Cottonwood neighborhoods - One more time (Mesa, Scottsdale: for sale, real estate, leasing)

[ScoutAZ]

I hope to be moving to Verde Valley area in the next several years to be closer to children and grandchildren. I have taken a couple of on my own road trips around the whole of the Verde Valley. I would appreciate some comments from residents on a few neighborhoods in Cottonwood area. Looking for advice on quality of neighborhood, demographics (age), relative costs, etc. My home buying will be in the $200 to 275K range based on "current" circumstances. Looking for single family home 1250 - 1500 sq feet, with a nice lot. Not looking for a house or an agent this second, just advice.

Thanks

1)The area east of 260 as you are coming into town. Cross streets are Del Rio and Western

2) The area behind the Wal-Mart on the west side of 260 with "major" avenues being Rio Mesa TRail and el Camino Real

3) The area just south of Cottonwood airport around Fir and Elm Streets

4) The Del Webb community - Cottonwood Ranch

5) The area just north of Cottonwood Ranch

6) Verde Santa Fe in Cornville especially the area around Tissaw Rd

7) Any neighborhoods you care to talk about

[adventuregurl]

Originally Posted by ScoutAZ

I hope to be moving to Verde Valley area in the next several years to be closer to children and grandchildren. I have taken a couple of on my own road trips around the whole of the Verde Valley. I would appreciate some comments from residents on a few neighborhoods in Cottonwood area. Looking for advice on quality of neighborhood, demographics (age), relative costs, etc. My home buying will be in the $200 to 275K range based on "current" circumstances. Looking for single family home 1250 - 1500 sq feet, with a nice lot. Not looking for a house or an agent this second, just advice.

Thanks

1)The area east of 260 as you are coming into town. Cross streets are Del Rio and Western

2) The area behind the Wal-Mart on the west side of 260 with "major" avenues being Rio Mesa TRail and el Camino Real

3) The area just south of Cottonwood airport around Fir and Elm Streets

4) The Del Webb community - Cottonwood Ranch

5) The area just north of Cottonwood Ranch

6) Verde Santa Fe in Cornville especially the area around Tissaw Rd

7) Any neighborhoods you care to talk about

Personally I like this area the best:
2) The area behind the Wal-Mart on the west side of 260 with "major" avenues being Rio Mesa TRail and el Camino Real

I live in Sedona but have 2 friends in there and it is beautiful...I think you could find a nice home there, espeically as you go west. I can't give you specifics on price etc. but you can find something in your range, I'm sure of it. Some areas in Cottonwood are a little risky...drugs, undesirable people etc. I know as I spent 7 months living there once and the neighbors on either side of me and behind all were trouble and all got evicted and two of them got arrested at their homes, one involving the swat team and a road closure. I found out as police were in my driveway hiding behind my car using it as a shield with their automatic weapons drawn. That was enough to scare me out of my wits!

I also believe the Del Webb community is nice.

[Ria Rhodes]

I know much about crime, drugs, law enforcement and the criminal justice system. Granted, there are better areas in a community to live, but crime infiltrates all areas. There is no perfect place in Sedona/the VOC, Verde Valley/Prescott/Jerome - you'll have your compromises wherever you move. Sedona has had some unbelievable boiler room operations, pornography businesses, methamphetamine syndicates, senior citizen scams, time share scams, chop shops, pet theft rings, etc. etc. Crime is all around us, and much of it is in nice neighborhoods too.

[adventuregurl]

I was by no means trying to say that Cottonwood was bad, I really like it (in the right neighborhoods) and would most likely live there if it were not for the Sedona hiking trails that I love so much. When I lived in CW I picked what looked to me like a nice neighborhood, but obviously it wasn't so great. I have lived in huge cities for most of my life and never had as much police action around me as I did there. I was terrified when the 5 or 6 police cars all had automatic weapons drawn right in my driveway (without warning me) and it turns out it was a porn operation next door, very quiet guy with blinds always drawn but up to no good. The other Cottonwood neighbor to get arrested was into drugs, dealing or whatever you call it.

I also realize Sedona has crime too but I have been here a total of 3 1/2 years and haven't had any blatant expereinces with it thank god.

[Ria Rhodes]

Originally Posted by adventuregurl

"I have lived in huge cities for most of my life and never had as much police action around me as I did there."

Similar to my experiences. In past I lived in suburbs right on the periphery of Philadelphia, NYC, Atlanta, Miami, LA with no up-close crime near my living spaces - but down in the community of North Scottsdale, and here in the Verde Valley/Sedona (the past four years off and on), I have experienced more law enforcement actions near my home than in the big cities. The crime in the cities was certainly very present on the news and visible in other neighborhoods, but not 'live action' near my home. Guess I was fortunate in the areas I choose to live in.

[Debbie SE MI]

Hello
This thread has came at a good time for me, I will be relocating the end of Nov. I'm coming out their this Sat thru Wed to find a job and home, I have a great realtor but I'm sure not everyone knows about all the neighborhoods. I have come accross some houses I like could someone familar with the areas let me know how they are?
3293 E Mockingbird Ln Camp Verde
5670 N Towers Rimrock
4275 N Shade Rd Rimrock
4630 E Kerry Dr Rimrock
5645 N Vicky Ln Rimrock
No small Kids so close to schools is not needed
Thanks in Advance
Debbie SE MI

[Ria Rhodes]

In Camp Verde crime is mostly domestic fights involving alcohol and/or drugs, petty thefts, methamphetamine busts, DWI's, and because Camp Verde is located at a major North/South crossroads - we have more than a few smugglers and coyotes busted ferrying narcotics and illegal immigrants. It is rare that a resident not involved in these activities to be affected by much if any crime in Camp Verde. Don't leave valuable items in your yard/by your house, because like everywhere it is just to tempting to drive-by petty thieves. When the housing building boom was in full bloom in Camp Verde, builders had real problems with their construction sites being pilfered (but this stuff went on everywhere and many thieves came from out of the area to steal). Camp Verde does have more than its fair share of registered sex offenders, but I rarely hear of any offenses involving them. Camp Verde has a large detention center out on Route 260, but they draw their population of inmates from a wide area, and it seems there is no correlation between this facility and increased crime in Camp Verde. The large 'Cliffs Castle Casino' facility in Camp Verde impoverishes its fairshare of gambling addicts and then the ensuing related domestic problems this addiction involves, but to repeat - Camp Verde is very safe for most residents. Be sure look at the area of Quarterhorse in Camp Verde and see if any properties are for sale, as this is what real rural Arizona country living is all about - larger yards, horses, sheep, meadows, pecan trees, and the people who value having a larger yard, quieter living, and having farm animals in their lives. Also checkout the areas around Salt Mine Road and in the green belts. Verde Santa Fe and all Cottonwood areas will give you closer access to more things to do, more places to dine, and faster drive time to Sedona. The drive to and from Camp Verde on Route 260 to Cottonwood becomes old real fast - and gas prices won't stay lower forever. I'll let another comment on Rimrock. The area around the golf course in Lake Montezuma is nice because of the green belt of trees, water and shade. If you visit, do your research up close and talk to residents from all areas. People like different things in their Central Arizona lives. Come and see for yourself. Real estate prices have come down. Best of luck.

[Debbie SE MI]

Wish me luck please, I'm coming to Verdy Valley tomorrow for a short visit to find a home and job. I have another interview with VVMC in the same department with the same gal that hired me last year. Please keep those fingers crossed for me....
Debbie SE MI

[Debbie SE MI]

Hi all
The trip went well, I did find a home I want the one on 5670 N Towers in Rimrock. I had a couple interviews and put in 6 or so applications, I will know within the week about VVMC she had a couple interviews left to do. I have to have a job with 2 paystubs before I can continue on with my mortage applilcation but I did get the ball rolling. I am going to have to rent for 1-3 months, this is my problem I have 5 dogs. So if anyone knows of a short term rental where I can keep the two oldest one with me please let me know. I can board the 3 younger ones if I have to, would really prefer to keep them all with me but I can understand why home owners prefer not to allow so meny pets. Although I'm leasing my MI home to a family with a dog and 4 cats, what can I say I love animals and would never exspect someone to give up a family member to move in a house.
please keep those fingers crossed
Debbie SE MI (till nov 30th)

[Tom Lane]

Originally Posted by Ria Rhodes

I know much about crime, drugs, law enforcement and the criminal justice system. Granted, there are better areas in a community to live, but crime infiltrates all areas. There is no perfect place in Sedona/the VOC, Verde Valley/Prescott/Jerome - you'll have your compromises wherever you move. Sedona has had some unbelievable boiler room operations, pornography businesses, methamphetamine syndicates, senior citizen scams, time share scams, chop shops, pet theft rings, etc. etc. Crime is all around us, and much of it is in nice neighborhoods too.

My goodness...I had no idea this was also in Sedona.

Do you think the crime/drug/unemployment problem in northern AZ is due to Democrats on City Councils who restrict new businesses and affordable housing? That's exactly what's going on in Flagstaff. When people don't have anything to eat and no job, they turn to crime.

I've been in bad areas of Flagstaff. I don't know if I will stay. If I go down there, it sounds like I'll encounter the same areas.

I don't understand Democrats who restrict business growth at the expense of the hungry and homeless when they are supposed to be the party for the working people. After what I've seen in Santa Fe, Albuquerque, and Flagstaff, I'm now a fiscal Libertarian - no taxes, no restrictions.