What does Prescott's Future Hold? (Phoenix, Kingman: apartments, homes, employment)

[jamies]

I'm new to the forums here, but reading some of the comments in this forum gave me some intriguing questions and comments. I own apartments in Kingman and have been considering buying something in the Prescott area.

A general theme of locals and former residents seems to be lamenting the loss of the "good 'ole days" - I say exactly the same of my home town in Key West, Fl.

But I would appreciate hearing your opinions as to what you think Prescott's FUTURE will be. Where do you see the Prescott area going from here? Where will it be in 10 years?

What would YOU, as residents like to see in the future, keeping in mind that sending everyone back to Cali is probably not an option.

As others have said, everywhere in smaller town America seems to have employment problems, which is basically service work, government jobs, or unemployment. And meth and drug use is a problem everywhere, though I think AZ is going to have more trouble with the new pot law.

But do you see Prescott remaining a retirement mecca? And a second or summer home destination for people from the Valley?

Thanks for your opinions!

[BriansPerspective]

Personally, I would love to see larger businesses move in to increase employment opportunities, but the current challenge is a lack of highly educated workers. This area would be a good fit for large manufacturing companies. I suspect that more of the same will be the guideline in Prescott's future. The weather is wonderful, so the area is attractive. People working in Phoenix will continue to purchase second homes in the Prescott area and retirees will continue to move here. There will not be a significant influx of younger people moving in until larger companies move here with jobs. That might happen in the next ten years, but I'm not holding my breath.

[keninaz]

I don't see a whole lot of change for Prescott. It has changed over the years, that's true.
But old time Prescott is about what it has been for the tourists and they come here in numbers.
The last I heard we are in the top 10 for retirement.
So if it's so bad, why are we so high on the list.
There are some that post for whatever reason and complain about almost anything and everything or so it seems.
Their reasons are unknown. Perhaps they long for days of old when the town was a bit smaller. Perhaps they worry about their property taxes going up with the popularity of the area.
And then again perhaps some people just complain a lot.

[wretched wrench]

It's interesting to observe that residents complain that Prescott "isn't like it used to be".

Many retirees leave their long-time community because it "isn't like it used to be".

[Rogarven]

Originally Posted by wretched wrench

It's interesting to observe that residents complain that Prescott "isn't like it used to be".

Many retirees leave their long-time community because it "isn't like it used to be".

That is my complaint against where I am living now. I am looking for a change in retirement and that is why Prescott is looking good. :-)