Anyone from Arizona?

Discussion in 'General Discussion' started by Borrego, Jul 9, 2019.


  1. Borrego

    Borrego Monkey

    Stuck in Kali here and always considering moving...sticking it out until something snaps (either in us or the state)
    So looking across the border to the east, there are lots of choices.....we have several friends that have already moved (Prescott area). We went to visit and weren't particularly smitten (beautiful country, don't know why, just weren't)
    Any input, advice, etc...?
    Want to be with 30-45 min of good hospital, other than that don't like big cities. 2 acres+. horse property a plus. Prefer very conservative area politically...
     
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  2. Ura-Ki

    Ura-Ki Grampa Monkey

    Come further South/East to the Tucson area! Less crazy then Phoenix and all the cool Az stuff to do is that much closer! LOL
     
  3. Borrego

    Borrego Monkey

    yep, been looking there! Cool area, great scenery!
     
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  4. Altoidfishfins

    Altoidfishfins Monkey+++ Site Supporter+

    Gonna go long. So if you're interested in reading, give yourself a few minutes...

    Yeah, I live in Tucson. Lived there since 1976 except for a 15 year break in northern Nevada. Came back to the area in 2007 after leaving in 1992.

    Returning was a little disappointing, having known the area before. It was a cowboy / mining town. Now the traditional Rodeo, held in February, is protested regularly by PETA types. A company is attempting to open a new copper mine in the area that will provide hundreds of much needed jobs for the future - met with enviro-nut lawsuits and protests. Grand Canyon wanted to locate there. The city told them to take a hike because they are a Christian college. I don't claim to be a Christian, but that level of blatant hatred really pissed me off.

    Property taxes had increased dramatically. A lot of leftist influence has moved in including proposed wannabe "sanctuary city" status. I asked a friend what happened and he said a number of SoCal types have infected the local politics. And Castro Communist Raul Grijalva keeps getting re-elected to the House every election cycle.

    I live on the NorthWest side of the town in the county, not within city limits, closer to Marana. A lot of traffic and a lot of traffic noise, including motorcycle racing on the streets, loud cars, etc, you can hear them a mile off.

    Many of the outlying areas I used to frequent for camping, shooting, hunting are now either built up or too close to the Mexican border and encounter regular smuggler traffic. I stay out. Most people do.

    That said, there are still some outlying areas that aren't too bad, although when I was looking at them in 2007 for purchase, many were several acre lots with piled up rusting junk, including the formerly nice Vail area way over on the east side. If you want the better areas, you're going to pay. Think NorthEast side or foothills areas. A few areas on the extreme West side are nice too, Silverbell, Sunset Road, and provide a beautiful view of the city, but again, you're gonna pay.

    Stay away from Davis Monthan Air Force Base, South East side, unless you want fighter overflights all hours of the day. Crime is bad there, too.

    Tucson does have good medical care available. Lots of good doctors and hospitals from which to choose. If you want primo health care, you need to go to East Scottsdale to the Mayo Clinic. It's only about two or three hours drive.

    Personally, I can't live with the noise, the leftist influence in the local politics, the homeless bums and the crime. I have remote property in North Western AZ that I plan to move to. No noise, friendly neighbors the nearest of which are about two miles as the crow flies. I can shoot and hunt almost anywhere I want and there are no smugglers or illegal aliens to worry about.

    If figure I have a heart attack and can't make it to the hospital in time, screw it. I lived the way that I wanted to. I don't believe in that "gotta live right around the corner from a hospital" philosophy. That's just not a life. And I have a few medical issues.

    My advice, stick to Northern AZ or if southern AZ a smaller town some distance from the border, maybe Safford or a Phoenix suburb. Phoenix is more conservative than Tucson, but it's life in the fast lane.
     
    Last edited: Jul 10, 2019
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  5. Big Ron

    Big Ron Monkey+++

    Prescott and the surrounding areas are nice. Consider Williams and east towards Flagstaff also. I never liked Tuscon that much. Lots of crime and illegals. I don't even see what draws anyone to live there. I delivered there a lot and the number of homeless people was shocking. Lakes are a ways away also.
     
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  6. Motomom34

    Motomom34 Monkey+++

    I have a friend that moved to the Kingman area. He loves it. It is smaller and dry but he said it was a real slow pace of life.
     
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  7. Borrego

    Borrego Monkey

    Thanks all.....only looking on Zillow Etc, so far, but it is interesting. Are the areas west of Tucson higher in elevation? (thinking of avoiding that desert summer heat:)
     
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  8. Ganado

    Ganado Monkey+++

    If you want to avoid the summer heat you want to be above the Mogollon Rim. or just under it.

    Try Payson, Heber, Showlow,

    It depends on how remote you want to live
    Most of the jobs are in Phoenix, Tucson Metro areas
     
  9. Tully Mars

    Tully Mars Metal weldin' monkey

    I know of a couple that might be putting their place up for sale..
    gummers.
     
  10. Ura-Ki

    Ura-Ki Grampa Monkey

    We are south about 20 miles near the big Pima Mine, its still pretty nice and quiet all things considering, and the Jets dont bother us all that much ( though for me its easier to sleep, 20 years worth of loud aircraft at all hours) and property values have held steady, so a person could upgrade today with out sinking a fortune into a place! Lots of retirement communities which raises the quality of life for normal folks, good food, good medical, good shopping, and lots of second hand stuff to play with! Lots of neat car projects as well if your so inclined, and its a hop skip and a jump to lots of other places to play!
     
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  11. Kruel J

    Kruel J Monkey

    I like Arizona quite a bit. The heat does get tiresome, but they have cool things to do that we don't see much here in the PNW.

    The Big Sandy Shoot
     
  12. Big Ron

    Big Ron Monkey+++

    It's funny that all the people escaping Ca. and coming to AZ and bringing their thinking also. AZ definitely leans more to the left than it used to. Northern AZ is good if you can handle snow and wind. Moving around as a snowbird and taking off during the summer to somewhere cooler. Live in the greater Phoenix area during the winter. Retire and do this with an RV? I see uhaul trucks with CA. plated cars on trailers heading east on I-40 every day.
     
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  13. Borrego

    Borrego Monkey

    If/when we move, I'll be retiring at the same time, so jobs in the area are not a concern. We like the houses outside of Tucson as of right now. Also seems to be a little higher (2500 ft) so not as hot?
    Maybe will revisit Prescott area where we have friends moving, didn't get a real feel for it the first time....
     
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  14. OldDude49

    OldDude49 Just n old guy

    sadly... this is fact... they leave because the politicians they voted into office created the current kali....

    and soon as they get where their going they start voting to create what they left....

    what's that saying... something about doing the same thing over and over getting the same result over and over...

    yet they expect a different outcome... this time?
     
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  15. Borrego

    Borrego Monkey

    Not true in my experience. Don't know where you heard this....All of the friends/acquaintances we know who have left CA are voting !00% conservative in their new homes....
     
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  16. Ura-Ki

    Ura-Ki Grampa Monkey

    Ditto where were at in Shaurita, it's Ultra Conservative, mostly retired Military, and you get a lot of Home for your money! For those used to the price of Water and 'letrics, Southern Az, ain't all the bad, and the property Taxes is way less then the ShitHole the PNW has become! We did Solar on the entire roof, and we actually get a check every month from the 'letric company! Water is the only concern, and we have a 400 gallon cistern with a agitation pump, so it's all good!
     
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  17. OldDude49

    OldDude49 Just n old guy

    cause I see it here in Nevada... they elected MANY Dems into public office here last election...

    also happening in several other states they have moved to...

    so I don't know where your getting your info...

    rumor has it dems are prone to... stretching the truth?

    perhaps the ones telling you they are voting conservative are doing so?
     
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  18. Altoidfishfins

    Altoidfishfins Monkey+++ Site Supporter+

    Love it, regular spectator attendee. The pic of the tank is from there.
     
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  19. Altoidfishfins

    Altoidfishfins Monkey+++ Site Supporter+

    Areas West of Tucson aren't nearly high enough to make a difference when it comes to the heat. You'd need the foothills north of the city for that. But that's Doctor/Lawyer/Indian Chief big bucks million dollar + homes area.

    Try a small town NorthWest of Tucson called Catalina. It has a little bit of elevation and can be cooler. Nice scenery too since it's just West of the Catalina Mountains (Mt. Lemmon is over 9000 ft). My sister has lived there for years. Oro Valley Hospital is not too far just off of Tangerine Road. Recent years retirement housing developments have sprung up, (Saddlebrook, Rancho Vistoso) but there are some 1-2 maybe more acre lots still available there. Shopping's fairly close.
     
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  20. Borrego

    Borrego Monkey

    Thank you, will check it out! How is the water situation in different parts of AZ? Underground water available, or all dependent on the Colorado river, which is dubious long-term....
     
    Gator 45/70 likes this.
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