LostinFL moving to AZ, but what city??? (living in, teacher)

[Gretchen B]

Just to tag team on what Prescott Valley Mom had to say (us Prescott area folks have to stick together I seldom ever need to go Phoenix for anything (plus I hate all the traffic to get down there). Right now we've got a nice mall (not huge, but adequate), 2 SuperWalmarts (with another one on the way-don't know what I think of that), Costco, Target, Home Depot (another one of those soon too). Sam's Club, Lowe's and Kohl's are all coming here as well. PV (Prescott Valley) just built an Event Center and they've been having minor league hockey games there and some decent concerts (Clint Black, Chicago). Then the restaurants - we've got some of the usual chains (Applebees, Chili's, Outback, etc) but what I really like are the individually run restaurants. Some of them have great food and great ambiance. Two of my favorites are 129-1/2 American Jazz Grille (live jazz Thur-Sun) and Sweet Tarts (a true French cafe/pastry shop complete with French chef).

Like the last post mentioned, it's even possible to get a smaller home in one of the subdivisions in Chino Valley or Prescott Valley for $180k - $220k. One of the mortgage bankers I work with told me yesterday that interest rates have come down the past week to 5.75% for 30 yr loan, and I know from experience that buyers can negotiate price substantially right now. So at least check us out.

[AmericanHarleyRider]

"You can buy a great 3-bdrm home in Prescott Valley for under $250k"

YOU CAN?? Hell, maw! Pack the bags, we're movin!

I didn't think you could touch a place in Prescott or Prescott Valley for anywhere near that. I guess I'll have to look again. Still gotta get a job out there though.

[MotleyCrew]

I found two new build communities in Chino Valley, just outside of Prescott. Shea Homes is the builder and the ones at Canyon Oaks start at $194,990 and there is another section starting at $165,890. That seems very reasonable to me. I may go take a look this weekend.

[CodyW]

Hmm, can you send me the details on the Shea communities in Chino Valley?

[tucsondesertdweller]

ok maybe you can get a house in that price range, but its probably got no charm and no view. Everything I see when I check out the realtor sites for something nice in Prescott its starting at high 300,00's and that is for nothing spectacular and Presoctt Valley looks like 300,00 to start.
Ok, are there housing developments in Prescott Valley with views in the price range of 300,000?
I would love to check out Prescott

[mtnsky]

Prescott has a much better family/community feel than Flagstaff.

[nativeamerican]

I would suggest Prescott. Flagstaff gets pretty cold in the winter and is a very tourist town. Prescott is also a tourist town but is also growing with more and more amenities like more shopping and entertainment. Prescott Valley is a very ideal location and inbetween North Phoenix and Sedona where the rest of your family lives.

[lludvig]

If you want a small town feel with great weather year round, come out here to Sierra Vista. We're only an hour or so from Tucson and 3 hours from Phoenix. I was stationed here in the early 90's and moved back here almost 5 years ago from Michigan. Weather is about 5 degrees cooler than Tucson in the summer time and our winters are mild. Mountains are prettier here than in some parts of AZ.

Schools are always looking for teachers. You have the elementary schools on Ft. Huachuca, as well as in the city. One HS in town. There is not much night life here though; however, you can drive to Tucson for that as well as major shopping.

We do have a "mall," but it's not like in the big city. It's enough for what you need. I save a lot of $$ cuz I don't shop like I used to. Again, you can make it a day in Tucson.

Rush hour traffic is not ridiculous and you can get around in a reasonable amount of time. Home prices are dropping and I can't compare it to other areas. Just know that there is a decent price range to select from.

[elyria1]

LostinFL,
I would definitly look into the area around Prescott AZ. It is beautiful and being in the mountains (1 mile above sea level) the weather is moderate and you still have the change of seasons, even a little snow in the winter.

Prescott is very nice, my favorite city in the U.S.

[Neesie]

Originally Posted by lludvig

Rush hour traffic is not ridiculous and you can get around in a reasonable amount of time. Home prices are dropping and I can't compare it to other areas. Just know that there is a decent price range to select from.

My SO moved to Sierra Vista a few weeks ago and is currently looking for a house. You can get a decent place in town for $250K and often under (this is for a 3br/2ba). He's also looking at a place north of Huachuca City that comes with about 3 acres, is 2000 sf, and selling for around $225K.

I'ts about 20 degrees in Utah right now--if I can find a job I'm heading to AZ. : )

Denise