Best neighborhoods in Sedona? I need your advice! (Phoenix, Flagstaff: real estate, new home)

[Catwoman2]

We plan to visit Sedona soon to look for a new home, and I'm hoping someone can give me some suggestions about which neighborhoods are the nicest, as well as let me know if there are any areas we should avoid.

We're looking for a home that is around 3,500 square feet, with at least a half acre lot (an acre if we can get it.) We're quite flexible about the price, so that's not our main consideration right now. Basically, we want a very nice home in an upscale, super-safe neighborhood, that is (hopefully) relatively convenient to shopping, medical care, etc.

We'd originally thought we were moving to Maine, but now it's looking like it may be Arizona instead. At first, I wasn't sure what to think, but the more I learn about Sedona, the more inviting it sounds!

Thank you for any advice you can provide -- I really appreciate it!

Cat

[observer53]

If price is not an object, you should find what you are looking for, although an acre lot within the town limits is probably not too common. There are no bad areas, really, and certainly not with homes that size. Once you get out here and hook up with a realtor to help you, you should have some options.

Have you ever been to Sedona before? There's "shopping" there, yes, it depends on what you mean by shopping. Lots of stores catering to tourists, etc. Closest mall is in Flagstaff, and that's a small one. No department stores, there are small boutiques for clothes, etc. The town is kind of spread out, it's not like you can walk to all the stores like in NYC. Lots of traffic in the commercial areas. Medical care? There are doctors in Sedona, yes, hospital closest would be either Flagstaff or Verde Valley in Cottonwood.

Choosing between MAINE and Sedona? Interesting contrast. What, besides no frozen winters, is making you opt for Sedona? On the other thread, it sounded like you couldn't wait to move to Maine. Good luck, whatever you decide!

[ElizaTeal]

Originally Posted by Catwoman2

We plan to visit Sedona soon to look for a new home, and I'm hoping someone can give me some suggestions about which neighborhoods are the nicest, as well as let me know if there are any areas we should avoid.

We're looking for a home that is around 3,500 square feet, with at least a half acre lot (an acre if we can get it.) We're quite flexible about the price, so that's not our main consideration right now. Basically, we want a very nice home in an upscale, super-safe neighborhood, that is (hopefully) relatively convenient to shopping, medical care, etc.

We'd originally thought we were moving to Maine, but now it's looking like it may be Arizona instead. At first, I wasn't sure what to think, but the more I learn about Sedona, the more inviting it sounds!

Thank you for any advice you can provide -- I really appreciate it!

Cat

You're not going to find a home that size in a bad neighborhood. There are gated communities in Sedona if you need to feel super safe. Of course the sky is the limit price wise. Do you want an older area? Do you mind being near traffic or want something more secluded?

[Catwoman2]

Originally Posted by observer53

On the other thread, it sounded like you couldn't wait to move to Maine. Good luck, whatever you decide!

Thanks for all of your help!

We were very excited about moving to Maine, but some personal issues forced a change of plans. We'd spent time in the Camden and Rockport areas, and thought Maine would be a lovely place to live, despite the cold and snow, and after all of the effort we put into our home search, it was disappointing to have to change direction.

Fortunately, Sedona looks equally nice, although in an entirely different way, so I'm hoping this move will work out for us.

When I said that I hoped we'd be convenient to shopping, I should have been more specific. I'm just thinking about places like grocery stores and maybe a Home Depot/Lowe's or a Target or a Walmart for everyday purchases. I don't mind traveling a bit to get to a nice mall.

It looks like the Verde Valley Hospital would be the closest to Sedona. Is it a good hospital with all of the major services, or is it a smaller, local type of hospital? I hope we won't need to use it, but I wouldn't feel comfortable living somewhere without good medical care, particularly in an emergency.

Thanks again for your help!

Cat

[Catwoman2]

Originally Posted by zonababe

Do you want an older area? Do you mind being near traffic or want something more secluded?

We don't really have a preference between an older or a newer area, as long as the homes are well-maintained. We would prefer to live in a quiet neighborhood, where the houses are far enough apart to allow for some privacy, but seclusion isn't necessary at all. We would prefer to live in a convenient location, but not on a busy, noisy street with heavy traffic.

I have noticed that some real estate websites allow you to search based on different areas of Sedona, and I assume that all of the different names are the names of subdivisions or gated communities, and I'm trying to figure out where the most desirable sections of town would be. We don't require a gated community, but I guess it would be ok if the house was perfect for us. I would think that a gated community would be ideal for someone who only used their home for vacations, because the added security would provide a level of confidence that the house would be ok while it was empty, but in our case, we plan to live in the house year-round, so I think the "gated" aspect is less important to us, unless the only nice areas are in those particular communities (and I don't get that impression.)

If you could mention a few specific areas, it would be very helpful, and if I can answer any more questions for you, feel free to ask!

Thanks!

Cat

[observer53]

Originally Posted by Catwoman2

Thanks for all of your help!

We were very excited about moving to Maine, but some personal issues forced a change of plans. We'd spent time in the Camden and Rockport areas, and thought Maine would be a lovely place to live, despite the cold and snow, and after all of the effort we put into our home search, it was disappointing to have to change direction.

Fortunately, Sedona looks equally nice, although in an entirely different way, so I'm hoping this move will work out for us.

When I said that I hoped we'd be convenient to shopping, I should have been more specific. I'm just thinking about places like grocery stores and maybe a Home Depot/Lowe's or a Target or a Walmart for everyday purchases. I don't mind traveling a bit to get to a nice mall.

It looks like the Verde Valley Hospital would be the closest to Sedona. Is it a good hospital with all of the major services, or is it a smaller, local type of hospital? I hope we won't need to use it, but I wouldn't feel comfortable living somewhere without good medical care, particularly in an emergency.

Thanks again for your help!

Cat

Okay. The big box stores are not in Sedona, (unless I've missed something). You'd need to drive down to Cottonwood or up to Flagstaff. Grocery stores, sure. The mall in Flagstaff is small, as is the one in Prescott, which is a longer drive. For what I would describe as a "nice mall", you'll need to visit Phoenix.

Verde Valley is a small hospital. Flagstaff MC is a bit larger, They both have "emergency" rooms, but for a real, level 1 trauma, people are flown to Phoenix from anywhere around there.

[LocoAZnative]

There are no big box stores in Sedona, there is a small medical clinic, and there is a Basha's and a Safeway for grocery stores. There is a Harkins movie theater. The traffic is really heavy due to tourism and the New Age presence there. Basically you would have to goto Cottonwood for a Walmart and Home Depot which isn't too far away about 20 minutes.

[adventuregurl]

Originally Posted by LocoAZnative

There are no big box stores in Sedona, there is a small medical clinic, and there is a Basha's and a Safeway for grocery stores. There is a Harkins movie theater. The traffic is really heavy due to tourism and the New Age presence there. Basically you would have to goto Cottonwood for a Walmart and Home Depot which isn't too far away about 20 minutes.

I live in Sedona and can't for a moment think of how you could think the traffic is heavy here unless you're used to living way out in the middle of nowhere....compared to anywhere else I've been, it's ultra light except for the odd summer day when everyone from Phoenix are comes up and gets off the I17 at 179....most locals from West Sedona get off at 260 and come through Cottonwood.

[LocoAZnative]

Originally Posted by adventuregurl

I live in Sedona and can't for a moment think of how you could think the traffic is heavy here unless you're used to living way out in the middle of nowhere....compared to anywhere else I've been, it's ultra light except for the odd summer day when everyone from Phoenix are comes up and gets off the I17 at 179....most locals from West Sedona get off at 260 and come through Cottonwood.

My grandparents lived in Sedona growing up so we basically grew up across the. street from Sugarloaf. My girlfriends father has a timeshare there so we are up there every few months. For a small town the traffic is heavy.

[observer53]

Originally Posted by LocoAZnative

My grandparents lived in Sedona growing up so we basically grew up across the. street from Sugarloaf. My girlfriends father has a timeshare there so we are up there every few months. For a small town the traffic is heavy.

Agreed. The key is "for a small town"-- Sedona has a LOT of traffic in the central part of the town, for its size. It's worse on the weekends, I'm sure, but it's there. I'm sure the locals find ways to get around it, but it's worth mentioning.