Moving to Flagstaff? (Phoenix, Tucson, Tempe: how much, houses, new construction)

[Nicolelee927]

My boyfriend and I are in our late 20s. I am a massage therapist and he is a cook. We both live in Tucson right now (relocated there from NY) and have been here for 3 years. In the summer he works up in Alaska and makes good money. I have desperately wanted to move to Flagstaff for years now, I've visited every chance I've gotten (and in every season). Music at the Orpheum, Macy's Cafe, Pickin in the Pines, the urban trail system...I love it all. Tucson is way to big for us and lacks the community feel we want. Also we miss the change of seasons and GREEN.

We are in a niche with our professions as from what I gathered the Flagstaff area (Sedona included) is mostly good for service/tourism jobs. I would be able to keep my job in Tucson and if needed travel down to make some extra money in the winter months. He makes enough up in Alaska to hold him over during the winter so would only work part-time.

Here are my questions:
If I were to work in Sedona would the commute be unreasonable, especially during the winter months? I would totally want to avoid 89 with that one part by Oak Creek Canyon. I know they plow I-17 pretty well (I've been up there in the winter) but what do you guys who live up there think?

As far as food service jobs, do they get taken up by college students right away? I assume the simple stuff, like at the coffee houses (ect) do, but what about the nice restaurants that call for more experience?

How much are your heating bills in the winter? As you can imagine down in Tucson its not much for us, but we sure do make up for that in the summer with the AC.

What is it like to live in Munds Park, Kachina Village or Mountainaire? I find there are nice homes here (cabins, A-frames) that go for A LOT less then Flagstaff. Again is the commute into Flagstaff unreasonable in the winter?

I can't think of anything else at the moment but any feedback from you guys is appreciated. Thank you!

[keninaz]

We looked at moving to Flagstaff as one possibility 3 years ago.
We moved to Prescott instead. Less snow for the most part for us and closer to the Phoenix metro area where we still have kids and grand kids living.
Yes many food service jobs are snapped up by the college kids from NAU as a way to pick up money part time. Lots of them there and most want to pick up some money on the side.
Also note that I have seen 17 close many times due to WX, mainly snow, just about the Cottonwood exit or before so the commute down could be blocked at times. Likewise I have seen Hwy 40 closed for wind and snow several times during the year. But these closures are for a day or 2 at a time at most and not all that often.
Your normal route would be 89A and is they close 17 I am sure that 89A is closed as well as I am sure it's not considered a primary road to keep clear in a bad storm.
In addition, we have spent time in Flagstaff in the winter when just getting around town can be tough let alone trying to get out of town.
I know a guy that grew up in Flagstaff and he hated the WX. He said that about every 7-10 years the town really gets hit hard with heavy snowfall that jams up the town pretty good. He lives in Tuscon by the way now.

Your heating bill will be dictated by the type of construction (how new and good is it?) and the type of heat you have. Natural gas is cheaper than electricity to heat if you have that option and many will use wood in a fireplace if they have one or pellets in stove if they have that.
Needless to say Flagstaff winters are much colder than Tucson and a bit colder than what we have in Prescott. Here are the WX averages for them~ Average Weather for Flagstaff, AZ - Temperature and Precipitation

[AzRoadKing]

Hi Nicolelee927

My responses to your questions follow:

If I were to work in Sedona would the commute be unreasonable, especially during the winter months? I would totally want to avoid 89 with that one part by Oak Creek Canyon. I know they plow I-17 pretty well (I've been up there in the winter) but what do you guys who live up there think?

Over the last several winters when it snows I-17 (and I-40) it becomes hard packed and icy which can be very dangerous as you might imagine thus it is often closed. Either route into Flagstaff from Sedona during the winter with snow can be a very iffy proposition.

As far as food service jobs, do they get taken up by college students right away? I assume the simple stuff, like at the coffee houses (ect) do, but what about the nice restaurants that call for more experience?

You are correct...food service and other service based jobs often go to college students. Flagstaff is a town of service industry jobs thus these types of jobs generally pay poorly so be prepared for the high cost of living in Flagstaff with low pay. Flagstaff's motto: poverty with a view. There are several nicer restaurants in Flagstaff, however not many.

How much are your heating bills in the winter? As you can imagine down in Tucson its not much for us, but we sure do make up for that in the summer with the AC.

As keninaz has stated, it depends on the type of construction. Expect for your heater to run from, at least, October to May. Over the last 3 years, May has still been quite cool. I have friends who have heating bills during the coldest part of winter that are between $250 - $300 per month for a 1600 sf house where they keep the temp at about 68 degrees. My heating bill in my 7 year old new construction house has never been over $100, however my thermostat is set at 65 during the day and at 62 at night. Quite chilly.

What is it like to live in Munds Park, Kachina Village or Mountainaire? I find there are nice homes here (cabins, A-frames) that go for A LOT less then Flagstaff. Again is the commute into Flagstaff unreasonable in the winter?

Never lived in those towns however have friends that do and when it snows they generally don't come to town. I-17 is closed or just to dangerous to drive as it gets icy. Just trying to get around Flagstaff during the winter when we get heavy snowfall is tricky too where it seems like the City is rarely prepared to handle even minimal amounts of snowfall. The heavy snow falls like we had last year of 50" can make getting around difficult for days. Last year and this year during our 2 heavy snowfalls it took the City 3 days to plow our street and I live in town.

Finally, please be prepared for the cost of living increase that you will experience if you move here. The professions that you both have may not support you here. We have numerous massage therapists and service workers here which means competition for the better paying jobs could be stiff. I have lived here for the last 20 years, have a well paying job, and have no intentions of staying upon retirement. To me, the cost of living here and other issues are just not worth it to remain especially since there are equally or nicer communities without the tremendous costs.

Good luck and hope this helps you in your decision.

[Nicolelee927]

Thank you guys for the info (or reality check). Seems like we may keep Flagstaff for our "vacation" spot....Although we would love to live there the negatives may ruin the experience for us. Do you have any other suggestions on similar places like Flag to move to (besides Prescott)? Moderator cut: off topic

[TheSecondHalf]

What are the high costs of living that you are referring to? Housing prices seem reasonable. Property taxes are certainly low. So is it food, gasoline...??
Thanks.

[Nicolelee927]

They are trying to tell me that prices will be higher in Flag then in Tucson. I understand that, lol...but coming from NY originally makes everything seem reasonable.