Moving to Prescott?

[esselcue]

...you didn't cite stats. That was LBear, who sort of jumped in with the race and stats issue...Sorry that got mixed up. . I apologize for that mistake and assumption...

But I still don't care for your type of sarcasm

[Ria Rhodes]

Fair enough.

[LBear]

I believe the CORE PROBLEM of Prescott is that it is IN BETWEEN a small town and a decently sized city. The tri-city population OVER 125,000. So, it is NO LONGER a "small town" but it is still not large enough to be a decently sized city. Then, to add to the problem, Prescott is a RETIREMENT TOWN and this causes economic problems in the workforce.

The majority of jobs in Prescott are blue collar, service orientated jobs. Recent studies show that the tri-city MEDIAN income per hour was $12.83 per hour. That is NOT enough money to support a family, pay a mortgage, pay insurance, bills, etc.

You have two types of people in Prescott. Those who want the town to grow and those who are opposed to growth. The latter are mostly the wealthy retirees who moved in from California during the 80's and 90's and bought mega-houses and tore-up the mountains with their 3,000+ sq.ft. homes in the Ranch at Prescott and Prescott Lakes and now they are hypocrites and don't want businesses or others moving in.

So, in essence, Prescott is like a teenager. They are in this intermediate phase. They are no longer young and cute but awkward and a PIA. They are not mature and they are years away from becoming mature. The Prescott teenage phase is where all the growing pains and problems will occur. This is where it is at now...

[Ria Rhodes]

Originally Posted by LBear

I believe the CORE PROBLEM of Prescott is that it is IN BETWEEN a small town and a decently sized city. The tri-city population OVER 125,000. So, it is NO LONGER a "small town" but it is still not large enough to be a decently sized city. Then, to add to the problem, Prescott is a RETIREMENT TOWN and this causes economic problems in the workforce.

The majority of jobs in Prescott are blue collar, service orientated jobs. Recent studies show that the tri-city MEDIAN income per hour was $12.83 per hour. That is NOT enough money to support a family, pay a mortgage, pay insurance, bills, etc.

You have two types of people in Prescott. Those who want the town to grow and those who are opposed to growth. The latter are mostly the wealthy retirees who moved in from California during the 80's and 90's and bought mega-houses and tore-up the mountains with their 3,000+ sq.ft. homes in the Ranch at Prescott and Prescott Lakes and now they are hypocrites and don't want businesses or others moving in.

So, in essence, Prescott is like a teenager. They are in this intermediate phase. They are no longer young and cute but awkward and a PIA. They are not mature and they are years away from becoming mature. The Prescott teenage phase is where all the growing pains and problems will occur. This is where it is at now...

Good insights. I'd like to see some kind of middle ground myself.

Most of us who live in the Prescott area & the Verde Valley already know what places like Phoenix are like - that's why we don't live there. Phoenix is a place to go to the airport to catch a flight, and/or shop (at stores we don't have here like Trader Joe's) and then get back on I-17 and head north asap. Breathing the air in the Phoenix area is like smoking - it knocks time off your life expectancy, and for four months Phoenix is a living hell of heat. We are fortunate to have a much more hospitable environment here in the Prescott area. My worst worry (and I believe it won't turn out to be as bad as some may think), is that at the rate ranch/agricultural land is being sold off, it won't be too long before more large swaths of the Prescott and the surrounding areas are just an adjunct to the consumer driven sprawl development environs that many of our current Prescott/PV/etc. residents left. Take a look around as you drive through the area (those residents who have seen the changes). There is more desecration every year. Although a far, far cry from the abyss of urban city congestion and sprawl - we still risk losing some of the appeal of the area from even ten years ago. The changes are already here. This of course is my opinion, and your take may vary depending on your motivations and/or abject denial. Prescott is still very much a nice place, and most of us like living here. It's not just the big homes and housing development that are displacing open spaces, it's very much commercial business development too. I realize we live in a growing town, and I agree with you about the NIMBY transplants who want to close the door to further building now that they got their's. I hope the Prescott area is on the right track in seeking a compromise between development and the preservation of open spaces we all so much love.

[lapine]

After reading the articles in the Prescott newspaper concerning medical care in the Prescott area, we are having second thought about relocating to the Prescott area. Can anyone share with me is it as bad as the claim it is? We have made several trips to scope out the Prescott area and really like, but didn't think to much about doctors and health care until reading the articles about medical care.

[LBear]

Originally Posted by lapine

After reading the articles in the Prescott newspaper concerning medical care in the Prescott area, we are having second thought about relocating to the Prescott area. Can anyone share with me is it as bad as the claim it is? We have made several trips to scope out the Prescott area and really like, but didn't think to much about doctors and health care until reading the articles about medical care.

It is REALLY BAD. Much worse than the newspapers admit. We ALWAYS drive to Phoenix for medical care.

It's simple. Each and every time there is a major accident in Prescott, they transport the injured to Phoenix. Why you ask? Since there are TWO hospitals, one in Prescott & PV., why can't they handle it? The answer is that THEY CANNOT handle major trauma, they don't have the skills, equipment or doctors to deal with it. Just read the articles and it will always state, they were flown to John C. Lincoln in Phoenix. Why would they fly 90 miles in a helicopter when 5 miles away there is a hospital. It's because Prescott medical care stinks.

Need a cardiologist, well get into your car and drive 90 miles to Phoenix, as that is the only place where you can find one and that will do heart surgeries.

Also, when I wanted to get a family doctor. Everyone I called stated they are NOT accepting new patients in Prescott. The one that would, stated the wait for an appointment is 5 months.

Welcome to Prescott...

[esselcue]

In all fairness, ALL smaller towns in AZ air-lift their serious cases to Phoenix because that's where the big hospitals are. It has nothing to do with the medical care here specifically. Yavapai Regional Hospital in Prescott saved my life 10 years ago when I had a pulmonary embolism, brought me "back" three times and did not give up until they had the clot under control and me stable. They were wonderful, my treatment was superbe...so don't diss the entire medical field here in Yavapai County due to your experience.

Granted, there are not enough primary care doctors, but that is a current problem everywhere. Not just here. Check any area outside of big, metropolitan areas and you will find a doctor shortage. This is because most doctors now are specialists...not primary or "family" doctors. They can make more money with less hassles by becoming specialized. So...again...know the reason for the problem before pointing fingers.

[Gretchen B]

I know there's good doctors up here in Prescott, but I've also heard about folks having a tough time even finding any doctor who will take new patients. My thought on it is that the rapid population growth in the area has outpaced the number of doctors moving to town.

I am encouraged when I see all the new medical buildings out in Prescott Valley. I think that may eventually become kind of a hub for medical care. You would think that Phoenix doctors who are having trouble building their practice down there would consider relocating up here - they'd be swamped in no time.

The other option for medical care (not emergency care) is to just go ahead and find a Phoenix doctor. We've got a "colds & flu" doctor up here in Prescott we like, but we also have a doctor in Phoenix for diagnosing more troublesome problems. The 90-mile drive really isn't that bad.

[Dorskate]

Hi, I don't know where to start a ? on Prescott & Prescott Valley thread, so starting here.

We will be making a retirement move to Prescott/Prescott Valley and want to move into a neighborhood or community that offers amenities for retiree's and not too many children. We prefer peace & quiet but are friendly. We want to be in a neighborhood where our neighbors keep their properties tidy.

We are considering Victorian Estates but worry that the new shopping center will either be visable or bring more traffic close to Victorian Estates. We also like the pine tree areas of Prescott but their prices are a little higher.

Any suggestions will be appreciated. We currently live in a upscale coastal town in Southern California so are thinking about this move carefully.

Thank You

[Gretchen B]

Originally Posted by Dorskate

Hi, I don't know where to start a ? on Prescott & Prescott Valley thread, so starting here.

We will be making a retirement move to Prescott/Prescott Valley and want to move into a neighborhood or community that offers amenities for retiree's and not too many children. We prefer peace & quiet but are friendly. We want to be in a neighborhood where our neighbors keep their properties tidy.

We are considering Victorian Estates but worry that the new shopping center will either be visable or bring more traffic close to Victorian Estates. We also like the pine tree areas of Prescott but their prices are a little higher.

Any suggestions will be appreciated. We currently live in a upscale coastal town in Southern California so are thinking about this move carefully.

Thank You

Despite Prescott's reputation of being a "retirement community", surprisingly there are relatively few "over 55" communities. I think that may be because so many areas are already quiet and have activities for seniors. There are many nice areas to choose from. You may want to check out Yavapai Hills, Prescott Country Club, The Courtyards at Willow Creek, The Cottages at Prescott Lakes, as well as many others.

Victorian Estates is a very nice Age Restricted community; however the lack of a traffic signal on Hwy 69 and the new shopping center does concern some.