What it like to live in.....

I am considering moving my family to the Cottonwood area. I've been on a few message boards that indicate the locals aren't too keen (nor friendly) to those of us who move in. Any comments? I'm also looking for pros and cons of living in the Prescott, Cottonwood, Clarkdale, etc. area.

Just like Prescott, Prescott Valley or any place else in this area, if you aren't a person that "plants" him/her self on a barstool for the evening ... there is not much of anything to do !
This entire area is oriented for the gambler & the drinker.
Also, it's an "old - boy" network regarding business or most anything else.
I've lived in Prescott for 10 years, and as I'm certain that you can tell by my cynicism, I don't like it here.
I plan to move not only out of this area, but out of Arizona as soon as possible !
There is one "saving grace" here.
If you are a veteran of the Armed Forces, the V.A. Hospital in Prescott is absolutely top-notch !!!

In addition, the crime rate is much more severe than you will see reported in the local newspapers.
After all, Heaven forbid that the tourists be scared away !

I don't know, I live in Prescott, and I find it charming. I've been here for 20 years and am raising my 8 children here. Like any place, you can find what you're looking for - and I was looking for a smallish community with a sense of small-town, and with convenient shopping.

I like the fact that I know lots of people around town, and they know me and can let me know if my kids mess up. We have a great church (Cornerstone) with people that really care about one another. I've never sat on a barstool in this town or gambled, and I feel utterly fulfilled and never lack for something to do.

The schools are pretty good, with a variety of options for different kinds of kids. My son did well enough to get a "5" (highest grade possible) on the Physics AP exam, so he must have learned something!(He sure didn't get that from me!!!)

It's pretty neat that the high school football games are broadcast on the local radio station. There are opportunities for soccer and football and baseball and gymnastics, just to name a few.

On the other hand, we don't have much traffic to fight (except at 5 pm on Gurley Street), we seldom need to go to Phoenix to shop (unless you want to find an Apple store) and the temperatures cool down at night (unlike Phoenix).

Prescott is rich in history, and there are several museums around in which to study and learn about the past.

I think that maybe Mr. Lord just hasn't looked in the right places around town.