Flagstaff or Durango (Denver, Boulder, Cortez: for sale, crime, how much)

[coltoncity]

Hi,

I am hoping to get more insight to the 2 areas I visited with my teen last week.

We both loved Flagstaff as far as friendly people and things to do. The schools are rated so low, one was from a 0-100 ... a 14! Someone also told me STDS were huge in the schools which seemed odd to say but also a good warning on what is going on.

Cortez to me seems rougher with less to do but my daughter liked it for some reason, She wants a small close knit community with clubs etc. For some reason I think race is an issue no matter what is said. Am I wrong?

Durango was beautiful and Oh, how we wanted people to be friendly there and Cortez to say, This is it! We got several stares and several glares and werent sure what to make of it. Maybe people just dont like people who are obviously not from there?

I wish I had mroe time to visit Denver/Boulder area and Manitou Springs but Did not have the time so really this is my options.

My head is spinning can anyone shed some light here for me? You have no idea how much I would appreciate it I have about a week to decide.

[jazzlover]

It's been years since I've been to Flag, but I wasn't real impressed when I was there. One person I do know from there, and who has lived there for a number of years, can't wait to get out and has had his house for sale for some time. He doesn't like the "yuppie" vibe there at all. Durango has a lot of the same vibe, and you can read plenty about it elsewhere on this forum. I wouldn't want to raise a teen in Durango--or any other Colorado resort town for that matter. Too much money, too many spoiled kids, too much transience. Cortez is better in that regard, but does have some racial issues. My ex taught there for a while years ago and had plenty of "interesting" stories to tell. Urbanites and suburbanites regularly move to towns in Colorado such as Durango expecting them to be "normal" small towns with Mayberry kinds of values. They are not now, and haven't been for a long time. In fact, they often tend to be just smaller social versions of big cities, with a lot of the same attitudes and problems--not surprising, since many of their residents just recently relocated from those urban/suburban environments, and brought those attitudes with them.

Durango was a really nice town 30 years ago or so, but it has changed, and not for the better, in my opinion. As I have posted elsewhere, I know a lot of Durango natives, and almost none of them live there now--having left because they either could not make a decent living there or they didn't like what their town became.

[vegaspilgrim]

I went up to Flagstaff quite a few times when I lived in Phoenix and I didn't find it be a yuppie town. Quite the opposite, actually. But then again, maybe I just perceived it that way because I am a yuppie? For better or worse, Flagstaff has a truly unique sense of place within the southwest. One thing that's unmistakable in Flagstaff is the heavy Native American presence, being the largest city of significance in northern Arizona. Another unmistakable trait is the railroad-- Flagstaff is a MAJOR railroad and trucking hub, with trains coming and going every few minutes. They have a dark sky ordinance with incredible night skies. The crisp cold air there is incredibly refreshing. I think of Flagstaff as a mountain-like climate, but a lot sunnier year round. Downtown Flagstaff is nice. NAU is also a pretty good school, in my opinion. Flagstaff, along with Tucson, are the only two places I would consider living in if I were to ever live in Arizona again.

I really like Durango too, but I will freely admit Durango IS a yuppie town; no way to beat around the bush. It's also incredibly beautiful though, and their downtown is a great place to walk around. Ft Lewis is quite possibly the most incredible location for a college I have ever seen. For a college restaurant/bar strip, Main Ave is unbeatable-- Boulder has nothing over it.

[Idunn]

My feeling is you could probably live in either Flagstaff, AZ or Durango, CO. Of the two Durango is probably more liberal, but neither to the extent of Boulder, CO.

If Arizona, you might consider Sedona. Different climate than Flagstaff, if nearby, and more expensive. But it should be more accepting.

You might listen closely to your daughter. She will likely have an intuitive sense of some things you cannot fathom. But she will also need your assistance in better practiced reasoning, and a sense of practicality.

Someone recently mentioned that Mancos, CO was a fairly liberal place, which surprised me. I wouldn't think Cortez, CO would be, but possibly wrong in that too.

In southwest Colorado Durango is surely one of the more liberal places. Silverton, CO is changing and becoming more so, but not sure of the exact atmosphere at the moment. Telluride, CO is probably the most liberal town in the region. A lovely place, and oh so expensive.

Offhand I'd guess the schools are better in Durango than Flagstaff, and would presume Durango's fairly good.

Both places are generally nice, if for different reasons. Of the two, Durango may suite you better. Although this may be inconvenient, possibly even more so if you don't, so perhaps revisit your options. Sometimes a second glance is all it takes.

[coltoncity]

Maybe Cortez is a place I should rethink. Just couldnt get a grasp on it. I dont knwo what racial issues is to you as it is to me & Im from the South. I remember horrible ones.

My daughter said where we used to live was predjudice that it could not be as bad, but she has not saw meaness in physical like I have. I cant get a inside look unless I am there for quite awhile. I thank you all for the insight.

The comments on Durango makes a lot of sense ... it seems to me the two towns are so different. Someone working there had grad. a couple years earlier and didnt have a good HS experiance because she said she was not involved in partying. But you have to make choices, she made good ones but she obviously was not happy there.

To Jazzlover...Why is your friend trying to get out of Flag? Is it crime or the economy cause I noticed a few people moving when I called the school Im trying to get my daughter into.
Thanks again

[borborygmi]

Having spent significant time in both places, Durango and Flagstaff are essentially mirror images of each other, IMO. Flag is probably considerably bigger, population-wise; but as far as the demographics, the weather, the geography, and frankly the significant economic issues in terms of the lack of decent paying middle class jobs, the income vs. cost of living imbalance, and subsequent affordable housing shortage- they're quite similar.

As I've pointed out in other threads, I looked pretty seriously at moving to Durango a few years back, and in the end just could not justify it. IMO, the cost of living there is ludicrously overpriced. It's a nice place- but not that nice. The same could be said for Flag. I lived in AZ before and also thought about settling in Flag at one time, but avoided it for those same reasons. It's a matter of principle, and no matter how much money I make (and I do just fine), I refuse to pay the kinds of prices for modest homes that the market rate demands in Durango and Flag. I could certainly afford it on my income, but personally, value is important to me, and I found I could get much more value for my dollar living a scant 45 miles to the west of Durango in Cortez. I can enjoy the same beautiful 4 corners outdoor opportunities, weather, and scenery there for a mere fraction of the cost.

[coltoncity]

In Cortez would it be hard to get going within the community? Is there resistance to new people or racial problems I should know about before moving there, especially with a bi racial teen?

[delta07]

One thing you might want to consider is the location of both places. Durango can be very isolated in the winter. It's very difficult to get to a larger city if you need one. Flying in and out of the area is very expensive. I looked at moving to Durango, but the cost of living, and relative isolation made me change my mind.

Flagstaff is much closer to a larger city should you need one. That may be important with a teen, or it may not be. Phoenix is not that far away, so at least you would have a major airport within driving distance. That is not the case in Durango/Cortez area.

Remember that school reports don't say everything about a school. Talk with the teachers, principals, and parents if you can. They will give you more relavent information.

I would hope race would not be an issue in either of these towns. They are much different than the south. I'm sure there is some discrimination, because unfortunately there will always be, but it will be nothing like the south. I have never been so appalled in my life as the time I spent in the south. What an eye opener for me! Best of luck to you!

Just as an FYI, Bend, Oregon, where I just relocated to (from western Colorado), is very similar to both Durango and Flagstaff! I'm loving it here.

[Bob from down south]

Didn't hear any mention of how you will make your liviing in either place. Job market/economy in both places appears depressed...more so, I believe, in Durango/Cortez.

Flagstaff has lots of peripheral issues owing to the proximity of a number of large indian reservations...economic problems, high DUI/alcoholism rates etc. That may also account for a great deal of the low school testing stats.

A comparison of tax loads might be telling. AZ is likely to put a much bigger bite on your budget than CO.

Proximity to Phoenix can be important for advanced medical care issues...it's a 2-hr drive from Flag, it's an expensive flight from Durango to anywhere. And if the airline industry keeps on its present course, you may not be able to find a flight out of La Plata County airport when you need it at any price.

Without knowing what sorts of things you like to do, it's hard to go further. I can't imagine letting a teenager drive the boat on where the family lives, though. Those priorities are likely to change hourly...

[coltoncity]

Yes I understand what you are saying. My plan was to make her part of the decision since she will be living there as well; Ive found 16 or 17 is too young to put in their 2 cents on where to live. She doesnt want the responsibility. I am looking at it differently now.
Interesting to hear Bend because that would be one place easy enough to move to; we know it and she went to school there but doesnt want to go back. I dont care for it too much but only cause traffic and prices, but safe and closer to family.
I was wondering on medical care. I think Flagstaff would have a lot more then Bend. With the great school I found in Flag, Durango is out. I think Flag would have more hiking and mountain biking for us then Bend.
I do though want to thank you all for your help and patience. I really do value them both and look forward to your thoughts.