Anyone here from the Sedona, AZ area?

[dave9199]

My wife & I are going on a vacation there April 10-15th. We are seriously thinking of moving there from Connecticut. We feel very tired of New England, even though we do love aspects of it, there feels like a discouraging mindset where we have lived (Worcester, MA/Providence, RI/Cromwell, CT). We're also looking to change our careers and mindsets also. Where could we look for an apartment?

[BruceH]

My wife & I are going on a vacation there April 10-15th. We are seriously thinking of moving there from Connecticut. We feel very tired of New England, even though we do love aspects of it, there feels like a discouraging mindset where we have lived (Worcester, MA/Providence, RI/Cromwell, CT).

Try Brookline, MA. I always dug the mindset there. (Then again, I'm one of those people who also love the New England winters.)

[BeBop]

I'm in Sedona a couple of weeks a year - far from residency - but I'd offer up a couple of thoughts.

1. It's touristy. Really touristy. That's the whole economy. Most tourists/visitors come for the new age metaphysical stuff. Vortexs and such. Ripoffs abound, including the cost of living essentials like groceries. There are nice restaurtants, but limited offering in the 'I live here' category.

Timeshares are also big business. Prepare to be accosted. The local tourist info office is nothing but a front for timeshare sales and tourist scams.

2. The place has seasons. Too hot in the summer (though not as bad as other places in AZ/So.NV) and cold in the winter. Really just one road in and out of town. I've been trapped before.

3. Flagstaff is really nice, and not that far away. It's considerably grittier (less shined-up for the tourists). It's a college town, so it's got bookstores, restaurants, breweries, record shops (decent!), better road connections. They're revitalizing downtown, with some success.

Send me a PM if you want to discuss further.

[chris olivarez]

If you want to live in Sedona I hope you can afford it. I would suggest Jerome up in the Mingus mountains. A funky little town but it may be pricey too by this time.

[catesta]

I'm in Sedona a couple of weeks a year - far from residency - but I'd offer up a couple of thoughts.

1. It's touristy. Really touristy. That's the whole economy. Most tourists/visitors come for the new age metaphysical stuff. Vortexs and such. Ripoffs abound, including the cost of living essentials like groceries. There are nice restaurtants, but limited offering in the 'I live here' category.

Timeshares are also big business. Prepare to be accosted. The local tourist info office is nothing but a front for timeshare sales and tourist scams.

2. The place has seasons. Too hot in the summer (though not as bad as other places in AZ/So.NV) and cold in the winter. Really just one road in and out of town. I've been trapped before.

3. Flagstaff is really nice, and not that far away. It's considerably grittier (less shined-up for the tourists). It's a college town, so it's got bookstores, restaurants, breweries, record shops (decent!), better road connections. They're revitalizing downtown, with some success.

Send me a PM if you want to discuss further.

This nails it pretty good.

I spent years, and I do mean years in Arizona.

One of my sisters had a place in Sedona. The place really is just for the tourists now. If you don't have plans to open up a gift shop, trendy southwest restaurant, sell timeshares or work in the hospitality industry, stay away. Definitely one of those "nice place to vist but I wouldn't want to live there" towns.

I don't care much for Flagstaff either. It can look and feel real dirty. If you're into truck stops, freight trains, and and fast food restaurants, then Flag is the place for you.

Still, it would be my choice over Sedona.

However, if I was going to pick a place in northern Arizona, I would rather live in Prescott or even Payson. Better climate over all and closer to Phoenix.

Have you considered the southeast?

[Dmitry]

Ahh, Sedona...a wonderful place. Bought a roll of film there for $10 back in 1998. Try New Mexico. Same new age vibe as Sedona, costs way less.

[JohnS]

Only know it as a holiday maker. Nice part of the world. Flagstaff is great, lots to visit roundabout. Hoping to get back there again soon.