Flagstaff Aspen Sawmill Project Not Fair To NAU Students (Sedona: for sale, 2010)

[bobbilly79]

Originally Posted by Greatday

Third - Flagstaff is not a "college town" per se. It is a tourist / recreational town (which influences supply and demand).

How can you not consider Flagstaff to be a college town when it's largest employer is Northern Arizona University. I think the college is on the same level of importnace as the tourism industry, and as far as rentals and rental prices go, you can bet your a** that they are geared more towards students, and prices based on how much studnets will pay. Vacation rentals have very little to do with rental rates in this town. Take my word, I work in the property management field right now. The company I work for charges at least $500 more per month for a 3br near NAU than it does in a similar neighborhood. That's the true supply & demand right there. We have the supply, and we demand they pay more for the privilege of living off campus. Yet another reason I'm getting out of this town & this job while I can, while I still feel like I have a soul left.

[KarmaPhx]

Originally Posted by Greatday

First off - "Flagstaff" does not charge anyone rent. Owners of rental properties do.

Second - supply and demand sets the prices

Third - Flagstaff is not a "college town" per se. It is a tourist / recreational town (which influences supply and demand).

Flagstaff is a college town, there is no denying that.

And obviously the city does not set the prices, Moderator cut: rude

[Greatday]

Originally Posted by KarmaPhx

And obviously the city does not set the prices, IModerator cut: orphaned quote

The response I gave you though was correct: Supply and demand set prices

[Greatday]

Originally Posted by bobbilly79

How can you not consider Flagstaff to be a college town when it's largest employer is Northern Arizona University. I think the college is on the same level of importnace as the tourism industry, and as far as rentals and rental prices go, you can bet your a** that they are geared more towards students, and prices based on how much studnets will pay. Vacation rentals have very little to do with rental rates in this town. Take my word, I work in the property management field right now. The company I work for charges at least $500 more per month for a 3br near NAU than it does in a similar neighborhood. That's the true supply & demand right there. We have the supply, and we demand they pay more for the privilege of living off campus. Yet another reason I'm getting out of this town & this job while I can, while I still feel like I have a soul left.

Flagstaff WAS, at one time, a true college town. EVERYTHING was geared around the "college" (Arizona State Teachers College). When NAU evolved, Flag was still geared towards the University. There was also a really active logging center in Flag. And one must not forget that Flag was, and remains a "trading post" for the Tribes in the area.

Now, with Tourism, 2nd homes, light industry, the National Forest, the University, Flagstaff is a multi economic town.

Personally, I love Flagstaff

[Tom Lane]

Originally Posted by bobbilly79

.....and as far as rentals and rental prices go, you can bet your a** that they are geared more towards students, and prices based on how much students will pay. Vacation rentals have very little to do with rental rates in this town. Take my word, I work in the property management field right now. The company I work for charges at least $500 more per month for a 3br near NAU than it does in a similar neighborhood. That's the true supply & demand right there. We have the supply, and we demand they pay more for the privilege of living off campus.

Yes, the property management companies DO charge more for places near NAU, vs. Kachina Village, Mountainnaire, and Doney Park. That was my first observation in moving here. And, the quality of places closer to town isn't necessarily any better.

I wish I knew of a small town alternative to Flagstaff that does NOT have the housing and employment issues as here. Santa Fe, Boulder, San Luis Obispo, CA, and Eureka, CA all have the same issues.

I feel sorry for the students who have to bike from Kachina/Mountainnaire all the way to campus. YUCK! All the mud, ice, and melting snow, and the very, very rich Forest Highlands (golf club) don't even give them a bike trail

[azdr0710]

do many students really bike it from Kachina/Mountainaire??.....or just a few?....

if so, what route do they take?.....

that's gotta suck.....

[Tom Lane]

Originally Posted by azdr0710

do many students really bike it from Kachina/Mountainaire??.....or just a few?....

if so, what route do they take?.....

that's gotta suck.....

Yes they do, and also from Doney Park. The Property Management companies have very cheap rentals out there - cabins for $600-$800. I'm not a student, but in the three places I've had within 2 miles of NAU, I've paid an average of about $800. As for the route...ugh. Old Munds Hwy / 89A (very dangerous and NOT recommended), or, driving on I-17 (also very dangerous and NOT recommended, not even sure if it's legal).

Supply and demand do not set rental rates in Flagstaff. Or, grocery prices for that matter. All the business owners and landlords know that they can get more money from students, because their parents in Phoenix will bail them out. I'll give you an example. In Albuquerque, the average price of a really good mountain bike in an independent bike shop is about $150-$200. In Flagstaff? $250+ Elson Miles can fix your bike, and then you won't have to pay $250+

The obvious solution is for the City to allow NAU to build more multi-story residence halls on City owned land, even if it's 2 miles from NAU.

Those of us who know about the price gauging simply get in our cars and drive to Phoenix or the VOC (village of oak creek) outlet stores to buy everything for 30% less than here!

[smarty]

Originally Posted by Tom Lane

Supply and demand do not set rental rates in Flagstaff. Or, grocery prices for that matter. All the business owners and landlords know that they can get more money from students, because their parents in Phoenix will bail them out. I'll give you an example. In Albuquerque, the average price of a really good mountain bike in an independent bike shop is about $150-$200. In Flagstaff? $250+ Elson Miles can fix your bike, and then you won't have to pay $250+

Supply and demand DO set prices. However, a seller will set the price where the market will bear. This means there are enough "non poor" people wanting to live closer.... why do you think New York City can charge $4K+ per month for a 1bed apartment? If no one pays $250+ for a bike, the shop have to lower the price or go out of business. The fact that you don't have money does not mean others don't.

The only way to lower the price is to increase supply. Build more... in areas closer....

[KarmaPhx]

Originally Posted by Tom Lane

Yes they do, and also from Doney Park. The Property Management companies have very cheap rentals out there - cabins for $600-$800. I'm not a student, but in the three places I've had within 2 miles of NAU, I've paid an average of about $800. As for the route...ugh. Old Munds Hwy / 89A (very dangerous and NOT recommended), or, driving on I-17 (also very dangerous and NOT recommended, not even sure if it's legal).

Supply and demand do not set rental rates in Flagstaff. Or, grocery prices for that matter. All the business owners and landlords know that they can get more money from students, because their parents in Phoenix will bail them out. I'll give you an example. In Albuquerque, the average price of a really good mountain bike in an independent bike shop is about $150-$200. In Flagstaff? $250+ Elson Miles can fix your bike, and then you won't have to pay $250+

The obvious solution is for the City to allow NAU to build more multi-story residence halls on City owned land, even if it's 2 miles from NAU.

Those of us who know about the price gauging simply get in our cars and drive to Phoenix or the VOC (village of oak creek) outlet stores to buy everything for 30% less than here!

Where exactly are these $600-$800 cabins? I have a truck so I can commute as far as needed when I move up to flagstaff.

[Tom Lane]

[quote=KarmaPhx;7552417]Where exactly are these $600-$800 cabins? I have a truck so I can commute as far as needed when I move up to flagstaff.[/quote]

Kachina Village; Mountainnaire; Pine Del; Doney Park area; Bellemont; Ft. Lawton Road area; Munds Park (17 miles)