I don't care for guns myself. But I feel the way you do. I always feel safer knowing that there are responsible people packing even if I'm not into guns all that much.
To commercialized and over grown these days. I had a paper route as a kid and delivered down Whiskey Row and up Summit to the Pioneers home and down Park Ave. Talking 50's and 60's when it really was a wonderful place to grow up. Just another tourist trap today I would imagine. Left it many years ago.
Thanks for contributing. I wish I could have seen it back then. I arrived in 2002. Growing from 13,000 to 48,000 people yes, there have been changes - even in the 20 years since I arrived. But you might be surprised at some things that haven't changed. I had a paper route in the 70s - developed great discipline at a young age!
I think that's happened to most small towns, at least the ones that didn't up and die. These places all evolved from fairly self-sufficient towns to an economic environment based on tourism and retiree cash inflow. The charm disappears when the chain stores and restaurants move in, a giant shift to healthcare, scads more realtors and lawyers. Looking back, maybe the first hint was when they built the Sandy's burger place across from City Park.
“Commercialized and overgrown” Well of course, things change over 60/70 years….. 60/70 years before you had a paper route, Arizona wasn’t even a state.. I bet early settlers back then would complain about your paper route being “commercialized and overgrown”. It’s all perspective. You can’t control population growth so just carry on and be happy.
GREAT video and thanks for sharing! I first visited Prescott in 1979 when I visited friends who moved there from CA. a decade earlier. I LOVED my visits with them and in later years, I was considering a move to Prescott but decided that in my retirement, a move there had more cons than pros for me. But with that said, it IS a wonderful place for a visit! 😎
@DougCeleste thanks for the comment. I doubt Prescott would have been on my radar at all if my parents hadn't retired here after years searching for the right spot. My first visit would have been circa 2001(?). You're right, it's not the end-all, gotta-move-there location for everyone, but it is worth a visit at least. Cheers!
@@azkiltedrealtor Thanks for your reply, Your comments about Prescott were well-balanced for anyone considering a move there. They should first visit and meet with a realtor of their choice to see if they feel any good vibes about moving there. Even though I will never live there, I LOVE visiting there! I was hoping to visit an acquaintance in Prescott Valley but sadly, he passed away several years ago and I am guessing that his wife moved away. Prescott is one of my most favorite Arizona cities along with Flagstaff and I look forward to being back in the state someday visiting both cities. Cheers also to you from Albuquerque! 😎
What really started the downfall of what once a beautiful town is when a reporter from a California magazine was in Prescott and wrote a glowing article on this small rustic Arizona mountain town. The California's with pockets full of money started flowing in and driving up home prices that the locals couldn't compete with. I was in the military when this started and my brother sold his home in Forbing Park and moved to some land he bought between Prescott and Prescott Valley which was growing by leaps and bounds also. I miss the Prescott of the 60s and 70s, but I'll never go back there. Let's call it Paradise Lost.
What a well-written comment, from the heart JP. I have thought of moving to the area, but maybe I'd be better off just visiting a few times, not during tourist season!
@@NFL1976 Still a great place to live. But, yes, it is getting crowded. I remember when you could drive down the highway at 70 mph. No way you could do that now!
I too lived in and around Prescott in the 60s and 70s. I left disgusted in 1998. I was more alert than the average person my entire life. The truth of the downfall started when Governor Bruce Babbitt went full on corrupt. Forcing the Martin Luther king holiday illegally on the people. Voted down twice he rammed it down Arizona people's throats by executive order. Removed by Governor Mecham the mob went after him. Impeached that honest wonderful man but they all got caught on video taking cash bribes to legalize gambling. The second phase of the mob then commenced. They built an anti defamation league of Bnia Birith and proclaimed in the media Arizona people were all racist. Then masses of self-righteous jewish people from New York piled in with powerful bank accounts and fear mongering, using racism as there leverage tool. Unused to this sophisticated propaganda and mob technique of bribes Arizona politicians crumbled. They set out to transform Arizona into the ghettos of the eastern states. They flooded Arizona with drugs, changed laws, and corrupted every thing their eyes fell upon. And the animals followed them smelling easy Pickens. That's the truth.
0:21 When I moved here 10 years back, I thought I found heaven. Now it's overrun with people like me trying to escape big city chaos. After 10 years we are getting traffic, graffiti, homeless, illegals, rude Californians and more crime. Housing projects and high density housing projects are ruining this once pristine mountain paradise. City officials keep approving massive housing projects. Will need to find another town if it keeps growing like this.
Have to admit I learned only recently that Arizona has the largest ponderosa pine forest in the world...2.6 million acres. Sometimes video research pays off! 😎
I love Prescott and I am conservative and 2A supporter . As you travel around Prescott you will notice an unusual number of Churches and gun stores . Another thing you should notice is how friendly EVERYONE is here. Unfortunately for me I can not move there because of family ties , I simply can't leave my family behind.
I never really thought about the number of churches - probably because I was raised in a small town where they seemed to be clustered together. As for the gun stores, I'd say Prescott residents in general stay loyal to the mom-and-pop shops. And though the bigger sporting goods stores have begun to move in, they haven't (yet) forced the smaller vendors out of business.
We (my family) are middle of the road, but we absolutely love Prescott. We live in Phoenix, and will sometimes just drive up there for the day with our dogs. Not leaving the East Valley for several yrs, but Prescott is on our radar. Thanks for the video!
I gave Prescott a try for the second half or 2023. I grew to hate it. Excessive pollen causes nasal congestion. Lack of amenities. No major book store chains. No decent military surplus stores. No Audi dealer. No exotic car dealers. The mall is dead. Lots of super loud uncorked cars driving around and the police do nothing. Forest fires. The library has been taken over by street urchins. Maybe the worst thing is that there are FAR too many special events taking place downtown which cause heavy traffic and serve to increase the population as visitors discover Prescott.
Barnes & Noble, if I remember, was one of the first major retailers to leave Gateway Mall. Thankfully, we've got Peregrine Books downtown on Cortez. I hear you re: pollen - the junipers get me every year, and I was never one to suffer from allergies. As far as exotic car dealers: though Prescott has grown, population density and demographics are probably not what they would need to be to justify a dealership, or we would probably have one. You're right - it's a challenge for the city to balance events that promote tourism with the fact that there are few "alternate routes" to carry the traffic when the downtown streets are blocked.
@@azkiltedrealtor I've been to Peregrine Books. Not going to cut it, lol. A lot of people love Prescott due to low crime, nice weather, etc. It's just too small for me.
We looked at Prescott as a retirement city but at the welcome center the guy said to us welcome to God's little piece of heaven and then added all the people from MN that had moved there. My wife said we are out of here even though I had hotel reservations for 2 nights.
Sorry you had that experience. That seems like an odd statement to make at a welcome center. I think Prescott is a nice place, but I think it's better to be up-front about the pros and cons (no place is perfect) and let each person decide for themself. Also - and I learned this during my cruise director days - you've got to learn about your guests first, then curate a unique experience. There's a lot to experience in Prescott, but not everything is for everyone!
Just curious because I'm not understanding what part of the welcome center guy said that would make you not want to stay there? Confused a little on the comment. Just looking for clarification
@@donnaw4910 - We were moving from Chicago and wanted there to be diversity in the population. His comments turned my wife off to spending the weekend there so we left town.
That can be an issue. I definitely use more lip balm - year round! And I know people who moisturize frequently. Still, we have a bit more moisture up here than down in the desert, and it sure beats high humidity!
I’ve been prepping for three years to move to Prescott, but the wages just aren’t enough. I’m looking at a 50% pay cut to enter into a similar job to what I’m in now. Do they actually want anyone to run the city or not? They need to raise the pay for public employees or the services will continue to suffer. Looks like I’m waiting another 25+ years until retirement.
I think you're right in that the city hasn't yet struck a good balance between the need for services and the need for adequate compensation. No doubt other cities that have experienced decades of rapid growth grapple with the same issue. Hospitality and service industry workers encounter a related problem: a need for their labor but a reluctance to build affordable housing. I have noticed an increase in the number of apartments being built in the past few years, so hopefully things are moving in the right direction.
Prescott valley is out of control with growth. Politicians and or city employees on the take. Sad they are ruining a beautiful area for the all mighty dollar. Prescott’s previous mayor was selling Prescott out but was voted out. Now he wants to get back into city politics, no doubt to continue to make cash on building on every vacant area around Prescott. Roads are a mess with potholes and have increased traffic. Noisy low flying air traffic is now the norm. Residents need to vote out those who want to make the area into the next Phoenix.
Thanks for your question! Quoting an online source: "Subsidized housing is a broad term that can include low-income housing, and both are types of affordable housing." Generally, when I speak of "affordable housing" I am referring to housing that is attainable by someone bringing home an entry level salary. In Pescott, we fall short of meeting the demand for moderately priced homes and multi-family dwellings - though I have noticed what appears to be an increase in apartment construction.
I reside in Prescott. Just my humble comments. Summer is pleasant because of the high altitude. Winter can be cold (not Chicago cold, but much colder than the Phoenix valley). Great restaurants? It’s more like okay restaurants. High housing costs! Prescott Police do a phenomenal job keeping the downtown square safe. You occasionally see folks Open Carrying. I’m okay with that. Many of the service employees reside in Prescott Valley as Prescott housing is expensive. We do have Costco in the area. Good hiking is available. Shopping is limited. Phoenix would be a better option. Music is mostly geared towards country. Very little industry here, so jobs are limited. It’s generally a good retirement area. No place is perfect!
Thanks for the great observations! Indeed, no place can make absolutely everyone happy, but Prescott is a good fit for a lot of people, keeping it consistently on the list of top places to retire in the US. That brings with it an above-average cost of living; but I can't think of many (any) desirable places to live that don't come with some sort of a price tag - monetary or otherwise. All-in-all, Prescott offers good value and a great lifestyle.
You're doing it the right way - the same way my parents did. Visit first, decide what part of town appeals to you, be patient, find the right home and you won't be disapointed...!
We would love to retire in Prescott and have been looking for the past 3 years but the housing market/ prices insane! We are conservatives so we would fit right in, but again housing prices are insane for what you get for your money: (old houses that have never been updated 600k to 700k asking price.
Thanks for the contribution! The state of the Prescott area housing market certainly depends upon your perspective. Many feel it is expensive; but on the other hand, people moving here from major metropolitan areas or high-tax, higher cost-of-living states are amazed at how much more they can get for their money. Homes unquestionably do sell for a premium in desirable neighborhoods - even those in need of TLC. However, there are still very nice homes in popular subdivisions. Good news: sellers are becoming much more realistic with pricing...the Pandemic did push prices to the max. You definitely saw the results of that in the past 3 years. But conditions for buyers are improving daily. I hope you don't give up!
@@azkiltedrealtor Thank you! Nope, we're not ones to give up:) That's good to know about the market is getting better. We will keep an eye on it and plan to travel there either this fall or next year. Everything about the Prescott and Prescott Valley area we love we're just kind of waiting to see what the housing market is going to do so that it fits a little bit more within our budget. Thanks for the insight and the videos. They really do help people like us make the best choices when it comes to our final landing place in retirement.
@Unit_104 absolutely correct. Prescott's median home price as of July was $632.933, significantly higher than the US median price of $412,300 (35% less). But it still sounds like a steal when you compare it to California's median (and still rising) home price of $904,210!
@Unit_104 correct to a point. I'm actually preparing a video on that topic right now. There is also a significant number of buyers from southern AZ fleeing the heat that few seem to notice or complain about. One of the often overlooked reasons that there seems to be alot of Californians moving here (and elsewhere) is simply the fact that CA has a massive population. By comparison, more people move, get married, graduate from highschool, order pizza, etc. you name it, in CA than anywhere else. That's a bit of an oversimplification, as there are other factors, but it's an important one to take into consideration!
You said it - cost of living is above the nat'l average. Just like with any other popular place to live, I tell my clients to weigh the pros and cons. Prescott is a definitely a lifestyle destination!
Living in Prescott just 2 years ago I would often see people carrying guns while walking around the courthouse. So I would dispute your assertion about not seeing open carry of guns.
Arizona in general I’ve seen some people carry firearms on there hip and most of them still carry but it is concealed. Most of them are nice and friendly and I don’t carry firearms myself but I respect and appreciate there constitutional right to do so, as well if anything happens there is a good chance of someone who can neutralize the situation. If it bothers you to see Americans armed then go to a blue state and live in a “Gun Free Zone” then you will have second thoughts about it.
@@CodyAyars I appreciate your comment. I find people here are, for the most part, tolerant and respectful. Those who come to town expecting to be made uncomfortable, usually are. That said, I've always enjoyed living just a little bit outside my comfort zone! 😎
My wife and I are looking at Prescott for retirement in a year or two after my son graduates high school next year. Moving from flat Texas and wanting Mountain views, no humidity.
My parents came to Prescott after living in Dallas for many years, and then Friendswood, south of Houston. We had lived for a time near Bozeman, MT and Salt Lake City, so loved mountainous terrain - even though we were originally from southeastern New England, right on the Atlantic coast. Prescott, at it's mile-high elevation, has the dry, low-humidity climate but not the extreme desert heat. Four mild seasons; and though the terrain is not as dramatic as the Rockies or Utah's Wasatch range, the ponderosa-covered slopes of the Bradshaw Mountains and the naked granite of Thumb Butte, Granite Mountain and the Dells are both scenic and accessible. The topography varies widely within a small area, so you can "choose your views."
Reason #5 it's getting too crowded. I love Prescott but I don't know if I can handle so many people anymore. As for firearms. It warms my heart when my roofing salesmen shows me his gun. If 10% of the people (responsible gun owners) always carried you would know that you live in a safe place. Having said that. There was a shoot out between some bikers out in Chino Valley a mile away from where I lived about 10 years ago or so. But that isn't common.
I leave Prescott every year at the end of October. Then I come back in June or July. :) I put up with the politics because I like the geographical environment. The sun is more brutal here than in Phoenix where I grew up and the thin air and pollen wreaks havoc on my sinuses. I couldn't live here full time.
@@TheDesertwalker My home town, Phoenix. I've been coming to Prescott since I was a kid in the 60s and I was finally able to retire and get out of the heat. Ya gotta love short sleeve weather in January and February :)
I've got neighbors who love to walk in the evening; but yes, there are times of the year when allergies keep them at home! You are absolutely correct - there are pros and cons....but I have yet to find someplace that doesn't have its share of those!
It's all relative right, well, I have been here 5 years now, love it. No, not a great place for the young for sure, great for the people who made their money someplace else and are getting ready to retire. Yes, sadly, if you are a native, renting and don't have a higher paying job, you will continue to struggle with increasing rent costs or purchasing a house. If you are a property owner, you are going to benefit from the influx of refugees from CA.... and the money they will bring with them. So, both good and bad. Also, not true regarding firearms, although I'm not an "open carry" fan, and carry concealed, I see open carry firearms on a weekly basis. However, it's refreshing to know that so many people concealed carry here!
Thanks for your insightful comments! There is an influx from CA, but this week I've got clients from Georgia and NY...and don't forget the "refugees" from the Phoenix heat. People moving north from the valley make up a large percentage of those coming to town. As you say, there's good and bad. As for open carry, I know plenty of gun owners but don't seem to see many firearms when I'm out and about. I do open carry myself, but it's just a knife in my sock! LOL
Flag flying pick up truck? Wow, loved the tone with which that was said. That's why he needs to stay in San Francisco. If California was open carry crime wouldn't be the issue it is.
Ca. is about to follow the gun control plan of the third Reich with registration of ALL firearms and 'voluntary surrender in the interest of justice' to follow. (this from a friend of mine in the state senate) SB1160 .We will not comply. We will MOVE first. Amend your video please.
Within the first 5 to 6 seconds its because of people like you. So you chose to push out the locals and try make it your own?!?.and make into a cheaper Sedona! Just say that. Unfortunately it makes to much sense. But they won't see it in front of there eyes.
LMAO.. You don't see guns in Prescott. This guy has obviously never stood. Next to me in circle K. Down by the hospital. I openly carry a pistol everywhere around Prescott. I also keep a shotgun. In the back window of my truck. As far as available jobs in Prescott. That's a joke in itself. Well, I will say you are correct about the smoke. Forest service does lots of controlled burns. To the point that the Prescott National forest. Looks like shit nothing but scarred burnt areas. Unattractive and ugly. Oh yea, you did forget one thing. Yes, the town is very conservative. Along with being extremely corrupt. Don't move to Prescott at all.
@@joevarga5982 On the other hand, before the self-checkouts went in, the chief complaint was that there were never enough cashiers on duty. Can't win either way!
It has to be corrupt if it’s full of conservatives. And a bunch of feeling tough people walking around to intimidate others or just scared of their own shadow.
Yes. Many people get along fine at sea level, but not at altitude. Older people are often on supplemental oxygen, even at sea level. Prescott is not for them.
We always feel safer when someone near us is packing lol
They leave because it's too damn boring.
I don't care for guns myself. But I feel the way you do. I always feel safer knowing that there are responsible people packing even if I'm not into guns all that much.
Amen!
💯
To commercialized and over grown these days. I had a paper route as a kid and delivered down Whiskey Row and up Summit to the Pioneers home and down Park Ave. Talking 50's and 60's when it really was a wonderful place to grow up. Just another tourist trap today I would imagine. Left it many years ago.
Thanks for contributing. I wish I could have seen it back then. I arrived in 2002. Growing from 13,000 to 48,000 people yes, there have been changes - even in the 20 years since I arrived. But you might be surprised at some things that haven't changed. I had a paper route in the 70s - developed great discipline at a young age!
I think that's happened to most small towns, at least the ones that didn't up and die. These places all evolved from fairly self-sufficient towns to an economic environment based on tourism and retiree cash inflow. The charm disappears when the chain stores and restaurants move in, a giant shift to healthcare, scads more realtors and lawyers.
Looking back, maybe the first hint was when they built the Sandy's burger place across from City Park.
@@reindeer8890 well said - though we'll likely lose some of those realtors because of the N.A.R. settlement...! 😉
“Commercialized and overgrown” Well of course, things change over 60/70 years….. 60/70 years before you had a paper route, Arizona wasn’t even a state.. I bet early settlers back then would complain about your paper route being “commercialized and overgrown”. It’s all perspective. You can’t control population growth so just carry on and be happy.
Hey, let’s not hate on the big chain stores… Big Nose Kate has got a marvelous view of the Walmart and Denny’s from her grave site! 😉
GREAT video and thanks for sharing! I first visited Prescott in 1979 when I visited friends who moved there from CA. a decade earlier. I LOVED my visits with them and in later years, I was considering a move to Prescott but decided that in my retirement, a move there had more cons than pros for me. But with that said, it IS a wonderful place for a visit! 😎
@DougCeleste thanks for the comment. I doubt Prescott would have been on my radar at all if my parents hadn't retired here after years searching for the right spot. My first visit would have been circa 2001(?). You're right, it's not the end-all, gotta-move-there location for everyone, but it is worth a visit at least. Cheers!
@@azkiltedrealtor Thanks for your reply, Your comments about Prescott were well-balanced for anyone considering a move there. They should first visit and meet with a realtor of their choice to see if they feel any good vibes about moving there. Even though I will never live there, I LOVE visiting there! I was hoping to visit an acquaintance in Prescott Valley but sadly, he passed away several years ago and I am guessing that his wife moved away. Prescott is one of my most favorite Arizona cities along with Flagstaff and I look forward to being back in the state someday visiting both cities. Cheers also to you from Albuquerque! 😎
What really started the downfall of what once a beautiful town is when a reporter from a California magazine was in Prescott and wrote a glowing article on this small rustic Arizona mountain town. The California's with pockets full of money started flowing in and driving up home prices that the locals couldn't compete with. I was in the military when this started and my brother sold his home in Forbing Park and moved to some land he bought between Prescott and Prescott Valley which was growing by leaps and bounds also.
I miss the Prescott of the 60s and 70s, but I'll never go back there. Let's call it Paradise Lost.
What a well-written comment, from the heart JP. I have thought of moving to the area, but maybe I'd be better off just visiting a few times, not during tourist season!
Yeah, my step dad's father moved here with a bunch of other retired firefighters probably back in the 60's or 70's from California.
@@NFL1976 Still a great place to live. But, yes, it is getting crowded. I remember when you could drive down the highway at 70 mph. No way you could do that now!
I too lived in and around Prescott in the 60s and 70s. I left disgusted in 1998. I was more alert than the average person my entire life. The truth of the downfall started when Governor Bruce Babbitt went full on corrupt. Forcing the Martin Luther king holiday illegally on the people. Voted down twice he rammed it down Arizona people's throats by executive order. Removed by Governor Mecham the mob went after him. Impeached that honest wonderful man but they all got caught on video taking cash bribes to legalize gambling. The second phase of the mob then commenced. They built an anti defamation league of Bnia Birith and proclaimed in the media Arizona people were all racist. Then masses of self-righteous jewish people from New York piled in with powerful bank accounts and fear mongering, using racism as there leverage tool. Unused to this sophisticated propaganda and mob technique of bribes Arizona politicians crumbled. They set out to transform Arizona into the ghettos of the eastern states. They flooded Arizona with drugs, changed laws, and corrupted every thing their eyes fell upon. And the animals followed them smelling easy Pickens. That's the truth.
Sounds like a dream to me! ❤your videos, thank you for the insights!
Thanks so much! I've taken a bit of time off, but will be ramping-up production for the holidays. Cheers!
0:21 When I moved here 10 years back, I thought I found heaven. Now it's overrun with people like me trying to escape big city chaos. After 10 years we are getting traffic, graffiti, homeless, illegals, rude Californians and more crime. Housing projects and high density housing projects are ruining this once pristine mountain paradise. City officials keep approving massive housing projects. Will need to find another town if it keeps growing like this.
Go back to where you came from LOL
Drove through there last November . Through Flagstaff , Sedona, pretty area . Never knew Arizona had that much forest.
Have to admit I learned only recently that Arizona has the largest ponderosa pine forest in the world...2.6 million acres. Sometimes video research pays off! 😎
Arizona has more mountains than desert
@azkiltedrealtor alot of it has been cut down or thinned out.
I love Prescott and I am conservative and 2A supporter . As you travel around Prescott you will notice an unusual number of Churches and gun stores . Another thing you should notice is how friendly EVERYONE is here. Unfortunately for me I can not move there because of family ties , I simply can't leave my family behind.
I never really thought about the number of churches - probably because I was raised in a small town where they seemed to be clustered together. As for the gun stores, I'd say Prescott residents in general stay loyal to the mom-and-pop shops. And though the bigger sporting goods stores have begun to move in, they haven't (yet) forced the smaller vendors out of business.
Yes!
Then the most practical thing to do would be to have a combination church/gun store. Get your Jesus fix and food for your SKS. No brainer!
Yavapai county is the most conservative county in the state. And yes, many carry open and concealed which makes for the low crime rate
We (my family) are middle of the road, but we absolutely love Prescott. We live in Phoenix, and will sometimes just drive up there for the day with our dogs. Not leaving the East Valley for several yrs, but Prescott is on our radar. Thanks for the video!
There's now an LGBTQ church, Downtown.
Lots of sober houses in prescott too i got clean out there in 2014 and my dream is to move back there..prescott saved my life❤
Me 2 I went to a sober way home their
@NuttyNawf278 no way? I did too. BIRD RAN IT
@ he was the old guy I believe we use to play basketball I was in a house ran by Red
@NuttyNawf278 omg hahahha I remember RED. I was coming in when RED was leaving
I gave Prescott a try for the second half or 2023. I grew to hate it. Excessive pollen causes nasal congestion. Lack of amenities. No major book store chains. No decent military surplus stores. No Audi dealer. No exotic car dealers. The mall is dead. Lots of super loud uncorked cars driving around and the police do nothing. Forest fires. The library has been taken over by street urchins. Maybe the worst thing is that there are FAR too many special events taking place downtown which cause heavy traffic and serve to increase the population as visitors discover Prescott.
Barnes & Noble, if I remember, was one of the first major retailers to leave Gateway Mall. Thankfully, we've got Peregrine Books downtown on Cortez. I hear you re: pollen - the junipers get me every year, and I was never one to suffer from allergies. As far as exotic car dealers: though Prescott has grown, population density and demographics are probably not what they would need to be to justify a dealership, or we would probably have one. You're right - it's a challenge for the city to balance events that promote tourism with the fact that there are few "alternate routes" to carry the traffic when the downtown streets are blocked.
@@azkiltedrealtor I've been to Peregrine Books. Not going to cut it, lol. A lot of people love Prescott due to low crime, nice weather, etc. It's just too small for me.
Bye! 🖐🏽
@@joevarga5982 Where did you end up relocating Joe? If you don't mind me asking? You have some vital points.
@@pauliedweasel 👈 Asshole right here
because its overly expensive and has become to overcrowded
We looked at Prescott as a retirement city but at the welcome center the guy said to us welcome to God's little piece of heaven and then added all the people from MN that had moved there. My wife said we are out of here even though I had hotel reservations for 2 nights.
Sorry you had that experience. That seems like an odd statement to make at a welcome center. I think Prescott is a nice place, but I think it's better to be up-front about the pros and cons (no place is perfect) and let each person decide for themself. Also - and I learned this during my cruise director days - you've got to learn about your guests first, then curate a unique experience. There's a lot to experience in Prescott, but not everything is for everyone!
you took issue with the guy mentioning God ?
Just curious because I'm not understanding what part of the welcome center guy said that would make you not want to stay there? Confused a little on the comment. Just looking for clarification
@@donnaw4910 - We were moving from Chicago and wanted there to be diversity in the population. His comments turned my wife off to spending the weekend there so we left town.
@@paul9874For “diversity “ - go to phoenix
We LOVE Prescott! No matter where you decide to live, there's always the good, bad and ugly.
Absolutely. Every location has its pros and cons and no place is perfect for everyone.
My parents left because the air is too dry, and their eyes and skin weren’t doing so good without moisture in the air
That can be an issue. I definitely use more lip balm - year round! And I know people who moisturize frequently. Still, we have a bit more moisture up here than down in the desert, and it sure beats high humidity!
I’ve been prepping for three years to move to Prescott, but the wages just aren’t enough. I’m looking at a 50% pay cut to enter into a similar job to what I’m in now. Do they actually want anyone to run the city or not? They need to raise the pay for public employees or the services will continue to suffer. Looks like I’m waiting another 25+ years until retirement.
I think you're right in that the city hasn't yet struck a good balance between the need for services and the need for adequate compensation. No doubt other cities that have experienced decades of rapid growth grapple with the same issue. Hospitality and service industry workers encounter a related problem: a need for their labor but a reluctance to build affordable housing. I have noticed an increase in the number of apartments being built in the past few years, so hopefully things are moving in the right direction.
This is a place for people who are established financially. Not a good place to earn money.
omg the city is conservative?! So its go smart ppl then . good to know
Prescott valley is out of control with growth. Politicians and or city employees on the take. Sad they are ruining a beautiful area for the all mighty dollar. Prescott’s previous mayor was selling Prescott out but was voted out. Now he wants to get back into city politics, no doubt to continue to make cash on building on every vacant area around Prescott. Roads are a mess with potholes and have increased traffic. Noisy low flying air traffic is now the norm. Residents need to vote out those who want to make the area into the next Phoenix.
Best to say his name so people will know not to vote for him… Mengarelli.
Does "affordable" homes mean government subsidized? Thanks.
Thanks for your question! Quoting an online source: "Subsidized housing is a broad term that can include low-income housing, and both are types of affordable housing." Generally, when I speak of "affordable housing" I am referring to housing that is attainable by someone bringing home an entry level salary. In Pescott, we fall short of meeting the demand for moderately priced homes and multi-family dwellings - though I have noticed what appears to be an increase in apartment construction.
Yeah section 8 is coming here. It's beginning to feel like LA here.
Good question, I was wondering the same thing
I reside in Prescott. Just my humble comments. Summer is pleasant because of the high altitude. Winter can be cold (not Chicago cold, but much colder than the Phoenix valley). Great restaurants? It’s more like okay restaurants. High housing costs! Prescott Police do a phenomenal job keeping the downtown square safe. You occasionally see folks Open Carrying. I’m okay with that. Many of the service employees reside in Prescott Valley as Prescott housing is expensive. We do have Costco in the area. Good hiking is available. Shopping is limited. Phoenix would be a better option. Music is mostly geared towards country. Very little industry here, so jobs are limited. It’s generally a good retirement area. No place is perfect!
Thanks for the great observations! Indeed, no place can make absolutely everyone happy, but Prescott is a good fit for a lot of people, keeping it consistently on the list of top places to retire in the US. That brings with it an above-average cost of living; but I can't think of many (any) desirable places to live that don't come with some sort of a price tag - monetary or otherwise. All-in-all, Prescott offers good value and a great lifestyle.
I been considering moving there for last 3 years. Visit 2-3 times a year.
You're doing it the right way - the same way my parents did. Visit first, decide what part of town appeals to you, be patient, find the right home and you won't be disapointed...!
My brother-in-!aw's brother moved to Prescott after receiving an inheritance.
We would love to retire in Prescott and have been looking for the past 3 years but the housing market/ prices insane! We are conservatives so we would fit right in, but again housing prices are insane for what you get for your money: (old houses that have never been updated 600k to 700k asking price.
Thanks for the contribution! The state of the Prescott area housing market certainly depends upon your perspective. Many feel it is expensive; but on the other hand, people moving here from major metropolitan areas or high-tax, higher cost-of-living states are amazed at how much more they can get for their money. Homes unquestionably do sell for a premium in desirable neighborhoods - even those in need of TLC. However, there are still very nice homes in popular subdivisions. Good news: sellers are becoming much more realistic with pricing...the Pandemic did push prices to the max. You definitely saw the results of that in the past 3 years. But conditions for buyers are improving daily. I hope you don't give up!
@@azkiltedrealtor Thank you! Nope, we're not ones to give up:) That's good to know about the market is getting better. We will keep an eye on it and plan to travel there either this fall or next year. Everything about the Prescott and Prescott Valley area we love we're just kind of waiting to see what the housing market is going to do so that it fits a little bit more within our budget. Thanks for the insight and the videos. They really do help people like us make the best choices when it comes to our final landing place in retirement.
@Unit_104 absolutely correct. Prescott's median home price as of July was $632.933, significantly higher than the US median price of $412,300 (35% less). But it still sounds like a steal when you compare it to California's median (and still rising) home price of $904,210!
@Unit_104 correct to a point. I'm actually preparing a video on that topic right now. There is also a significant number of buyers from southern AZ fleeing the heat that few seem to notice or complain about. One of the often overlooked reasons that there seems to be alot of Californians moving here (and elsewhere) is simply the fact that CA has a massive population. By comparison, more people move, get married, graduate from highschool, order pizza, etc. you name it, in CA than anywhere else. That's a bit of an oversimplification, as there are other factors, but it's an important one to take into consideration!
WELLLLLL…..Cost of living is outrageous, especially for retirees!!!😢
You said it - cost of living is above the nat'l average. Just like with any other popular place to live, I tell my clients to weigh the pros and cons. Prescott is a definitely a lifestyle destination!
Living in Prescott just 2 years ago I would often see people carrying guns while walking around the courthouse. So I would dispute your assertion about not seeing open carry of guns.
Thanks for contributing. I have no doubt it occurs; but I speak, of course, from my personal observations alone.
I love seeing that. Makes me feel safer.
Arizona in general I’ve seen some people carry firearms on there hip and most of them still carry but it is concealed. Most of them are nice and friendly and I don’t carry firearms myself but I respect and appreciate there constitutional right to do so, as well if anything happens there is a good chance of someone who can neutralize the situation. If it bothers you to see Americans armed then go to a blue state and live in a “Gun Free Zone” then you will have second thoughts about it.
@@CodyAyars I appreciate your comment. I find people here are, for the most part, tolerant and respectful. Those who come to town expecting to be made uncomfortable, usually are. That said, I've always enjoyed living just a little bit outside my comfort zone! 😎
My wife and I are looking at Prescott for retirement in a year or two after my son graduates high school next year. Moving from flat Texas and wanting Mountain views, no humidity.
My parents came to Prescott after living in Dallas for many years, and then Friendswood, south of Houston. We had lived for a time near Bozeman, MT and Salt Lake City, so loved mountainous terrain - even though we were originally from southeastern New England, right on the Atlantic coast. Prescott, at it's mile-high elevation, has the dry, low-humidity climate but not the extreme desert heat. Four mild seasons; and though the terrain is not as dramatic as the Rockies or Utah's Wasatch range, the ponderosa-covered slopes of the Bradshaw Mountains and the naked granite of Thumb Butte, Granite Mountain and the Dells are both scenic and accessible. The topography varies widely within a small area, so you can "choose your views."
Too many California people😢
I lived there from 1980 to 1988... left & never looked back
Thanks for your comment. Right, Prescott's not for everyone; but those who love it, LOVE it!
Reason #5 it's getting too crowded. I love Prescott but I don't know if I can handle so many people anymore.
As for firearms. It warms my heart when my roofing salesmen shows me his gun. If 10% of the people (responsible gun owners) always carried you would know that you live in a safe place.
Having said that. There was a shoot out between some bikers out in Chino Valley a mile away from where I lived about 10 years ago or so. But that isn't common.
It's probably not as crowded as Escondido, California, so we're going to visit and take a look.
@johnbresnik don't please. Escondido sounds great. Go there. We are full.
I leave Prescott every year at the end of October. Then I come back in June or July. :)
I put up with the politics because I like the geographical environment. The sun is more brutal here than in Phoenix where I grew up and the thin air and pollen wreaks havoc on my sinuses. I couldn't live here full time.
Sunbirds are annoying.
You sound a lot like me. Where do you go from November to June?
@@TheDesertwalker My home town, Phoenix. I've been coming to Prescott since I was a kid in the 60s and I was finally able to retire and get out of the heat.
Ya gotta love short sleeve weather in January and February :)
I've got neighbors who love to walk in the evening; but yes, there are times of the year when allergies keep them at home! You are absolutely correct - there are pros and cons....but I have yet to find someplace that doesn't have its share of those!
GREAT VIDEO
Most people who move out of Prescott, are leaving for heaven.
I think you've got something, there...
That is the best line I have read all month. You win, Paul. Hands down.
😂
It's all relative right, well, I have been here 5 years now, love it. No, not a great place for the young for sure, great for the people who made their money someplace else and are getting ready to retire. Yes, sadly, if you are a native, renting and don't have a higher paying job, you will continue to struggle with increasing rent costs or purchasing a house. If you are a property owner, you are going to benefit from the influx of refugees from CA.... and the money they will bring with them. So, both good and bad. Also, not true regarding firearms, although I'm not an "open carry" fan, and carry concealed, I see open carry firearms on a weekly basis. However, it's refreshing to know that so many people concealed carry here!
Thanks for your insightful comments! There is an influx from CA, but this week I've got clients from Georgia and NY...and don't forget the "refugees" from the Phoenix heat. People moving north from the valley make up a large percentage of those coming to town. As you say, there's good and bad. As for open carry, I know plenty of gun owners but don't seem to see many firearms when I'm out and about. I do open carry myself, but it's just a knife in my sock! LOL
Reasons to move there for us anyway. ❤
Flag flying pick up truck? Wow, loved the tone with which that was said. That's why he needs to stay in San Francisco. If California was open carry crime wouldn't be the issue it is.
i love Prescott but i can't afford it.
Ca. is about to follow the gun control plan of the third Reich with registration of ALL firearms and 'voluntary surrender in the interest of justice' to follow.
(this from a friend of mine in the state senate) SB1160 .We will not comply. We will MOVE first. Amend your video please.
Lies.
Within the first 5 to 6 seconds its because of people like you. So you chose to push out the locals and try make it your own?!?.and make into a cheaper Sedona! Just say that. Unfortunately it makes to much sense. But they won't see it in front of there eyes.
Glad we bought in the 90’s
No doubt you've built substantial equity! 👏
LMAO.. You don't see guns in Prescott. This guy has obviously never stood. Next to me in circle K. Down by the hospital. I openly carry a pistol everywhere around Prescott. I also keep a shotgun. In the back window of my truck.
As far as available jobs in Prescott. That's a joke in itself. Well, I will say you are correct about the smoke. Forest service does lots of controlled burns. To the point that the Prescott National forest. Looks like shit nothing but scarred burnt areas. Unattractive and ugly. Oh yea, you did forget one thing. Yes, the town is very conservative. Along with being extremely corrupt. Don't move to Prescott at all.
LOL - You're right. I don't hit that Circle K too often... 🤣🤣🤣
@@azkiltedrealtor I stopped going there when they installed the checkout platforms which identify your purchases and put cashiers out of work.
@@joevarga5982 On the other hand, before the self-checkouts went in, the chief complaint was that there were never enough cashiers on duty. Can't win either way!
It has to be corrupt if it’s full of conservatives. And a bunch of feeling tough people walking around to intimidate others or just scared of their own shadow.
I don’t think so.
They're probably getting tired of bad jazz.
Shortness if breath for someone in average health? Come on!
Could be a good thing - my dad discovered he had a few blockages & needed open heart surgery. Lived there another 20 years & loved every minute
the elevation had me short of breath for a month
@@azfishgames4011 Sounds about right. My dad was still having issues after around 5 months & went to Dr.
Yes. Many people get along fine at sea level, but not at altitude. Older people are often on supplemental oxygen, even at sea level. Prescott is not for them.
@joevarga prescott ain't for you either son...
Stupidity is the only reason I can think of.
People China and go. Prescott is remaining the same or more population right now
No Money there😅😂
Extremely boring
Out of curiosity why would you say that? Also how old are you? Do you have kids? I’m doing research and would appreciate your opinion
Last 15 years or so it has gone to he**
Why too many nazi?
Your a fool
Yeah super racist
Oh for Pete's sake 🙄
The NAZI’s are governing California. It’s a Democrat plantation. Free people live in Prescott. Live free or move to California.
White is right in preskidd
might help if they pronounced the name properly. it isnt pres kit
Yes it is.
It's press kit. Unless you don't live there. Which you obviously don't.