My sister has stage 4 MS, and is getting divorced in San Diego. My parents are thinking of moving from CO down close to the Phoenix area (for the nuerologists), and will have my sister move in with them, so they can take care of her in her last days.

They are looking into the Wickenburg area. I know we had henryaz in the area, but know he passed last year. Anyone else in the area that may be able to answer some questions from mom and dad, perhaps by phone?

Thanks.

Edited for member name.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: bigpond73,

quote:

Originally posted by bigpond73:
My sister has stage 4 MS, and is getting divorced in San Diego. My parents are thinking of moving from CO down close to the Phoenix area (for the nuerologists), and will have my sister move in with them, so they can take care of her in her last days.

They are looking into the Wickenburg area. I know we had henryinaz in the area, but know he passed last year. Anyone else in the area that may be able to answer some questions from mom and dad, perhaps by phone?

Thanks.

Sorry to hear about your sister Mike. May God bless your parents in their move and call to help their daughter.
Prayer sent.

Sure there are some that can help out with your request for help.

I’m not sure I can help much with detailed questions about Wickenburg itself, but if they are general area questions I’d be happy to help. We pass through there headed to/fro Prescott quite a bit.

Todd

Thanks orc, it's been a long battle for her.

Phxtoad, I think they are just trying to get a feel for the area. They have been looking at a home online, but don't know if it's a good area, or anything about community wells, etc. They've been here in CO for 11 years, moving from San Diego, so AZ will be a little different for them. I do appreciate your offer for help, and will see if I can get some more particular questions from them.

Are these neurologists by any chance located in Phoenix at the Mayo Clinic? If so, Wickenburg is awfully far away, especially if there will be frequent doctor visits. At least a one hour drive in no traffic. Longer if there is significant traffic.

I met and married my wife in W’burg, and both of our kids were born there, but after living there for quite a long time, life took us elsewhere. Ironically, we’re headed down to Arizona tomorrow, and will spend some time in and around W’burg. I’m bummed that Henry is gone, would have loved to tie in with him.

I still keep in touch with a couple people, and I’ve been back a couple times—it’s changed a lot. It was always the Dude Ranch Capital of the West (some might beg to differ), but many have been closed, sold, developed.

Roping used to be a very popular local event, now it’s huge and team ropers from all over winter in and around W’burg. I’m told that there are no less than 8 roping events going on in the area, at any given time. Big, fancy trucks, and likewise big and fancy horse trailers all over town—all winter long.

Like so many places I’ve loved, Wickenburg has grown and changed. Your folks might still like it. Depending on where they are now, might love it.

I guess I’ll add a couple things: I used to know a realtor that I would recommend, but he’s since retired. I know that a popular place to move to is The Trilogy, located N of town. Maybe your folk would like to book a place at Los Cab (Rancho de Los Caballeros) for 3 or 4 days to get acquainted with the area. There are, of course, less expensive options.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: TMats,

My wife and I are increasingly bound to areas with good medical care close by. IIRC Wittenburg is about 2 hours from Phoenix, farther from Scottsdale where the Mayo Clinic is. I would imagine your sister would need fairly frequent visits to the neurologist. OTOH I think it's not a bad road between Wittenburg and Phoenix.

Thanks for the suggestions everyone.

Everything is moving at a fast pace, so we are all trying to get as much information as we can. I assume the Mayo clinic is where she will be going.

Any other recommendations on areas they should look at near Phoenix? I know Mom mentioned she didn't want to be further south than Phoenix.

I suggest they take a look at Fountain Hills. It’s close, but far enough off the main drags that it’s really quiet. Easy access to Mayo’s north campus and Scottsdale is the next town over. Mayo has a campus that’s basically in Fountain Hills, despite showing as being in Scottsdale. Home prices were lower for better stuff compared to the valley, or at least that was the case when we were home shopping in 2022/2023. If we didn’t have to be in Mesa for other reasons, that’s where I’d want to be.

Need to know some more info: Are they looking for a house only (urban) or house on a larger parcel of land (rural)? How long are they comfortable driving to Mayo? As mentioned - Wickenburg could be a 2-hr drive or more during rush hour (90 minutes would be normal). From the far east valley it would only be a 45 minute drive or so.

Wichkenburg would be still a hike to most of the east valley specialists. I live in the Prescott area and most people here who need advanced speciality care go to Phoenix metro. Other than being a bit off the beaten path and less congested ( pop density/ traffic) I wouldn’t see an advantage in this situation to looking there as opposed to something like the fountain hills mentioned, or cave creek

I live in Cave Creek, which is about a 30 minute drive to Mayo’s Phoenix campus, and about 45 minutes to their Scottsdale campus, both of those are without traffic, and I think the Neurological department is at the farther (Scottsdale) location.

Now, the “Phoenix” location is just off the 101 between Scottsdale Road and Tatum, very near to Scottsdale proper, while the “Scottsdale” location is farther to the east side of the valley.

The Cave Creek/Carefree area has gotten a bit more developed in recent years, but it is still on the border of the Tonto National Forest. I will say housing is expensive in Scottsdale, so one of the non-Scottsdale addresses will likely be less expensive.

Send me an email and we can exchange phone numbers, I’ll do my best to answer questions.

I live in Cave Creek and sometimes work in Wickenburg. It's not two hours from Phoenix, but then I'm a lead foot. There are only two roads to get to Phoenix from Wickenburg - 60 and 74 - and neither of those end up anywhere near Mayo Clinic. If you're looking at the outlying areas to stretch the real estate budget, well, it's gonna get expensive the closer in you go. There are a lot of new developments going up off of Sonoran Desert Drive between Cave Creek Rd. and I-17. I haven't looked into pricing, but there must be a ton of availability there and it's a ton closer than Wickenburg.

Thanks guys.

Again, everything is moving at warp speed. What my parents think they want one day, changes the next. As soon as I get more info, I will ask here.

Nuclear, I appreciate the offer, and will send an email to you today. Thanks.

I will add another thought to this thread.

From the Prescott area, I tried to be seen at the Mayo for my knees, routine care after TKR, and they refused me. I had to send x-rays, reports, etc. and they denied my request to be seen by their ortho Dept. 'We reviewed your information to determine if we could add further value to your treatment, unfortunately we cannot offer you an appointment'

I don't know if that means my knees are fine (they do feel fine) or they don't meet their criteria for care as they are not "bad". My search for ortho care in this area has been frustrating and almost nobody will do a revision if one is needed.

Just a thought it might be worth a call to Mayo to make sure Sister can be a patient there.

Email if you have any questions I can help with

Thanks folks.

I have a little more information after speaking to dad this morning. My sister will be going to the Barrow Institute, which is downtown Phoenix. They are looking for a rural property, not a lot of acreage, maybe 3-6 acres. Definitely not suburbs. It should have an attached garage, or the space to build one. 4 bed, 2+ bath, ranch style, single floor home. My sister and my mom are in wheelchairs, so any sort of accessibility issues are pertinent.

Dad says getting from Wickenburg to Phoenix is half hour, by his estimates. I just showed him on Google maps that it is not a half hour, more like 1.5-2 hours. So.....they are still considering that area, but I also brought up everyone's suggestions here too. Still in the planning and looking stage.

Thanks again all, your suggestions are really helping narrow this down.

My older brother lives in Phoenix. He and his brother run a mission and do work in Mexico.

Praying for you and your sister Mike.

quote:

Originally posted by bigpond73:

Thanks again all, your suggestions are really helping narrow this down.

Would renting for a year be an option? That's what we did for a year and a half. We moved to Prescott Valley, then got to know the area and neighborhoods to determine where we don't want to be in and what was acceptable before searching for a home.

Renting is not an option, they will buy. Dad has lots of.....stuff. This will be their last move, I am sure. Thanks for the suggestions though.

Have them look into the 85086 North Phoenix, Anthem, and part of Cave Creek, 85331 Cave Creek and Carefree zip codes. This will get them closer to town.

The 60 going to and from Wickenburg is a decent road, but a long way down to the 303 or 101. 74 from Wickenburg is an ok road, but only 1 lane each way till I-17. It can sometime get pretty back up around Lake Pleasant depending on what's going on. Also the ADOT like to close down entire sections of highway on the weekend. This can really back up 74 if the close sections of I-17 on the Northside.

Another issue that could come up, as the microchip plant comes online the traffic on 74 could get bad as well. Just some food for thought.

I am in North Phoenix and if I have the time I am always happy to help put eyes on something.