Could Prescott Become The Next Sun City?
Probably not. The idea is born from the misconception that the overwheming majority of Prescott residents are retired. While it's an easy assumption to make (the largest segment of the Prescott population-21%-is seventy years and older), the average age for the area, which includes Chino and Prescott Valley, is 46 - and yes, I realize that compared to most metro areas, that's on the "older" side.
Here's what's happening: Much of the entertainment, restaurants and shopping is either now (or will soon be) centered in and around Prescott Valley. (For those who don't know the area, Prescott Valley is about five miles east of Prescott on the main highway. Ten years ago, Prescott Valley (or PV for short) was a wide place in the road. Now it shows promise of becoming the financial and entertainment center for the area, with lots of potential for growth.
I believe this is primarily due to PV's positive development attitude, designed to welcome and encourage new business, home buiding, and commmercial development - just the opposite of Prescott (just my opinion, but supported by many folks in the real estate business).
While we're on the subject, here's some other common misconceptions about Prescott:
1. All residents must own three dogs, two of which must constantly bark day and night.
2. All employed residents work for the city - they spend most of their time citing each other for zoning infractions (see number 3)
3. To achieve maximum views, or to derive increased enjoyment from a piece of property, you may build your home anywhere you like, including on the next door neighbor's lot.
4. Prescott is really a California town that was levitated by aliens and placed in the Arizona mountains, hoping the locals wouldn't notice. (paraphrased from a bumper sticker with a California license plate, but it makes you wonder - Could Arnold really be from another planet???)
Posted at 01:48PM Dec 06, 2009 by Jill Reid in General |
