Can Anyone Tell What it's Like in NEW RIVER, AZ?

[nitram]

I recently did a ride along with one of the Sheriff's Deputies that patrols the New River/ Desert Hills area. He tells me that there is a high percentage of criminals on probation that live in that area and they also have a lot of burglary, wife beating, and juvenile misdemeanor calls.

[VLANE]

Thank you for your reply ScoutAZ. Sorry it took so long for me to respond. When checking weather further North, it seems that Cottonwood, Prescott Valley, Camp Verde, etc. get cold in winter. I'm searching for warm winter climate (50-60's). Are there suburbs of Phoenix that offer that climate during winter and yet still have affordable housing? I would like to purchase a retirement home for the October-April season. Where should I be looking?

[ScoutAZ]

Originally Posted by VLANE

Thank you for your reply ScoutAZ. Sorry it took so long for me to respond. When checking weather further North, it seems that Cottonwood, Prescott Valley, Camp Verde, etc. get cold in winter. I'm searching for warm winter climate (50-60's). Are there suburbs of Phoenix that offer that climate during winter and yet still have affordable housing? I would like to purchase a retirement home for the October-April season. Where should I be looking?

I guess you have to think about the trade off between peace and quiet vs. warm weather. Phoenix and surrounding areas are in the low desert and you can almost guarantee yourself daytime winter temps in the 50's and 60's. the winter is one of our two brief rainy seasons. I have lived in the Phoenix area for almost 35 years and remember no more then about 7-8 days of temporary snow accumulation in that time. As Phoenix is in a valley, higher elevations on the fringe (Cave Creek, Carefree, Wickenburg, Rio Verde have greater insntances of snow accumulation that lasts for about 6-8 hours. In order to find peace and quiet in the Phoenix area you may need to head to the fringes (No. Peoria, Goodyear, Queen Creek, Casa Grande) and committ to hunkering down in your neighborhood. Bear in mind that Phoenix is the 5th largest city in the United States and the total SMSA is about 3.5 to 4.0MM

Some of the other places I mentioned (Cottonwood, Rim Rock, Camp Verde, Prescott Valley) are in the high desert. Winter day time temps typically range from the 40's to 60's with a reasonably high chance of internittent snow in the Prescott area which is about 1500 feet higher in elevation then the nearby Verde Valley where Cottonwood and Camp Verde are located.

[doeadeer]

Check out a place called "Viewpoint Resort", it is located in East Mesa with beautiful views of the Superstition mountains. It is a large retirement community, but very nice property. Go to equitylifestyle.com and you can look at it. I have to go out there to work a couple times a week, and I think "Gee...I sure hope I can do all the things these people are doing when I'm retired". They all look like they really enjoy themselves and the place is very nice. Good Luck!

[VLANE]

Thank you ScoutAZ. You are very kind. I'm going to visit and do some shopping!

[dkvongerichten]

Originally Posted by m1ndless

New River is Awesome. It sucks trying to get out there in the afternoon, but you really don't need to come into town for anything unless you work in phoenix. Anthem is 2 minutes south and has a few grocery stores, a walmart, and an outlet mall.

As for the Scenery, its beautiful. I love every part of new river, if I had the money, Id build a house up there in a heart beat.

There is little to no crime, I have never heard of anything ever happening up there besides the occasional car accident..

Deer Valley School Discrict is a great one, I would reccomend it over most disctircts here.

There is a few familes there, but the houses are typically spread out, and you will often not meet most of your neighnors.

Did I mention there is a nudist colony up there?

If you looking to move somewhere, I would highly suggest New River.

I am considering moving to New River to be near family living in North Scottsdale. Are there particular neighborhoods that are more or less desirable? One home I looked at seemed to be near an area that might be frequented by ATV'ers or dirtbikers. While I ride a motorcycle myself, I'd rather do without the noise of a bunch of crazy riders.

What are the outdoor recreation possibilities?

[esselcue]

New River is a desert...it's pretty IF you like hot and dry and rugged, but there is only a "River" when we have Monsoon rains. I don't know about crime there, it's in Maricopa County, but up the highway in Yavapai County (I am employed by Yavapai County Sheriff) you have Black Canyon City which, sadly, does have a lot of criminal activity, mainly drugs. It's all a matter of personal taste and what one considers "beautiful" I suppose...but I would head for Spring Valley, Dewey, Chino Valley, etc...not as hot.