Another Californian (Phoenix, Tucson, Flagstaff: real estate, military, travel)

[cherzad]

I want to move out of SoCal after many years. I was considering Flagstaff, but don't want to shovel snow. Prescott seems pricey and clique-ish. Now I am thinking of Sierra Vista. My ex-husband was Navy so I can use all the posts amenities. Cold winters are fine, but I don't like hot summers and hope to find some green in the surroundings. Does that fit Sierra Vista? No interest in nightlife, but want to be close to libraries, bookstores, some part time work and community service opportunities. I was also thinking of Silver City, NM but it may be a little isolated. I want to be within reasonable driving distance of my daughter in Tucson and my sons in SoCal. I am planning to make two trips around the state in the next two months and will probably rent on a month to month basis before making any decision. Also I will be renting long term and not buying. Am I asking too much of one place? Any and all suggestions welcome. Thanks

[nitram]

I believe your criteria fits Sierra Vista far better than Flagstaff. Flagstaff is much higher in price, no military facilities nearby, and lots of snow.
Sierra Vista on the other hand will get hot in the summer, but the winter/spring time are
perfect Ft Huachuca is nearby and about 90
minutesor so to Tucson. Going to CA is easy from there also. There is a lot to do around the Sierra Vista area. Within a minimum of time traveling you can go to Tombstone,
Karchner Caverns, Bisbee, Mexico and several other areas of interest.

[cherzad]

Thanks nitram

[1azgirl]

Originally Posted by cherzad

I want to move out of SoCal after many years. I was considering Flagstaff, but don't want to shovel snow. Prescott seems pricey and clique-ish. Now I am thinking of Sierra Vista. My ex-husband was Navy so I can use all the posts amenities. Cold winters are fine, but I don't like hot summers and hope to find some green in the surroundings. Does that fit Sierra Vista? No interest in nightlife, but want to be close to libraries, bookstores, some part time work and community service opportunities. I was also thinking of Silver City, NM but it may be a little isolated. I want to be within reasonable driving distance of my daughter in Tucson and my sons in SoCal. I am planning to make two trips around the state in the next two months and will probably rent on a month to month basis before making any decision. Also I will be renting long term and not buying. Am I asking too much of one place? Any and all suggestions welcome. Thanks

I recommend Kingman! I too wanted out of SoCal. And this is the right place for me. For heat in the summer, I stay inside after it gets too hot outside, turn on the swamp cooler, the place is cool very quickly, and I'm just fine. I do not like heat. Before I moved here, I researched the weather because that's important to me. Because Kingman is about 3200 feet up, it's cooler than, say, Phoenix, etc. And little snow each year. Maybe a couple inches or so, a couple days. Monsoon rains/thunder/lightning in August. Sometimes hail! And you can actually see the stars at night. Living in SoCal, I bet you thought the stars had been removed from the sky!

If you like animals, open space, friendly and courteous people, then this is the place for you. Nearly everyone has dogs. Many horses. Goats. Sheep. Twice I've seen a woman and her teenage daughter leading a steer with long horns down the street! Near me are even a couple llamas!

I was born in and lived in California all my life and am really glad I made the move out of that $%^&^* aka L.A. County.

[HonestMom]

Facts about Kingman on the other thread: Kingman AZ? Is it really that horrible?

Also, people native to this area HATE Californians, as they feel the California influence is raising their rents. I am not saying I hate Californians, or they are right, or any other take someone may want to jump down my throat about- I am simply giving you that fact, do with it what you will.

[Livewire]

I cant say 'everyone' hates Californians, as they arent the only ones who have moved to Az and bought up all the real estate, they are the majority though. But beleive it or not right now, many who have gone to Az, from Calif, are going back. I personally have met several, who moved to Az a few years back and went back, they just didnt like Az. Or many who are natives from Az have (or are now doing so) to other areas, theyre buying out Texas, New Mexico as we speak. So they are probably arent too happy with Arizonans either, it goes on down the line.
Dang, right now a person can buy a pretty decent house in So-Cal for about what they would pay for one ins parts of Az these days. I know, I look at the realtor.com frequently, pinpointing various areas, not just one.
But yeah, I can see why there are a lot of negativity towards those Californians, lol.

[MotleyCrew]

We are from CA and the moment we pulled into our driveway we covered our license plates. I can't blame the natives for feeling like they were invaded, we were among the hundreds of U-Hauls making their way across the state line. We really do not hate the heat and in fact, I am tired of the chilly mornings and am looking forward to it. Beats sliding down my driveway back in N.CA. I hate ice.

[Gretchen B]

Originally Posted by cherzad

I want to move out of SoCal after many years. I was considering Flagstaff, but don't want to shovel snow. Prescott seems pricey and clique-ish. Now I am thinking of Sierra Vista. My ex-husband was Navy so I can use all the posts amenities. Cold winters are fine, but I don't like hot summers and hope to find some green in the surroundings. Does that fit Sierra Vista? No interest in nightlife, but want to be close to libraries, bookstores, some part time work and community service opportunities. I was also thinking of Silver City, NM but it may be a little isolated. I want to be within reasonable driving distance of my daughter in Tucson and my sons in SoCal. I am planning to make two trips around the state in the next two months and will probably rent on a month to month basis before making any decision. Also I will be renting long term and not buying. Am I asking too much of one place? Any and all suggestions welcome. Thanks

Cherzad - have you ever visited Prescott? You may want to at least check us out. I moved here about 6/7 years ago from small-town rural Nebraska. I've always felt that the Prescott area is very friendly. There's actually 3 main towns within 10 miles of Prescott - Chino Valley, Prescott Valley, and Dewey-Humboldt - along with Prescott proper. Each one has it's own unique feel to it. Also, home prices vary greatly between Prescott (which is the priciest) and the other towns. Right now you can get a really nice house is all the outlying towns for low $200's. Prescott will be higher.

The rest of what you're looking for - cooler summers, green in the summer (not the spring), local shopping, the VA facilities, etc would seem to be pretty close to what you're wanting.

The Prescott area may not be for you, but I think you might want to at least check us out before you cross us off your list.