5 Things I Hate About Living In Flagstaff Arizona

[@WebDesignSocal]

Flagstaff is overpopulated. Too much traffic, too many people at businesses, parking lots full, high prices.

[@wannabetowasabe]

I lived in Flagstaff from 1971-1977. The town had 20,000 residents and the student body at NAU was 10,000 my first semester there. I moved away for career reasons foremost, however, I thought Flagstaff was going to grow past my toleration for large places. My thoughts turned out to be exactly what happened. I now live at 8,000 feet in the Sierra Nevada. Average snowfall at my house is 204" and Flagstaff's average is around 100." The town I'm in is about 7,200 people and the nearest big city is about 2.5 - 3 hours away. Similar to the time is takes to get to Phoenix from Flagstaff. The wind blows every afternoon as we are on the lee side of a major pass. The pine pollen is similar. We also have rabbit brush and other pollen producing plants. They are more numerous as the area has more precipitation than Northern Arizona. Winters here are a bit long, generally starting in mid October and it can snow up to 4th of July, but it usually stops around May 15 to June 1. The heating season is around 8 - 9 months of the year. We heat with a pellet stove. Winters here are definitely harder than Flagstaff and shopping in the big city is more distant. We get invaded by visitors as there is a major ski area here. Summer visitation is influenced by a nearby National Monument and by the numerous large lakes and streams with fishing being a major draw. The mountains are more beautiful here and there is a ton more water. I don't remember Flagstaff having a large number of visitors, but then being a much larger town I think it absorbs the impacts of the visitors much more. We can get 35,000 - 40,000 visitors in a town of 7,200 so winter weekends can be interesting. Summers are similar but it's basically a weekend all summer. We have marked "shoulder seasons" where the town is relatively quiet for 4 - 6 week periods each fall and spring season. Summer visitation is highest while schools are out. Yosemite is nearby and that draws visitors, to say the least. The largest portion of visitors come from southern California. We are one tank of gas away from there. We get a ton of international visitors. Flagstaff would not be like it is without the Grand Canyon. That is the big draw, along with the nearby small National Park units (Walnut Canyon, Sunset Crater and Wupatki). The Redrock Country is also a major attraction near Flagstaff. In terms of acreage, number of lifts and lift ticket sales our ski area is far larger than the Arizona Snow Bowl. Ours is a nationally significant and major ski area. We also have a major cross country ski area the encompasses a major lake basin of 12 lakes. Wilderness use is a major draw. Overnight travel requires a permit which are issued on a quota basis for each trailhead. Without this quota system our wilderness would suffer overuse and resource degradation. Another reason I didn't stay in Flagstaff is the lack of surface water. Very few creeks, rivers and natural lakes. The lack of a major mountain range was another. Northern Arizona is basically flat with some scattered mountains that are volcanic in origin. We don't have elk in the Sierra Nevada and I miss having them. Our bear population is much higher and that causes problems. We have far more dear vs. car accidents here. These are a few thoughts comparing Flagstaff to where I live now.

[@Scott-mk7tz]

The weather, including the wind seems similar to the Midwest minus the humidity.

[@livinginflagstaffarizona928]

You are correct Scott. One thing about the weather that differs from the Midwest is the temperature swing in a day can be 30+ degrees sometimes. Consistently over 20 degrees a day of a temperature swing.

[@joevarga5982]

@@livinginflagstaffarizona928 It can be 40+ degrees.

[@tonythegreat4275]

1. I love wind, being in extremely hot Phoenix there is no wind. 2. Traffic in Phoenix is way worse. 3. Allergies is better than heat exhaustion, hot chest, heat related nose bleeds and headaches. 4. Trains? Really lol that's better than night walkers and creeps on that k2, and fentanyl. 5. Cold is better than hot, you can hide from the heat, you cannot hide from the heat. Cold is amazing. Something I never got to experience enough. Ya got me sold I think.

[@DarwinEastman]

Our 5th year here from WI. Climate is more moderate and if we do have a snowstorm, melting begins shortly after. Many sunny days!

[@phillipmorales8886]

I use to live in Flagstaff for 53 years, The worst thing is the winds in spring and early summer it's a wildfire threat to the forests, The traffic is just terrible, the Milton Road corridor is the worst, so is downtown and Route 66. There are trains that block the grade crossings for almost 10 to 15 minutes, there's always a train every 15 minutes that passes through town. And driving in the snow and ice can be challenging, unless you have a four-wheel drive vehicle your fine. The winters are cold and long. You can live there if you want too or not, housing and rent is very expensive!

[@livinginflagstaffarizona928]

All valid points about Flagstaff and information people should know. You summed it up pretty well.

[@djm5k]

I did a one night stop over in Flagstaff back in May of 2022. The town had a nice vibe to it. For awhile, I had thought it might be a nice place to move to, but now I am going to just leave it as a nice place to visit, but don’t want to live there. My brother just finished building a house in Prescott and he and his wife love it there. Some day I will check out Prescott.

[@livinginflagstaffarizona928]

It's not a place for everyone. We are showing property today to folks considering both Prescott and Flagstaff. I am going to make a video about that. It is a very common for people to consider both places.

[@dalton-jon-f5791]

I've been in Flag central for 2 years and the wind is maybe there sometimes but so is monday and the traffic here is great compared to CA polite drivers nice people here friendly.. Alergies? don't get'm.. Never stopped more than 5 mins for a train and crossings can be avoided.. Cold? didn't notice,, I'm not seeing all these things as problems Flagstaff is a great place.

[@livinginflagstaffarizona928]

Flagstaff is an amazing place. Being born and raised here I love it. It's great to see you have a great appreciation for Flagstaff.

[@danielmybrother6049]

I have been here a year and it's been tough finding a decent employer; the employers I've had have been absolutely disappointing. The weather has been awesome as far as Summer goes (Doney Park), and yep, the wind can be relentless. I didn't think we had much snow this past Winter, but again my first experience. I was shocked by the traffic, and I-40 has become ridiculous.

[@jasonshafor]

You are speaking lots of truths Daniel. This was a very weak winter for snowfall. Traffic has really got out of control recently. It can be worse than some major metro cities at times.

[@steph7115]

Have you found any work there?

[@rustyknott-W.D]

How about the snow? We have a true four season climate. Summer, Fall, Winter and WIND! We have no spring as it can snow into late May. I love it all. If you know how the town lays out, you can avoid the traffic. If you grew up here, as I did, you'd know that. I'll deal with the trains any day rather than Milton. It is a cold place. My parents were from Montana and they always claimed that Flag was the coldest place they'd ever lived year 'round because at least it got warm in Montana in the spring, and Montana was a lot warmer in Summer. Flag AVERAGES 212 days a year when the low temperature is 32 degrees or less. Think about that. Love the 100" of snow a year.

[@furyofbongos]

Very honest and revealing, thanks!!

[@livinginflagstaffarizona928]

You are welcome. I will be adding more honest content in the next month.

[@alhfgsp]

Flagstaff seems like the Colorado Springs of Arizona. I lived in The Springs for 2 years and everything you described is exactly how it was there.

[@jasonshafor]

@ alhfgsp Very similar to Colorado Springs. No place is perfect but we love it here.

[@alhfgsp]

@jasonshafor However, the Sprinhs gets much hotter in the summertime than Flagstaff.

[@everettogden8132]

Thanks for the info! I used to get rocked by seasonal allergies. About 5 years ago I started taking a daily allergy pill (Aller-Zyr) and I don't have that problem any more! Game changer for me. You should give that a try 😁

[@WolfRoss]

Flagstaff has an average temperature lower than Fairbanks, Alaska. And that is why when I was living in and near Flagstaff I decided not to settle in Flagstaff and I instead settled near Show Low.

[@livinginflagstaffarizona928]

It was an extremely cold winter this year. Flagstaff can get cold in the winter but the beautiful thing is you can drive 2 hours and be in shorts.

[@Alicewonders828]

Yup! Six flash flood warnings in one day is a bit much!

[@jasonshafor]

I think we will see more this week unfortunately. I feel for the people who are dealing with all the floods from the fire.

[@spark_6710]

I am allergic to dust ,so , windy places aren't good for me ! Lol. But,I am going to Flagstaff/ Monument Valley/ Sedona this September !! Lol. I have been to Phoenix twice ,but never been to Flagstaff, etc.,yet ! I'll be taking some nasal sprays & Mucinex there !! 😅💜🥁🐉🎤🎶🏜💞

[@jasonshafor]

Good news is the winds will be died down. September is one if not the best month in Flagstaff. Wildflowers will be blooming from the monsoon rain which might flair up you allergies. Sounds like you are prepared

[@spark_6710]

@@jasonshafor Thank you ! I'll do my best ! Lol. Thank you so much for your reply !! 👍💜🥁🐉🎤🎶💞

[@StockSpotlightPodcast]

Living in SoCal, I’ve been looking at both Sedona and Flagstaff. I don’t like my hair messed up, so the wind is a big no no haha I just love Sedona’s weather and moderate climate, but I like that Flagstaff is a bigger city. I would never live in southern Phoenix it’s too hot. But, it’s been 20 years since I’ve seen snow like Flagstaff and that is a super high elevation. Ugh…no perfect place

[@livinginflagstaffarizona928]

Sedona has some of the best year round weather you can find anywhere. It's a pretty quick drive to Flagstaff if you need to head to the bigger city for things. I love Sedona and it sounds like it's the place that would be better for you.

[@axr6327]

Being a touristic and college town, I imagine the population mostly comes and goes. Let’s say I decided to stay and didn’t wanna feel too lonely, how accessible are communities in flagstaff? Is it more of a place to seem solitude or is a moderate social life attainable? Btw thanks for the video!

[@jasonshafor8793]

A moderate social life is completely attainable. It really depends on your interests and what communities you are seeking out. Flagstaff has a variety of cultural and social communities. Flagstaff is growing and people are coming to stay. Really depends on what you are seeking out but it is totally attainable.

[@megannason3649]

Honestly this sounds a lot like where I live now, in Moscow Idaho. I’m moving to Ash fork at some point but will probably work in either Flagstaff or Prescott.

[@livinginflagstaffarizona928]

You can find some nice areas to escape the city out there for sure. Great plan!

[@callister4941]

good ash fork is great!

[@dlite6999]

Trying to get on a wait list for assisted living hospice at Olivia white house but my disabled son now 37 lives above those train tracks I don't have but maybe 6 months left if even just want to have access to my son visiting me and being their when I pass but I've no idea if this is a good choice with COPD AND PTSD don't know if I can handle the noise of train all day and still blow their horn on way past my son's house up against forest lands HOW are the senior care assisted living nice places ? More you talk about the cold I think I may not be able to handle the weather 😢😢die homeless with no hospice freeze to death in Verde Valley anyways

[@livinginflagstaffarizona928]

I recently toured the Bluffs. It's a tremendous senior living facility. They have 4 different tiered levels to best suite everyones individual needs. Reach out to Kimberly Gutierrez and let her know I recommended you. Phone: [phone]. It's far from the train tracks. The trains do not blow there horns through town anymore.

[@BossChronicles]

how hot does flagstaff get in the summer

[@livinginflagstaffarizona928]

June gets hot. We see temps hit the high 80’s and sometimes low 90’s. The monsoons start the beginning of July. Temps typically will be in the low 80’s midday followed by cooling rain showers in the afternoon where temps will drop into the 70’s. Flagstaff never sees triple digits. I will say that 90 degrees at 7000 feet can feel hotter than 110. The intensity of the sun feels much more intense on your skin. Summers are wonderful in Flagstaff!

[@Mrlazy16]

Bro, here complaining till he sees how Phoenix is😂

[@hamburgler227]

Hate is a strong word

[@tooquick6]

How is dating in flagstaff for a middle aged man?

[@jasonshafor8793]

There is a pretty good size dating pool in Flagstaff. I have had some friends said the dating pool is good in Flagstaff. Downtown is a great starting place.

[@southwestroadtrips]

Seems like there's plenty of places that would be a LOT worse. Ever heard of Chicago or Detroit or Oakland? Maybe move out if you're not satisfied.

[@Alexkav2]

I live in Chicago and I love it . Looking for a second home somewhere between breckenridge or here

[@dontneednomanstoptelllingm8481]

I am not to far from Detroit I hate it here not because of the weather