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We moved to Az. little over two years ago and wanted a little cooler than Phoenix and settled on Camp Verde. We are dead middle of the state, a 30 min. drive to Sedona, Jerome, less to Cottonwood, 50 to Flag. and Prescott and 90 min. to Phx. airport. Surrounded by mountains, weather is beautiful and the town is one of those best kept secrets. We took our time looking long and hard before moving here.
Last edited by Dennis Fela; 02-18-2007 at 12:40 PM. |
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Another alternative might be Prescott. We're a little closer to the Phx airport (takes me right at 1-1/2 hrs to get there) and we're located at the edge of the Prescott National Forest with a variety of topography. The downtown has quite a few galleries and they feature a Friday Art Walk. Most weekends in the spring/summer/fall there are art festivals at Courthouse Square. It's probably not as upscale as what you're looking for, but might be a possibility. $500k will buy you the size home you're looking for in Prescott. The only other towns that comes to mind are Cave Creek and Carefree. I'm not very familiar with them, but they seem like they might have the features you're looking for. Maybe some other posters can weigh in on those. |
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Alex |
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It's hard to communicate what I really mean by "artsy", but let me try to draw an analogy looking at my present town. It has a well known name and is a very "desirable" address. Frankly, it has a pretty snooty culture. If I had it over to do, I think I would have been happier in the next town over, which is also upscale, but it is simply more relaxed. It just feels like the culture of this other town is a little more open-minded and easy going. This isn't about politics, but I think the town next door also just inherently more liberal. After 22 years living in my self-important, tight-***ed "blue blood" town, my dream would be to move to a community which has a more open feel, with interesting people, doing interesting things -- and has great scenery on top of it. This are intangibles that often you can't know until you live there, but I guess that's what I'm trying to get some guidance with. Thanks for your thoughts. |
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Another thing is that it is MUCH more conservative out here as compared to back East. I think Phoenix was one of the few major metro areas in the country that voted for George Bush in the last two elections. That being said, I think it is a different type of conservatism as compared to say, the South East. People here are very individualistic, which can be good, but they don't seem to think about the greater consequences of their actions on the community, country, and world. Thus, we have a lot of environmental problems and other community problems. If a liberal artsy community is very important, I would probably steer clear of the Phoenix area (including Cave Creek and Care Free). I think Prescott is pretty conservative as well. Sedona would probably be the best, but another option may be Tuscon. I have to be honest that I don't know as much about Tuscon, but I know that generally it is thought of as more liberal (again, as compared to Phoenix, which doesn't mean it's really that liberal) and it is cooler (slightly). Another option, if you're not dead set on Arizona, might be looking in Sante Fe. I know it is kinda expensive, but probably cheaper than Sedona. Also, I would look in the California central coast, but it is definitely expensive. But it is a lot nicer, a lot cooler, and a lot more liberal and artsy. Again, good luck. |
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If you are not set on AZ then I would very highly recommend Chico, CA as far as an artsy/full of artist community. It is a wonderful little university town with a very charming and historic downtown center. They have a farmers market every Thurs during the warmer months. They do have all the big box stores for other shopping needs on the newer side of town. We just left the area 2 years ago and do miss the art culture there. It is lacking here in Peoria, but we make up for it during the winter with this wonderful air. It is predominently liberal, with most of the faculty and students residing in the downtown area. You could easily afford a decent home there as the home prices are very reasonable as far as Ca. prices go. Chico is about 4 hours from San Francisco and about an hour and a half from Sacramento. It really has a small town feel to it. That seems to be disappearing in the western states.
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Thanks for the input! I think at this point, without having recently visited, we will look first in Sedona and in Tucson. We're considering Arizona over NM largely because our son wants to go to the University of Arizona in Tucson. Thanks again for your advice, and please keep it coming.
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When you decide to make a trip to Arizona, make a trip to Bullhead City/Laughlin. We're on the border of Ariz/Calif/Nev. People are plenty open minded, depending on your definition. Although it is VERY hot in the summer, we have beautiful mild winters. No snow, no ice
usually in the 50's-60's in winter, but sometimes cooler and sometimes warmer. We have the Colorado River and Lake Mohave that you can enjoy any and all water sports on, we have 10 casinos right across the river in Laughlin, beautiful mountains and still a bit cheaper than a lot of other areas in Arizona (much cheaper than Sedona). Like I said, it does get HOT here though. This is where you learn to utilize air conditioning and the lake and river...lol We are approximately 90 minutes (+/- depending on traffic) away from McCarran airport in Las Vegas. Again, just take a trip down here and see what you think! Good luck on your move! |
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