Need information on Ganado Arizona....??? (Phoenix, Scottsdale: fit in, house, employment)

[Island Jewel]

My husband has applied for a job in Ganado Arizona and another one in Scottsdale....dont know much about the area. We moved from Idaho and have lived in Florida for the past three months. Anyone that could give me information on either or both areas would be appreciated. Thanks

[Gretchen B]

Interesting choices - world's apart. Ganado is a town within the Navajo reservation. The historic Hubbel trading post is there. It's a fascinating area, but somewhat remote. For local shopping, you'd probably go to Holbrook. Beyond that, it would be Flagstaff.

On the other hand, Scottsdale is an upscale suburb of Phoenix. Housing, etc is very pricey. This is an area of $1m+ homes (although there are some modest homes there as well, but I'm guessing $400's to be the minimum).

I'm really not sure what you'd find for housing in Ganado. It might mean a commute from one of the larger towns, such as Holbrook, or possibly putting a mfg'd home on a parcel. Housing prices would be a fraction of Scottsdale prices.

As far as temps go, it will be cooler in NE AZ by about 10 - 15 degrees as compared with the temps in the Phx area. Also, it will be windier in the Ganado area.

[exlexisnexis]

Ganado is a poverty stricken area,Scottsdale is one of the most affluent areas in the US

[bstree]

Not really a comparison. Genado is very far from just about anywhere. Though it is VERY pretty out there, it is a different country. Literally. The Dine' (din-ay) nation is a sovereign state. I work out there quite a bit, but to be frank, I couldn't live there. Nope. However, if you long for a very deep experience with a very different people group in a very slow lifestyle, then you might love it. I know a lot of non-natives out there who work in health care and education, and some love it, others are doing debt relief.
Scottsdale, on the other hand, is crowded, rich, snobby and shopping crazy. I know. I grew up there and would never go back.

click this and see Ganado on google maps, use the satellite button - Ganado, Apache, Arizona, United States - Google Maps

[Tinmountain]

Whoa what a contrast!! As other posters said Ganado is poorer than dirt and Scottsdale is upwardly mobile and affluent. I would spend some time and check places out before committing to employment. Also both places would be culture shocking compared to Florida or Idaho...

[Island Jewel]

Thank you for your responses. Its tough being in my situation. We moved to Florida for a job with the Seminole Tribe and after a month run around, my husband got a letter saying he didnt get the job. We are totally uprooted and left our house & friends behind. Florida is pretty and the ocean is great, but I dont feel at home at all and just want out of here. Living in a retirement community right now. We lived on the Nez Perce reservation, so we are used to rural, but the city was close. Just want to find a place where we fit in and feel a sense of community. We have two teenage daughters and two younger sons. I am an organic gardener and its something I love. My husband has applied for two jobs back in the Northwest, where we feel comfortable and two jobs in Arizona, (the ones I mentioned) and two jobs outside of Alburqurque New Mexico. My husband is Nez Perce from Idaho and I am german, english and Irish, from Alaska. I like smaller communities, with access to the city. I just want to make the right choice, where ever the employment may lead. If you can shed anymore light on this, please do. Thanks again.

[bstree]

Ganado does not really have access to a "city". And gardening isn't really gonna be a choice.

[Island Jewel]

Thank you....I think Ganado is not a good choice, thank you for your imput.

[Gretchen B]

Originally Posted by Island Jewel

Thank you for your responses. Its tough being in my situation. We moved to Florida for a job with the Seminole Tribe and after a month run around, my husband got a letter saying he didnt get the job. We are totally uprooted and left our house & friends behind. Florida is pretty and the ocean is great, but I dont feel at home at all and just want out of here. Living in a retirement community right now. We lived on the Nez Perce reservation, so we are used to rural, but the city was close. Just want to find a place where we fit in and feel a sense of community. We have two teenage daughters and two younger sons. I am an organic gardener and its something I love. My husband has applied for two jobs back in the Northwest, where we feel comfortable and two jobs in Arizona, (the ones I mentioned) and two jobs outside of Alburqurque New Mexico. My husband is Nez Perce from Idaho and I am german, english and Irish, from Alaska. I like smaller communities, with access to the city. I just want to make the right choice, where ever the employment may lead. If you can shed anymore light on this, please do. Thanks again.

So sorry to hear about your delimma in Florida. Hopefully one of your choices will be the right one for your family.

The area outside Albuquerque is very nice (although west is pretty deserty), but NE and east is beautiful!

From what you're saying about a smaller community, you definitely would not want to be in Scottsdale, which is just another suburb in the Phoenix sprawl of several million people.

The best to you on your relocation!

[aj661]

It's probably a good decision to pass on Ganado. I've had co-workers who were stationed up in that general area-Kayenta, Chinle, Houck and Many Farms. The guys in Houck and Chinle shopped in Gallup, NM. Everyone else went to Cortez, CO. The only ones who stayed there for more than one year were from there. Gallup is the closet 'town' to Ganado. If your free time revolves exclusively around your family you'd be okay. But no matter how beautiful the scenery is, your choices for any sort of entertainment are going to involve a lot of driving. As bstree said, gardening may be a challenge. On the other hand, if you'd be interested in raising a few head of sheep, look no further.

The Scottsdale job, is it tribal and if so which one would your husband be working for? Scottsdale borders the Salt River Pima Reservation. I grew up about 1/4 mile away. Fort McDowell Apache is close also, up near Fountain Hills. Scottsdale might be worth looking into. Two different worlds separated by Pima Rd and SR101. There is a lot of everything in Scottsdale right next door to the reservation (as well as some on the reservation-The Pavilions on Indian Bend Rd. just east of the 101). You can live in Scottsdale and not have to deal with much of big city head aches. If you have Google Earth, pull up Scottsdale and look at the east side where it borders the Salt River Pima Reservation. From McKellips to the south for about eight miles north, you'll see what I'm talking about. I'd suggest living as far north as you can afford since south Scottsdale isn't so great anymore, but there are still some nice areas on the east side and you don't have to be rich to live there. Good Luck.