Prescott, AZ or Anchorage, AK for young family? (Phoenix, Cottonwood: environment, property taxes)

[ArizonaBear]

Originally Posted by Ria Rhodes

"..the housing crash will be ending soon I suspect"

Sounds like Realtor-speak

..overheard the oil sheiks and real estate brokers say, "it's always a good time to buy!"

Trust me: realtor I ain't!

And; it would not hurt my feelings to see the real estate market crash an additional 20% on top of the present decline. Even if a home stays at a $200K dollar value for the next three years-----the residence would still have suffered a real world drop in value of ca. $20K in real value @ 3% inflation per year.

I keep having the feeling (nothing more) the housing market has hit 'bottom' or damn close in many areas.

[Gretchen B]

Originally Posted by ArizonaBear

Trust me: realtor I ain't!

And; it would not hurt my feelings to see the real estate market crash an additional 20% on top of the present decline. Even if a home stays at a $200K dollar value for the next three years-----the residence would still have suffered a real world drop in value of ca. $20K in real value @ 3% inflation per year.

I keep having the feeling (nothing more) the housing market has hit 'bottom' or damn close in many areas.

Well here is some "Realtor-speak"

I think we're looking at least to the end of the year before we might start seeing a more balanced market up here in the Prescott/Prescott Valley/Chino Valley/Dewey area.

I can tell you a few positive signs, though. Prices have dropped pretty substantially overall in the Prescott Valley area. As a result sales are up in that community. Prescott has not seen as much price softening and sales are generally very slow right now. However, there have been a few subdivisions in Prescott where the sellers have gotten aggressive with their pricing. As a result, homes in those particular neighborhoods are selling fairly quickly. I think we'll see some more aggressive price cuts in other Prescott neighborhoods as the year progresses.

Still lots of houses on the market and lots of new listings, so it will be a while before things turn around. We are seeing more buyer activity lately, though, so hopefully the light at the end of the tunnel will start getting brighter.

[allforcats]

I too vote for Prescott vs. Anchorage. Alaska is a thrill for adults, but children won't "get" it. Prescott is beautiful and calm, and all things considered I think safer for young children. I also think the cost of living would be lower in Prescott, despite having to truck up groceries, etc. -- the costs of getting groceries to Anchorage is much higher.

When your girls grow up, they might decide they desperate need to get out of the town and live in a city for some glamor and excitement, but that's a long time from now. In the meantime, I think you could give your girls a wonderful life in Prescott.

[crazyme4878]

I hope you have posted this question on the Alaska page, as well. Of course Arizonians are going to think Alaska has horrible weather!!! It all depends on where you live now/have lived, and what you like. Personally, I would choose Alaska, but I don't know a lot about Prescott (I just moved to Cochise County). Black bears and moose usually avoid humans unless a.) a cub is involved b.) its rutting season c.) they are trapped. I realize the closs contact of wild animals in Anchorage, but I don't remember there being a high amount of injuries caused by them either (within the city; Alaska is one of the only places Rangers carry guns--its for the grizzly bears).

Anyhow, there are wild animals everywhere. I'm trying to deal with scorpions for the first time (seen two so far), and worry about rattlesnakes. Oh, and no matter the weather, a person acclimates.

[annieu]

My husband would pick Anchorage--we visited with our kids last summer!! It is hands down, one of the 2 most beautiful places on earth--but cold most of the year--honestly, though, their 60 degrees feels a lot warmer than Arizona's 60.
I pick Prescott--I grew up in Phoenix and always loved Prescott--as long as it doesn't grow too much more.

[RangerDuke08]

Prescott is great, one of the safest areas, still driving distance on the weekends to a metropolitan of Phoenix, might be a lil pricey but gorgeous scenary, milder weather.

[justa]

Lived in ANC a few years.. and loved Ak. the sights made my eye's water at times (the froze air around the lights that stay on all winter long just twinkle, the tundra when it turns in the fall, the wildlife and it goes on and on).. but it was was really hard getting out of the sleeping bag and into clothing before you froze.. the Az. heat can make your head ache at times but its even tougher trying to get your zipper down when your frozen fingers just will not function.

[Gretchen B]

Originally Posted by annieu

My husband would pick Anchorage--we visited with our kids last summer!! It is hands down, one of the 2 most beautiful places on earth--but cold most of the year--honestly, though, their 60 degrees feels a lot warmer than Arizona's 60.
I pick Prescott--I grew up in Phoenix and always loved Prescott--as long as it doesn't grow too much more.

Originally Posted by RangerDuke08

Prescott is great, one of the safest areas, still driving distance on the weekends to a metropolitan of Phoenix, might be a lil pricey but gorgeous scenary, milder weather.

These are the reasons I love Prescott, too. Annieu, I'm with you on hoping Prescott retains it's charm and character. The newer shopping areas have been built out in Prescott Valley, which is still very convenient. There is some building on tap for the north side of The Dells, which I'm really hoping they'll rethink. I just hate to see those beautiful views destroyed, especially when there are so many other options available.

[odinloki1]

I'd go with Anchorage in a heartbeat. I'd never send a child to AZ schools. Its in the warmer part of Alaska. Your kids will appreciate it if you appreciate it, plus so many different things to do there and you don't have to worry about a lack of water killing you. I don't think AZ is a good long-term real estate prospect because of potential drought situations. If you're only here for a couple years though it couldn't hurt.

[CA central coast]

Has anyone mentioned the tax burden in Anchorage? It's non existant. No sales or income tax there. I imagine that if you are going to be making good money, you'd have a better life financially up there.