Why Move From San Diego to Kingman (Phoenix, Flagstaff: real estate, housing)

[Trump]

We've been considering moving from San Diego to Kingman for some time motivated in part by friends that plan to make the same move. Now that we're closer to seeing this come to fruition I'm beginning to get cold feet. The weather and things to do in San Diego are tough to beat. Besides a more rural atmosphere and less congestion what does Kingman have to offer to offset the advantages of San Diego?

[irwin]

Why Move From San Diego to Kingman?

I'm asking the same question, WHY!?!?

Why in the world would you make such a move?

[Ponderosa]

Rural atmosphere and lack of congestion can be powerful motives for making a move. It seems many city residents are looking for that. Add to that a greatly reduced cost-of-living, clean air, proximity to Laughlin/LV if you enjoy that. It's just a different lifestyle and you need to decide if it is the lifestyle you want. It's a hard chioce but the answer lies in your personal values and how closely one place or the other aligns with them. Having friends there would make it much nicer.

[Trump]

Actually, we already live in a relatively rural area of San Diego on just over an acre. We've been looking at properties in Kingman with over 5 acres. So, an inducement to move may be that it does offer us a little more room to spread out. Cost of living, especially housing is no doubt much more expensive in San Diego but a recent surge in Kingman land prices narrows the gap considerably unless the correction that some expect takes place. On that subject, a magazine article that I recently read projected a minimum of 13% decline in housing costs for Las Vegas, which is a market with close ties to Kingman real estate. Anyone hear of similar projections?

[aj661]

Personally, if I was considering a move to Kingman, I' d look in southern Nevada first. Basically the same terrain, but according to a friend who lives in Vegas, the taxes are lower.

[dano]

Yes, life style wise this would be a tough move. One thing to keep in mind, however, is the effect the completion of the Hoover Dam by-pass ('08 or '09) will have on Kingman as it relates to its closest big city - Las Vegas. First off, it reduces drive time by at least 30 minutes, or 2 hours to 1 1/2 hours. This could be further reduced to say one hour if you were just trying to get to the southern suburbs of Henderson/Green Valley. One hour commutes are actually acceptable to some people so housing demand should increase. Developers are already betting on this phenomenon by building housing developments just south of the crossing in the middle of the desert. It is possible that Kingman will be a relatively booming area in '09 and '10 by essentially becoming a bedroom community for Las Vegas who's growth shows no sign of slowing. A smart move might be to pick up a house within the next year during this "bursting bubble" phase to watch its value soar in '09 and beyond.

[Trump]

Originally Posted by aj661

Personally, if I was considering a move to Kingman, I' d look in southern Nevada first. Basically the same terrain, but according to a friend who lives in Vegas, the taxes are lower.

Where in Nevada did you have in mind? One of the reasons we chose Kingman was the closeness of a decent medical facility. It's not necessarily topnotch but adequate based on what I've read. Are there communities that match the higher elevation areas of Kingman (Lazy YU) with good medical care in southern Nevada?

[Trump]

dano- The potential growth you're talking about is one the things I'm concerned about. I like the size of Kingman as it is now. Well, a few more good restaurants and shopping would help. Much more than that would not be very appealing. Also, I'm not really concerned about property appreciation. I plan to stay.

[desertlife3900ft]

I moved from Michigan to K-man in '04 & the sunshine & warm temps--but cool, starry nites--sure beats that stuff up there. Here, it is almost always quiet & my health has improved dramatically as well--compared to the northern climate where I lived for 40+ yrs. I go out in the morning & there is no frost nor snow just cooler temps from 30-50 but, midday 60s to 70's. I moved here to be close to: CA-Las Vegas,NV-Flagstaff-Phoenix(not far). It is considered the central location to & from many places & states due to major hwys: 40, 93 & 66 that run thru it. Summers occasionally in the 110s & winters I can got outside with just a light jacket or two nice shirts on. THE ONLY BAD POINT IS THE WIND & maybe more stores/restaurants! Otherwise, a nice area. I know many people who have moved here from various places & the majority are from CA. I ask them why they moved from CA & many reply: Away from the traffic, crime, too many people, the noise, etc. They also say, there are no earthquakes or major weather events either--I have to agree. The "Sunrise Over The Music Moutains" picture shown in the Kingman, AZ City-Data Stats Page is what I see almost every morning when I step outside of my front door--I live it, breathe it & love it. The air is unpolluted, dry & basically allergy-free. I could hardly ever leave my house in MI during the winter. I don't miss the seasons nor the green vegetation of the north either. It is also true that when they complete the HooverDamBypass this place is goin' to explode & it is true that many major builders are banking on this concept as well! One more thing, the housing & land prices are falling (as well as every else) but, there won't be a better time to invest in land/housing here in K-man than now cuz, '08 & '09 isn't far away either.

[LGub]

Interesting scenario....from SD to Kingman. Probably not one I would contemplate if I lived in SoCal, but I can see why others might want to make such a drastic change of scenery.