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[mrbreeze]

Hello all,
Posting for a friend who is not wired due to moving to a new house:

- Any ideas, personal experience or comments about North Arizona University (West Campus)?
- How is living in Flagstaff? How are the elementary/high schools?


(My friend is a married female with one child currently living in northern Virginia, working for a SLAC teaching science).


Thank you,
MRB

[historydude]

I love Flagstaff and would take a job there in a heartbeat.  The first thing to know is that it is totally not Phoenix or Tucson; it's up around 6,000 ft. or so, and the climate is completely different from the desert cities.  Flagstaff is also a much smaller city than the others, which gives it, I think, much more the feel of a college town.  You're close to the Grand Canyon, Sedona, skiing, and the desert.  I don't know as much about the university per se, but it's essentially the state's 3rd big university (after ASU and UA) and is more of a teaching than research university.  Arizona went through some rough years financially, but I think things are looking up a bit, although I believe the state may be trying to bolster the reputation of ASU at the expense of the other 2.   

[bigsky]

I went there as an undergrad and loved it (I am from AZ). Since I left 15 years ago the cost of living has gone through the roof. My brother renovates homes in Phx and tells me that homes he has done in Flagstaff go for around 300k on average. Unless salaries have risen dramatically the university does not pay enough for the cost of housing. I spoke to a chemistry professor recently that has a colleague who is in engineering that is unable to purchase a home for some time and is considering moving. I know a fair number of people there and that tends to be the top (only) complaint.

Okay, I just re-read your post and if you are really referring to NAU-West it is located in Yuma, AZ. Yuma has sand dunes as far as the eye can see in some spots, VERY different from Flagstaff. VERY hot, and I have lived in Phx and Tucson.

[prytania3]

Yuma= Waste Land

They do have a Marine base there with cute Marines, but that's it.

[losemygrip]

NAU has a campus in Yuma?  That seems insane.  Make your branch campus as far away as possible from the mother campus!

I've driven through Yuma--it's high desert.  Or deep desert.  Anyhow, really desert-y.  If you like the desert, as I do, you could probably adjust.

[aspen]

I am an assistant professor at NAU's Mountain Campus. NAU is increasingly present across the state through distance education programs- especially in the College of Education. That is the reason for the program in Yuma. Yuma is indeed quite far away from the Mountain Campus. I actually have never been there and generally the Yuma faculty travel to the main campus when needed. I have heard good things about programs down there- but not good things about living in Yuma. I would be happy to answer any specific questions about NAU.

[tin_cup_chalice]

I would be happy to answer any specific questions about NAU.

How about the cost of living?  I understand a beginning assistant professor makes less than 50,000 a year (in education).  Can one live in Flagstaff on that?  Thanks.

[aspen]

Flagstaff's motto has been "poverty with a view." Housing is expensive and wages are low. Most faculty teach in the summer months to bring in additional income. If your household income is at least $60,000, you can find a home in Flagstaff. However, it does take some time and patience to find an affordable home, which I consider to be $225,00-250,000. I love it here and I now own a cute little A frame that is near the national forest. The schools are good compared to other districts around the region. I am sad to leave soon as I am also out there looking for a TT position. Maybe your friend would like to buy my A frame- :) Teasing of course.

[dark_globe]

Flagstaff is paradise.

Yuma isn't Hell, but you can see it from there.