Flagstaff or Santa Fe - Santa Fe or Flagstaff (Young: college, living)

[coffeesally]

If your car breaks down here, you will ave a helping hand.


Tom replied: Yes, but the mechanics overcharge, taking advantage . A friend of mine has *SEVERE* head gasket and overheating problems and the mechanic did not even bother to tell her. It was readily apparent to me within 15 seconds of noticing sludge in the coolant. Fortunately, I do my own tune ups on my car and help with others. Sadly, many college students my same age are getting ripped off w/ the local mechanics. Well, all businesses in general know that rich yuppie in parents in Phoenix will bailout their kids.

Tom, this happend to me in college at an older Chevron here in Flagstaff in the 90's. However, I would like to refer you to R&A Import Auto, Bill or Steve. They are great family men and honest, GOOD mechanics who will always be straight with you! They are well-known in the community for good service. 2932 E Route 66, Flagstaff, AZ , 928-526-2851. Hope this helps.

[CCCVDUR]

Originally Posted by coffeesally

Tom,
In my experience, when someone literally disagrees with everything another person says, there is usually a deeper problem. I have extended my hand to meet you half-way in your arguments, but your tone is so negative. I'm okay with that and take no offense, but for the readers, I am standing up to say your Flagstaff is not mine................

I've posted just about all of the complaints that big city transplants have when they enter the auspices of near-Socialists ruling the microcosm of Flagstaff. However, at this point, we'll see what happens in Flagstaff in the new year, hope for the best, and report back later!

[BillR1]

Originally Posted by coffeesally

In my experience, when someone literally disagrees with everything another person says, there is usually a deeper problem. I have extended my hand to meet you half-way in your arguments, but your tone is so negative. I'm okay with that and take no offense, but for the readers, I am standing up to say your Flagstaff is not mine.

Tom is NOT the only one that's had a similar experience here in Flagstaff. I've been here for almost 10 years, and it'll never be "home" because of the coldness and elitist attitudes of most of the people I've met here. It's a VERY difficult town to make friends in, and people moving here should be aware of this. The city is also against any kind of real progress as far as jobs and business growth, so it's tougher than most places to gain a foothold and stay around. Because many of the people here are transients due to the economy, few solid relationships are formed.
It's just not a very pleasent place, other than the climate.

[CCCVDUR]

Originally Posted by BillR1

Tom is NOT the only one that's had a similar experience here in Flagstaff. I've been here for almost 10 years, and it'll never be "home" because of the coldness and elitist attitudes of most of the people I've met here. It's a VERY difficult town to make friends in, and people moving here should be aware of this. The city is also against any kind of real progress as far as jobs and business growth, so it's tougher than most places to gain a foothold and stay around. Because many of the people here are transients due to the economy, few solid relationships are formed.
It's just not a very pleasant place, other than the climate.

I've been down with knee injuries for much of 2008 and that doesn't help when you can't do as many outdoor activities w/ other people. 2009 will be better. I think the City could adopt the Richard Florida model, revitalizing the downtown with loft apartments and more entertainment venues, to attract young single entrepreneurs in the high tech fields. Given the high intelligence level and creativity of Flagstaffites, I think Flagstaff could become another Boulder, Colorado where it is recession proof due to creative entrepreneurs in the high tech fields.

Flagstaff's elevation at 7000' doesn't help, given that neurotransmitters involved with enthusiasm, extroversion, and friendliness decrease at high elevations (norepinephrine, dopamine, GABA). My own mood and energy has gone down at 7000' compared to sea level in Seattle.

I think the personalities and fear of newcomers might simply be a neurophysiological reaction to high altitude and nothing more. The rates of depression and drug use are high here (as in other high elevation cities), and there has to be a biological reason why. There would be a thriving middle class if the Richard Florida model was adopted and more small businesses relocated here, like in Albuquerque/Rio Rancho, NM.

Emphasis on small, entrepreneural, high-tech businesses. Building a giant 3 story Courtyard by Marriott motel at the I-17 / I-40 interchange doesn't help establish a Middle Class. That's a highly visible location. What a waste for a Marriott. There could be 3 stories of outlet stores, REI, Trader Joes, and Whole Foods on that hill. I-40 travelers to Vegas would exit the freeway in droves to buy discount clothing and gourmet food !

If things work out, I would stay here - all of northern AZ from Phoenix to Sedona to Page is the most beautiful area I've ever lived in. Bill, do you think Sedona is "friendlier" and more pro-business growth? BTW, in Flag, the Chamber of Commerce is more pro-business than the City. That should be an embarrassment to the City!

[CCCVDUR]

Theme Song for those of us Flagstaffites TRYING (KEY WORD!) to stay here!

(Just heard it on Sunny 100 as I typed the last post!)



YouTube - Can't We Try

[Ria Rhodes]

R&A Import Auto

"..honest, good mechanics who will always be straight with you! They are well-known in the community for good service."

+1

[BillR1]

Originally Posted by Tom Lane

Flagstaff's elevation at 7000' doesn't help, given that neurotransmitters involved with enthusiasm, extroversion, and friendliness decrease at high elevations (norepinephrine, dopamine, GABA). My own mood and energy has gone down at 7000' compared to sea level in Seattle.

I think the personalities and fear of newcomers might simply be a neurophysiological reaction to high altitude and nothing more. The rates of depression and drug use are high here (as in other high elevation cities), and there has to be a biological reason why. There would be a thriving middle class if the Richard Florida model was adopted and more small businesses relocated here, like in Albuquerque/Rio Rancho, NM. [u]

If things work out, I would stay here - all of northern AZ from Phoenix to Sedona to Page is the most beautiful area I've ever lived in. Bill, do you think Sedona is "friendlier" and more pro-business growth?

That's facinating Tom. Do you have the links to that information I could read? Please PM them to me if so.
I definitely think Sedona's a friendlier place.

[CCCVDUR]

Originally Posted by BillR1

That's facinating Tom. Do you have the links to that information I could read? Please PM them to me if so.
I definitely think Sedona's a friendlier place.

As for Sedona being a friendlier place glad to hear that. I hope it is more pro-business, too. Just heard another horror story today of someone who had to deal with the Flagstaff City Council when starting their business.

Bill, it's a theory that I have based on my own background in the biological sciences. Humans and plants at higher elevations have decreased levels of enzymes like glutathionine peroxidase. This enzyme is responsible for preventing excessive oxidation of Adrenaline, Norepinephrine (NE), and Dopamine (DA). Theoretically, norepinephrine and dopamine would be decreased at high elevations. Caffeinne, nicotine, marijuana, and meth all raise NE and DA. In addition, when there is too much of the oxidation product of Adrenaline (called adrenochrome), then there is another reaction that results in diminished levels of GABA, resulting in too much glutamate, causing anxiety and shyness. It's just a theory but many health problems are worse here.

People moving here should look into this if they have heart problems, respiratory problems, inflammatory conditions, neurological problems, sleep disorders, anxiety, depression, etc. There are vitamins that can correct the deficient enzymes at high elevations. I can't find the abstracts right now on Medline but do intend to look up the entire articles at NAU. I don't think it's fair to knock the residents of high elevation towns for their drug use since people are obviously self-medicating due to low energy and anxiety. It is up to us biologists to figure out the reasons and come up with other treatments. Exercise raises NE and DA. Is that why Boulder, Flagstaff, and Albuquerque are great bicycling towns - people self medicating w/ exercise???

[flagtrax]

My wife and I moved to Flagstaff last fall. Since then we have met some wonderful people. We moved from Florida so the changes were dramatic on many levels. The population here is as varied as anywhere else I have lived in this country and they are many. Pennsylvania, Florida, California, Nevada, Arizona; all with similarities and differences. There are friendly people here, and some not so friendly, just like anywhere else. Cost of housing? Yes high, very high, but that is called supply and demand. Why is the supply low, because we are surrounded by National Forest. (Isn't that why so many like it?) There is only so much room to grow. Many think growth is good. It helps the local economy. I say to that "walk a mile in my shoes." Florida built an economy on growth. What do they have now? Empty houses, not enough water and resources to sustain the environment, few jobs, and a beautiful ecology that was distroyed by greedy developers. Polution run ramped, overpopulated areas with traffic jams that highway engineers struggle to catch up with. This is why we came to Flagstaff. Every time we came west on vacation somehow we came through this area and something kept drawing us back. No it is not warm year round, finding an affordable home is a challange, some people can be clique-ish, but overall you can find those negatives anywhere. The effort to preserve the enviroment attracted us, especially since we saw it distroyed in Florida. As a newcomer I say lets keep the watch on growth be kind to others, help those who need help, and we will all get along fine. As far as those who tend to be clique-ish I say we all know there are many like you in other parts of the country, and tend to bring their bad habits with them. Remember Jesus refused no one.

[poolgirl51]

Originally Posted by Tom Lane

As for Sedona being a friendlier place glad to hear that. I hope it is more pro-business, too. Just heard another horror story today of someone who had to deal with the Flagstaff City Council when starting their business.

Bill, it's a theory that I have based on my own background in the biological sciences. Humans and plants at higher elevations have decreased levels of enzymes like glutathionine peroxidase. This enzyme is responsible for preventing excessive oxidation of Adrenaline, Norepinephrine (NE), and Dopamine (DA). Theoretically, norepinephrine and dopamine would be decreased at high elevations. Caffeinne, nicotine, marijuana, and meth all raise NE and DA. In addition, when there is too much of the oxidation product of Adrenaline (called adrenochrome), then there is another reaction that results in diminished levels of GABA, resulting in too much glutamate, causing anxiety and shyness. It's just a theory but many health problems are worse here.

People moving here should look into this if they have heart problems, respiratory problems, inflammatory conditions, neurological problems, sleep disorders, anxiety, depression, etc. There are vitamins that can correct the deficient enzymes at high elevations. I can't find the abstracts right now on Medline but do intend to look up the entire articles at NAU. I don't think it's fair to knock the residents of high elevation towns for their drug use since people are obviously self-medicating due to low energy and anxiety. It is up to us biologists to figure out the reasons and come up with other treatments. Exercise raises NE and DA. Is that why Boulder, Flagstaff, and Albuquerque are great bicycling towns - people self medicating w/ exercise???

Tom, very interesting theory. Have you published anyting on it? I would love to read it. Are you a PhD in Biology?