Camp Verde & Cottonwood (Phoenix, Tucson: for sale, house, buyer)

[adelmo]

Originally Posted by kansaslady

I lived in Cottonwood and would NOT recommend it if you have trouble dealing with extreme summer heat (but it's a dry heat!). Even though it may be a little cooler than Phx, it is still sweltering. Plus, be prepared to deal with LOTS of scorpions and tartantulas! Flagstaff is beautiful, but you would have to pay for the beauty by experiencing very long and cold winters. Sedona is beyond gorgeous, but it is called "Beverly Hills on the Rocks" for a very good reason....residents are either very rich, or very poor.

Prescott is nice, but so many Californians have moved in that it has forced the housing market up through the roof (no pun intended).

There are many areas of AZ that are still afforable, just depends on what type of scenery you want, and how much you can afford.

I have been to Cottonwood in the summer and found the weather to be near 150 degrees for 6 months. I've also heard that AZ is the only state to have spiders and snakes. All other 49 states have no poisonous animals what so-ever. All the other 49 states are near perfect exept Arizona.

[ckdaajd]

Not sure where in Cottonwood you were...150 degrees? Doesn't even get that hot in Phx. Cottonwood has small town atmosphere and kinda spread out but beautiful views and close to Sedona. My parents lived there for 6 years and never found poisonous critters to speak off. Winters are very mild and rarely even freezes at night. Summers do get warm but people seem to like area. Check it out for yourself.

[adelmo]

Originally Posted by ckdaajd

Not sure where in Cottonwood you were...150 degrees? Doesn't even get that hot in Phx. Cottonwood has small town atmosphere and kinda spread out but beautiful views and close to Sedona. My parents lived there for 6 years and never found poisonous critters to speak off. Winters are very mild and rarely even freezes at night. Summers do get warm but people seem to like area. Check it out for yourself.

ckdaajd,

I was just kidding. It was all tongue in cheek because of all the negative things said about AZ. Cottonwood is awesome, we are retiring there. lol

[skitow]

Originally Posted by brian_2

You're welcome. Thank you. My confession - I'm a California native of Palo Alto.

Hi Brian. I was reading the posts and found a CA that was willing to tell others without being beaten up by a lot of other states. I live in Mountain View CA and am also looking for a place to call home in AZ. I don't know if I missed it, but did you say you lived in Camp Verde? Anyway, my 92 year old mom lives in Mesa. I have been there 3 times in the last 2 decades. My mother wants me to move to Mesa and keep her company. I have never in my life felt heat like that. The last time I was in Mesa it was 115 at 9:30 in the evening. Is there a city that is in between an oven and a deep freeze somewhere in AZ? Any morsel of info you could toss my way would be most appreciated. My best to you, skitow.

[brian_2]

I obviously don't know you (I am quite opinionated, and I don't sugarcoat my perceptions), that said, a townhome in the Village of Oak Creek/or Sedona could be nice (read all CCR's and check on the homeowner fees). If you like what you see and hear (on visits), you might want to rent for six months to see if the lifestyle and climate will work for you. One caveat - few jobs outside of real estate, the tourism sector, and construction trades. It's best if you're retired, close to it, and/or have an independent income stream. There are plenty of Californians in the area (second homers and retirees) you'll run into.

I'm guessing you won't like Camp Verde what with the long, hot (10+ degrees cooler than Phoenix area, and CV cools off after the sun sets) summers - Phoenix summers can be 90-100 degrees even at 9/10pm. Nothing beats firsthand experience.CV is in an excellent central location - that's the biggest attribute. You can be in Sedona/Prescott quickly, and Flagstaff/Phoenix/The Grand Canyon are not too far to drive to either. That said, there is nada culture in CV, nada good restaurants, little shopping, few educated folks, many, many large noisy trucks, and far too many narrow-minded right wingers. That said, CV is not as crowded as most areas (although that is changing with all the CV tract developments underway) in central Arizona. In summation - go with the Sedona area if you can swing it.

[skitow]

Originally Posted by brian_2

I obviously don't know you (I am quite opinionated, and I don't sugarcoat my perceptions), that said, a townhome in the Village of Oak Creek/or Sedona could be nice (read all CCR's and check on the homeowner fees). If you like what you see and hear (on visits), you might want to rent for six months to see if the lifestyle and climate will work for you. One caveat - few jobs outside of real estate, the tourism sector, and construction trades. It's best if you're retired, close to it, and/or have an independent income stream. There are plenty of Californians in the area (second homers and retirees) you'll run into.

I'm guessing you won't like Camp Verde what with the long, hot (10+ degrees cooler than Phoenix area, and CV cools off after the sun sets) summers - Phoenix summers can be 90-100 degrees even at 9/10pm. Nothing beats firsthand experience.CV is in an excellent central location - that's the biggest attribute. You can be in Sedona/Prescott quickly, and Flagstaff/Phoenix/The Grand Canyon are not too far to drive to either. That said, there is nada culture in CV, nada good restaurants, little shopping, few educated folks, many, many large noisy trucks, and far too many narrow-minded right wingers. That said, CV is not as crowded as most areas (although that is changing with all the CV tract developments underway) in central Arizona. In summation - go with the Sedona area if you can swing it.

From all the info I have read, I think I'll have to pass on AZ. It's just to hot for my taste.

[scubadog40]

LOTS of scorpions ? so are they a problem for people with cats? Dog?

[jenkaye]

I grew up in a town North of Camp Verde called Lake Montezuma, Az. It has a golf course and creek running through it. It actually was a retirment communtity for years but younger folks are moving in. It is a nice place but not a lot to do. Camp Verde is nice, prices have gone way up, we moved because the schools are so bad and it getting crowded with illegals. I would never move back.

[ZANNERS]

This email goes out to the "wonderful" anti-Camp Verde character who states there are "few educated folks" and too many "narrow-minded right wingers".
Your hypocrisy is mind-boggling. As for you, please stay out of our wonderful little towns in Arizona. (narrow minded, you say?)
The towns of Cottonwood, Cornville, Camp Verde, Clarkdale, Rimrock and Lake Montezuma are wonderful! I have lived here for about 20 years, and it is still the best place to live, even with our growth, drug problems (as few cities do NOT see anymore) and housing inflation.
The high here today was about 102, cools off considerably at night and most people still wave as you drive up the road.
As for "you" (you know who you are!) that was a very politically incorrect statement to come from a "politically correct" (?) person. Stay where you are.. please dont ruin our beauty with your negativity.
The small town atmosphere is still alive and well even with the ever-growing population in these little towns.
Winters are mild, but still a bit chilly. The summer monsoons are a wonderful sight as are the little (and big) desert creatures you may be lucky enough to see.
Also, there are still MANY middle-class singles and families living in the Sedona area. Homes are considerably more expensive, which is why many of them are chosing to move out to the Verde Valley.
Regardless, it is all beautiful up here!
Check it out for yourself!
Cottonwood, Az

[Debbie SE MI]

Thank you Zanners, I am in SE MI and as soon as my home sells will be moving to one of the 6 towns you mentioned. I have never been to Az but am sure it is where I will enjoy living. I have a realtor in Sedona and the 6 cities you mentioned are the same as the ones she told me. I'm a single 52 year old female with 2 daughters in their early 30's. I have seen meny modular/manufactured home that I can see myself and my 4 dogs enjoying. I will be looking for employment in one of the so called low paying jobs, after seeing you property taxes I know $12/hour will give me a nice lil life. I am looking for a year round life style and your area is for me. I pay over $2.100 in property taxes on an acre with a 3 bedroom ranch 1100 sq feet. (selling for $139,900) I live a simple life and even will be able to bring what I can not replace in a 5x8 uhaul trailer. Sorry to ramble but I am happy to be moving to your area thanks again for the positive input.
Debbie