Friday, February 22, 2008

Flagstaff, Arizona Retirement



Flagstaff (Navajo: Kinłání) is a city located in northern Arizona, in the southwestern United States. It is the county seat of Coconino County. In 2005, Men's Journal named Flagstaff as No. 2 on its Best Places to Live list, and National Geographic cited the city in its list of "10 Great Towns That Will Make You Feel Young." The city is named after a Ponderosa Pine flagpole made by a scouting party from Boston (known as the "Flagstaff Tea Party") to celebrate the United States Centennial on July 4, 1876. Flagstaff lies near the southwestern edge of the Colorado Plateau and along the western side of the largest contiguous ponderosa pine forest in the continental United States



Population: As of July 2006, the city's estimated population was 58,213, with a Metropolitan Statistical Area population of 124,953



Climate: Flagstaff has a highland semi-arid climate with four distinct seasons. The combination of high altitude and low humidity provide mild weather conditions throughout most of the year, and the predominantly clear air radiates daytime heating effectively. Temperatures often fall precipitously after sunset throughout the year, and winter nights can be very cold. Winter weather patterns in Flagstaff are cyclonic and frontal in nature, originating in the eastern Pacific Ocean. These deliver periodic, widespread snowfall followed by extended periods of fair weather.



Colleges and Universities: Flagstaff is home to two institutions of higher education, Northern Arizona University (one of the three public state universities in Arizona), and Coconino Community College.



Transportation: Passenger rail service is provided by Amtrak at the downtown station, connecting on east-west routes to Los Angeles and Albuquerque via the Southwest Chief line.

Air travel is available through Flagstaff Pulliam Airport , located just south of the city. The airport is primarily a small, general aviation airport.



Health Care: The city's primary hospital is the 270–bed Flagstaff Medical Center, located on the north side of downtown Flagstaff. The hospital was founded in 1936, and serves as the major regional trauma center for northern Arizona.



Housing Costs: Estimated median house/condo value in 2005: $241,200 (it was $161,000 in 2000)


Things To See and Do:
The Grand Canyon is located approximately 120 miles North of Flagstaff. Meteor Crater, the world's largest intact meteor impact crater is located 35 miles East of Flagstaff. The Arizona Snowbowl is located on the San Francisco Peaks and is the major ski resort and winter fun site for the area. Coconino National Forest surrounds the area and provides many scenic views, trails and outdoor recreation opportunities.



Retirement Communities: The Peaks offers the full continuum of care and services including Independent Living, either in the Bungalows or the Lodge, Assisted Living and Memory Care. We allow our residents to "age in place" which allows them to remain in their apartment homes and have increased services brought to them.

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