Want to move to Prescott Valley, AZ (Phoenix, Tempe: broker, home)

[unsureinNV]

Originally Posted by Gretchen B

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.

Five years ago, I moved from Northern California to Northern Nevada, where home prices were affordable at around $185k. At the time, I did not buy because I didn't know if I could survive the snowy winter weather here in the high desert. Unfortunately, I waited too long to make up my mind and now the price for a 3 bed 2 bath home starts at $350k and above, and to me, that is not affordable for a senior in retirement, who is a first-time home buyer. I live in a 2 bdrm townhouse rental located in a beautiful, agricultural area with a population of about 3200 people. Unfortunately, rich ex-Californians have invaded this area of Nevada and jacked up home prices by plopping down cash to buy their replacement homes here. Now, only monster-sized homes starting at $500k are being constructed to fill the needs of these affluent buyers.
After reading an article online about Prescott, AZ being one of the top ten places favored by retirees, I became interested in possibly moving again. But, the adverse comments I read from several disgruntled new immigrant to the tri-valley area regarding graft by the local government and the horrible traffic problems have me seriously reconsidering my strategy to move to Prescott or Prescott Valley. I've only been to Arizona once and that was over 15 years ago as a tourist, and I didn't have a car then. Is the situation as bad as they nay-sayers indicate? There are some things that I will not compromise on in the community where I live and that is clean air, clean water (low lead and arsenic---parts of Nevada has arsenic/mercury problems on account of past mining practices), low taxes and mild winters. Is it true that the snow melts quickly, when the sun comes out? They told me the same thing here, but it usually takes a week or two before it all melts, even though snowfall averages only 2 or 3 inches. I'm planning on visiting the area during the monsoons in July just to see for myself how bad it is. Does it get really humid when you get the heavy rain?

[LBear]

Originally Posted by unsureinNV

After reading an article online about Prescott, AZ being one of the top ten places favored by retirees, I became interested in possibly moving again. But, the adverse comments I read from several disgruntled new immigrant to the tri-valley area regarding graft by the local government and the horrible traffic problems have me seriously reconsidering my strategy to move to Prescott or Prescott Valley. I've only been to Arizona once and that was over 15 years ago as a tourist, and I didn't have a car then. Is the situation as bad as they nay-sayers indicate? There are some things that I will not compromise on in the community where I live and that is clean air, clean water (low lead and arsenic---parts of Nevada has arsenic/mercury problems on account of past mining practices), low taxes and mild winters. Is it true that the snow melts quickly, when the sun comes out? They told me the same thing here, but it usually takes a week or two before it all melts, even though snowfall averages only 2 or 3 inches. I'm planning on visiting the area during the monsoons in July just to see for myself how bad it is. Does it get really humid when you get the heavy rain?

Yes, whenever it rains, humidity will be VERY high. They go hand-in-hand. As humidity is basically moisture in the air. Snow does melt BUT it can snow 3"-6" and AT NIGHT, you will get freezing roads and some bad driving conditions. The steep grades out here can make it difficult. But it does melt during the day time.

I would come out for AT LEAST 1 week to see how things are. Drive during rush hour and see the traffic. In Prescott nice housing will be around $500K+ and in PV the housing willbe around $285K+. You will not get an acre or a big home for that amount but a nice 1,800 sq.ft home on a 1/16th of an acre lot.

Realtors make this place out to be heaven on earth but they are LIARS and will tell you anything to sell a home. MANY people got suckered it by their talk. If you are retired then you might be OK in PV. If you need to work, jobs are A JOKE out here. The millionaires that control the town don't pay their employees well, as the keep all the $$$ for themselves.

[deangek]

Originally Posted by Pettrix

Realtors make this place out to be heaven on earth but they are LIARS and will tell you anything to sell a home. MANY people got suckered it by their talk. If you are retired then you might be OK in PV. If you need to work, jobs are A JOKE out here. The millionaires that control the town don't pay their employees well, as the keep all the $$$ for themselves.

So TRUE! Either people are filthy rich or filthy poor. It is RARE to see anybody in between in the tri-city. I had to move out because job pay was horrible. If you are wealthy, feel free to move there. If you are not wealthy, if you move there, you won't every be better off.
As for the weather, it changes very fast. Could snow one day and be in the 70's the next day. Rain or snow, don't even think about driving in those conditions. It's not the weather, it's the other drivers. I have seen people drive off the road when it was drizzling. It's sad.

[BriansPerspective]

There is a lot of Prescott Valley bashing on this post. In my humble opinion, Prescott Valley is a wonderful place to live. Is it perfect? No. But, what city is perfect? If you are considering Prescott Valley, then get the facts, come for a visit, and make an informed decision.

As far as housing prices are concerned, Pettrix was pretty accurate for Prescott Valley. 1700-1900 sqft homes in the nicest subdivisions (e.g., Granville, Viewpoint, Pronghorn) have sold in the last 6 months for $245K-$322K (avg. $273K, $152/sqft). Pettrix was a little low on the acreage (he stated 0.06 acres). Actually, the acreage is 0.17 to 0.30 acres (avg. 0.22 acres).

Regarding the "filthy rich or filthy poor" statement, take a look at the following graph taken directly from City-Data. As you can see, the majority of households (6226) earn $10K-$50K per year. Compare that to the few number of households (393) who earn more than $100K per year. I'd say that the rich or poor statement doesn't hold water. Perhaps all of these people are independently wealthy, living off of their vast stock holdings. That could be, however, you still have to declare your income each year whether it's from an employer or from the stock market. So, these wealthy stock holders certainly are not getting much income from their stocks.


As far as the weather is concerned, I think the weather is gorgeous. The winters are mild. When it snows, the snow is light and usually melts the same day. The roads are rarely covered with snow for very long. Granted, there are higher altitude areas of Prescott in the pines where the snow is deeper and lingers. However, Prescott Valley is fairly flat and the sun quickly clears the snow. The monsoons are fantastic, running in July and August. The day will heat up to 90 degrees, the clouds will build up, and then in the afternoon, the clouds will burst and there will be a fantastic downpour with lightning and thunder. The temperature will cool off to 75 degrees and then the skys will usually clear up a few hours later and you can enjoy a gorgeous evening. As others have said, it is best not to drive while the storm is rolling through. The rain can be so intense that you cannot see 20 feet in front of your car.

[carecare7]

(low lead and arsenic---parts of Nevada has arsenic/mercury problems on account of past mining practices),


If you are looking for low arsenic, don't move to the Prescott, Prescott Valley area. Arsenic IS a problem in the water there.

[carecare7]

"You will get fined for anything you do" <snip> "Oh! and the police are closed on weekends!... try going to the PV Police dept on a sat or sunday... there's noone there!"

There ARE "weed police" that patrol on weekends. Yup, these are the old folks with nothing better to do that report you if your grass or weeds grow 12 inches or more in YOUR yard. These same busy bodies don't even acknowledge a friendly wave if you go by them. The fields can have weeds up to your rear end, but if your yard gets grass that high, the "weed police" come and FINE you. You see, Prescott Valley has a weed ordinance. I kid you not! That's just one thing, there are tons of other things that are absolutely crazy about the area.

[deangek]

Originally Posted by carecare7

"You will get fined for anything you do" <snip> "Oh! and the police are closed on weekends!... try going to the PV Police dept on a sat or sunday... there's noone there!"

There ARE "weed police" that patrol on weekends. Yup, these are the old folks with nothing better to do that report you if your grass or weeds grow 12 inches or more in YOUR yard. These same busy bodies don't even acknowledge a friendly wave if you go by them. The fields can have weeds up to your rear end, but if your yard gets grass that high, the "weed police" come and FINE you. You see, Prescott Valley has a weed ordinance. I kid you not! That's just one thing, there are tons of other things that are absolutely crazy about the area.

Yep, I got fined $500 for 3 tumble weeds on my property.

As for the household income. That's HOUSEHOLD income. I'm guessing that there are probably an average 2 people per household ( i.e. married couples ). That means on average the majority high-end makes $25k/yr EACH! Um, sorry, but in my book that's not very good.

[Ponderosa]

Is the purpose of the weed patrol/fines to protect rangelands from invasive plants?

[deangek]

Originally Posted by Ponderosa

Is the purpose of the weed patrol/fines to protect rangelands from invasive plants?

My opinion is that it gives the town a reason to generate more revenue.

[LBear]

Well, the "bashing" against PV and Prescott is not without merit. I have lived here for a couple of years. It is BY FAR, the most backwards town/city I have ever lived in. It is overpriced, underpaid, poorly designed, run by a select few rich families, horrible water situation/problems, etc. Maybe in 20+ years, it might be an OK place.

As far as housing prices, they are OVERPRICED, even at 1900 sq. ft homes, 0.30 acres, for $320K in PRESCOTT VALLEY (remember this same home in Prescott would be $600k+), it is OVERPRICED. The area I am looking now, I can get a 2,400 sq.ft. home, a 3 car attached garage, a 2 1/2 car detached garage, on 1+ acre, with a 1,000 sq.ft walk-out basement, BRAND NEW build with VERY NICE upgrades, for $310K. I am only 30 minutes from a REAL CITY with a REAL AIRPORT. Now for the KICKER, the city jobs pay TRIPLE what I make here. More money for me, housing is less, cost of living is less, THAT IS A GREAT EQUATION. Unlike Prescott & PV where everything is opposite and it makes life very hard or next to impossible!!

And yes, I AM MOVING THE H*&^ OUT OF HERE VERY SOON. Goodbye and farewell to Prescott & PV!