Want to move to Prescott Valley, AZ (Phoenix, Flagstaff: lawyers, house)

[Gretchen B]

Originally Posted by jch928

Hi Gretchen,
One hesitation I have is due to the small size of the areas, relative to where we live now. But our priorities are the kids' schools, our day to day lifestyle and climate. We hate that where we live now is so hot and humid and SO FULL of mosquitos that it's a deterrent to going outside to play with the kids. We still have to swat mosquitos in the winter!

We are also concerned about the apparent lack of higher level, better paying jobs there. We do have hopes of opening our own business(es) but in case that doesn't work out, it would be nice to know that there are jobs there too.

Anyway, I'm getting too detailed. Thanks for your input and any other information you may offer. We appreciate it. By the way, where did you move from?

You're right--it is so nice to be able to enjoy evenings outdoors. We generally cool down into the 60's all summer long, so it's just very pleasant to sit on the patio until bedtime. In Nebraska it was either too hot & sticky during the day, and usually too windy, or when it cooled down slightly after dusk then the bugs would come out. I do think it's the lower humidity which helps the temps cool down here at night. And by the way, May & June are our driest, windiest months. It's not a pretty time of year here, however once the monsoons hit in July everything greens up and it's so nice (as you discovered when you were here).

Re jobs - if you have your own businesses, that's ideal. Jobs here tend to be either retail or service oriented. Any construction related field is also good, i.e. the construction trades and suppliers, and also engineering, design, etc. There's also a pretty good demand for health care providers, accountants, managers, etc. I would say the lack of job opportunities here is one of the main concerns people have about moving here.

For me personally, I find that I rarely need to go to Phx for anything. It is just an hour and a half away, so it's not a bad drive (although traffic is getting worse all the time on I-17) if you want the "big city". As you know, our mall isn't huge, but I seem to find most everything I need somewhere in town. Don't know if you're aware, but PV is getting a Sam's Club, Kohl's, Home Depot, Super Walmart, and several other stores. They broke ground on those this month. And the PV event center opened in November.

So you'll have to check out all the changes on your next visit. I guess, for me, I find Prescott/PV to be a nice mix of small town and big town. But then again, I don't enjoy too many large cities - Phx especially (too much sprawl and not enough character). It's interesting, because in posts about Prescott you'll usually find people complaining that it's gotten too big and others complaining that it's not big enough. For me, it's just right.

[Beuthen291]

Prescott Valley is bent on development at all costs. What once was a recommended retirement area is a developer's get rich dream. Water issues abound with questionable arsenic issues,a pipeline from Chino is projected but that may kill the headwaters of the Verde River. The education system of Arizona is perhaps the lowest in the country, ( The arsenic?) . They don't like unions preferring to be exploited by big business and old money.
The Planning and zoning board and city council are totally Land Owner & pro development. The give over $120,00 a year to the Chamber of Commerce, and even more to a Prescott Valley development site, that's taxpayer money. The hope is educated retirees will move in , see through the politics and elect a town government responsible to the taxpayers and the enviroment. Taxpayers monies, are given back to major corporations as "incentives" for building businesses and for an infrastructure that should have been required in the first place. The majority of the population seems totally apathetic. And you could find your dream house facing the back of a super Wal-Mart or apartment buildings, but the weather is nice and perhaps with time and an influx of saavy folks it could be great town. In closing Never close on a house until YOU have had it inspected and it is complete, don't be bullied into a fast close by anyone.

[BriansPerspective]

Originally Posted by jch928

Between Ponderosa's post and Biggshome's post, I'm confused. In an area that is growing, I would expect road work and traffic issues. If you're complaining about heavy traffic unrelated to road work though, I'd like to know more.

I have a hard time understanding how traffic can be that bad there with such a small population. Granted, I'm coming from an area with a city population of about 280,000 and a metro population of 450,000. You should see the traffic here! I live about 5-6 miles away from my office and it takes me 25-30 minutes to get home. That's on a good, traffic-is-moving day. So I think all things are relative.

BiggsHomes, I have a question for you. How would you describe the community's general attitude toward this growth and "outsiders" moving in? Sometimes I pick up on an attitude of resistence to it (not from you). I don't want to move someplace where the people are going to be negative or unwelcoming. God knows we've got enough negativism where we live now (South Louisiana), though for different reasons; We are trying to escape it and go to a place with much more hope, vibrance, happiness, positive outlook, etc. Thanks!

Hi jch,

I have found that this website gives an unrealistic view of how the 'natives' view newcomers. You hear a lot more griping about newcomers in this forum than you do in the community. Once you are here, nobody cares that you are a newcomer or whether you lived here 40 years. People are people and they will treat you like they would treat anyone else that they meet. We have been here about a year and people still tell us that it is nice to see new (younger) people in the community.

The people who I have met that are angry toward newcomers are typically cowboy-types who moved here to get away from the world. Often these people move to the outskirts of town so they are far enough from the people, but close enough to enjoy the services. When the town grows around them, they get angry because they want their perfect spot close to services, but away from people.

As far as the growth... again, I would say that most people are happy with the new retail and services coming in. The truth is that the "Mom and Pop" stores are overpriced and have very limited selection. For example, the closest grocery store to us is about 5 miles away. There is a Mom and Pop gas station and minimart about a mile away. The gas is 10 cents per gallon more expensive, the vegetables are few and ageing, and the prices are 10% higher. I am sure not going to complain when a big-brand grocery store moves in to serve the 10,000 people who live down here.

Cheers,
Brian

[longsolong]

Hi,

I'm looking to buy in PV and the prices seem too good to be true. I'm looking at homes in Zone Unit # 10. N Greg Drive and Yavapai road. Does anyone know? Is this a good area? Homes are going for around $185,000.00 Thank you in advance for any usefull advice!

[Gretchen B]

Originally Posted by longsolong

Hi,

I'm looking to buy in PV and the prices seem too good to be true. I'm looking at homes in Zone Unit # 10. N Greg Drive and Yavapai road. Does anyone know? Is this a good area? Homes are going for around $185,000.00 Thank you in advance for any usefull advice!

There's only a handful of decent homes in PV in the under $200k price range. They are out there, though, if you watch for them. Some are in nicer neighborhoods than others - you just have to do drive-by's to get a feel for the neighborhood. Every neighborhood seems to have one or two uncared-for homes that bring down the value of the house next to it. Also, make sure you have a home inspection to make sure that there's not a reason the home is priced so low. btw, lots of really nice PV homes priced under $240k.

[longsolong]

Thank you for your great response! Would you happen to know anything about the 3000 Block of N Greg Drive? There are two homes for sale on that block and I'm seriously considering making an offer. Both homes are 3 bed & 2bath. Does anybody know about the 3000 block of N.Greg Drive is this a good, bad or average block?

Thank you again for any usefull information!

[Gretchen B]

Originally Posted by longsolong

Thank you for your great response! Would you happen to know anything about the 3000 Block of N Greg Drive? There are two homes for sale on that block and I'm seriously considering making an offer. Both homes are 3 bed & 2bath. Does anybody know about the 3000 block of N.Greg Drive is this a good, bad or average block?

Thank you again for any usefull information!

I could do a drive-by of them, but it would just be my opinion. It sounds like you've already seen the houses. If you get the opportunity - drive by during the day, at night, and on the weekend. What do the houses on the block look like - are they fairly well-maintained. Does it look like there are alot of rentals on the street? (you can usually tell if there are a bunch of cars parked in the driveways at night and the yard isn't cared for) Those would be some of the things I'd look for if I were getting ready to purchase a home.

[Leana76]

It's quite boring, if you like doing stuff on the weekend. There's not much to do, but go to the bars on the weekends. Sorry about that. That's just my opinion of Prescott/Prescott Valley...

[joeyla91601]

Originally Posted by longsolong

Thank you for your great response! Would you happen to know anything about the 3000 Block of N Greg Drive? There are two homes for sale on that block and I'm seriously considering making an offer. Both homes are 3 bed & 2bath. Does anybody know about the 3000 block of N.Greg Drive is this a good, bad or average block?

Thank you again for any usefull information!

hello
i would go a little north 3400 or higher just my opinion

[blur07]

prescott valley is gorgeous!