Arizona City by City

[observer53]

Originally Posted by dlbryant

Looking for lost of information on relocating to the Sierra Vista area. Thanks for everyone who takes time to do this Arizona site.

Originally Posted by dlbryant

I would like to get this information on the areas south of Tucson.

Originally Posted by dlbryant

Any information on St. David area?

This isn't the best place/method to ask questions about a place, there isn't as much traffic on this thread.You might have better luck actually posting specific questions about Sierra Vista and St David on the Arizona forum. There are some threads already there, if you have additional questions, you can put those in a thread. For the "areas south of Tucson" you could do the same on the Tucson forum.

[doctorfager]

Originally Posted by carecare7

I'll take Flagstaff, since I live here!

Weather: Usually 30 degrees cooler than Phoenix. Summer highs in the upper 80’s, winter highs can be in the 20’s at times. We used to get a lot more snow but are in a drought. About 300 days of sunshine per year. July and August afternoon monsoons.

Schools: Good elementary but squeezed in the middle schools. High schools are average. FUSD does promote the academics AND the arts so the schools here are better than many that are going back to basics with dropping arts and PE. FUSD makes it a point to keep PE and arts. NAU has excellent forestry, teachers and dental programs.

Commute: Early morning, after school and evening rush hours can be crowded but the rest of the day and weekends the streets are remarkably uncrowded. Flagstaff is only about 11 miles across at its longest so getting where you need to be is very easy.

Shopping: There is a mall, Walmart, Kohl’s, Barnes and Noble, Target, lots of smaller stores and Bookmans, a trade and buy bookstore. Restaurants run from Thai and Indian food to Mexican, Italian and Chinese. There’s a couple of Japanese restaurants and sushi bars.

Air quality: Excellent except during control burns. Lowell Observatory is in the city limits because of the low pollution and low lighting.

Economy: Low paying jobs, few jobs, high cost of living and high housing costs. Main employers are NAU, Walmart, Sam’s Club, Joy cone company, Purina, the tissue company, FUSD, City of Flagstaff, Walgreens warehouse and Gore.

Housing: Single family homes go for around $350,000 to 400,000. Condos for $200,000 and up though there are some for less than $200,000. Custom homes from $500,000 to well over a million. Manufactured homes for the $170,000’s to 200,000 and up. Rents are high, too. The cost of housing got so bad, NAU had to consider building housing for their teaching staff because they couldn’t attract professors because of the prohibitive cost of housing. Leases are high, many physicians are closing their practices and contracting with the hospital to save the cost of overhead.

Crime: Very low but there are areas where it can be bad. Overall for over 60,000 people population, there’s maybe 1-3 murders a year. The I-17 and I 40 corridors do have drug transports, but the crime element these usually bring seem to be in transit, not coming into town as much as Phoenix. There is some gang activity in the Sunnyside, Greenlaw, and Christmas Tree areas.

Good neighborhoods: Behind the Hospital, Cheshire, Coconino Estates off Hwy 180, Doney Park off Hwy 89, University heights, and some of the newer areas but these are more expensive. The country club area is nice but pricey. For friendliness, don’t go to the country club area or the area called Fox Glenn. Sunnyside is a bad area for crime as are the older part near Thorpe Park and Christmas tree and Greenlaw areas.

Culture: Educated, environmentally conscientious, university town people all over. Education is a focus in this town so there’s a lot for kids to do. There is a good hospital here and Urban trails and outdoor activities are big. The big reservations next door with their Hopi and Navajo people add the quiet, kind, non-consumptive attitudes of the Natives and their friendliness. Flagstaff people are for the most part (the snobby ones being the exceptions) very polite, friendly, considerate, and helpful. Compared to the nasty attitudes one gets off the seniors in other areas of Arizona, seniors here (and all people here) don’t have nasty attitudes or entitlement attitudes. There are the haves and have-nots, but overall Flagstaff is an ideal place if you are Democrat, liberal, pro-education, pro-kids, pro-family, open minded, pro-conservation and pro-environment. The city works to become more sustainable and environmentally friendly. A train runs through the city about 60-80 times a day. Everyone recycles, most businesses do and the schools do. Water IS an issue so there are some restrictions.

What to do: Hike urban trails, ski when there’s snow, visit Cameron for excellent Native American food and arts, see and climb around the Wupatki Native Ruins AND visit Sunset volcano crater (both with educational centers) for the price of one park fee. Visit Walnut Canyon native ruins, see Lowell Observatory where Pluto was discovered, come to the Deer Park where you can feed and pet deer and other wild animals, get to see the rare White Buffalo, visit the Museum of Northern Arizona for all things geological, historical and cultural of the Colorado Plateau, come to the annual Science Fair, take a ski-lift ride in the summer and fall to see the peaks in all their splendor, ride ATV’s in the cinder pits, camp in local campgrounds, and do day trips to Sedona, Jerome, Grand Canyon Caverns and the Grand Canyon. Take the Grand Canyon Railway. Watch fireworks at the Fourth of July at Mormon Lake. Boat on Lake Mary, fish at some of the local lakes. See the free thousands of lights at Little America at Christmas time. Visit Los Abrigados in nearby Sedona for their astounding Christmas lights displays that change eaxh year and that take about an hour to walk through. Flagstaff has so much to do and see! (No, I don’t work for the chamber. )

If you have a selfish, nasty, entitlement, attitude, stay away! If you are retired and hate kids, stay away! If you don't care about the environment, stay away!

You tell the retired to stay away why??? Everything you describe is exactly what I want to do the rest of my life. I'm a retired 65 year old male currently living in Philadelphia...Flagstaff is like heaven compared to here. Please explain your reasons for shooing away retirees.

[Gandalara]

I'm not carecare7 but I think (in my opinion, anyway) that the poster meant if you are retired and hate kids, because of the 2 sentences they wrote above that:

"Compared to the nasty attitudes one gets off the seniors in other areas of Arizona, seniors here (and all people here) don’t have nasty attitudes or entitlement attitudes. There are the haves and have-nots, but overall Flagstaff is an ideal place if you are Democrat, liberal, pro-education, pro-kids, pro-family, open minded, pro-conservation and pro-environment" (bolding mine)

I'm looking at Flagstaff for retirement also. You're right, it sounds like heaven. I'm taking a trip next month to look the place over

[kdog]

Originally Posted by doctorfager

You tell the retired to stay away why??? Everything you describe is exactly what I want to do the rest of my life. I'm a retired 65 year old male currently living in Philadelphia...Flagstaff is like heaven compared to here. Please explain your reasons for shooing away retirees.

You seem to have a selective comprehension problem. The poster said "if you are retired AND HATE KIDS". Got it this time? I'm not the OP so I can only guess what that means. In many communities retirees don't feel that they should pay school taxes. They think parents are the only ones who should foot the bill for schools. Of course by doing so, they conveniently forget that the previous generation paid for their schools. They got theirs, so the heck with everybody else. Is that you?

[Montana Griz]

Originally Posted by mohawkx

Beaver Creek and Rimrock are located just under the front end of the dog's tail in the Verde Valley. There is no industry, no stores to speak of and is a haven for those who still need a place but can't afford Camp Verde. No schools, no hospitals but too many drugs. The hot spot in Beaver Creek is the Ranch House that is located on an old golf course that still uses the irrigation ditches from 300 years ago that the indians built. When you hit your golf ball in the rough at Bever Creek you can still find wild squash and cornstalks growing in the bushes. Montezuma's Well is located in Rimrock/Beavercreek and is a huge sinkhole with old indian houses lining the inside and outside of it. There is a huge bass that lives under a very large boulder in the creek that feeds the sinkhole. I know he's at least 7 years old.

Me, I spend alot of time walking along the banks of the river and treking through Sycamore Canyon. There are sites that even the archeolgists don't know about. The antelope run in herds and the coyotes still howl at night. Once a bear backed me down Mingus mountain to protect her 2 cubs. Mountain lions come into your backyard and eat your poodle. Rattlesnakes curl up on your doormat at night to keep warm. All in all I love the serenity and peace the area has to offer and the chance to see the stars as I've never seen them before. The spirit of nature is everywhere and after a while you can feel it and make friends with and understand the animals. You see the same bobcat year after year and notice he's getting a little worse for wear. The kingsnake is bigger down by the bend in the river and has had a good year. The big antelope buck is gone and the younger has replaced him. Nature and the spirits of tribes long gone rule here. The cycle of life, nature's harmony and rebirth are evident and I am at peace in my later years.

Hey Mohawkx.................

First may I compliment you on your entire post regarding the various towns and areas in the Verde Valley. Exceedingly well done!

Secondly I have taken the liberty of selecting two specific paragraphs that I'd like to refer to regarding how I am going to spend 90 days in the area this winter.

I am going to be spending December approx one mile south of the McGuireville exit....at a location that is on 'Wet Beaver Creek'.

Then for January and February I'll be approx 4 miles N/E, at a location that is just to the west of the entrance road to the 'Montezuma Well National Monument'.

I will have my Brittany (bird dog) with me. I'll be taking the dog on daily exercise runs in these respective areas ( he is completely and 100% trained to respond to "cues" that resonate from a "Beeper" Collar that he wears.) He is under complete control at all times, and put "on leash" when necessary (encountering other people, children or dogs) when out on these 'runs'.

Your extensive knowledge of the area, prompts me to ask the following questions--I Thank You in advance for your kindness.

What are the chances of the dog encountering a Rattle Snake in Dec, Jan & Feb in these two areas?

Would the chances increase close to the banks of Wet Beaver Creek and/or the Verde River?

What about encounters with Coyotes and/or Javelinas?

This dog is extremely friendly, but has INTENSE 'prey drive'.
He has been "Snake Broke" 2 years ago, but that is 'no guarantee' that he won't get bitten if he encounters a rattler. And due to the abundant wildlife where I live (western Montana), he has also been 'broke" to not run deer, elk or wild turkeys.

Your 2nd paragraph (in the above quoted portion of your post), is superbly written and truly captures the thoughts, feelings and observations of a true outdoosman and a 'lover of nature'.

Being almost at the end of my 8th decade, I've been blessed all these years with being able to live in very rural areas, primarly in the Rocky Mountain west. My 40 years of working in the mining and steel industry caused me to frequently have to visit companies located in large cities......I was always very happy to leave and return to the "boonies".

My late wife used to joke about the fact that I grew up with "a fishin' rod in one hand and a shotgun in the other". Truly too bad that so few of today's youngsters could have that chance.

Thanks again for your comments.

[mohawkx]

Thank you so much for your kind comments concerning my Verde Valley review, Montana Griz.

To answer your questions, the odds of encountering a rattlesnake in Dec, Jan, or Feb are low as they should be in hibernation. Of course you never know. A late winter or an early spring can bring them out and bracket your time frame. As you are probably aware, rattlesnakes are more deadly when they first come out of hibernation. I've seen them as early as late Feb and as late as early April coming out of hibernation. Probably not much of a worry in your case. Western diamondbacks will usually maintain a defensive posture when approached but Mohave Rattlers will be aggressive and attack at the slightest threat. Mohave are a dark olive color rather than brown like the diamondback.

I would be concerned about coyotes and javelinas though as the area you plan to stay is thick with them and they will go after your companion if they get the chance. The time of year you plan to be here is the lowest point of natural food source for the coyotes and they will readily pick off a cat or pack jump a dog if given the opportunity. Javelinas are thick in the area also but if you have your companion as well trained as you claim you should be ok. There have been mountain lions reported in the area recently. Usually young ones who are starving. Obviously these are the most dangerous to humans and pets. There have been no reported mountain lion attacks against humans in the area that I can ever recall. Mostly pets. Wet Beaver Creek has a high proportion of coyotes. Over the years I've seen many instances of coyotes hot-footing it across the road with family pets in that area. Usually house cats.

I would be most worried about rabies as there has been frequent reports of rabies infected small animals from the Flagstaff area, south, including the whole Verde Valley area. Foxes, bobcats, skunks and badgers have all been reported recently infected with rabies. Various cactus can be a definate problem.

All in all you should be reasonably fine if you keep your companion close while walking. This may be a challenge due to his breed. I'm sure you'll have a great time in the area you plan to stay, there is so much to see and explore that you'll barely scratch the surface in a 90 day visit.

PM me in this forum when you get here and we can meet for coffee at the ranch house.

[Montana Griz]

Originally Posted by mohawkx

Thank you so much for your kind comments concerning my Verde Valley review, Montana Griz.

To answer your questions, the odds of encountering a rattlesnake in Dec, Jan, or Feb are low as they should be in hibernation. Of course you never know. A late winter or an early spring can bring them out and bracket your time frame. As you are probably aware, rattlesnakes are more deadly when they first come out of hibernation. I've seen them as early as late Feb and as late as early April coming out of hibernation. Probably not much of a worry in your case. Western diamondbacks will usually maintain a defensive posture when approached but Mohave Rattlers will be aggressive and attack at the slightest threat. Mohave are a dark olive color rather than brown like the diamondback.

I would be concerned about coyotes and javelinas though as the area you plan to stay is thick with them and they will go after your companion if they get the chance. The time of year you plan to be here is the lowest point of natural food source for the coyotes and they will readily pick off a cat or pack jump a dog if given the opportunity. Javelinas are thick in the area also but if you have your companion as well trained as you claim you should be ok. There have been mountain lions reported in the area recently. Usually young ones who are starving. Obviously these are the most dangerous to humans and pets. There have been no reported mountain lion attacks against humans in the area that I can ever recall. Mostly pets. Wet Beaver Creek has a high proportion of coyotes. Over the years I've seen many instances of coyotes hot-footing it across the road with family pets in that area. Usually house cats.

I would be most worried about rabies as there has been frequent reports of rabies infected small animals from the Flagstaff area, south, including the whole Verde Valley area. Foxes, bobcats, skunks and badgers have all been reported recently infected with rabies. Various cactus can be a definate problem.

All in all you should be reasonably fine if you keep your companion close while walking. This may be a challenge due to his breed. I'm sure you'll have a great time in the area you plan to stay, there is so much to see and explore that you'll barely scratch the surface in a 90 day visit.

PM me in this forum when you get here and we can meet for coffee at the ranch house.

Thanks for all the info...........I certainly will PM you when I arrive and get settled in. Would enjoy meeting you and having a cup of coffee. I take it the Ranch House is in Rimrock? Maybe at that time you could recommend a PCP for me and a good DVM (vet) for the dog..............just in case.