bay. http://tsunami.org/11webcam/hilobaycam.html
It's been downgraded but still scary! Why did you leave Paradise @Hoot Crawford? I know it's humid and AZ is dry but still....
I copied this piece of information regarding the Sonoran Desert (which covers100,000 sq. miles). Having lived in the Desert now a total of nearly 30 years, my wife and I still marvel at the ability of animals and plants to subsist here despite rigorously difficult conditions. The Desert is a Harsh Master. "The Sonoran Desert includes 60 mammal species, 350 bird species, 20 amphibian species, over 100 reptile species, 30 native fish species, over 1000 native bee species, and more than 2,000 native plant species.[5] The Sonoran Desert area southeast of Tucson and near the Mexican border is vital habitat for the only population of jaguars living within the United States. The Colorado River Delta was once an ecological hotspot within the Sonoran desert, fueled by the flow of fresh water through the Colorado river in this otherwise dry area, but the delta has been greatly reduced in extent due to the damming and use of the river upstream."
Mainly because of the issues with health care on the Island. My wife, who passed away while we lived there, was able to get the care she needed (oncology clinic in Hilo) but not all services were available. And those that were available might be a little too far away. For example, we had to make a 90 minute drive each way every week to that clinic. Nearest drug store was 20 miles from the house, etc. Here in Geezer Nation, all medical services are close by. I must say I do miss the Island, but I felt I needed to get back to civilization.
We moved to Florida 9 years ago and love it. Would not recommend it to younger folk who will spend a lot of time outdoors or need a good paying job. It is only 87 today because we are getting a lot of rain this week. Normally I tis 97 with a heat index of 101. The heat is not as much a problem as is the humidity so thick you can cut it with a knife. We have good air conditioning as does every place we go to so we are only out in the sun when we walk from our car to a building. Plus I am retired so do not have to work 2-3 jobs like most people here do.
@Patsy Faye Huh? Why, thank you! This thing has gotten so long, I had to go back to the top........ Frank