Soon to be Arizona resident with questions (Phoenix, Tucson: houses, rent)

[FirebirdJones]

Hello to all. New here. Currently living in Ohio. Wife is from California originally and we all want to get back to a warmer climate.

We have visited Arizona many times house hunting and checking various areas. We are planning another trip next month for a week with houses to look at.

We have decided we don't want to live anywhere in Maricopa county and have concentrated our efforts in Yavapai for various reasons. We have been to Sedona, Cottonwood, Jerome, Flagstaff (too much snow), and as far south as Wickenburg, unfortunately that is in Maricopa county.

We decided on Prescott or Prescott Valley as our main focus and have been house hunting ever since for the past 1 1/2 years. Haven't been too happy with what we have found so far. Giving up 10 acres in Ohio makes it tough to accept anything less than 2 acres. Most seem to be an acre or less, but what we have found even more disappointing is the prices for such small houses. 1,500 square feet on maybe 1 acre can be as high as $350,000. With the market being what it is right now we can only hope these prices take a dive more towards reality in reference to what the jobs pay in that area. It seems the jobs in Prescott are few and salaries are low. Driving to Phoenix to all the high paying jobs is not that economical.

We have found more reasonable house prices in Chino, which is a short drive to Prescott. I would like to hear any comments on the Chino area good or bad.
We have also been shown a house in Peeples, loved the area, absolutely beautiful 3,000 squarefoot home in a more reasonable price range and the area is more remote and peacefull, but the drive down there was horrible on 89, with switchbacks for miles. We even tried driving Iron Springs through Skull Valley. That drive wasn't as bad. Anyone know of any other ways to Peeples Valley? We still may consider this house if we can find a better route. 30 miles to get somewhere doesn't bother us, as we do that now anyway,,,but the switchbacks on 89 was murder.

Schools are not a concern for us as our son is in OHVA and we have found that Arizona also offers this, so that will be a simple switch for him.
Any parents out there using Arizona's Virtual Accademy for their children that can comment?
Sorry for the long post, tried to cover alot as brief as possible, thanks for any insight. Larry.

[sablebaby]

With a name like FirebirdJones, do you own or like firebirds? If so, what years?

[annibelle]

This is the very best advice I can give you. Do not move further south than Phoenix. There is just not enough to do past that way. Tucson is a little, bohemian city. Still not enough to do. Every time I want to go to a concert, I have to go to Phoenix. Also, wait. The homes are way too overpriced still. In one year, you'll pay so much less. Forclosures are on the rise. You'll be able to get whatever asking price you want in a year and then some great amenities. Do not buy a house without a pool. You'll regret it. Also, check out the school districts. I cannot express that more before you move here. Overall, the state has a very poor rating on its school system. Yes, there are good schools, but they are far and few in between. Looking for a good school is like looking for a needle in a haystack. Also, do not move here in the summer. You'll die from the heat. Move here in the winter and plan a vacation every year starting in mid June to the end of July. If you can do that, you'll like it here. I know it sounds rough, but here's the best part. The cost of living is lower than most places.

[Great Joy]

Originally Posted by sablebaby

With a name like FirebirdJones, do you own or like firebirds? If so, what years?

sablebaby, you have one? We used to. It was a '68. We've also owned a '66 GTO, T-bucket, and a '57 Chevy to name a few. My husband loves old muscle cars.

FirebirdJones, I wish I could help you, but I don't know enough about the details you are asking about. I'm sure others here will be able to help.

[Bungle]

Originally Posted by annibelle

Do not buy a house without a pool. You'll regret it.

I originally read this wrong as 'do not buy a house WITH a pool. You'll regret it.' and thought are you crazy!?

[sablebaby]

Originally Posted by Great Joy

sablebaby, you have one? We used to. It was a '68. We've also owned a '66 GTO, T-bucket, and a '57 Chevy to name a few. My husband loves old muscle cars.

FirebirdJones, I wish I could help you, but I don't know enough about the details you are asking about. I'm sure others here will be able to help.

We have two 4th gen black firebirds (00 & 99). They are kept in the garage. My BF also loves old muscle cars too.

[FirebirdJones]

Originally Posted by sablebaby

With a name like FirebirdJones, do you own or like firebirds? If so, what years?

Thanks for the replies. Yes we have a small collection of muscle cars including a 70 Formula that seems to be my wifes favorite, hence the name.

[Great Joy]

sablebaby and FirebirdJones, we don't have any right now. Bicycles and other adult toys (dirt bike, etc) have taken over the extra space in our garage.

We might meet you at some car shows though. My husband sometimes drags me and our kids along. I used to enjoy them, but prefer to do other things now. He still loves going.

[FirebirdJones]

Originally Posted by annibelle

This is the very best advice I can give you. Do not move further south than Phoenix. There is just not enough to do past that way. Tucson is a little, bohemian city. Still not enough to do. Every time I want to go to a concert, I have to go to Phoenix. Also, wait. The homes are way too overpriced still. In one year, you'll pay so much less. Forclosures are on the rise. You'll be able to get whatever asking price you want in a year and then some great amenities. Do not buy a house without a pool. You'll regret it. Also, check out the school districts. I cannot express that more before you move here. Overall, the state has a very poor rating on its school system. Yes, there are good schools, but they are far and few in between. Looking for a good school is like looking for a needle in a haystack. Also, do not move here in the summer. You'll die from the heat. Move here in the winter and plan a vacation every year starting in mid June to the end of July. If you can do that, you'll like it here. I know it sounds rough, but here's the best part. The cost of living is lower than most places.

Thanks, but Maricopa county is out of the question for us. As mentioned in my other post above, we have a car collection that is coming with us, and we don't want to deal with the emissions checks that Maricopa has, not to mention we need at least 2 acres to build a garage large enough, as we have not seen a house yet that has enough garage space. With that said, moving much further south than Prescott is probably not going to happen for us.

Our research of schools have pretty much turned up what you have just mentioned. No worries though, as our child is enrolled in Ohio Virtual Accademy, which is an online schooling with his own teacher,,,and we have found that Arizona also offers this as well. With all the flack that Arizona public schools get I am surprised more parents are not aware of this awsome alternative.

Actually we love the heat,,,it's so dry there it does not bother me. Here in Ohio with 95+ degree temps and our humidity at 100% and dew points of 75 degrees it's absolutely miserable. So the 110+ temps with 20% humidity and 10 degree dew points are a welcome change.

Our last visit there was in July this year, and we went up to Lake Havasu, it was 126 degrees that day, and I loved it.

We just need to nail down a house first,,,and keep our eyes peeled for a decent paying job in the computer field. Both seem to be tough to do.

[sablebaby]

Originally Posted by Great Joy

sablebaby and FirebirdJones, we don't have any right now. Bicycles and other adult toys (dirt bike, etc) have taken over the extra space in our garage.

We might meet you at some car shows though. My husband sometimes drags me and our kids along. I used to enjoy them, but prefer to do other things now. He still loves going.

Yeah, he goes to the Pavilions most Saturdays. I used to go but hate the yucky car fumes. I did drive him there last Saturday and shopped around Target for a while. He rarely takes his cars there though, too much trouble for him to clean the cars and then drag them out.