No Whole Foods but there’s a TJs and an Aldi so it’s not a food desert. 

Why does it make some people pay exorbitant amount of cash and risk their life crossing the desert into AZ?

As far as Russians go, I think we should and could look at them (worried) as a perfect example on how to fail being bogged down in endless quagmire wars on a deserted place like Afghanistan.

Does anyone have any experience with replacing your lawn with desert landscaping?

I know several people investing in the High Desert areas of Victorville, Hesperia, Apple Valley in th So.

Vegas has some of the lowest tax's in the US.. desert climate as oppossed to thaw freeze or deep south rain clay soils thunderstorms wind etc.. grass that grows a foot in one month  LOL.. and a big one is houses that were built with modern codes most with stucco and tile roofs.. compared to houses that are 50 to 125 years old . 

Tile (anywhere other than kitchens and baths) screams "low rent" except in tropical or desert climates, where the coolness underfoot is appreciated.

I'm in the desert...

I don't think it's particularly young professionals flocking to the desert but rather families.

One of my AZ tenants had just moved to the desert.