Cottonwood or Sedona (Prescott, Camp Verde, Lake Montezuma: transplants, house, to buy)

[curly5759]

I can't tell you much about the VOC because I rarely go there. My wife likes the (small) outlet mall there and it has some different shopping than Cottonwood. As far as I know, there is no park or Grocery store. Bedroom community is probably a good description.
As far as closing I-17 due to weather, I don't think it happens very often. I went up to Flag twice last December right after a snow storm, I-17 was clear.
Have you considered Williams? ~30 miles west of Flag? Still a small town, but a shorter commute?

Curly

[rational1]

> (Cottonwood) houses are a lot cheaper than flagstaff, but I would make that difference up in gas and commuting frustrations.

It's easy to estimate the price of gas but only you can put a price on commuting frustrations.

There are some communities south of Flagstaff along 17, including Mund's Park and Kachina Village. I'm not sure if these have much of a school system, Kachina Village at least feels like a (less expensive) vacation cabin town.

VOC (or Village of Oak Creek) is, like Sedona, retiree and second-home territory. It is somewhat less expensive than Sedona but not as inexpensive as Cottonwood.

[jrgleason2003]

Originally Posted by curly5759

I can't tell you much about the VOC because I rarely go there. My wife likes the (small) outlet mall there and it has some different shopping than Cottonwood. As far as I know, there is no park or Grocery store. Bedroom community is probably a good description.
As far as closing I-17 due to weather, I don't think it happens very often. I went up to Flag twice last December right after a snow storm, I-17 was clear.
Have you considered Williams? ~30 miles west of Flag? Still a small town, but a shorter commute?

Curly

I hear williams has seen some pretty hard times as of late but I don't know for sure. If what I have read elsewhere is correct, you have to haul your own water in Williams.

[MonkeyClaw]

Originally Posted by jrgleason2003

That route would be through VOC correct? I was wondering about that place. It seems like its a bedroom community but has all the amenities of someone would need (ie - grocery store, golf?, parks for kids, etc...)


PS - You all rock for answering my questions I really appreciate it!

I live in the VOC with my wife. I'm low 40s, she's low 30s. Some areas are oriented towards retirement-age people but people are generally friendly to everyone. There is a local grocery store with prices that are comparable to the area, the two main Sedona golf courses are located here (plus a 9-holer, so that's 3 altogether), a few parks, plenty of trails, and a good elementary school. It's about 45 minutes to Flag from my house, though I rarely go there in the winter. I've had my fill of cold weather.

For the heat, we may hit 100 a few times a year. This year has been worse than the previous couple that we've lived here but nothing that we can't handle. The low humidity is great - much of the year you don't even get condensation on your ice-water glass (or whatever your beverage of choice is...).

As for amenities, not a lot of night-life. We do a lot together, and are perfectly happy staying home in the evenings watching TV or movies. My wife hikes with the dogs quite a bit and I like to run and bike. We also play a bit of golf. We go to Flag every at least every couple of weeks for either recreation or shopping (the closest Sam's Club is there). If your wife is working up there, you don't need to worry about the lack of stores in the VOC.

We're really happy here. Less traffic and fewer tourists than Sedona proper, don't need to pay the Sedona taxes, etc. We rarely go to uptown or West Sedona (the two main parts of Sedona proper). The proximity to I-17 is good.

[jrgleason2003]

Originally Posted by MonkeyClaw

I live in the VOC with my wife. I'm low 40s, she's low 30s. Some areas are oriented towards retirement-age people but people are generally friendly to everyone. There is a local grocery store with prices that are comparable to the area, the two main Sedona golf courses are located here (plus a 9-holer, so that's 3 altogether), a few parks, plenty of trails, and a good elementary school. It's about 45 minutes to Flag from my house, though I rarely go there in the winter. I've had my fill of cold weather.

For the heat, we may hit 100 a few times a year. This year has been worse than the previous couple that we've lived here but nothing that we can't handle. The low humidity is great - much of the year you don't even get condensation on your ice-water glass (or whatever your beverage of choice is...).

As for amenities, not a lot of night-life. We do a lot together, and are perfectly happy staying home in the evenings watching TV or movies. My wife hikes with the dogs quite a bit and I like to run and bike. We also play a bit of golf. We go to Flag every at least every couple of weeks for either recreation or shopping (the closest Sam's Club is there). If your wife is working up there, you don't need to worry about the lack of stores in the VOC.

We're really happy here. Less traffic and fewer tourists than Sedona proper, don't need to pay the Sedona taxes, etc. We rarely go to uptown or West Sedona (the two main parts of Sedona proper). The proximity to I-17 is good.

Thanks for the reply! I was wondering if there are decent outlets for children so they can stay out of trouble. Do you even see small children in the VOC? I realize Sedona, VOC is a small town, but if there is literally nothing for my daughter to do it could lead to trouble down the road. You can only take so much of the hiking you know?

Also, does the VOC have an HOA. If so what are the monthly rates and how strict are they?

[MonkeyClaw]

Originally Posted by jrgleason2003

Thanks for the reply! I was wondering if there are decent outlets for children so they can stay out of trouble. Do you even see small children in the VOC? I realize Sedona, VOC is a small town, but if there is literally nothing for my daughter to do it could lead to trouble down the road. You can only take so much of the hiking you know?

Also, does the VOC have an HOA. If so what are the monthly rates and how strict are they?

I see plenty of small children in VOC. I live not far from the school, so this is probably a factor... But in the parks and on the streets I see children playing, riding their bikes, skateboards, scooters, etc. I know that Sedona has programs through the summer and I think during the school year for children. I know there are sports and stuff throughout the year. Probably arts and crafts stuff too considering where we are.

The VOC has some sort of HOA and fees, but I don't think they are very costly. 'Big Park' is the official area, and VOCA is part of Big Park. I am in the Sedona Golf Resort, which is not part of VOCA but is part of Big Park and has it's own nominal fees. There are other parts of Big Park that have no fees at all. It sounds confusing, but it's not. It's not like the East Coast, where you get stuck paying hundreds a month in fees. I don't think it's even hundreds a year out here. We also don't have to pay Sedona taxes, which is nice.

[azdr0710]

I'm thinking a Verde Valley to Flag commute will be too much, ultimately....my opinion

VOC is nice, but could be pricey...especially larger lots....

though it's got some winter concerns, have you thought about the large Doney Park area just NE of Flag?...a bit less snow than Flag proper and it has the lots sizes you'd like for reasonable prices...nice, very easy commute into town....lots of families....don't know about quality of schools.....negatives would be colder (but not cloudier) winters than the Verde Valley/Sedona area, not a lot of trees, and a tiny bit of a lingering "white-trash" rep, though that's disappearing....variety of housing choices in this large area

[jrgleason2003]

Originally Posted by azdr0710

I'm thinking a Verde Valley to Flag commute will be too much, ultimately....my opinion

VOC is nice, but could be pricey...especially larger lots....

though it's got some winter concerns, have you thought about the large Doney Park area just NE of Flag?...a bit less snow than Flag proper and it has the lots sizes you'd like for reasonable prices...nice, very easy commute into town....lots of families....don't know about quality of schools.....negatives would be colder (but not cloudier) winters than the Verde Valley/Sedona area, not a lot of trees, and a tiny bit of a lingering "white-trash" rep, though that's disappearing....variety of housing choices in this large area

Thanks for the heads up! I will definitely check that area out!

[jrgleason2003]

Originally Posted by MonkeyClaw

I see plenty of small children in VOC. I live not far from the school, so this is probably a factor... But in the parks and on the streets I see children playing, riding their bikes, skateboards, scooters, etc. I know that Sedona has programs through the summer and I think during the school year for children. I know there are sports and stuff throughout the year. Probably arts and crafts stuff too considering where we are.

The VOC has some sort of HOA and fees, but I don't think they are very costly. 'Big Park' is the official area, and VOCA is part of Big Park. I am in the Sedona Golf Resort, which is not part of VOCA but is part of Big Park and has it's own nominal fees. There are other parts of Big Park that have no fees at all. It sounds confusing, but it's not. It's not like the East Coast, where you get stuck paying hundreds a month in fees. I don't think it's even hundreds a year out here. We also don't have to pay Sedona taxes, which is nice.

Great thanks for the info! Where we live now the HOA costs about $96/month which I think is too high considering they haven't delivered on what they promised. Its great to know that it is not 100% retired people living there! I was afraid there wouldn't be a decently and healthy outlet for my daughter once she gets old enough!

[Lostone1413]

Originally Posted by azdr0710

the Verde Valley/Sedona area, not a lot of trees, and a tiny bit of a lingering "white-trash" rep, though that's disappearing....variety of housing choices in this large area

White Trash LOL Flag is liberal land of Arizona Every time I've been in Flag it was like going back to the 60s All the old timers I know from Flag always say how the liberal Ca people moving in have ruined the city they where born in