Anybody looked into Globe? (Phoenix, Mesa: house, buy, college)

[Ponderosa]

A couple years ago, I spend two days in Globe checking it out as a potential retirement mecca . It is obviously on the lower side of the poverty scale there, but it does have reasonable weather, adequate shopping, a bit of history, and is close to tons of recreation, relatively close to the big cities for when the need arises. I am thinking about it again these days because I want out of PHX, but for various reasons may want to stay in AZ. Not interested in Flag, Prescott, Chino Valley (ugh!!), or the rim towns either. But Globe.... Any experiences?

[monsoon74]

Globe is about 10 degrees cooler than Phx, if I remember correctly.

But other than that, what could anyone possibly see in that place?
Literally, it is/was an old mining town, with virtually no industry/commerce, the poverty you mentioned is very widespread, and it's proximity to a reservation only contributes to the poverty level being low, and it's OLD. Not old in charming kind of way...old in a rundown kind of way.

IMHO, Globe is definitely one city that looks best when it's in your rear-view mirror.

For retirement, try Sierra Verde/SE AZ. Or New Mexico.

[arizonapeach]

I have to agree with monsoon, Globe is rundown and doesn't have much to offer. I myself live in Safford, AZ at the moment. I would recommend it for a retirement town. It has everything you could need, except a mall.
Give it a look.

[tracib]

Globe is truly a nice little town. It has it's "history" and antique shops, and yes, it is a little mining town as most are employed with the PD copper mine. But the people are very nice, and you can find some "upscale" homes on the border of Globe and Claypool. The area is combined of 3 little towns, Globe, Claypool and Miami. All having grocery stores, retail shops and Claypool even has a WalMart! Yes, there is poverty in this little town. But what little mining town doesn't have poverty or it's "ups and downs". Personally, I think Globe is a charming little town and the people there are even more charming!

[lilypad]

It is definitely very charming, old, lots of history, friendly people, etc. Enjoyed my time there!

[Mr. Steve]

Its not the end of the earth..........but............you can see it from there

[abingdon]

For retirement NO there is so much soot from the mines that old people have trouble breathing . Drive down the streets and you will see a lot of people on oxgen.... I looked for a place there to retire in and once you buy a house there it is hard to sell and get your money back and forget profit! for retirement if you have heart trouble you don't want to live where the altitude is high it is hard on the heart. have you checked out the little town where Murphy Romance was filmed still hot though ...Rosevelt it a great little area lot to do ....

[rfq]

As an Arizona native who grew up in Globe and now lives in L.A., I think I can say, without being biased, there are worse places to live. Every city has poverty, but Globe isn't the poverty strickened town that others are making it out to be. It's a quiet town where people still show pride for their community and a sense of camaraderie can still be found on every street corner. Not the ideal place to live if you're in your 20s, but not a bad place to retire. It's only about 45 minutes to Mesa and you can still purchase a home with an acre of land for under 200K (you may even be able to keep a few farm animals on the property...). Most of my family still lives in Globe and they'll more than likely never leave. I would hardly think that college educated people would continue to live in Globe if it was the s*&T hole that others are making it out to be. I would suggest you visit for the weekend...there's a really cute bed and breakfast on HWY 60 across from the drive-in. Maybe visit the courthouse, chamber of commerce, hit the antique stores.....definitely eat the Mexican Food....

My entire family grew up in Globe and I can't name one of them who walks around with an oxygen tank...I think that might be due to the prevalence of smoking in the older generations..the air is Globe is cleaner than the air in Phoenix....think you can view that on the EPA website...

[Nice Nice Baby!]

Because of the recent mining boom housing will be difficult. They just aren't building them fast enough for the surge of new workers coming to the area. If you have a house in the area it will be a good investment because of the shortage.

[sfw1979]

Good morning America is going to be stopping in Globe after Yuma..don't know the date, but that would be neat!