HikeArizona.COM

Well, I guess I'll have to change my screen name soon. My wife and I are going to be moving to Casa Grande before the end of the year. Listing the house for sale up in Page. No job yet, kinda scary, but my wife needs to go back to school full time. Even commuting to and from UofA, with the house prices in CG we'll save money over moving to El Pueblo. Big change - this will be my first time living off The Plateau since '99. Eeek!

By the way, a giant new townhouse development sprouted in Flagstaff since November, just off Butler by the REI. I couldn't even find the REI, despite knowing exactly where it was, because it's now dwarfed by the massive complex. I wonder how much traffic will increase. The quick through Flagstaff might be I-40 (the real one, not Business 40).

I know it. The infill in Flag is crazy. The town is spreading UP rather than OUT, since it can't go out. And the rents are astronomical, almost like SoCal. The high rent spills over into poor little Williams, with most places going for over $1000 a month. If you work at a typical job in Williams you can't afford $1000+ a month. (I pay $100 to park my RV on a private lot, but I lucked into it.)

I'm going to opt out of this lovely opportunity to complain about Flagstaff and NAU, since I still enjoy visiting the place in nice conditions.

Jim_H wrote:I'm going to opt out of this lovely opportunity to complain

There are other factors that unfortunately swell the Flagstaff housing prices, but a big part of it is the fact that since its growth is limited (which is GREAT, can you imagine how ridiculous it would be if there was room to grow?), yet there is a high demand to live there, it drives the housing prices up. Simple supply and demand. Yeah, it sucks working a crummy job and trying to make rent in a job market that is dominated by service industry and little else, but that's the nature of the beast. You want to live in a lively college town on the base of a beautiful mountain, less than an hour from glorious Sedona red rocks and less than two hours from the Grandest of Canyons? Well, you gotta pay a premium 'cause a lot of people think it sounds mighty fine too. Except Jim, to whom everywhere is a glass half empty...

hippiepunkpirate wrote:a glass half empty...

This is Flagstaff's biggest problem. There's no water.

hippiepunkpirate wrote: Well, you gotta pay a premium 'cause a lot of people think it sounds mighty fine too.

As I understand it residential prices drop quickly downwind of the Purina plant.

Tomorrow I'm moving, again. This involves driving my motorhome, "The Beast," in the direction of Western Arizona, where I will spend the winter months along the lower Colorado River, as I did last year. Hoping to do a lot of road biking and kayaking, plus hiking and mountain biking. I got the road bike fixed, so this year I plan to ride it.

Tomorrow is moving day for me and the kitties!
I have accepted a big promotion with AZ State Parks and will be the new assistant manager at Roper Lake SP in Safford.
I went down last week to see the park and my house and meet the manager. It's pretty fabulous and I am very excited. It's also a brand new part of the state for me to explore ... let me know if you have tips or suggestions!

Just in time to start a daily run up Mt. Graham to get your million in for next year. Good luck with the move and job.

cactuscat wrote:I have accepted a big promotion with AZ State Parks and will be the new assistant manager at Roper Lake SP in Safford.

Congrats! I think you'll like it there.

Watch the kitties though. Raccoons aplenty...

Wow, that is a lot of raccoons! Cats are indoor only, but they will enjoy watching the wildlife from our windows.
And thank you - I think I will like it, too!

@cactuscat Congrats on the promotion! That part of the state is gorgeous, bet you'll have a blast exploring your new home.

@cactuscat
Congratulations Kelly!

@cactuscat
Great! There's a lot of good stuff within easy reach of there.

I suggest you try the Prime Rib on Tuesdays. It's $9.99 and comes with the salad bar, and your choice of baked potato, or rice pilaf.

News just in: Looks like my next summer seasonal job will be in Page/Glen Canyon. I wasn't sure until today--had a job offer last summer, but things change, so I wasn't sure it would pan out. Probably moving up there in early March for training. Can't wait, and I'm super excited!

I believe there is a nice steak house in Page, and it probably serves Prime Rib on it's busier days.

@Jim_H
You buying?

azbackpackr wrote: my next summer seasonal job will be in Page/Glen Canyon

Dam site, marina, WalMart, scratch that last one - LOL, :whistle: etc., etc. ?