Life in Sedona (Phoenix, Flagstaff, Prescott: live in, restaurants, shop)

[Jaggy001]

Originally Posted by Ria Rhodes

I have a background in food service and food and beverage (and attended the CIA in Hyde Park, NY - not that that is the end all to be all), so I'm more critical of what product I see land on the table. For people who just want to eat and don't care much about food trends and high quality ingredients I understand Sedona dining choices are good enough. After years of dining in Europe, NYC, Miami, LA, San Francisco I got spoiled. Sedona's Heartline Cafe is OK, but I've experienced inconsistencies in their food on more than a few occasions as have several of my "foodie" friends. As quality choices are limited in Sedona, Heartline Cafe and Elote in VOC usually gets our business for out-of-town guests. Takashi on Jordan is OK for sushi (if your dining friends must have sushi/sushimi). Cowboy Club is OK for out-of-town visitors too, but consistency is an issue and I don't see their prices meriting what arrives on your plate(s). From my experiences in Sedona the supposed upscale cuisine is uninspired and inconsistent at best. Really, not meant to knock them, but most people I meet from the Midwest (outside big cities) think the Sedona food scene is just dandy. Different strokes for different folks.

THe VOC IGA often had sad produce and tended to be overpriced on many items vs their peers. That was over four years ago since I last shopped there, so maybe they've improved things. Bashas in Sedona has the best produce department overall. New Frontiers is good for people with money to burn.

My "foodie" experience is living in Geneva, Switzerland, living in Westchester County New York, living in the UK (great for curry), spending a lot of time in NYC and extensive travel in both the USA and overseas. I think that, generally, I have a good feel for a restaurant.

Heartline is decent as is Elote. I like Cucina Rustica in VOC (Italian) and Rene in Tlaqupaque. I think Cowboy Club is poor.

IMHO, the best steaks are to be found at Storytellers in the Cliff Castle Casino. I have not tried the Indian restaurant or the Greek one yet and I don't do Sushi.

Champagne Brunch at the Auberge is a must do.

[Jaggy001]

Originally Posted by ExNooYawk

Yikes, scorpions. Will an exterminator be able to keep them at bay? I know in NYC everyone has exterminators once a month but after two or three weeks, you see critters here and there. Scorpions are bigger and scarier than roaches. NY roaches are wimps.

Really, it isn't a problem. We built our place ground up so had to clear all the critters out when we moved in. We only saw two scorpions and that was in the first week. We have not had any in the house since.

[poolgirl51]

Originally Posted by Ria Rhodes

I have a background in food service and food and beverage (and attended the CIA in Hyde Park, NY - not that that is the end all to be all), so I'm more critical of what product I see land on the table. For people who just want to eat and don't care much about food trends and high quality ingredients I understand Sedona dining choices are good enough. After years of dining in Europe, NYC, Miami, LA, San Francisco I got spoiled. Sedona's Heartline Cafe is OK, but I've experienced inconsistencies in their food on more than a few occasions as have several of my "foodie" friends. As quality choices are limited in Sedona, Heartline Cafe and Elote in VOC usually gets our business for out-of-town guests. Takashi on Jordan is OK for sushi (if your dining friends must have sushi/sushimi). Cowboy Club is OK for out-of-town visitors too, but consistency is an issue and I don't see their prices meriting what arrives on your plate(s). From my experiences in Sedona the supposed upscale cuisine is uninspired and inconsistent at best. Really, not meant to knock them, but most people I meet from the Midwest (outside big cities) think the Sedona food scene is just dandy. Different strokes for different folks.

THe VOC IGA often had sad produce and tended to be overpriced on many items vs their peers. That was over four years ago since I last shopped there, so maybe they've improved things. Bashas in Sedona has the best produce department overall. New Frontiers is good for people with money to burn.

I agree that Sedona is not a Foodie's paradise but there are some good choices for a town this size. We like Elote, Fork in the Road (VOC), Garlands, Dahl and Deluca and Yavapai at Enchantment. Up in Flagstaff we like Josephines and Brix.

[Ria Rhodes]

Originally Posted by Jaggy001

My "foodie" experience is living in Geneva, Switzerland, living in Westchester County New York, living in the UK (great for curry), spending a lot of time in NYC and extensive travel in both the USA and overseas. I think that, generally, I have a good feel for a restaurant.

Heartline is decent as is Elote. I like Cucina Rustica in VOC (Italian) and Rene in Tlaqupaque. I think Cowboy Club is poor.

IMHO, the best steaks are to be found at Storytellers in the Cliff Castle Casino. I have not tried the Indian restaurant or the Greek one yet and I don't do Sushi.

Champagne Brunch at the Auberge is a must do.

To be completely honest, I agree with you about the Cowboy Club, but lots of people love it and will be really offended. I know Westchester area. Late wife was from Mount Kisco. Don't get me started about all the good food places back east, natives of the southwest will just say, "I'm tired of people who move here and say everything was better where they came from, if it's so wonderful move back!" Well, the winter is easier to take I tell 'em.

p.s. I went in Cliffs Castle once the whole time I've lived out here, and that was because I had to go with clients. Second-hand smoke and I do not coexist. I've been to Cucina Rustica and Rene's several times - must have been different food we had, it was no big whoop to me, I could take it or leave it, but not if I'm paying. Switzerland has the world's best hotel and restaurant apprenticeships for a young person learning the business anywhere. The best chefs I knew personally all had worked/trained at some point in Switzerland - with one exception being Katsu "Suki" Sugura who is still the head chef at the Beverly Hills Hotel. I worked with him in Miami at the Grand Bay which is now the Four Seasons (I think). Miami in the 1980's was mind-blowing. I won't elaborate. Chow.

[Jaggy001]

Originally Posted by Ria Rhodes

To be completely honest, I agree with you about the Cowboy Club, but lots of people love it and will be really offended. I know Westchester area. Late wife was from Mount Kisco. Don't get me started about all the good food places back east, natives of the southwest will just say, "I'm tired of people who move here and say everything was better where they came from, if it's so wonderful move back!" Well, the winter is easier to take I tell 'em.

p.s. I went in Cliffs Castle once the whole time I've lived out here, and that was because I had to go with clients. Second-hand smoke and I do not coexist. I've been to Cucina Rustica and Rene's several times - must have been different food we had, it was no big whoop to me, I could take it or leave it, but not if I'm paying.

I have no problem with the restaurants I mentioned and I don't regret the restaurants in the Westchester/NYC area although I do miss the pizza and the fried shrimp at the local hole-in-the-wall Italian. But then, we like to cook at home anyway.

No second hand smoke at Storytellers any more. It is non-smoking. Probably the only place around where they cook a rack of lamb properly.

[der_Geist]

I bought a foreclosure in Sedona last year and I would like to throw in my 2 cents.

Jobs: Bring one with you, have a degree in metaphysics and tarot or be ready to work for $9.00 hr or less. Just the way it is, more people want jobs than are available.

Food: A very well traveled mid-westerner here. I think Sedona area has plenty of decent food. I don't really go out for gourmet food so I can't speak directly to that. Between Sedona and Flag I think there are tons of great choice for all budgets.

Activities: Mountain Biker and Hikers paradise. Photographers paradise. I should correct that to outdoor lovers paradise. Although coming from a decent sized city I find it very frustrating that everything closes so early and that other than Dominoes it is almost impossible to order a pizza on a Monday. Personally I have to go to Pheonix once every 2 weeks when I am there or I will go stir crazy. Same goes for shopping. Flag, Sedona and Cottonwood will only get you by for a couple of weeks. For anything specialized or high end you will be driving 2 hours south or shopping on the web.

[10YearPlan]

My wife and I fell in love with Sedona and are buying a small place we intend to live in full time in about 10 years.
We currently live in the tourist town of Estes Park Colorado so we are familiar with avoiding the tourists during high season.
The Sedona food scene is much better than what we're used to here.
A tourist town typically has good city services like parks, libraries and schools because of the tax revenue from 2nd homes.
I think this is a great time to buy in Sedona. We looked at about 20 homes and only 1 was occupied. The rest were either vacant or in foreclosure. They say that selling prices have corrected to the levels of 2004. That is exactly what we achieved.
If you need to get started, we are very satisfied with Celi Lippman, (928)451-9197 as our realtor.

[Nature789]

My son and I moved to Sedona a few years ago. This is were he goes to highschool. Not much crime here; although the police cars state "Extremely dedicated" and they mean it. I was pulled over for going 2 miles over the speed limit . Anyway, we moved here for a peaceful life and we definately have that. We rent a home. It works for us.

Many have mentioned the construction on the roads. Yes it is a pain and we live right next to it. When it is finished it will be amazing. The round-abouts are supposed to help lower pollution as compared to stopping at red lights. I've received mail from the city showing the finished roads and they will be amazing.

The cost of living is higher and we do most of our shopping in Cottonwood or Flagstaff. The dog park here is wonderful and full of lovely people who like to meet in the mornings before it gets too hot.

Everywhere we go we see for sale signs on homes. Last I was told by a reliable source, over 200 homes are in foreclosure here.

My son looks forward to graduating and leaving Sedona as there is not much for teenagers to do here. Although I must say he has had an easy time getting jobs here. If he didn't work he would be extremely bored!

I love this place and don't get wrapped up in the tourism or new age stuff. Now I'm off to take our puppy on a hike by "Bell Rock" Best wishes to you!

[ExNooYawk]

I've enjoyed reading these comments. It's amazing how things can change in a few months.
My daughter, spouse and one-year old are living with us now here in OR. There is no work for him in SoCal (he is a general contractor) so they're here hoping to find jobs and a new life. That would preclude our making any serious moves in the near future.
When Winter rolls around again, I'll be thinking we need to drag our Airstream to Sedona for a nice, long visit. I'll be envious of all who made the move there successfully. As long as my kids are here, though, we'll be sticking around.
Thanks for all the posts and for not laughing at me about the scorpions.

[poolgirl51]

Originally Posted by ExNooYawk

I've enjoyed reading these comments. It's amazing how things can change in a few months.
My daughter, spouse and one-year old are living with us now here in OR. There is no work for him in SoCal (he is a general contractor) so they're here hoping to find jobs and a new life. That would preclude our making any serious moves in the near future.
When Winter rolls around again, I'll be thinking we need to drag our Airstream to Sedona for a nice, long visit. I'll be envious of all who made the move there successfully. As long as my kids are here, though, we'll be sticking around.
Thanks for all the posts and for not laughing at me about the scorpions.

We just had friends visit in their RV and they stayed at Rancho Sedona. It was lovely. Here is a link to their website:

Sedona Arizona RV Parks and Sedona Resorts and Sedona Accommodations - Rancho Sedona RV Park.