Student Moving to Flagstaff - Advice? (Phoenix, Tucson: apartments, leasing, crime)

[KarmaPhx]

I am planning on moving up to flagstaff in the coming summer to finish my degree up there, but I had a few questions first.

How is the student housing situation? Decent living quarters, or would I be better off looking for an apartment? I would like to pay for my housing with student loans, this way I can just work part-time for spending money.

How much does a 1bd apartment run for? What part of town should I avoid?

I was told flagstaff is really relaxed and full of laid back people, and I really want to get out of Phoenix, I hate the heat and all the traffic and crappy drivers.

[bucky7680]

Google [azdailysun.com]

[KarmaPhx]

Originally Posted by bucky7680

Google [azdailysun.com]

Thanks, that really helps!

Anyone else?

[GSXRScott]

Learn to snowboard and mountain bike if you dont already know how. Enjoy the smell of the pines. Bring with you a laid back attitude and you'll fit right in. I'f you're an up tight yuppy type then go to ASU.

[KarmaPhx]

Originally Posted by GSXRScott

Learn to snowboard and mountain bike if you dont already know how. Enjoy the smell of the pines. Bring with you a laid back attitude and you'll fit right in. I'f you're an up tight yuppy type then go to ASU.

I am a very laid back dude. How is the bud situation up there? I assume since its a college town it wont be hard to find?

[CCCVDUR]

Originally Posted by NAU_Josh

How much does a 1bd apartment run for? What part of town should I avoid?

Depends on your budget, and who you rent from. Flagstaff is weird because property managers run a lot of the privately owned rentals, and the owners sometimes live out of town in Phoenix or even Tucson. In my experience, cheapest rents from the Ginsberg Group (Elaine Cameron is their leasing coordinator and very helpful), Pollock Properties, Flagstaff Property Mgmt, and Santa Fe Realty-Flagstaff. Santa Fe-Realty Flagstaff is the best, since they are the *ONLY* company that is month to month on *ALL* of their properties. Higher prices from RIP Services (i.e. the Seven Wonders of Flagstaff), Levitran (i.e. LIPS), and Marc Caro Properties.

The Chamber of Commerce downtown puts together a list of all the corporate owned and operated apartments and their average rents. You can call them and they'll mail it too you along with a Relocation package. Ask for copies of the Bike Map so you can find out how to commute to NAU by bicycle.

The best place to live is a matter of personal opinion. Personally, I like the newer areas West of NAU well up the hill along W. University Ave. Apartments are more expensive there but once in awhile there are deals better than elsewhere. As for areas w/ and w/o crime, that is a matter of your personal background, and how much crime you've dealt with in the past.

Also, rentals are hard to find in Flagstaff because of a high demand for affordable housing - be sure to allow several weeks of time both on-line and in person to find something....

[GSXRScott]

I've since grown out of that phase of my life but I had a lot of friends that went to NAU and we used to go up there and party a lot so let me just say this. Lots of sticky greens will be available. Lots of it home grown, some from Mexico and Oregon.

[KarmaPhx]

Originally Posted by GSXRScott

I've since grown out of that phase of my life but I had a lot of friends that went to NAU and we used to go up there and party a lot so let me just say this. Lots of sticky greens will be available. Lots of it home grown, some from Mexico and Oregon.

That's great to hear, I am surely enjoying my college days while I can, plus I don't drink alcohol, never liked it, would much rather sit at home and smoke a bowl than go get hammered somewhere.

So do many people ride their bikes to and from school? I would to do this, get me more active.

[bobbilly79]

There are actually quite a few available rentals right now, most are just asking too much. The problem with some Prop Mgrs is the same with Realtors and Home Owners, they think it is thier market and not a buyers. Stay away from Rio Homes just to the SE of NAU, lots of parties that get busted, and you don't want possession charges. Rio is home to a lot of trust fund babies that think they can do any stupid thing and get away from it. Not a very laid back atmosphere. I agree taht West of NAU or on the hill north of downtown are great places if you can find the right deal. Good luck

[CCCVDUR]

Josh, remember when you come that many of your prospective employers test for drugs - i.e. the Home Depot, a major employer of many college students in FLAG .... In Cottonwood, AZ, they had difficulites opening the Home Depot because nobody could pass the drug test ....

I'm convinced that there's something about either the climate, altitude, or the oppressive nature of the Arizona Government (i.e. the Flagstaff and Sedona city councils that don't make it easy for job creation = high unemployment rates) that causes people to turn to drugs as an escape ..... I had never heard the term "420 friendly" until moving to Flag .....

I agree, don't rent from Rio Homes. Responsible use of drugs as an adult is one thing. However, AVOID Mountain Del unless you happen to be into buying, using, and selling drugs. Also, be careful of the so-called "Sunnyside" area in the N.E. part of town ..... And, some areas of Kachina Village and Mountainnaire can be sketchy.....but not always. BTW I'm heavily allergic to secondhand drug smokes or residual residues (along with incense), hence my concern.