Sedona...a place to avoid (Page, Mammoth: houses, gated communities, restaurants)

[SedonaShadow]

I'm not angry on my own behalf. I'm situated where the impact of the deterioration of quality of life in Sedona is non-existent. I'm simply the proxy for my friends that unfortunately, have had their lives severely impacted. I moved here for a specific dream and I am still 100% happy in that choice. I don't drive through, nor shop, nor avail myself of anything connected with Sedona even though I'm only a few miles away. If it weren't for my friends I would never have to view the uglification of Sedona. If you keep up on the local news you might have seen the survey the city did concerning low income housing. It seems the commuters they surveyed really don't want to raise a family here. That says it all!

[MIKEETC]

Well it is nice to know that I am not the only one who didn't "get it" regarding Sedona. I drove through there on a roadtrip and wasn't jazzed one bit about the place. I looked around, really tried to figure it out, and I couldn't. Maybe there's a secret, hidden side of the place I didn't find. I will say that the surrounding, natural environment, was cool. But the town?

Another place like that was Taos, New Mexico. And Bend, Oregon.

Perhaps these places were cool back-in-the-day but it looks like something not good has happened. And no offense to those who call Sedona, Taos, or Bend home.

It kind of reminds me of a radio spot I heard. They were soliciting people to tell them about "your favorite spot". My first reaction was, "It's my favorite spot because no one else knows about it - why would I tell anyone about it?"

[poolgirl51]

Well like I have said before, everyone has different needs and Sedona (like any other town) is not for everyone. No place stays the same. If Sedona does not meet your needs as a place to visit or a place to live then don't return or plan to live here. On the other hand there is still much to love about this place and all it has to offer. Sedona Shadow I am happy that you have found your niche here and have made it work for you.

[SedonaShadow]

Originally Posted by poolgirl51

Well like I have said before, everyone has different needs and Sedona (like any other town) is not for everyone. No place stays the same. If Sedona does not meet your needs as a place to visit or a place to live then don't return or plan to live here. On the other hand there is still much to love about this place and all it has to offer. Sedona Shadow I am happy that you have found your niche here and have made it work for you.

IMHO you keep missing the point poolgirl51. I have friends that moved here 5 years ago and are in the Chapel Area. They will now have to come up with approximately $20,000. cash when all is said and done, to tie into the Sedona sewer system, as will all others in that area. There are NO exemptions. Their streets and property will be torn up by city contractors to install the sewers and the property owners will then have to clean up and have their septic systems removed: at THEIR expense. This is not due to a septic system health concern as happens in some areas. This is due to corruption and/or incompetence at Sedona City Hall concerning the sewage treatment plant. What will be forced on any or all next? How about the uptown parking project that wasted millions. When done there were LESS parking areas! Now they have to do it all over again. The point is you cannot trust Sedona to have their own residents interests in mind. As I've said before, Sedona is a 100% tourist town, bows to the businesses and developers wishes, and since this is Sunday, "may God have mercy" on the residents.

[poolgirl51]

No, Sedona Shadow, I really do get it. Like many small towns (or large ones for that matter) there is a level of corruption/incompetence. I feel for those folks in the Chapel area and what they are facing is exactly why I refused to look at any home not already on the City Sewer system. I saw this one coming. I have seen this happen in many of the communities that I have lived in and it is never a good situation.

The best solution is for citizens to become involved and work to vote out those in the Council who are not truely representing the us. I believe our new mayor and new Councilman, Cliff Hamilton are attempting to represent us but there are others on the Council that just have to go. But I am not going to agree that Sedona, as a place to live, has no redeeming qualities. I believe that it does but that it is going to require work and citizen involvement to get us where we need to be.

[motuorg]

Originally Posted by MIKEETC

Perhaps these places were cool back-in-the-day but it looks like something not good has happened. And no offense to those who call Sedona, Taos, or Bend home."

It kind of reminds me of a radio spot I heard. They were soliciting people to tell them about "your favorite spot". My first reaction was, "It's my favorite spot because no one else knows about it - why would I tell anyone about it?"

Exactly..that last statement says it all. My sentiment entirely! Actually, you are one of the few that do "get it" (in my mind). Was beginning to think I was quite alone in my opinion. Taos and Santa Fe are other towns that have gone down the road to "shamway', look for Moab next.

[motuorg]

Originally Posted by SedonaShadow

The point is you cannot trust Sedona to have their own residents interests in mind. As I've said before, Sedona is a 100% tourist town, bows to the businesses and developers wishes, and since this is Sunday, "may God have mercy" on the residents.

An aptly stated truth

[eastcoastlady]

I went there today, just because I wanted to see the natural beauty. Didn't even stop at any shops or restaurants. I drove right through the town with only a stop at the tourism place for the bathroom.
It's absolutely stunning, especially for someone who's spent all my life on the east coast. I can't wait to move to AZ; I will definitely be hiking in the Sedona area frequently.
As someone who grew up in Gettysburg PA, I have a distaste for anything that reeks of tourism. But that isn't to say Gettysburg isn't a beautiful place. You just have to stay out of the tourist traps.

[motuorg]

Originally Posted by eastcoastlady

I can't wait to move to AZ; I will definitely be hiking in the Sedona area frequently. .

The sentiment of 4 million others every year, and this of course is the problem. Paradoxically, Sedona's beauty will be its own demise....Red Rock Papparazzi.

[poolgirl51]

Originally Posted by motuorg

The sentiment of 4 million others every year, and this of course is the problem. Paradoxically, Sedona's beauty will be its own demise....Red Rock Papparazzi.

So, you make some very good points. You are skilled at pointing out what is wrong. Now what would your solution be?