Considering NAU (Phoenix, Tucson, Flagstaff: apartment, how much, house) - Coconino County - City-Data Forum

portlanderinOC · 11-08-2011, 08:39 PM

Hey everyone, I'm looking to go to Northern AZ University. Currently I live in the LA area and go to Long Beach CC. I absolutely LOVE Northern Arizona, I think it's one of the most beautiful places on earth. However, after reading all the comments on Flagstaff, I've been getting a little discouraged.
However, I did some research and found it's actually more expensive to live where I live now (one of the more cheaper areas of Orange County), so I'm not sure why everyone is complaining that it costs so much to live there. Is it the lack of jobs?
I'm a 19 year old, gay, liberal, atheist, who loves to party, but I'm pretty sure that aspect of nightlife will be taken care of due to college parties, but is there anything else I could know about the nightlife?
Anything else in general?
I would love to be within close drive of beautiful places like Sedona and the Grand Canyon, the beauty of Arizona's High Desert gives me a spiritual high every time I'm there.

buckeyenative01 · 11-09-2011, 12:24 AM

If you're a California resident (and I'm assuming you are), then stay in-state and go to one of the far more prestigious state schools.

I'm a graduate of NAU (just got my masters in August) but this school has no recognition outside of Arizona unless you're interested in forestry and maybe hospitality services. For your undergrad, at least go somewhere that people have heard of. There's a reason students refer to NAU as "Not A University."

azdr0710 · 11-09-2011, 08:14 AM

probably good advice from buckeye....no reason to go to NAU unless you're into a Forestry major or are a state resident....but, yes, the area is fantastic....for now, decide what your priorities are and check those off.....Cal has excellent schools.....you can always come visit in the summer...(by the way, were you only over here in the summer??!!.....I don't think you'll get a spiritual high in Flag around January!)

buckeyenative01 · 11-09-2011, 09:22 AM

Also, and maybe its because of the cost, but NAU tends to attract a lot of Southern Californians. This isn't a problem until it starts snowing (like what we experienced last week) and none of those kids know how to drive in it. Throw in the Phoenecian kids who aren't much better at driving in inclement weather and its a recipe for disaster.

portlanderinOC · 11-09-2011, 06:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by azdr0710

probably good advice from buckeye....no reason to go to NAU unless you're into a Forestry major or are a state resident....but, yes, the area is fantastic....for now, decide what your priorities are and check those off.....Cal has excellent schools.....you can always come visit in the summer...(by the way, were you only over here in the summer??!!.....I don't think you'll get a spiritual high in Flag around January!)

I've been to Flagstaff and the Grand Canyon in November. I actually get more of a "high" when its cold than when its hot. I hate heat, I would only live in Northern AZ with this in mind, I'd rahter die than live Phoenix or Tucson. I can do with cold, I grew up in Oregon, I moved to California when I was 12. Summer's the last time I'd want to be in Arizona, I rather spend my summers out of that.
I heard NAU does have a good linguistics programme (I.e. My current major).
I am looking at UC Berkeley and other schools, even some back east and up into Canada.

buckeyenative01 · 11-09-2011, 09:47 PM

Seriously, if you can get into UC Berkeley, go there. NAU's not really well known for its humanities programs.

I got my undergrad from Chapman. Unfortunately, nobody's heard of it outside the City of Orange...

CodyW · 11-09-2011, 11:50 PM

I'm an NAU undergrad, currently. I like NAU. I'm also an Arizona resident. As for the Arizona schools, it's probably one of the better choices.

(You'll hate the gay crowd here, be warned. I've turned myself into a gay-outcast because of it.))

AZJ0SH · 11-10-2011, 01:46 PM

I graduated from NAU this spring. There is a lot of nightlife, it's all centered around the "downtown" area.

The housing prices in Flagstaff are relatively high compared to the pay rates, unless you have some way of securing a high paying job, it's going to be tough to live on your own. I was making $14/hr and could barely afford my apartment.

You can get down to Sedona in less than an hour depending on traffic, it's a great place to visit on the weekends when you get sick of Flagstaff.

portlanderinOC · 11-10-2011, 08:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AZJ0SH

I graduated from NAU this spring. There is a lot of nightlife, it's all centered around the "downtown" area.

The housing prices in Flagstaff are relatively high compared to the pay rates, unless you have some way of securing a high paying job, it's going to be tough to live on your own. I was making $14/hr and could barely afford my apartment.

You can get down to Sedona in less than an hour depending on traffic, it's a great place to visit on the weekends when you get sick of Flagstaff.

So it is a lack of jobs I'm assuming? Because according to this website, the average house price in Flag is about half of what it is here in La Habra. How much do rents typically go for in terms of studio/1 bdr?

portlanderinOC · 11-10-2011, 08:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by buckeyenative01

Seriously, if you can get into UC Berkeley, go there. NAU's not really well known for its humanities programs.

I got my undergrad from Chapman. Unfortunately, nobody's heard of it outside the City of Orange...

I've definitely heard of Chapman. It's a nice school, but I'm done with SoCal, I'm sick of the lack of seasons and suburban sprawl. Hopefully by next year I'll be able to get the hell outta here.