How do you like Flagstaff? (Phoenix: appointed, to rent, Home Depot)

[mwwwin]

Originally Posted by Arctic Fox

Flagstaff. Jobs there will pay for your rent, food or car insurance. Not all three. Not even two. If you can stand roommates, stuff 6 in a three bedroom apartment and they might be able to save enough money to go to Jack in the Box.

Up there it's not what you know or how good a job you can do - it's who you know and who's rump can you kiss. Save what you can as fast as you can because layoffs are a comin'.

I used to be one of those transients. I moved to Flag with $300 and a sleeping bag. Slept up on Mars Hill and worked day labor until I saved enough money for an apartment. Got a job as a maintenance supervisor for $10/hr which paid the rent, but I walked to work and ate noodles or burritos every day. I (barely) lived up there for 4 years before calling it quits.

But you stayed for four years...there must have been something you liked for you to stay that long?!

[bobbilly79]

Originally Posted by mwwwin

But you stayed for four years...there must have been something you liked for you to stay that long?!

You would think so...however, it is so expensive to live it takes forever to get enough money to move. You see, it is also expensive to leave I used to love this town, but it has just gotten too ridiculous. The only way I'm getting out of here is on my tax refund. I just can't stick around long enough to see my company go under (which it is in the process of doing), and my rental home foreclosed on.

[BillR1]

Originally Posted by bobbilly79

You would think so...however, it is so expensive to live it takes forever to get enough money to move. You see, it is also expensive to leave I used to love this town, but it has just gotten too ridiculous. The only way I'm getting out of here is on my tax refund.

That's about where I'm at. The ONLY reason I haven't left this place is the crash in the housing market. I'm trying to wait until it recovers a little value.

[CCCVDUR]

Originally Posted by BillR1

That's about where I'm at. The ONLY reason I haven't left this place is the crash in the housing market. I'm trying to wait until it recovers a little value.

Bill see my post about Albuquerque:


http://www.city-data.com/forum/albuq...flagstaff.html

[BillR1]

Originally Posted by Tom Lane

Bill see my post about Albuquerque:


http://www.city-data.com/forum/albuq...flagstaff.html

I like it. Well said!

[CCCVDUR]

I hope I was accurate in contrasting the two business models:

Flagstaff's Socialism / Exclusivity ... promoted by White/Evans/Donaldson/etc.

vs. Albuquerque's Libertarian / Economic Liberalism promoted by ABQ Mayor Martin J. Chavez

Clearly, Mayor Marty's Laissez Faire capitalism approach including tax-incentives for new businesses, and Socially Liberal policies, has produced more jobs and lower unemployment in the Duke City (Albuquerque) compared to a city with no name other than "Poverty with a View" and "Ghetto in the Meadow" (Flagstaff)

[BillR1]

That's the difference. Albuquerque WANTS to grow and prosper, while Flagstaff is doing its best NOT to improve and grow. As a result, it's citizens are suffering from low wages and lack of real employment opportunity and competitive pricing.

[pokuku]

Originally Posted by Tom Lane

I hope I was accurate in contrasting the two business models:

Flagstaff's Socialism / Exclusivity ... promoted by White/Evans/Donaldson/etc.

vs. Albuquerque's Libertarian / Economic Liberalism promoted by ABQ Mayor Martin J. Chavez

Clearly, Mayor Marty's Laissez Faire capitalism approach including tax-incentives for new businesses, and Socially Liberal policies, has produced more jobs and lower unemployment in the Duke City (Albuquerque) compared to a city with no name other than "Poverty with a View" and "Ghetto in the Meadow" (Flagstaff)

Well, its not even "proper" modern-style socialism, Tom. Its some backward, regressive socialism. Honestly, I'm baffled by it, and I've been here in Flagstaff for a few years now. Are they doing it consciously, or is it just stupidity and ignorance?

Seeing different companies attempt to bring jobs to Flagstaff, and then have them completely ignored by the city...has really had me actively looking for another place to live. I cannot, and will not, stay in a place that seems to want to slowly shrivel up and die at all costs.

I hope China likes Southwest Windpower's jobs that they created there, instead of HERE. I hope Phoenix likes W.L. Gore's expansion there, instead of here....since there isn't a suitable job base to even draw from in Flagstaff. Seriously, how many illiterate drunks can a company handle? Oh, and I hope all the so-called "green people" in Flagstaff like all the green jobs being created ELSEWHERE, in the Midwest, Texas, even New Mexico. They seem to want it that way.

So you recommend Albuquerque then?

[CCCVDUR]

Originally Posted by pokuku

.....seeing different companies attempt to bring jobs to Flagstaff, and then have them completely ignored by the city...has really had me actively looking for another place to live. I cannot, and will not, stay in a place that seems to want to slowly shrivel up and die at all costs.....So you recommend Albuquerque then?

I don't recommend any place over another. I lived in Albuquerque for part of 2007. ABQ has its advantages and disadvantages. However, as BillR1 says above, ABQ wants to grow, unlike Flagstaff. That's a plus for any young person looking for career development. If you get a job in a city that WANTS to grow (like Denver, Albuquerque, Raleigh-Durham, or Seattle), the chances for promotion are always greater than in a place like Flagstaff.....

[kdog]

Originally Posted by Tom Lane

I don't recommend any place over another. I lived in Albuquerque for part of 2007. ABQ has its advantages and disadvantages. However, as BillR1 says above, ABQ wants to grow, unlike Flagstaff. That's a plus for any young person looking for career development. If you get a job in a city that WANTS to grow (like Denver, Albuquerque, Raleigh-Durham, or Seattle), the chances for promotion are always greater than in a place like Flagstaff.....

You can't compare a big city like Alb (pop. 500,000) to a small town like Flagstaff (pop. 50,000), as Alb is 10x the size. A better comparison would be Alb compared to Phoenix (2.5x).

There isn't enough land in Flag to support a population like Alb anyway. So it makes sense that the city council is going to be very conservative in managing its growth. It would seem if you want a quaint little town in the mountains, go with Flag. If you want a big bustling city, go with Alb. Right?