wet feet (Phoenix, Scottsdale, Flagstaff: spring break, schools, camp)

[Sawdust Dave]

My wife and I are looking to move out west away from hurricanes. She's a special ed certified k-8 teacher. She wants to teach on a reservation. I want the outdoors that I left behind 35+ years ago. What location would offer these simple desires? I've read previous post/s concerning locations of Scottsdale,Havasu,Prescott etc. which sound interesting.

[silverbear]

Originally Posted by Sawdust Dave

My wife and I are looking to move out west away from hurricanes. She's a special ed certified k-8 teacher. She wants to teach on a reservation. I want the outdoors that I left behind 35+ years ago. What location would offer these simple desires? I've read previous post/s concerning locations of Scottsdale,Havasu,Prescott etc. which sound interesting.

The three communities you have named are all quite different. Scottsdale is an affluent suburb of Phoenix; it's part of a sprawling metro area of several million people. Lake Havasu City I don't know well at all, but it's often known for spring break. Prescott is a growing town in the mountains northwest of Phoenix; it's very nice but facing some challenges as it grows.

Since these places couldn't be more different, you probably need to focus on what you want from a relocation destination. Are you looking for a major metropolitan area or a smaller community? Are you looking for a desert environment or a woodsy one? These are all questions to ask yourself before proceeding further.

[bobbymcsnoddy]

Saw your post - I live in Havasu,moved here from Wyoming where I taught on a reservation. If your wife wants to teach on a rez, then Havasu has the Colorado River Indian tribes rez in Parker, 36 miles away. However, the CRIT kids go to Parker schools so they are not strictly "reservation" schools. Havasu is very, very hot - Summer is really May through September. The low on July 4 of 2005 when I first moved here was 112 AT NIGHT! We have many days when it is over 115-120 and we are at least 10 degrees hotter than Phoenix. Last year's high was 128. You will get your cabin fever in the summer here, not the winter. If you have a boat, or a jet ski, this is the place for you due to the Lake recreation. I think Flagstaff is a much prettier city, and closer to Navajo if your wife wants to teach on that rez. I would encourage her to stay at least 2 years - the first year is very difficult if you are non-Indian. The 2nd year will be much better, and the 3rd year better yet. Good luck.

[Gretchen B]

I'll try to give you some input about the Prescott area. There is the Apache Yavapai reservation here. I'm not sure about any reservation schools, though. There is also a large Apache reservation in the Camp Verde area.

If you've been following some of the Prescott threads, then you're probably aware that we have really nice 4 season weather. And as Silverbear mentioned, we're growing by leaps and bounds. Upside, you have everything you need here without having to travel to Phoenix. Downside, several big box stores and other commercial developments are impacting the landscape, views, and traffic.

A couple of other areas you may want to look at would be Flagstaff, close to both Navajo and Hopi reservations. Holbrook, AZ or Gallup, NM would put you right in the heart of Navajoland.

Just depends on what you're looking for, but if you need any more info about Prescott, I'd be glad to help out.

[aj661]

NE Arizona, Navajo Reservation: Kayenta, Many Farms, Chinle, etc. Close to Monument Valley, Canyon De Shelly, Lake Powell. Beautiful country.