Families in VOC with elementary school age kids & question about commuting (Phoenix: rentals)

[AlohainAZ]

Hello! My husband is considering taking a 2-3 year assignment in Sedona for his work. We live in Phoenix, and would be moving early this summer (or possibly sooner) if he takes the assignment. His work will help us to secure a rental home (I’ve noticed there aren’t many long term rentals in the area or even in other towns in the VV near Sedona). One area we’re looking at for rentals is VOC, but I just found out that Big Park Community School has closed. We have an 8 year old son, and I’m wondering where the elementary school kids are going to school now. Are a lot of families home schooling now, or are the kids having to go all the way into West Sedona for schooling? If the latter, how long is the drive or bus ride to school in Sedona on a typical day during school drop off and pickup times? From reading some of the posts, the traffic can get pretty backed up from VOC to Sedona. We’ve driven through the area before during various times of day and traffic was manageable, but it’s hard to tell if we were just getting lucky. My husband would be working in West Sedona, but there seem to be fewer rentals available right in Sedona. We really love the beauty of VOC, so I’m wondering about the commute would be like for him, as well. Any info would be appreciated. Thanks much!

[rational1]

Traffic from VOC to Sedona usually gets backed up after 9:30-10 AM. Earlier in the morning is rarely a problem.

I attribute this to people from Phoenix who want to hike but don't get up early to drive to Sedona.

[SedonaShadow]

There are only negative answers to your questions. You seem to be aware of the problems so I won't go into details.


I have lived in VOC for almost 20 years and it makes me very sad when I think of the "good old days".


I am retired, a happy daily hiker and need not be concerned with the endless problems you will face.


I see the school bus picking up the children at 7AM, heading through all the roundabouts on its way to West Sedona and a school rated at the bottom of an educational system.


Please re-evaluate your decision.

[chaparrito]

Village of Oak Creek Elementary students have the option of attending either West Sedona school, which requires that long, busy commute through all the roundabouts to West Sedona, or they may attend Oak Creek Elementary School in Cornville, which is actually a shorter commute. OCS is part of the Cottonwood district. It is a nationally STEM certified school with an agricultural focus. An extensive land lab with animals, gardens and a greenhouse. It's also much smaller than the Sedona school. Current student population is well under 300.

[adventuregurl]

I had a doctor in Sedona tell me that kids call VOC "the village of old creeps" as there are hardly any kids there. Sedona is "Slowdona."

Take that for what it's worth.

[trouillot]

Last five years grew to resent more and more what became of Sedona/VOC. In fairness though, far from only places becoming less desirable. Even got burned-out sitting in Elote (VOC) with one too many Phoenix weekender coo-cooing over their drink blabbing about Scottsdale and vortexes. If ever get back to AZ will seek out areas farther out. Maybe Four Corners region. Search for those wide open spaces with lots of Spring wildflowers, less commercial/tourist crap. Sometimes that means venturing into native lands. When going to Monument Valley in past, the Native Americans would always take you out. At least no Panera or Taco Bell to screw-up the landscape. I see writing on the wall for central AZ. Population rising. More fast food crap. More traffic. More tract developments. Covid-19 is going to slow things for awhile, but soon enough the wealthy will push their projects right down the communities throat. Suppose more rip-off lot fee places like Sedona Shadows and those double wide senior communities in Cottonwood where many are just getting by. Some may actually think that's living well. Yuck.
Left central/north AZ to help care for elderly parents. The place I live now is a serious s-hole, but knew that before arriving (burbs north of Atlanta). It was sorta OK in the 1980's, but it's a hell hole now.

Anyone with firsthand experience know if Covid-19 hurt Sedona Air b&b rentals? Some I knew in Sedona bitched about that business model to no end.

[trouillot]

n/a

[Mtntodesert]

SedonaShadow, where was this sage advice when we needed it?? Thank you for your honesty; my short time in Sedona (VOC) was a hell i would rather forget, from traffic to bugs to creatures to avg restaurant$ to heat to rude weird neighbors / people, so glad we left. Ok, we had some nice neighbors but the lady with six dogs behind us... And hiking was good - for about 45 days of the year. That place takes a special kind of person, and it spit us out, so they say, and thankfully. People, dont discount advice you read here, take it all into consideration and do your research. It is a small place really tho it is growing.

[AlohainAZ]

Thanks so much for the comments! They really helped with our decision. We decided to pass on the Sedona job.