Yes, different from CA (I was also in the High Desert for a few years there) but still doable ... and the cacti when in bloom are sensational. The rose that is thought to be one of the largest in the world is there. It's a white Lady Banks' Rose (Rosa banksiae) in Tombstone.
And there's citrus fruit for tubs and pots.
And I love Opuntias ... Prickly Pear jelly and the tunas.
I have confidence in you that you'll figure it out. Still, moving across country isn't all that much fun these days (I know this from recent experience) ... especially when you've already planted as much as you have here. Sigh.
