How do you like Flagstaff? (Phoenix, Bullhead City: renter, homes, look for a job)

[ArizonaBear]

Side note here:

I am a Wash DC native, born and raised 1957-78

Calif from 1978-89

Arizona ever since..........and have made more $$$ that either of two previous areas.

And I doubt I will ever leave Az although the 'Hi Desert' area of SoCal (Yucca Valley/Joshua Tree area) would be high on my radar........it still seems to that 1960's/early 1970's vibe (inexpensive housing and friendly people).

[Blue Sky]

I have just logged back into this site and got your message. Do you still live in Spokane? If so, how do you like it?

Originally Posted by Blue Sky

Hey, I can relate. I lived there from 97' to 2004. The cost of housing versus wages is a huge issue there as you know. I move on to Spokane, WA. Same climate, however, houses are about $200,000 cheaper.

[nowannamove]

If you don't need a job and you are a student at NAU then Flagstaff might be a great place to live while you concentrate on your studies. People are friendly. It is low key. There is lots to do. It has a nice small town feel.

If you want a professional level job or if money is an issue for you don't come here. There are few professional level jobs and the cost of living is expensive giving the wage potential.

[Miami_Dan]

Blue Sky - Selling ugly Spokane. Drove through there in '08 - yikes! Blue Sky what is the deal are you a real estate agent or something? Better off moving to Kalispell MT than Spoke.

Peace.

[Miami_Dan]

I lived in AZ for 14 years (Phoenix metro and Bullhead). Flagstaff is great to visit, always expensive, and felt limited. In other words, it is an oasis, a mountain surrounded by high desert. Live in Prescott and visit on the weekends. Prescott gives you a chance to go South or North for weekend trips.

Also, as a side note, I was in Moab UT this year for a week - hung out with some locals for another week. That town seems to be booming since my previous trip in '04.

While in Flag I mountain biked Shultz Pass - check these photos if you are curious:
flagstaff schultz creek mtb trail 7/13/08

Also, I am actually thinking Santa Fe has more topographical variety going for it than Flag.

Not a big fan of Boulder, went there, small yuppie hippy college feel. Have always heard bad things about the people not being friendly.

Peace On You.

[CCCVDUR]

Originally Posted by Miami_Dan

I lived in AZ for 14 years (Phoenix metro and Bullhead).

Not a big fan of Boulder, went there, small yuppie hippy college feel. Have always heard bad things about the people not being friendly.

Peace On You.

I'm looking for a mountain college town with friendly, outgoing people. Unfortunately, people in Flagstaff, Santa Fe, and Albuquerque are too introverted, and people on the Boulder forum (along with your post above) are indicating that Boulder isn't very friendly.

Coming from Seattle, one of the friendliest cities in the US, it is disappointing to find that people are unfriendly and taciturn in Flagstaff, Albuquerque, and Santa Fe. And, these towns shut down at 9pm, unlike Seattle. I like 24/7 friendly cities w/ talkative extroverts.

Do you know of any small mountain towns in the S.W. that are friendly? Maybe it's just part of the territory. Are we outdoors-type people not friendly? While I'm very, very shy, I am also very extroverted and interested in getting to know other people, and coming from Seattle, I prefer others to be extroverted.

How about Austin, TX? It's not a mountain town, but it's a college town with lots of young people. Are people more extroverted there?

[Miami_Dan]

The United States is diverse, and each region is different. I guess we all need to all find our niche. Open to Experience personality types clash with the Consciencious personality types in AZ and NM. We don't belong here. I have yet to meet anyone from the Coasts who has moved to AZ or NM and stayed longer than a year or two. In New Mexico, I conducted a Craigs List poll, and got emails back of people from California saying they hated Albuquerque and wanted to go back. Boulder/Denver, Colorado? Probably the answer for all of us! It's the USA and I guess we need to put stereotypes aside, drop our resentment, and find the best place! Thanks to City-Data for providing these forums where real people can post their own opinions! I'm in the communcations/media field and appreciate this form of discourse.
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Hey Tom - it looks like you are about a year ahead of me in understanding the Northern AZ, NM, CO socio-economic communities. I sent you a note offline/befriend...I have some Seattle/CO questions for you. Thanks.
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[ArizonaBear]

Originally Posted by Miami_Dan

The United States is diverse, and each region is different. I guess we all need to all find our niche. Open to Experience personality types clash with the Consciencious personality types in AZ and NM. We don't belong here. I have yet to meet anyone from the Coasts who has moved to AZ or NM and stayed longer than a year or two. In New Mexico, I conducted a Craigs List poll, and got emails back of people from California saying they hated Albuquerque and wanted to go back. Boulder/Denver, Colorado? Probably the answer for all of us! It's the USA and I guess we need to put stereotypes aside, drop our resentment, and find the best place! Thanks to City-Data for providing these forums where real people can post their own opinions! I'm in the communcations/media field and appreciate this form of discourse.

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Hey Tom - it looks like you are about a year ahead of me in understanding the Northern AZ, NM, CO socio-economic communities. I sent you a note offline/befriend...I have some Seattle/CO questions for you. Thanks.
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You just met one: I moved here to Arizona from SoCal almost 20 years ago and have yet to move back.

[poolgirl51]

Originally Posted by nowannamove

If you don't need a job and you are a student at NAU then Flagstaff might be a great place to live while you concentrate on your studies. People are friendly. It is low key. There is lots to do. It has a nice small town feel.

If you want a professional level job or if money is an issue for you don't come here. There are few professional level jobs and the cost of living is expensive giving the wage potential.

Hi Nowanna, did you finaly make the move to Flagstaff? How is it going?

[kdog]

I've lived both on the east and west coasts for half my life. Been in AZ for two years now, and no plans to leave any time soon. Half of Kingman is from SoCal, and I don't hear any of them pining for the coast either.

It really depends on what you like. Personally, I like to explore, and one can explore the southwest forever. The mountains and deserts are beautiful and endless. When you get to a coast, you stop. There's nowhere else to go, nothing else to do, but stop and look at the water. I find it boring and vastly overrated.