Real estate prices, jobs, restaurants and outdoor activities earn the city high marks
Turn to page 56 in the February issue of Sunset magazine to see something that Prescott residents have always known. Prescott is great city in a desirable location. In fact, Prescott is named #4 in Sunset’s list of Best Places to Live in the West. Taking into consideration real estate prices, the number of jobs with reasonable salaries, great restaurants and shops, and opportunities for recreation. Prescott was only beaten by Nevada City, Calif., that was chosen the best place to live, followed by Ventura, Calif., and Boise, Idaho. Number five on the list was Vancouver, Washington.
“This has been my home for over 32 years and it is the most welcoming, beautiful place on Earth,” said Sanford Cohen, chairman of the board for the Prescott Chamber of Commerce. “Where else can you find the combination of four mild seasons, outstanding scenery, a fantastic mix of retail and services, all within close proximity to many natural wonders like the Grand Canyon.”
Mary J. Fusinski, a long time resident and broker/owner of Pinon Realty LLC, said she is seeing people coming to Prescott from all over the country.
“They are looking for a safe, active, affordable community to retire or raise children,” she said. “They want to be involved in the community, and they like the idea of a small town with so many things to offer.”
She added that people are excited to learn about the local airport offering flights to Los Angeles daily.
“The sports arena bringing professional basketball to town, the many choices available to build a life in Prescott filled with beauty, outdoor activities and options of social and business opportunities, (also attract people).”
The article was titled “The Adventure-seekers Playground.”
Prescott scored high marks in outdoor sports because of its 28-mile multi-use trail network that links the city to wildlands including easy access to the Kaibab and Prescott national forests.
“It’s a great place to go outside to play,” said Raigan Fundalewicz, co-owner of Hike Shack that supplies outdoor gear. “The trails we have in Prescott are very rare the way they are mapped out and maintained.”
Beyond popular recreation activities such as hiking, biking, climbing and horseback riding, Prescott is popular for water sports.
“We paddle board on all the lakes in the city. You are not allowed to swim in them, but you can be on them,” she said.
Of course there is camping. A lot of people come here to do that,” she said.
Greg Raskin was born and raised in Prescott and runs a third generation of Raskins Jewelers. After living in Washington D.C. for a while, he and his wife moved to Prescott to raise their children “in more of a hometown where everyone knows your name.”
Another reason to stay in Prescott is that he is an avid mountain biker.
“It’s a good life,” he said.
Fusinski said those who love the West, but want to live in a cooler climate say Prescott is the place for them. “People say my eyes light up when I talk about Prescott. I feel excited every day to live, work and play in this amazing town – the town we call everyone’s Home Town.”
The magazine also showcases the Palace Restaurant and Saloon, which is reputed to be Arizona’s oldest frontier saloon, and Whisky Row, which at one time was home to more than 40 post-gold rush saloons, but now has more art galleries and specialty shops.
Runners up to Prescott at #4 on the list of Best Places to Live were Scottsdale, Los Alamos, N.M., and Silver City N.M.
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