Moving to Arizona

Ranger54 · 08-19-2008, 06:48

Hi all, thinking I may be moving from Texas to Arizona soon, and right now, considering two places, Prescott and Kingman. Any pros or cons on either. I need affordable housing, around $150K, and IDPA or IPSC close by, realtively safe, etc. The usuals.

Any comments greatly appreciated. I may be flying in to Phoenix and renting a car to drive to both next week.

Just not a lot of time in the decision process.

OXCOPS · 08-19-2008, 07:38

I have never got a "warm fuzzy" from Kingman. Prescott is a good size city, but not too big. It is just an hour north of Phoenix, which has more than you need, as any big city should. It is also an hour south of Flagstaff (where I am), and the high country, which should suit all your outdoor needs.

In fact, I am going down to Prescott today. If I get mugged, I'll let ya know.

Daryl in Az · 08-19-2008, 15:02

Prescott always seemed like a nice town to me, but I haven't been there in several years. Lots of liberal yuppies from what I hear, but it's a nice town.

Don't know about Kingman; never been there.

That all said, if you decide to move here then Welcome to Arizona!

Daryl

Ranger54 · 08-19-2008, 18:21

Thanks guys, my buddy is pushing the Tucson area also, he lived there a long time, looks good, long as they have IDPA and IPSC *L* And they all do.

Housing looks pretty affordable in Tucson also.

OXCOPS · 08-19-2008, 19:34

Just got back from Prescott. Never seen a more spread out place. Damn roads are more confusing than you can imagine.

**Zonny** · 08-20-2008, 17:57

You wont find housing in Prescott for that kind of money. You may in Kingman. I have family in Kingman. It's not a bad place. About 10 degrees cooler than Phoenix and in about 15 minutes you can climb 1500 feet in elevation (Kingman is about 4200 ft.) and cool right off. Water recreation is near as is Laughlin/Vegas if that is of interest to you.

Not sure there is even a range in Kingman. May have to travel to Bullhead or Havasu.

***MooseJaw*** · 08-20-2008, 20:08

I've always liked Kingman.. kinda windy, though..

**Zonny** · 08-20-2008, 20:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by MooseJaw

I've always liked Kingman.. kinda windy, though..

The saying goes..."only for 6 months. The other 6, it blows from the other direction."

lordjim_2001 · 08-20-2008, 23:47

You might be able to find something decent for that price here in Maricopa. Anyone trying to do a short sale would be my first shot.

***MooseJaw*** · 08-21-2008, 19:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zonny

The saying goes..."only for 6 months. The other 6, it blows from the other direction."

I believe I was there the day it switched..

glock45acp21 · 08-23-2008, 21:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by Daryl in Az

Prescott always seemed like a nice town to me, but I haven't been there in several years. Lots of liberal yuppies from what I hear, but it's a nice town.

Don't know about Kingman; never been there.

That all said, if you decide to move here then Welcome to Arizona!

Daryl

Yeah, I like the town, good gun stores, but a lot of liberals have moved up there. Prescott does look a little expensive, but you might be able to find a deal. I have carried open in Prescott before, and never really had a problem.

blueiron · 08-24-2008, 02:47

There is no way you can find any sort of decent livable housing in the TriCity area [Prescott, Prescott Valley, Chino Valley] for 150k. You are looking at trailers for that kind of money

California emptied out starting in the late 1980s and filled up the towns with their silliness.

Kingman is likely to be significantly lower in cost and it is a short drive to Las Vegas.

Krueshoot · 08-26-2008, 11:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zonny

You wont find housing in Prescott for that kind of money. You may in Kingman. I have family in Kingman. It's not a bad place. About 10 degrees cooler than Phoenix and in about 15 minutes you can climb 1500 feet in elevation (Kingman is about 4200 ft.) and cool right off. Water recreation is near as is Laughlin/Vegas if that is of interest to you.

Not sure there is even a range in Kingman. May have to travel to Bullhead or Havasu.

Can't remember the name but there is a range a few miles outside of Kingman. Only there one time but it looked like it would fit the bill on any shooting I wanted to do.Have been to Kingman a few times and have like the small town feel of the place. Hope to some day retire there.

**Zonny** · 08-26-2008, 16:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by Krueshoot

Hope to some day retire there.

Thinking on those same lines.

AZJester · 08-26-2008, 17:27

Kingman is a bit hotter than Prescott weather-wise. Prescott is higher elevation. As mentioned by earlier poster, Prescott is kind of expensive for housing. Have visited Prescott many times and it is a pretty neat area with a historic downtown area with good restaurants and don't forget Whiskey Row. It's a great area for outdoor hobbies. On the downside, there always seems to be a lot of traffic in and out of town. There are always lots of people from the Phoenix area traveling up to Prescott to escape the hot summers down here in the valley.

There are several other areas you might check out, Payson, Pinetop-lakeside, & the Show Low Area. More 4 season climates with great outdoor recreation areas out of the valley heat zone.

Glock_Holiday · 08-31-2008, 07:06

Another vote for looking at Payson. Cooler that the valley and close enough to ranges, stores, etc.

GH

Ranger54 · 08-31-2008, 08:21

Guys

Appreciate all the advice. I have spent last week touring Arizona and have settled on the Prescott area. Housing within my budget, lots of outdoors, a range that does IPSC/IDPA, suits my other hobbies, and is really pretty.

I agree on the traffic, will probabbly end up in Chino Valley