Need current info on Verde Valley, Cottonwood, Cornville etc

[adventuregurl]

Originally Posted by wldgrdnr

I feel SO much better in AZ, but cannot tolerate extremely high heat in S AZ either, so I am finding it a very delicate balancing act to find the right place to look for an area we want to spend the rest of our lives in...

Just so you know, S AZ doesn't necessarily mean hotter, it's actually cooler in some places in S AZ than it is in the Verde Valley (due to altitude as I mentioned above). I was visiting a friend in Pattagonia on July 4th and we sat out on her patio in the afternoon, I would NEVER do that here - it's just TOO hot.

[AZDesertBrat]

Originally Posted by adventuregurl

Just so you know, S AZ doesn't necessarily mean hotter, it's actually cooler in some places in S AZ than it is in the Verde Valley (due to altitude as I mentioned above). I was visiting a friend in Pattagonia on July 4th and we sat out on her patio in the afternoon, I would NEVER do that here - it's just TOO hot.

Isn't Patagonia, and Sonoita, about the same elevation as we are? For some reason I thought they were.

[chazk14]

Prescott, Prescott Valley seem to have everything you need. Chino Valley, Camp Verde, and i suppose you could even check out Strawberry and Pine. Strawberry and Pine get a lot of snow though, but if you winter in Phoenix you should be fine.

[adventuregurl]

Originally Posted by AZDesertBrat

Isn't Patagonia, and Sonoita, about the same elevation as we are? For some reason I thought they were.

Maybe but it's more temperate there for some reason.

[adventuregurl]

Originally Posted by CinSonic

Prescott, Prescott Valley seem to have everything you need. Chino Valley, Camp Verde, and i suppose you could even check out Strawberry and Pine. Strawberry and Pine get a lot of snow though, but if you winter in Phoenix you should be fine.

Camp Verde is too hot for her, Friday's going to be 90 and we're not even in summer yet.

[AZDesertBrat]

Originally Posted by adventuregurl

Maybe but it's more temperate there for some reason.

I think you're right. I have friends down there for years and years and have spent quite a bit of time at their ranch. It always seems cooler there and, for some reason, greener. Although I think the Valley is pretty green too.

[wldgrdnr]

Thanks for all the help.

The plan is to no longer winter in San Tan Valley (S of Phoenix). We'd like to sell both our homes and find one place to stay 365 days a year...we are nearing retirement and want to downsize to one house that is big enough for all our "junk"

Since my hubby works from home and he will continue working (only I am retiring in 2 years) we need a bit bigger place than most folks, I'm thinking around 2500 sq ft, give or take a bit, so that is why I am looking for a place where RE prices are reasonable.

I need to be near a VA medical center as I am a disabled vet and also will be retired military in 2 years, which adds a little more confusion to the mix.

Hubby needs to be near an airport if we move to AZ full time as his job is in WA although he mostly telecommutes, he will need to come back here possibly 12 times a year or so.

I wish there was some type of professional you could hire LOL to just give them your requirements and them find the right area of the country for you, alas I have never heard of anything like that :-(.

[adventuregurl]

There are websites that do that, you fill out a questionaire and they tell you where you should be but I don't believe I'm allowed to mention it here. From what you're saying, your perfect place is probably not in AZ....it's hot here. Flag is cooler but not very nice (IMHO) and is pricey.

I work from home and live comfortably in 1400 sq. ft. , unless he's using the place for a warehouse, I'm sure you could fit into a smaller place. The AC bill for a place that size in AZ will be equivalent to a mortgage.

Originally Posted by wldgrdnr

Thanks for all the help.

The plan is to no longer winter in San Tan Valley (S of Phoenix). We'd like to sell both our homes and find one place to stay 365 days a year...we are nearing retirement and want to downsize to one house that is big enough for all our "junk"

Since my hubby works from home and he will continue working (only I am retiring in 2 years) we need a bit bigger place than most folks, I'm thinking around 2500 sq ft, give or take a bit, so that is why I am looking for a place where RE prices are reasonable.

I need to be near a VA medical center as I am a disabled vet and also will be retired military in 2 years, which adds a little more confusion to the mix.

Hubby needs to be near an airport if we move to AZ full time as his job is in WA although he mostly telecommutes, he will need to come back here possibly 12 times a year or so.

I wish there was some type of professional you could hire LOL to just give them your requirements and them find the right area of the country for you, alas I have never heard of anything like that :-(.

[malagagirl]

You may want to take a look at BOISE, ID. I grew up in the Verde Valley but have lived in Boise since 2010.
MANY advantages:
Decent airport
VA hospital
GREAT climate - (full disclosure, this winter we had more snow and cold than ever before in recorded history but it was a complete aberration. NORMALLY it is pretty mild here.) Could be warmer than the ideal... "Boise has a semi-arid continental climate (Köppen climate classification BSk), with four distinct seasons. Boise experiences hot and dry summers with highs reaching 100 °F (38 °C) eight days in a typical year and 90 °F (32 °C) on 51 days." However, with just a handful of days in the really high temps MOST of our summers are comfortable. VERY low humidity.

It is clean, friendly, safe, has affordable housing.

I'm now looking at moving back to the Verde Valley for a job but doing so with big misgivings knowing there is much about this town I will miss.