Prescott AZ

[RightArm]

I'm looking into moving to Prescott to learn gunsmithing at Yavapai. The little woman's franchise has a store out there so she can, and is willing to, transfer. Feels like time to get out of this huge city. Anyways, I've done some research but would like to find out about things like prices of rental homes, cost of living, etc. How crowded is it? Looks like fishing is plentiful. Anybody have any info. I'm sure I'll check the place out before I pack up and move. I'm not in my 20's where I could just throw everything in the back of my truck and go. I have lots of stuff now. Any info would help me with a heads up. Thanks.

 

[Erich]

Prescott Arizona Chamber of Commerce

Windermere Real Estate - Prescott, Arizona

 

[zonker5]

We looked at Prescott about 6 years ago.

The good: Beautiful country, nice people.

The bad: Housing prices were not high, they were insane. The photos on the real estate sites didn't show just how small the lots and houses are. Some better in Prescott Valley.

Not much in the way of major medical, if you have a big problem you get flown to Phoenix. "We are hoping to get a cardiologist one day" is not good for a senior citizen like me.

Questions about the long term outlook for water. A couple of locals were most concerned.

Go out and spend a few days, it might just be the ticket for you. Good luck!!

-Z-

 

[Gunslinger808]

Plus a good bit of Whiskey Row burned down last month.

 

[BearBio]

My youngest brother went through the school there. He had several good offers when he graduated. He was on disability and was able to live there on what they paid him to learn a trade. Bad side: The only real work for the graduates was at Ruger (I think they moved since then) and they paid low. So, plan on moving away after you graduate in 2-3 years. Plus side: Houses were remarkably cheap and so were rents (but he was coming from SoCal). Compared to So Cal, guns were also cheap but you will need to buy several to work on.

Fishing and hunting good, away from town somewhat. Again, coming from SoCal, it was great by comparison. Your situation may vary since you're from New Mexico. I would expect it to be pretty much the same as you are used to. Check out some newspapers on line and there are websites that will compare two cities and cost of living.

 

[Lee in Quartzsite]

Plus a good bit of Whiskey Row burned down last month

Three businesses total...the rest of the Row was not damaged.

Whiskey Row fire likely caused by kitchen appliance | azfamily.com Phoenix

3 buildings 'total losses' in Whiskey Row fire - CBS 5 - KPHO

 

[LEO918]

I like Prescott. Close to Gunsite. Whiskey Row wouldn't be a deal breaker for me. Californians took over Prescott about 10 years ago without firing a shot. Bottom line - I'd live there if I could.

 

[jkc]

Four moderate seasons, quaint and charming Victorian architecture in abundance, elements of "Old West" and modern college town lifestyle, decent restaurants, all the big-name chain stores, numerous outdoor recreation opportunities, all in all a very appealling place to live, if you can afford it, and can overlook the infestation of Californians... Western wear was once the predominant garb there, now competing with Bermuda shorts, Hawaiian shirts, and sandals with socks.

 

[RightArm]

My wife might want to like Californians but it sounds to me like a definite con to moving. Californians and Houstonians, maybe even Texans as a whole, don't tend to see eye to eye. Not on anything.

 

[BearBio]

My wife might want to like Californians but it sounds to me like a definite con to moving. Californians and Houstonians, maybe even Texans as a whole, don't tend to see eye to eye. Not on anything.

Not all are too bad. Remember, the ones who left,left for a reason!

My biggest culture shock was that, an Orange County redneck ain't really a redneck! Moved here and we are considered moderately left of center (I'm really pretty independent=vote for the candidate, not the Party), have a couple gay friends, friends of color, etc.

My wife was asked " You completed college? Why would a woman want to get a degree?" (That was 10 years ago).

Another friend has nice white teeth. His were knocked out when he pointed out that some accused child molesters had not been convicted yet (Turned out a sheriff deputy made up the story because he didn't like one of them). The deputies put him in a cell and watched two guys kick the "c " out of him. Let him lie there for two days before they took him to the hospital. BTW: He was a preacher at the local church!

Just remember: You will be the outsider and it is up to you to fit in

 

[DeadAye]

Don't stop there BearBio!
Is the deputy serving time now?
Having *interesting* interpersonal relationships with his fellow criminals?
I hope so!

 

[BearBio]

Don't stop there BearBio!
Is the deputy serving time now?
Having *interesting* interpersonal relationships with his fellow criminals?
I hope so!

Actually "retired" to the west side. Took a job as a police chief. Was sued, as was the city. Turned out, he lied about his college credits and high graduation (didn't do either). Said he told the Police captain who interviewed him, who denies it. All somebody had to do was look at the yearbook and see he had dropped out in 10th grade.

ps: the complainant was his foster daughter (then became his stepdaughter), who had a history of homelessness, and extreme drug use. (What force allows a father to investigate complaints alleged by his daughter?)

The "charges" included an allegation of something like 6,000+ rapes in 2 years(I think). I looked it up and ran the figures and it came to something like 200 rapes per day==something ridiculous like that. All the suspects were found guilty, then exonerated except one guy who plead guilty on bad lawyer advice. He got a pardon. All complainants won, as far as I know but lost the lawsuits on appeal.

If you have the time, run "Wenatchee child abuse" in google. But read it chronologically from the oldest forward. Not only have we met the Reverend b ut we know the cop's ex-wife, several others in the case (town was about 15,000 when we moved here)

 

[Arizona Commander]

It's a beautuful area, housing is a little high, check out Prescott Valley or Chino Valley

 

[Moonman]

Gunsmithing is a TOUGH way to try to earn a living.

 

[AZ_Shooter]

I lived there for 15 years. I grew up there. It's a beautiful place. That's where it ended for me.

Rent always seemed a bit higher up there. I guess you pay a premium for cooler temperatures and cleaner air. The fishing in the area is good as long as there is enough moisture to feed the few lakes and most years there isn't enough. I looked into the gunsmithing program that you speak of and decided to do something else because there isn't much revenue in it.

I personally would not move there again. It's not a place for younger people. I always thought the best thing to do in Prescott was to pack up and leave but again, that's me. It's a beautiful place and you can't beat the weather. I'd stay there for a few days before making a decision. Just my $0.02.

AZ