Want to move to Prescott Valley, AZ (rentals, HOA)

[Gretchen B]

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?

How does that saying go? "A happy customer will tell 5 people about his good experience, but an unhappy customer will tell 50 about his bad experience."

I think everything is relative to what you're used to, what you like, and where you're moving from. Obviously, Prescott/PV isn't for everyone, as a lot of these posts prove. However, at least some folks must like it here because the population continues to grow. And it's true that while most realtors are advocates of growth, not all of us are thrilled. And even the general populace is divided--some favor agressive growth while others would prefer zero growth.

Our city government - Personally, I'm glad we're a small enough community that we know the "dirt" about what's going on behind the scenes. I really doubt that larger cities are much better - I think the public is just less aware of what's going on.

Our taxes - About 1/2%. So on a $300,000 home, the taxes would probably be around $1,500. (At least at this point in time.)

Our weather - some think it's too cold; some think it's too hot; some say it's 2-season weather; others say it's 4 mild seasons. It depends on your perspective and where you've moved from.

Our traffic - it's all relative. Some say if you drive on our roads, you may as well buy your plot now. Others say, "If this is what you call horrible traffic, you should drive my commute in L.A. (or San Diego, or Denver, or wherever).

Our jobs - depends on your situation. Some say "Can't possibly make a living and afford a home here." Others, like myself, have moved from parts of the country where it was extremely difficult to support a family, even with 2 incomes in professional fields and despite housing costs of under $100k. We're actually surviving here.

Our town - It's too big! It's too small! It depends on what you like. Personally, I've lived in rural communities of 5,000, and cities of over 1 million. I really like living in a town of less than 150,000. Any more people than that, and I just want to escape to some solitude.

Our water - We live in an arid state, and we're in a 12 to 20-year drought, depending on which expert you listen to. It would be unrealistic to think that water isn't an issue. Also, Prescott is a mining community and some of the area wells have had problems with arsenic. The problem has been publicized and supposedly solutions are being found. It's a problem that's being monitored and it's only affecting a couple of municipal wells. But if that's a big concern of yours, check it out to your own satisfaction.

Should you base a decision of whether or not to move here solely on what you read in these posts? Absolutely not! I could tell you, "Come to Prescott. You'll love it here!" while others will say, "Stay away. Don't be a fool! This place stinks." Check things out for yourself. Do research. Come for extended visits at various times of the year. While the move to Prescott has been a good one for me and my family, it obviously has not been a good move for others. But don't let other people make up your mind for you.

[Leana76]

Originally Posted by Pettrix

I AGREE!! This place is LAME. Remember, Prescott & PV were founded by the RICH and RETIRED SoCals. They moved here and bought-up cheap land and got 100x more bang for the buck than they did is SoCal. Out here the former cattle ranch land owners sold millions $$$ of dollars of land to the people moving here. THEY control the politicians and everything out here.

NOW, the SoCal people that moved here in the 80s and 90s HATE the growth. They believe it is turning into another large metro-city. They OPPOSE the new people and REALLY hate the growth. Out here EVERYTHING that has to do with growth is countered by the SoCal people with lawyers. You want to expand the roads? Well, they will sue the developers to STOP the expansion.

EVERYTHING, gets sued if it has to do with growth. Yet, these same people will only pay $7.00 per hour for people to do their work. HYPOCRISY!

DO yourself a favor and MOVE to a larger town with a more friendly and progressive approach. Here, everything is backwards and anti-progress. I can't wait to get the he*^ out of here!!!!

Another thing I noticed here (since living here for 3 years now), if you don't dress like them, then they start talking about you. Okay, I used to live in Phoenix and Tempe the first 4 years I've lived in Arizona and I'm used to wearing high heels, short skirts, and halter tops all the time during the summer. Even though I live in Prescott Valley now, I get some weird looks since I've been here and rumors spread about me too (some of the locals have called me a prostitute!!!). And also being happily single right now and they talk about that too!!!

It's like if you're very attractive, wear sexy but decent clothes, and are happily single, and dating: they think you're trash and just "hooking". I really hate this place. Is anyone moving back to Phoenix?? Would you like a roommate?? I sure would love to go back, where people don't care what you wear.

[carecare7]

Speaking of how they dress, my husband and I both got used to people wearing clean, well kept clothes. In PV the people there seem to have gray, faded clothes that are often shredded or raggedy. They wear cheap looking clothes, look like they cannot afford to buy decent clothes and wear their hair in styles that went out thirty years ago. It is as if the people just cannot wash their clothes very well or keep them up. My guess is that they are too poor. I hate to say it, but it reminds me of trailer trash. And their education level seems to match.

[Leana76]

Originally Posted by carecare7

Speaking of how they dress, my husband and I both got used to people wearing clean, well kept clothes. In PV the people there seem to have gray, faded clothes that are often shredded or raggedy. They wear cheap looking clothes, look like they cannot afford to buy decent clothes and wear their hair in styles that went out thirty years ago. It is as if the people just cannot wash their clothes very well or keep them up. My guess is that they are too poor. I hate to say it, but it reminds me of trailer trash. And their education level seems to match.

I know what you mean!! That's exactly what I was seeing and thinking when I first moved here. There's a bartender, in a bar called Tony's Place, and her name is Tanya. She has a hairstyle that was very popular in the 80's (it's permed, with old highlights, and the bangs are teased up). What the heck is all that about, I wonder??!! A lot of the women here are like that and THEY talk about me?? OH MY GOSH!! At least I'm up to date with everything...

[Leana76]

Also some come into a restuarant or bar looking like s***!! They should go take a shower first, change into some clean clothes, fix their hair (and put makeup on if they're female), and brush their teeth. Some are so disgusting looking. God, I wished I was back in Phoenix again...

[cloud dweller]

Now There Care,care 7,
But For The Grace Of God,go Thee.perhaps Some People Are Cognizant Of The Fact That Fancy Clothes Do Not Amount To A Hill Of Beans.a Lesson Learned,while I Was A Stockbroker For Many Years,talk About Your Phonies?my Wealthiest Client Occasionally Dropped In To Visit Me Wearing A Dirty Kilt,dirty Scottish Hat And So On,he Also Was Drinking Heavily,loud And Security Was Always Attempting To Throw Him Out-until I Made It To The Lobby.
He Was One Of The 500 Wealthiest Men In The World.however,his Wife Had Recently Left Him For Another Man And He Just Did Not Care Anymore.it Happens Every Day.frankly,i Would Steer Clear Of Those Who Flaunt What Little Money That They Have.....money Attracts Evil Con Men And Gold Diggers.go Watch The Sunrise Tomorrow And Be Glad You Are Healthy And Alive.those Of Us Who Live In Pittsburgh Must Watch Sunrise On T.v. Lol Lol

[carecare7]

cloud dweller,

This isn't just about having money, it is about having enough education to be able to keep clean, well kept, act professional at work, and have good manners on ANY budget. The people in PV just are not that well educated. That goes for most of the Tri city area. It was so weird. They were often coarse, crude, rude, unaware of good manners and social norms, uneducated, opinionated, closed minded, hippy throwbacks, unwashed, and just plain stupid. Professional people often dressed shabbily or like tramps, and seemed not to know that coarse language shouldn't be used at work. Trailer trash is the only term I can think of that fits.

[MotleyCrew]

Where we moved from (small N.CA mountain town) the folks all wore flannel shirts and those stupid boots with fur. When we were downtown in Chico it was a different attire. You could always tell the mountain folks from the Chico folks and some of the ones with the flannel had PHD's. You just never know who you are sitting next to. LOL

[Sonone]

If you were smart....you would think about somewhere else to move. Why would you want to move to one of the most corrupt cities in Arizona, not to mention the county as well.

[farplug]

I'm not sure if I'm at the right place to ask, but how are the CC&R's at Pronghorn, Granville, or Viewpoint? It looks like some of the homes have pretty good-sized lots, but do they allow RV's to be parked in the backyards? I know some HOA's frown on it. Any thoughts would be appreciated.