Escaping from Calif - where in PHX? (Mesa, Scottsdale: horses, drive)

[DetroitN8V]

Originally Posted by wase4711

interesting story about the west/northwest valley..

https://www.azcentral.com/story/news...ley/319088001/

It's an interesting article, although old, but it doesn't substantiate your claim that you can get from the NW valley to Sedona in an hour. Surely there are real reasons why you chose to live there. Why not share those instead of lying to make it seem better than it is? I'll never understand why people fabricate things to make an area look better. It makes one question if there's real value to being out there and hinders your position.

[Ponderosa]

Originally Posted by KurtAZ

But on the Salt you have access to 4 different lakes...Roosevelt (largest in the state), Canyon, Apache and Saguaro. Last time we were on Saguaro there was no one there until about 11AM. Plenty of time to go back in the canyon and do some fishing. Same with Canyon...get off the main lake back into the canyon and it isn't so bad. I haven't been to Apache lately so I can't comment...it is so small and more difficult to get to many people overlook it. Roosevelt...while it is more of a hike is HUGE. Last time we were there (about a month ago) we were almost the only boat on the water. Roosevelt was down about 60' though and a few of the ramps were closed due to sending more water downstream.

Apache is much bigger than Saguaro and Canyon - about the size of both of them together. It is my favorite lake in AZ. It is hard to get to though. I haven't been there in a long time. Years ago I stored my boat there and went quite a bit. I wonder if they still have the Ortega burger at the restaurant? Mmm. Roosevelt is cool but it takes forever to get there cuz you have to out of the way through Globe or almost to Payson (or past Apache).

[PhureeKeeper]

I say thumbs down to Boulder City, NV. The traffic from highway 93 and now I-11 is horrible.

I recommend Henderson. I have very conservative friends there and they love it. Green Valley Ranch in particular.

[JGMotorsport64]

Originally Posted by KurtAZ

Horseshoe and Bartlett are in N Scottsdale...no where NEAR East Mesa.

Guess I didn’t realize North Scottsdale extended that far maybe we should tell them.

It’s a 1hr or so drive, not the end of the world.

[sh9730]

As others have said - there are about a million places you COULD go. The biggest decision is how much do you WANT to spend on housing. The further from the metro's (PHX and TUC) you go - the more you ll get. OR in the alternative - get the same amount of house for less money and bank the rest.

Pinal County offers many options - especially Casa Grande - is pretty conservative politically and offers the advantage of being BETWEEN the two big areas (less than an hour each way). But still has all of the conveniences and is growing. Movie Theater complex, mall, bowling all here - BLM land about 15 minutes away along I 8 - and for your budget could even get something just outside of town with a little acreage.

[Ponderosa]

Originally Posted by PhureeKeeper

I say thumbs down to Boulder City, NV. The traffic from highway 93 and now I-11 is horrible.

I recommend Henderson. I have very conservative friends there and they love it. Green Valley Ranch in particular.

Doesn't I-11 bypass Boulder City now. I saw people from there whining that they were going to turn into one of those Route 66 towns left behind when I-40 went through.

[KurtAZ]

Originally Posted by JGMotorsport64

Guess I didn’t realize North Scottsdale extended that far maybe we should tell them.

It’s a 1hr or so drive, not the end of the world.

Yes...it does. Desert Mountain is in Scottsdale. To get to Bartlett and Horseshoe you have to drive North on Pima through Scottsdale until it dead ends on Cave Creek Rd in Carefree, AZ. Then turn East, cross back into Scottsdale on Cave Creek Road until to get to the Bartlett Lake turnoff, which takes you into the Tonto National Forest. There is no way to get there from East Mesa without going up through North Scottsdale.

[JGMotorsport64]

Originally Posted by KurtAZ

Yes...it does. Desert Mountain is in Scottsdale. To get to Bartlett and Horseshoe you have to drive North on Pima through Scottsdale until it dead ends on Cave Creek Rd in Carefree, AZ. Then turn East, cross back into Scottsdale on Cave Creek Road until to get to the Bartlett Lake turnoff, which takes you into the Tonto National Forest. There is no way to get there from East Mesa without going up through North Scottsdale.

COS Maps



I’m not sure having to go through Scottsdale to get to the lakes matters? I’m confused why you care so much or what point you’re trying to make. All I said is that East Mesa is near lakes. I could say East Mesa is by lakes which include a reasonable proximity to lakes near other cities. Is that better? Does it even matter? Is any of this even relevant to my point that Mesa is by stuff and should be considered?.

[KurtAZ]

Originally Posted by JGMotorsport64

COS Maps



I’m not sure having to go through Scottsdale to get to the lakes matters? I’m confused why you care so much or what point you’re trying to make. All I said is that East Mesa is near lakes. I could say East Mesa is by lakes which include a reasonable proximity to lakes near other cities. Is that better? Does it even matter? Is any of this even relevant to my point that Mesa is by stuff and should be considered?.

Point being they are not near East Mesa or adjacent to East Mesa. The Salt River lakes are, i.e. Roosevelt, Apache, Canyon and Saguaro. Bartlett and Horseshoe Reservoirs are on the Verde river on the West side of the Mazatzal Preserve...

Anyway...here I am arguing semantics on this board and I hate it when people do that...so I apologize for that.

OP...BTW...Horseshoe and Bartlett are good fishing lakes from what I am told for what it is worth.

[Hschlick84]

Considering how much cheaper housing is in Queen Creek and San Tan Valley, I might look at housing there just to get out of Prescott Valley.