Considering relocating to Sedona..what's it like living there?

[curious mother]

my 28 year old son is moving to Sedona this weekend from San Francisco because his employer is relocating his business there. I am a little concerned that there is "no life" for a young, single in Sedona....please tell me I'm wrong!

[Kristi]

carljackson wrote:

<quoted text>
tough to find good paying job. also, a bit isolated 2 hours north of phoenix.

we found a great home down the road in Cornville- new homes called Verde Santa Fe that are affordable and close enough to enjoy Sedona's beauty. There are a lot of retiress here and it's great for that but not for employment as pay is very poor here. There are a lot of poor families in nearby Cottonwood also. Many white out of state people are here and people are friendly. There is a large recover population also here as there are many half way houses. Except for the wind and overzealous traffic ticketing officers we arent disappointed we came here from California. Being from LA I sometimes miss all a big city offers and we are 2 hours from Phoenix. If I had my druthers I would have choses Scottsdale AZ is it is upscale and pretty with the palm trees & sagauro cactuses that dont grow here, as well as all the events a bigger city offers. COme visit & see for yourself as it isnt a bad area at all to retire. In fact I condider it a little hidden slice of heaven!

[SedonaFan]

Sedona, like any place, is what you make it. I've been there many times over the years and a previous poster made a huge issue out of homeless folks in Sedona. Coming from Florida, I can tell you this: live in any state where the weather is warm to hot all year with a mild winter and you will have a large problem with the homeless. Sedona is no different. There are low-wage paying jobs that the affluent that live in Sedona certainly aren't going to do, so who will be there to do those jobs? The "poor" that some keep referring to. If it wasn't for those folks, there would be no housekeepers at the hotels, no waiters, no cooks, etc.

Sedona is beautiful, but I wouldn't recommend it for a single person. It may not be a great place for young families also, however, I have ALWAYS had a great experience with the folks in Sedona. Always super friendly, super helpful, and never a negative experience. If you are intimidated by money and affluence, you could make a lot of assumptions about this beautiful place.

Personally, out of all the places in Arizona to live, I would have to agree with a previous poster that Tucson is the absolute ideal. Sedona would be a drive of several hours away if you want to visit, but Tucson is beautiful, doesn't have the terrible pollution problem that Phoenix and its suburbs have, and it has a great cross section of young to old, singles to families, schools, restaurants, great views, clean air, etc. And it also has some of the artsy feel of Sedona and Santa Fe along with the spas and new age healing stuff if you are up for that. Tucson would be my pick to live with a second home in Sedona for regular visits and vacations!

[2ndsight]

SedonaFan wrote:

Sedona, like any place, is what you make it. Sedona is beautiful, but I wouldn't recommend it for a single person. It may not be a great place for young families also, however, I have ALWAYS had a great experience with the folks in Sedona. Always super friendly, super helpful, and never a negative experience. If you are intimidated by money and affluence, you could make a lot of assumptions about this beautiful place.
Personally, out of all the places in Arizona to live, I would have to agree with a previous poster that Tucson is the absolute ideal. Sedona would be a drive of several hours away if you want to visit, but Tucson is beautiful, doesn't have the terrible pollution problem that Phoenix and its suburbs have, and it has a great cross section of young to old, singles to families, schools, restaurants, great views, clean air, etc. And it also has some of the artsy feel of Sedona and Santa Fe along with the spas and new age healing stuff if you are up for that. Tucson would be my pick to live with a second home in Sedona for regular visits and vacations!

Tucson,NAU,alike,university settings..OK OK..understood..although,i see the progressiveness here,as well..But,,
Guys,guys..a 28 y/o from san fran..is a perfect fit for Sedona.
if active outdoorsie?...life could be ideal...in Sedona.
yeah..the night life or party eves would be limited..but there's alot of activities for active singles here(really)..
plus..we need all the relaxed persons we can muster since the conserv-stiff-right has a strong presence here.(or at least administratively)
any real good circle of friends ..ya make on your own choice.
i've found many fun folks Here, Have,a large array of EQ..makes for intelligent conversation and found,few uncomfortable moments with people that just cannot lie down their social radar for one moment..just, Too High profile etc.
sure it's here..with SOME grandeur;social hierarchy but thats everywhere..(except- detroit)
also..we're.., wha?...45 minutes from North Phoenix..on,,any friday..less time,than one Larry King episode your in the stew for social "Meetups".
at age 28...i believe He's prepared for the obvious Social exchange.just search the web..there's plenty here.

[Move Foward]

So, Sedona needs to reassess who they are targeting for tourism and potential relocation. I mean I love the place, but as a 32 year old male, the hiking and nature are awesome aspects obviously, but the dining and shopping mainly appeals to the 50 and over crowd. I know they are the money spenders, but give the 18-34 crowd more to do, and they will come in masses. Personally, I would move there if there was improvement in this area. I'll still visit a few times a year, but till the scene becomes a bit hipper, I'll wait til later in life. Hike on!

[W3slinger]

Move Foward wrote:

So, Sedona needs to reassess who they are targeting for tourism and potential relocation. I mean I love the place, but as a 32 year old male, the hiking and nature are awesome aspects obviously, but the dining and shopping mainly appeals to the 50 and over crowd. I know they are the money spenders, but give the 18-34 crowd more to do, and they will come in masses. Personally, I would move there if there was improvement in this area. I'll still visit a few times a year, but till the scene becomes a bit hipper, I'll wait til later in life. Hike on!

Move,
I completely understand where you are coming from.

I have to admit that from my last few years of visiting Sedona, the general impression is of a slower paced existence catering to a more sedate lifestyle. This is exactly the reason I continue to make trips to Sedona.

This being said, I pose a question back: Why would anyone want or need to change Sedona? The point of going to a place you like, is that you like it the way it is, not the way you can evolve it to be. In this thread we have already read that Flagstaff, Tucson, Santa Fe are all accessible in the area, and cater to a much broader choice for lifestyle. I would much rather see the Sedona vibe and atmosphere stay unique rather than have yet another homogenous "destination" where college kids go during spring break.

I look forward to your response :)