Arizona Real Estate & Relocation Guide

Flagstaff, Arizona

Population: 64,000

Located in Coconino County

Flagstaff, Arizona

Flagstaff is a community rich with cultural diversity, beauty, and history as well as amazing educational, recreational and scientific opportunities. Our city government is devoted to enhancing the quality of life of our citizens, as well as the many visitors that grace Northern Arizona.

If you're looking to buy a home in Flagstaff, prices begin around $250,000 for a 2-bedroom, 1,000 square foot home, larger homes in Flagstaff usually start around $400,000.

Flagstaff is a governmental, educational, transportation, cultural and commercial center. Government is one of the largest employment sectors. Tourism is also a large employer as the city sees over 5,000,000 visitors a year. In addition, the City houses Northern Arizona University and other scientific and high tech research and development industries.

Education
Flagstaff Unified School District #1 has 9 elementary schools, 3 middle schools, 2 alternative schools, 5 magnet schools, and 3 high schools. In addition to the public school system, there are 10 charter schools run by private parties. These schools provide educational opportunities for children in kindergarten to high school. The schools specialize in everything from specific learning styles to programs focused on the Arts.

Coconino County Community College offers 33 associate degrees, 29 certificate programs, continuing education, and special programs for small businesses.

Flagstaff's commitment to education is enhanced by Northern Arizona University's contribution to the community. Established in 1899, NAU is one of Arizona's three state universities. In the fall of 2004, NAU offered 95 Bachelor, 47 Master, 8 Doctorate, and 1 Professional degrees along with 30 Undergraduate and 12 Graduate certificates. Top enrollment for its 19,147 students (12,980 of which were enrolled at the Flagstaff campus) are Elementary Education, Business Preparation, Hotel & Restaurant Management, Criminal Justice, and Psychology.

Medical
Flagstaff has an extensive array of medical facilities and resources in the areas of traditional, integrative and alternative healthcare. Flagstaff Medical Center is the Northern Arizona Regional referral center for trauma, cancer, rehabilitation, cardiac care, high-risk maternal/fetal, MRI/CT scan, and more. More than 148 physicians are on active staff at the hospital, representing 36 medical specialties.

Recreation
Flagstaff serves as the cultural hub of Northern Arizona. Because arts and cultural activities enhance the quality of life and have an economic impact, the City supports these endeavors. Funding support for these activities comes from the Bed, Board and Booze tax, and the General Fund. The Arts and Science Commission will disburse these funds. Throughout the year, there are art shows, festivals, live theater performances, and Native American arts and crafts exhibits to satisfy the most ardent enthusiast.

The Flagstaff Symphony Orchestra is a non-profit corporation dedicated to bringing world-class musical performances to their audiences, and to providing innovative programs in music education for youth across northern Arizona. The FSO conducts six concerts from September through April form the core of the Symphony's season, with additional Young People's Concerts for children in the Flagstaff Unified School District, and a Lollipop concert in December for families with young children. Regular concerts are held in 1500-seat Ardrey Auditorium on the campus of Northern Arizona University.

Lowell Observatory was founded in 1894 by Boston mathematician Percival Lowell. Best known for the discovery of Pluto, Lowell Observatory is also where astronomer V.M. Slipher gathered the first evidence that the universe is expanding. The Observatory also maintains a vigorous education and outreach program, headquartered in the Steele Visitor Center on Mars Hill. Each year, about 70,000 people visit the Observatory to learn about astronomy by participating in multimedia programs, private and school programs, special events, and other educational activities. The Observatory offers daily-guided tours and evening programs.

The Museum of Northern Arizona offers internationally recognition exhibits in archeology, ethnology, geology, biology, and fine art of the Colorado Plateau. Four especially notable exhibitions, which attract national and international visitors, include the annual Zuni, Hopi, Navajo, and Hispanic Exhibitions with contemporary and traditional pottery, weaving, jewelry, and sand paintings, as well as native artist demonstrations and traditional dance.

Known as the “City of Seven Wonders,” Flagstaff attracts millions of tourists each year due to its easy access to such scenic destinations as the Grand Canyon, Sunset Crater, Oak Creek Canyon, Meteor Crater, Walnut Canyon, Wupatki National Monument, and the San Francisco Peaks.

The City is surrounded within and without by coniferous forests, which allow for an array of outdoor sports and camping and backpacking opportunities. Flagstaff has a 50-mile urban trail system and is surrounded by national forest land. Mountain biking is popular, and Flagstaff is a departure point for rafting trips on the Colorado through the Grand Canyon. Downhill skiers enjoy 32 runs down the San Francisco Peaks, just 14 miles from downtown Flagstaff. Groomed trails at a nordic center provide over 40 kilometers of cross-country skiing. Endless miles can be skied on the hundreds of miles of forest service roads. Flagstaff even sponsors the annual Winter Festival that includes dog sled races.

According to a study by Flagstaff's Northern Arizona University, about a quarter of Flagstaff's approximately 64,000 residents are second-home owners. "Most of our buyers come for the summer from hot places, because if it gets to 90 here, that's quite unusual," says broker Paula Monthofer of Realty Executives of Flagstaff. "It's a mountain oasis (with) more of a small-town feel than a city."

A look at three Flagstaff neighborhoods

• Southwest Flagstaff. The city's most expensive area revolves around two gated, long-established golf communities targeted specifically at second-home owners. Forest Highlands has two golf courses with homes from $500,000 to about $2 million. Pine Canyon has one course and a mix of condos and single-family houses in the same price range.

• Fort Valley & Northwest Flagstaff. The Arizona Snowbowl ski area is 14 miles northwest of the city, and the Nordic center is 8 miles farther. The Fort Valley neighborhood at the foot of Snowbowl's access road is the most desirable location, though there are homes between the city and the mountains. "Older but nice homes go from about $300,000," says broker Paula Monthofer, and new custom houses go up to about $1.5 million.

• Southeast Flagstaff. The city's lowest-priced second-home area is just east of downtown. Second homes are clustered around two golf clubs, Aspen Valley and Continental Country Club. Single-family houses run $255,000 to $575,000.