Finding the right AZ community for us (Phoenix, Scottsdale: homes, condos)

[Dennis Fela]

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.

[MsAlex]

Originally Posted by Dennis Fela

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.

Thanks very much, Dennis, for your advice. I'm going to look into it! Please feel free to add any other suggestions, contacts, or advice. Regards, Alex

[Gretchen B]

Originally Posted by MsAlex

Just as our youngest son is planning to go to UA in Tucson, and we're considering moving to Arizona too. But where? We're in our mid 50's, self-employed, don't need to commute to a job on a daily basis -- but do need to be within an hour to 1 1/2 hours of a major airport. BEAUTY of surroundings is a big plus with us (we're very visual people). A more easy-going artsy community or local culture would be extremely attractive. We've lived in an upscale community for the past couple of decades, but want to down-size in terms of home size and cost. (Probably would be looking for a quality-built home, 2,250 to 3,000 square feet, maybe in the neighborhood of $500K?) It would be helpful to buy in an area that is believed to be a good investment. Your advice as to areas to check out -- or other sources of information to refer to -- is very much appreciated!!! Thank you in advance!!
Alex

As some other posters have mentioned, Sedona probably comes closest to meeting your criteria. It is truly beautiful there, as well as new age and artsy. Add expensive to the mix as well. I doubt that you'd be able to purchase a 2500+ home there for $500k.

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.

[MsAlex]

Originally Posted by Dennis Fela

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.

Thanks for your suggestion. We'll definitely check out Camp Verde.

Alex

[MsAlex]

Originally Posted by Gretchen B

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.

Thanks for the info. Prescott sounds interesting and a possibility. I am really hoping to find a place that is very scenic, and recognize that we may not be able to afford Sedona. I will look at Cave Creed and Carefree.

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.

[irwin]

Originally Posted by MsAlex

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.

Hmmm...well, let me repeat again how different it is out here. There really is not a "blue blood" culture out here. It's much more a "new rich." People are definitely a little more accepting than the "blue blooders" but they can also be a lot more obnoxious and outlandish because many of them seem like they have something to prove (lots of plastic surgery, etc).

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.

[MotleyCrew]

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.

[MsAlex]

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.

[kawgpz550]

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!

[Kirk]

Originally Posted by MsAlex

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.

If you are looking to a more reasonable value in the Sedona area check out the Village of Oak Creek. My sister-in-law lived there for many years. The prices are more reasonable (still expensive) and it's location is somewhat closer to the freeway to Phoenix. You also avoid the TERRIBLE TRAFFIC near the "Y" in central Sedona.