Don't Move To Flagstaff! (Phoenix, Mesa: real estate, house, neighborhood)

[Blue Sky]

If you are thinking of moving to Flagstaff, think again. Housing costs are astronomical and the wages are really low in comparison. I know, I lived there for eight years and luckily got out before things got worse. If you want clean air, trees, lots of outdoor recreation (like skiing & rafting) and more bang for your buck, move to Spokane!!! I did and now I am fiscally a lot further ahead. My water bill is $20 a month instead of $200 a month. I bought the same 2 bd bungalow house (with a fireplace and large lawn) here for $78,000. My old house sold in Flagstaff for $298,000. People are getting ripped off there. Flagstaff is expensive for no reason. It's a mountain town want-a-be. The ski area in Flag is hardly ever open and when it is it's packed with every novice from Phoenix. Also of note. They winters in Spokane aren't as cold as Flagstaff because it's lower elevation and the summers here in Washington are nicer. If you're smart, check out Spokane while it's still inexspensive, it won't be for long.

[leavingcali]

Is Spokane cloudy/overcast or rainy often? I need a lot of sunshine, although I do like variety in weather too.

[vegaspilgrim]

It seems like everywhere in the state of Arizona has become victim to rampant real estate speculation. I picked up a flier today for a supposedly rennovated (hah, maybe 10 years ago) 1960s ranch house in Tempe that was going for $450-grand! Are there any areas of the state left where the home values to income ratios are still normal?

[Blue Sky]

No. There is as much sunshine here as there was inn Flagstaff. This is the sunny side of the state. Only 17 inches of rain per year. About what Flagstaff used to get. Now Flagstaff is literally drying up. Mark my words, water is going to be a huge issue in Arizona in the near future! But hey, if your super wealthy, move to Flagstaff but you'll still going run out of water eventually. In Spokane there is a good variety of weather with four beautiful, distinct seasons and you don't have to pay a fortune to enjoy it. Just take a comparison look at the realestate prices on realtor.com. You can't even find a house in Flagstaff for under $200,000.

[Need_affordable_home]

I guess the rule of location, location, location does not always apply. If better areas of Arizona are cheaper, I can see prices in Flagstaff dropping by 50% or more

[flagstaffgal]

Well I am sure glad I moved to Flagstaff, althought since I invested in real estate back in RI when I was 21 I don't have to work.

I bought a 5700 sq ft house on a golf course for under $92 a sq ft. You do the math. I will realize a 80% gain when I sell this year after 4 years.

Flagstaff is the 7th highest in the whole country for appreciation in Real estate. So if you can afford it it is a great place to own.

I make no apologies for my choices when I first got married that allowed me to retire in my 20's. I decided young to own and skipped fancy cars and trips. A lot about choices in life. And back in 1978 many were paying interest rates in the teens. I sought out one where I paid very little. It can be done.

Mind you it was just a small cottage, but it was in a nice neighborhood as my whole town was a bedroom community.

But Flag is no different than many areas of the country where ppl cannot afford to live where they work.

Good luck to all.

[nomore]

Your right about Flaggstaff. High price houseing. High cost of living.
No middle class. You have a caste system town. First there is the rich liberals who are with NAU and their lib students. and then there is the rable, the poor whites and hispanics all hped up on meth working their low paying jobs. The liberal city fathers won't even allow a big box store in or around town. The wacky Flagg libs have been fighting better stores and improving the lifestyles of the poor workers for a very long time.

If you want the Arizona Moutains and all that Flaggstaff can off then try Prescott Arizona.

[mrkool]

By golly, I think you guys have a point. That does it. I'm cancelling my move to Flagstaff.

[Oceanaddict]

Originally Posted by flagstaffgal

Well I am sure glad I moved to Flagstaff, althought since I invested in real estate back in RI when I was 21 I don't have to work.

I bought a 5700 sq ft house on a golf course for under $92 a sq ft. You do the math. I will realize a 80% gain when I sell this year after 4 years.

Flagstaff is the 7th highest in the whole country for appreciation in Real estate. So if you can afford it it is a great place to own.

I make no apologies for my choices when I first got married that allowed me to retire in my 20's. I decided young to own and skipped fancy cars and trips. A lot about choices in life. And back in 1978 many were paying interest rates in the teens. I sought out one where I paid very little. It can be done.

Mind you it was just a small cottage, but it was in a nice neighborhood as my whole town was a bedroom community.

But Flag is no different than many areas of the country where ppl cannot afford to live where they work.

Good luck to all.

How far is Flagstaff from Mesa Arizona?

[WantingoutofAz]

Originally Posted by Oceanaddict

How far is Flagstaff from Mesa Arizona?

I would say at least 2.5 hours. It is almost exactly 2 hours from Flagstaff (west side) to central phoenix. I went to college up there and at the time my parents were in central phoenix so I had the trip timed pretty well.