Scoping out Arizona Feb 14-16...where should I check out?

[R K T]

Originally Posted by Rufblackbird

heh...I don't think i own that many sweaters/jackets...never did need them that much in Hawaii! Does it snow much in Prescott? How long does the Porsche have to stay in hibernation?

We got about 4" first part of last week, gone two days later. Only snow we've had so far this winter. There is some left in the shady areas higher up around town.

The 911 is driven every week, no hibernation! I just don't take it out in rain or snow. Other rides for weather days. Some GREAT roads around here. Going south out of Prescott on 89 is a roller coaster. Lots of Porsche guys come up from Phoenix just to play on 89.
If you have your Tundra here you can literally drive from here to Phoenix (100 miles) on dirt roads. More dirt roads in Arizona than any other state.

[KNS]

Well I lived in Prescott, AZ for about eight years so I'll share some thoughts: It is a great little town and as mentioned, it was discovered as a place to retire to. Prescott was named "best place to retire" or something several years ago and then "BOOM!". A lot more growth. That's okay, I think a lot of the Californians brought some cool, old cars with them. There are quite a few older Porsches in town, my neighbor had 928.

There is also a fair sized gay and lesbian community in Prescott (not that there is anything wrong with that). Check out prescottpride.com if you're into that.

Being right next to Prescott National Forest is great, clean air! There has been talk for several years of emissions testing coming to Yavapai County. (it is only a matter of time) That would suck but on the other hand if you see the air in nearby Verde Valley on some days then maybe it wouldn't be a bad idea long term.

With the growth has brought increased traffic. I was lucky, I lived five minutes from work. If you lived in Diamond Valley, Prescott Valley or Dewey, the AM and PM traffic can be heavy.

The weather in Prescott is nice, summer especially. Winters aren't bad but can get cold at times. I worked outdoors at night often and it can easily get down to the 20s or even dip into the teens. It doesn't snow as much as it used to if you talk to long time residents. What can be a pain is if it rains early evening and then freezes later on - icy roads. They use volcanic cinder (read: rock chips in paint) and magnesium chloride to clear the roads. It is never so bad that you need a winter beater.

I wouldn't mind moving back to Prescott or any number of places in Northern AZ but my wife can't stand even a little bit of cold. I'm working on her though.

While many films have been shot in Prescott, "Back to the Future" was shot on the Universal back lot. The courthouse does look similar.

[Rufblackbird]

Thanks for your input Kurt. What are your thoughts northern Phoenix, if you're still in the area?

[Rick Lee]

I live as far north in Phoenix as you can, one mile south of the northern city limits line. I love it. It was less crowded here than inside the 101 loop. We're probably buying a house in Cave Creek and will neighbors with ODDJOB UNO and Joeaksa.

[KNS]

Like Rick says, north of the 101 freeway is nice, less city like and more desert-like (for some communities). Cave Creek and Carefree are very nice as is North Scottsdale. Out of the price range of many before but do-able now with the economy.

[Rufblackbird]

Hmm...will check it out. Looking at google maps it certainly seems less crowded, which is nice.

Any parts that should be avoided? A partnership opportunity just popped up for the g/f in Laveen; how is that area?

[Joeaksa]

Same as what Rick said. Let us know and we can all get together. I am flying from 11-15th but should be here otherwise.

Yes Phoenix is hot from mid-June to mid-Sept, but right now its 70 degrees and sunny. We bake for 3 months in the summer for 9 months of paradise.

I love the desert and will be moving sometime in the next 5 years to the Wickenburg area. Nice small town and close enough to "civilization" that you can drive there in an hour. Also can drive to Flag in an hour or so.

Tucson is a wonderful city and is pretty big (800,000) but feels like a small town. Would live there if I could but job is here.

[Joeaksa]

Originally Posted by KNS

Like Rick says, north of the 101 freeway is nice, less city like and more desert-like (for some communities). Cave Creek and Carefree are very nice as is North Scottsdale. Out of the price range of many before but do-able now with the economy.

Stay away from South of 101 loop up North. Its become the "low rent" areas. I live North of 101 on Cave Creek road and like the area. If you can the city of Anthem, which is about 12 miles North of where I am is a nice area and believe thats where Rick lives.

You do not want Cave Creek or Carefree. Nice areas but way overpriced and terrible "land use" restrictions. Friend of mine owned a 5 acre lot/house. He was allowed to do what he wanted with 1/5th of it due to restrictions, and the rest had to be left "to nature" so he moved out after a few years.

Go to Cave Creek and then head West. These areas all the way to I-17 and on the Western side of the highway are still nice, have some acreage with them and reasonable place to live.

BTW, Driving South on I-17 the areas West of the highway in the city (from Glendale road to I-10) are VERBOTEN at night. This is where the gangs, hookers and so on come out at night and you do not want to be there.

Get ahold of Eric and he will help you with this.

[Rick Lee]

Laveen is way south. If your GF ends up working there, you will not want to live north of the 101, as the commute would be hell. I work from home and have almost never had to deal with real traffic here, unless going to the airport around rush hour.

[KNS]

I have some friends in Laveen and they are desperate to get out but can't sell their house. Stay away....

[Rufblackbird]

oooooh..."land-use" restrictions are bad. similar to the crap i'm dealing with right now, except they're city codes.

thanks for all the insider info everyone...gonna start planning the trip on streets and trips so everything is laid out.

[Joeaksa]

The other thing are HOA's. Home Owners Associations can be a PITA and frankly I will NEVER own a house with a HOA. Lots of areas around here have them, but there are other areas without them.

Up to you but they are not for me.

[Rufblackbird]

Same here. Can't stand HOA's. If I buy a house I want to be able to do whatever the damn hell I please. Is the HOA's there by cities or ?? Is there a list of them with HOA's? I'd like to avoid those...

hmm...time to PM Eric...

[pwd72s]

Jeff...good luck!

[Joeaksa]

They vary by area. Some areas have them while some do not.

Eric can help...

[RANDY P]

Any housing complex that has a common area (park, swimming pool, etc) is going to have an HOA.

Any complex that is locked together (condos) that require everyone to get maintenance at the same time will have an HOA.

HOA is the only way to get everyone to pay their share for maintenance of common items.

HOA on a condo will kill you a lot of times, houses, not so bad. Huge restrictions (no parking a boat out front, etc etc)

rjp

[Rick Lee]

There are actually a lot of areas inside the 101 loop with no HOA, where, if you drove through there, you'd be sure they have HOA's. I was just riding past some cookie cutter, planned development today with a big farmhouse and horse yard in the middle of it, obviously belonging to someone who refused to sell out to Pulte or Del Webb. Cave Creek has a few neighborhoods with and without HOA's. Check them out.

[DonDavis]

I love AZ so much it's nuts. Just today I was plinking at Usery range with my spoon and a buddy's AR. We could go on and on about where is best to live but in the end it's all about what you want. Well, that and where the gf lands a gig. First off, RENT a place. This is a fantastic time to buy but be patient. I live in NE Mesa around Power and Mckellips. Joe, LeeH, CUL8R and a few others have been out here and I won't lie that it will feel far. But honestly from my house to Sky Harbor airport is 30 minutes without traffic. I can be from my place to open desert in 5min and that will never change because it's Tonto Nat Forest. My place to Payson is just over an hour and on the Mogollon Rim is 90 min. Camping, fishing, snow, hunting. Me to Flagstaff can be 3.5 hrs. Me to RickLee is an hour. I like Ahwatukee and downtown Phx. There's a friend that has a wonderful old home near the Willow area.

Tucson? I pass. Many others here love it but not me. If you like traffic, go for it. It's a small town pretending to be a big one. But hey, that's me.

Prescott? Love it. And it's pronounced "Pres-kit" like "biscuit".

Flagstaff? Love it.

And get a spoon. It's an open carry state.

Nevermind. This place sucks. Don't move here. Nothing to see. I hear New Mexico has free houses. So does Nevada.

[Rufblackbird]

actually thanks to Rick's post a while back about the Utah CCW permit, me and the g/f went and got ours kinda miss holding and firing...something ever since i got out of the military.

what i really want? is 15-20 min away from civilization, so i can do whatever the hell i want, whenever the hell i want. not so sure on what the g/f wants yet

[Joeaksa]

Originally Posted by Rick Lee

There are actually a lot of areas inside the 101 loop with no HOA,

Assume you meant OUTSIDE of the 101 loop? I would not think of living anywhere inside the 101 loop unless it was Paradise Valley or Snottsdale areas.