Homesick for Cottonwood

klone, MSN, RN · Apr 14, 2004

Anyone from the Cottonwood/Sedona area? Guess I just need to hear some news from "home". What is the cost of living like now (as opposed to six years ago?!) What is the job market like for nurses now? Experienced Hospice or Public Health Nurse in need there? How about just describing the beauty surrounding you....missing the earth and the heavens!

I'm in Prescott. Don't get over to that side of Mingus very often, but as far as I know, it's still there.

menetopali · Apr 14, 2004

how's prescott these days? we left last year and hope to get back in a few.

klone, MSN, RN · Apr 14, 2004

how's prescott these days? we left last year and hope to get back in a few.

It's lovely! I'm from MN, so the weather here is absolutely heavenly. It snowed twice this last winter, and both times it was totally melted within 6 hours. I can definitely handle that.

They're building a new hospital in PV (another YRMC branch) that's expected to be done in 2006.

menetopali · Apr 14, 2004

yeah, i heard about the hospital in PV before we left. are you at YRMC now or over at the VAMC? how's the work look out there? do you know anybody out at the colleges? spouse worked at riddle, i went to YC and NAU-Prescott.

klone, MSN, RN · Apr 14, 2004

yeah, i heard about the hospital in PV before we left. are you at YRMC now or over at the VAMC? how's the work look out there? do you know anybody out at the colleges? spouse worked at riddle, i went to YC and NAU-Prescott.

I'm actually still a student - YC. So you did the RN-BSN through NAU? How did that work out for you? I'm very interested in doing that when I finish my program. Work situation is good - always openings at YRMC (haven't looked at VAMC), plus with the new hospital opening up, that will just double the employment opportunities. The town is getting HUGE. You would not believe how built up it's getting. PV is totally unrecognizable, compared to how it was even a year ago. Prescott was recently listed as the 6th fastest growing town in the US.

menetopali · Apr 15, 2004

well tell Kim, Elaine, Linda, Dr. Evans (the micro prof), and Barry (the A&P prof) that Mike said Hi to them and that we ended up in Western Maryland of all places. also let Judy, Karen, and Lynn know if they are around still (I think they were supposed to retire last year). if you have any questions about teaching styles or the like, let me know. good luck in the program.

menetopali · Apr 15, 2004

oh, about the NAU question...

i actually got my B.A. in Recreation and Park Management concurrently with my A.A.S.-Nursing at YC. I'm planning to start my RN-BSN at the University of Maryland this fall and finish my pre-reqs for med school (to leave my options open) at Frostburg State University. from the people i've talked to, the RN-BSN program through the distance education at NAU is ok. i can say that the people at the Dexter building were great to work with for the classes over there and the internet courses.

movealong · Jun 20, 2004

I just got back from a trip to Az. I went to Flagstaff, Prescott, and Payson. I drve RT 260 through Strawberry, and was blown away by how beautiful the high country was.

The down side was I was hoping to find a home in Flagstaff. Housing prices are very high there, at least for a one income single nurse. It's very frustrating to see the housing builds:luxury home for > 300,000 dollars. I wish they would build for people like me. But I met with several agents, and they will keep looking for me. Failing to find a home on the trip means I now have to decide if I will move to Flag and rent, and then be better able to look for homes once actually there. It's a gamble. I am undecided at this time. My other choice is to move to an area outside Sante Fe, a smaller town where home prices are withing reach for me.

Spiritwalker · Jul 3, 2004

I just got back from a trip to Az. I went to Flagstaff, Prescott, and Payson. I drve RT 260 through Strawberry, and was blown away by how beautiful the high country was.
The down side was I was hoping to find a home in Flagstaff. Housing prices are very high there, at least for a one income single nurse. It's very frustrating to see the housing builds:luxury home for > 300,000 dollars. I wish they would build for people like me. But I met with several agents, and they will keep looking for me. Failing to find a home on the trip means I now have to decide if I will move to Flag and rent, and then be better able to look for homes once actually there. It's a gamble. I am undecided at this time. My other choice is to move to an area outside Sante Fe, a smaller town where home prices are withing reach for me.

Isn't it beautiful up there!!! I do miss it, but I can't afford to live there...single mother, nurse....I think it is interesting that you have found a potential place outside Sante Fe...I heard cost of living is really high there too. What have you decided to do at this point? As for myself...I'm in Cincinnati and feel like I just need to load up my vehicle and hit the highway...I miss the Southwest!

Spiritwalker · Jul 3, 2004

I just got back from a trip to Az. I went to Flagstaff, Prescott, and Payson. I drve RT 260 through Strawberry, and was blown away by how beautiful the high country was.
The down side was I was hoping to find a home in Flagstaff. Housing prices are very high there, at least for a one income single nurse. It's very frustrating to see the housing builds:luxury home for > 300,000 dollars. I wish they would build for people like me. But I met with several agents, and they will keep looking for me. Failing to find a home on the trip means I now have to decide if I will move to Flag and rent, and then be better able to look for homes once actually there. It's a gamble. I am undecided at this time. My other choice is to move to an area outside Sante Fe, a smaller town where home prices are withing reach for me.

Isn't it beautiful up there!!! I do miss it, but I can't afford to live there...single mother, nurse....I think it is interesting that you have found a potential place outside Sante Fe...I heard cost of living is really high there too. What have you decided to do at this point? As for myself...I'm in Cincinnati and feel like I just need to load up my vehicle and hit the highway...I miss the Southwest!

movealong · Jul 3, 2004

Spiritwalker, I'm not exactly 100% sure what I'm going to do.

I'm trying to decide. I'm doing what is in front of me. I came home and started getting my house here ready to sell. Painting everything. I want to sell before interest rates go higher.

The cost of living is high, but I am single, no kids. Which is good and bad. 2 incomes are needed for most houses these days.

I'm thinking of sticking with Flag and renting for a year to make sure I like it there before buying. If I don't like it, at least I'll be close enough to scout other areas ( like in northern NM) a little better. very hard to do from the midwest.

Last option is to stay in the midwest, but move to Bloomington, Indiana. Sounds weird but Bloomington, Indiana is pretty, cost of living is better, and it is a college town. ( I have some family there).

I'll be making a decision shortly. All I know for sure is I'm selling and moving somewhere else!!!!!