Anybody residing in AZ that moved from NJ? (Prescott: buying a home, buying)

[Nancy Lynne]

Thank you kindly in advance for providing what your experience has been .
TGIF!!!!

[cmist]

My dad is from old bridge new jersey, and my mom is from long island.

They have met alot of people here from New York / New Jersey. You won't feel out of place as most people are not really from here either.

[Gretchen B]

Hi Nancy - I'm a realtor in the Prescott area and had clients from New Jersey that bought a home here in Prescott about this time last year. Great couple that I really enjoyed working with. I know their home in NJ took quite a bit longer to sell than they had anticipated. We've kept in touch since they've moved here and they reallly love Prescott, the town and the weather.

Just to add a little about home prices up here in Prescott (which by the way has 4-seasons and moderate temps), I think our prices are probably a little less than NJ (or at least the area where my clients were from) Home prices here have moderated a little since last year, but have not fallen dramatically. We do, however, have a lot of homes on the market now, and it is definitely a "buyer's market" with sellers looking seriously at most offers. Hope this gives you some insight. Prescott was recently named by Money Magazine as one of the top 5 places to retire, so that may keep our prices from sinking further - time will tell.

[cmist]

Originally Posted by Gretchen B

Hi Nancy - I'm a realtor in the Prescott area and had clients from New Jersey that bought a home here in Prescott about this time last year. Great couple that I really enjoyed working with. I know their home in NJ took quite a bit longer to sell than they had anticipated. We've kept in touch since they've moved here and they reallly love Prescott, the town and the weather.

Just to add a little about home prices up here in Prescott (which by the way has 4-seasons and moderate temps), I think our prices are probably a little less than NJ (or at least the area where my clients were from) Home prices here have moderated a little since last year, but have not fallen dramatically. We do, however, have a lot of homes on the market now, and it is definitely a "buyer's market" with sellers looking seriously at most offers. Hope this gives you some insight. Prescott was recently named by Money Magazine as one of the top 5 places to retire, so that may keep our prices from sinking further - time will tell.

I would second the motion and say if you have the option to live in Prescott, you will find the weather much more suitable than Phx. with a little more greenery to remind you of home.

It is a much smaller town, but not so small that everyone knows everyone's business. It is a little more "western" where the local people are into "rodeos" and cowboy boots/hats etc. Probably changed a bit with the influx of the Californians, but not sure. If you aren't buying a home all cash and retiring, maybe the previous poster has job ideas, otherwise you may be sucked into phoenix for the economy.

Also on a sidenote... they are adamant that they pronounce it "preskitt" and not "PRESS-SCOTT" and the locals may get mad at you if you don't say it right! Ha ha, I think in a good natured way, I hope?

[Ponderosa]

Originally Posted by cmist

I would second the motion and say if you have the option to live in Prescott, you will find the weather much more suitable than Phx. with a little more greenery to remind you of home.

It is a much smaller town, but not so small that everyone knows everyone's business. It is a little more "western" where the local people are into "rodeos" and cowboy boots/hats etc. Probably changed a bit with the influx of the Californians, but not sure. If you aren't buying a home all cash and retiring, maybe the previous poster has job ideas, otherwise you may be sucked into phoenix for the economy.

Also on a sidenote... they are adamant that they pronounce it "preskitt" and not "PRESS-SCOTT" and the locals may get mad at you if you don't say it right! Ha ha, I think in a good natured way, I hope?

You could live there for five years and never see a real local.

[sweattea]

Originally Posted by Ponderosa

You could live there for five years and never see a real local.

The only natives Arizonians I know are my two youngest kids.

[tucsondesertdweller]

If you give a few specific's I can give you my 2 cents!