Looking for the right weather...around Prescott area (zip code, station)

[smilinpretty]

We had neighbor's that lived in Pine Lakes and managed it. They gave us a tour of it. I would find out how often they raise the montly space rents, especially if you are retired. It is a beautiful area, in the trees. I would definetely talk to a few realtors that are familiar with that development. I don't know for sure..but I think our neighbor's told us it isn't being kept up like it had been.

[BriansPerspective]

Originally Posted by smilinpretty

I would definetely talk to a few realtors that are familiar with that development.

FYI, the land in this development is not for sale, so a REALTOR cannot help you purchase a home there. You basically need someone with a motor vehicle sales license. Your best bet is probably to go to the Pine Lakes sales office or purchase a home privately through a current owner. If you work with someone in the sales office, they will most likely not be representing you or your interests. They are probably only representing Pine Lakes. Keep in mind that you are basically purchasing personal property. You then rent the land to keep the personal property on the land.

[keninaz]

Also, if you have never lived in this type of situation before, find out about any rules, HOAs and get an idea what the rents and maintenance situation is there.
They can be controlling to say the least.
And if you buy make sure you research and buy a quality mobile or manufactured home. I owned one and lived in rentals from time to time and looks are not important, construction is.
It can get cold here in the winter and you want a unit that is well insulated and designed for this climate.

[adventuregurl]

Originally Posted by rosco917

We live in New England, we are tired of the winter weather, so weather is very important to us...someone told my wife we will hate the heat of summer time in Phenix area.
I hear Prescott has a winter with snow, is there an area where it does not snow, but is not 115 in the summer?

Cottonwood and Camp Verde, rarely they get a dusting but for the most part they don't.

[keninaz]

Sierra Vista area may work for you too or even Tucson. Cooler than Phoenix in the summer anyway.
You drop about 10° from Phoenix to Tucson and another 10° down to Sierra Vista.
Prescott is about 15-22° cooler than Phoenix on a hot summer day. But we do get snow in the winter.
It usually does not stay on the ground long however.

[kfreer]

How is Chino Valley for growing things. We need an acre to grow a garden and herbs.....I realize the winter weather but overall what is the growing season? We are looking to rent a doublewide or small house on an acre or so...lease....It sounds like Chino Valley is where we ought to look.

[DellNec]

Originally Posted by kfreer

How is Chino Valley for growing things. We need an acre to grow a garden and herbs.....I realize the winter weather but overall what is the growing season? We are looking to rent a doublewide or small house on an acre or so...lease....It sounds like Chino Valley is where we ought to look.

The ground is very nutrient dead, it is also very hard/clay or it can have sand in it, depending where in CV you are digging. I would highly recommend a raised bed or some serious soil amendment and subsequent heavy machinery tilling.

Depending where in CV you are and your design type, you will have to contend with the usual critters (rabbits, javelina, birds, gophers, moles).

The main thing is the soil is high-desert soil, nutrient wise it is very lacking, you will run into hard soil, rocks, clay or in some spots sand. If that is the case (sand), then you are probably on a 100-year flood plain area.

Gardening can be done but it is NOT easy in this area. Growing season is usually April/May through October.

[wretched wrench]

Some of that will depend on what you grow. For example, cabbage, kale, collard greens can be grown outside in much colder weather than, say, tomatoes.

Consider cold frames, too.

[DellNec]

Originally Posted by keninaz

But we do get snow in the winter. It usually does not stay on the ground long however.

Funny thing is that someone made a comment regarding this Courier article, they said:

When looking to move here from a cold climate, people in Prescott unanimously said "oh - we may get a little snow once in a while, but it's gone the next day." Huh?! I'm just getting rid of ice and snow from New Year's Eve. Now this!

Stay indoors: Prescott could get a foot of snow this weekend - The Prescott Daily Courier - Prescott, Arizona

[keninaz]

And I got 8" overnight and it's melting off very fast today. It did not snow until almost 10 PM at my house and most fell between 10 and 1 AM. It snows lightly then off and on until around 1 AM this morning and then cleared.
The snow we got last weekend was a little less and it was mostly gone from my property within 3 days. The only snow remaining was in the shaded areas around my home and that was very little when the storm hit last night.
With the WX expected for this next next it will be gone very soon and nothing is in the 10 forecast but sun. Subject to change of course.