ID to somewhere in AZ (Phoenix, Tucson: job market, to buy, living)

[Heidik]

I am considering relocating from Coeur d'Alene, ID and AZ is one of the states I'm looking into. Have been thru Prescott, Flagstaff and Sedona years ago.

Looking for a city that does not have extreme heat like Phoenix & Tucson, not small but not large, okay for snow in the winter as long as it melts off quickly (unlike ID), easy access to lakes or rivers, good job market with a reasonable commute, affordable housing, arts and culture and a good singles scene for the over 35 crowd. Oh, and good stores to buy healthy foods like Whole Foods, Trader Joes, etc.

Any/all info. is greatly appreciated.

[Ponderosa]

Originally Posted by Heidik

I am considering relocating from Coeur d'Alene, ID and AZ is one of the states I'm looking into. Have been thru Prescott, Flagstaff and Sedona years ago.

Looking for a city that does not have extreme heat like Phoenix & Tucson, not small but not large, okay for snow in the winter as long as it melts off quickly (unlike ID), easy access to lakes or rivers, good job market with a reasonable commute, affordable housing, arts and culture and a good singles scene for the over 35 crowd. Oh, and good stores to buy healthy foods like Whole Foods, Trader Joes, etc.

Any/all info. is greatly appreciated.

There is nowhere like that here. If you find it, post it and we'll all come and ruin it.

[AzDreamer]

The only good job markets in AZ are Phoenix and Tucson.

You should take a look at Albuquerque.

[esselcue]

Prescott has everything on your list expect a lot of jobs...but no smaller town has a LOT of jobs. You have to want to work and do a lot of looking. You can live in Chino Valley or Prescott Valley where it is less expensive and work in the Prescott area.

[esselcue]

I meant EXCEPT a lot of jobs...not Expect....

[Dangerous Dave]

Heidi,

All the time I was in Arizona, I wanted to move to CdA. What irony.

Anyhow, I think you're on something. Stay in CdA. You don't know how good you got it.

If you're really sick of the snow and want to warm up a bit, I would look into western Oregon. We have everything you want here.... the stores, the weather, and the coast.

Yes, it rains in the winter. But it's not hard rain. More like constant drizzle.

The winters aren't too cold. I ride my bicycle to work most of the year, and we still get out to hike, bike, etc. even in January. Winter doesn't keep us down here.

If you do end up in AZ, look at a road atlas and figure that everything connected to hwy 89A is nice. After you get out of Prescott, it kinda sucks. Depending on what you do for a living, you'll likely have a tough time finding a good paying job in most areas except for Tucson and Phoenix. Also, the COL in Flagstaff, Sedona, etc. are high.

The SE part of the state is also nice, around Sierra Vista. Doesn't get ridiculously hot, but again, the job market is limited.