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funkill · 04-21-2015, 02:06 PM

Oh boy. That was a whirl wind trip. Not nearly long enough. I saw homes in Anthem, Arrowhead, Peoria, Glendale Happy Valley and Paradise Valley. I had to "deselect" most due to the landscaping - yes, that is my focus. My senior greyhound dog cannot navigate through large gravel (3-5" size) - and that seems very popular. However, I did apply to one home in Peoria (Erin Groves community). It has a dirt backyard. Not nearly as attractive but easier for my girl. I should hear back by tomorrow if I am accepted. Seems the dogs are a factor on this property....

If I get rejected, I don't know what to do. Likely look for a short term, furnished lease.

Thanks for all the help folks. The stress is about killing me.

I just bought a new truck a couple months ago and now have to reset my hitch and brake controller --- along with repacking my bearings, fixing the now seized electric jack and check my brakes. Thankfully all the lights are still working. The Silver Olive has been, essentially, sitting for two years. Sigh. Then I have 5 days to drive out to AZ with my dogs. Sure hoping I can convince a friend to ride along....

Cheers for now - Laura

Foiled Again · 04-21-2015, 02:38 PM

I'm not in Phoenix and haven't visited recently but on my last trip there I was impressed/dumbfounded by the number of "snowbird" RV parks - some VERY NICE in the area. I took a shuttle from the Airport to the downtown area. About 12 passengers, 5 of whom departed to RV Resorts along the way. (One was an Airstream.) So if you can't find a house immediately why not look for an RV Resort - Spring is when all of the snowbirds head back to the north, so you could probably find many vacancies - just get something in the SHADE for a month or so to give yourself some quality house hunting time. You have to remember that this is the DESERT and the landscaping will be desert landscaping. You might have to "modify" a lot - as long as you put it back the way you found it, what the heck. Put in some small river rock paths, and move the big stuff into borders around your cactus plants. Your neighborhood dog walk may be better than letting the dog run loose in the yard. They do have rattlesnakes, gila monsters, and scorpions in the area so you pet should be supervised. Also, always take your shoes off and put them on a shoe tree toes up, and still shake them before you put them back on so that any scorpion hiding from the heat will fall out! Gila monsters are easily recognizable, and are about the only poisonous lizard in the area. You've heard about "valley fever" from another thread - no problem if you know what to expect.

Most RV parks have swimming pools - a real plus in Phoenix. Going up into the mountains is wonderful. Gotta see the Grand Canyon - It'll take a year to really see it, also the big Crater - and on and on. Serious advice - find a place near work, get a scooter and leave your tow vehicle hitched up. There is so much to see in Arizona you'll need to go out every weekend for two years to begin to see it all.

Paula

Hittenstiehl · 04-21-2015, 02:45 PM

Sounds like you had your hands full this weekend. Glad you found a potential house hope it gets approved. Peoria sounds like a reasonable commute.

And you can do this, it just seems overwhelming all at once.

As far as the drive just get on the freeway and steady does it.

If your house deal falls through and you need more possibilities looked at please feel free to send me a PM. I can look at houses and send you pictures.

Foiled Again · 04-21-2015, 04:49 PM

RV RESORTS (how did we LIVE before Google?)

Our Amenities | Desert Shadows RV Resort
Shade - not much - got full awnings? Use the small ones 100% of the time.
$610 per month! summer rates

Destiny Phoenix - Destiny RV ResortsDestiny RV Resorts
Call for monthly summer rates - weekly = $680 per month approx
SHADE - fruit trees!
Mature fruit trees - feel free to pick & eat grapefruit, oranges, lemons
Arizona grapefruit right off the tree will ruin you for anything else!

Hittenstiehl · 04-21-2015, 05:07 PM

Foiled, not sure sure she can leave her doggies alone during the day while she goes to work.

funkill · 04-22-2015, 07:28 AM

Got the house!!!!!!!!!!!!!! and I found my portable stowage containers shipped to Phoenix yesterday. What? They weren't supposed to depart until the 30th --- I was hoping to add/remove some stuff. Well, guess that's one less thing to do!

Thank you all for the advice, suggestions and offers for more industrious assistance! Great community here.

I'm going to load up and hit the road on May 3. Still got feelers out for someone to "escort" me out there.

Anyone have suggestions on route? I.e. start my route on I-70 or I-40?

Laura

Foiled Again · 04-22-2015, 08:39 AM

Congrats on getting the house! I'd posted about the RV resorts as a backup plan, but happily you don't need one. Of course in an RV Resort you would have needed doggy day care or a helpful neighbor just in case of a power outage while you were at work.

I was very pleasantly surprised to see the monthly rates "for summer". I'd bet the winter rates are double or more. How I wish they had something that nice in my area. It takes an extremely committed management to keep either a mobile home park OR an RV Park in super shape with really good amenities. I'd think April 1 (when summer rates start) through mid-May would be pleasant in Phoenix... then UP into the mountains or slowly roast in your tin can!

ENJOY!

Hittenstiehl · 04-22-2015, 09:51 AM

Funkill

Congrats on getting your house and good luck on your trip out and getting settled in.

There are two great Airstream units here locally to participate with when you are ready.

drboyd · 04-22-2015, 12:05 PM

Congratulations! Summer is coming, so remember to stay in the shade and drink lots and lots of water!

carl2591 · 05-29-2015, 05:43 PM

so any updates.. you make it out OK and all..

funkill · 07-28-2015, 02:26 PM

Wow - where did the time go? I can hardly believe 3-months has passed.

I was able to fly a friend from NV to MD and ride with me to AZ (and then flew her back to NV)! I took care of all my trailer, safety tasks and hit the road. It was a 5-day, uneventful trip. Thankfully we missed all the storms. Though the trip was very hard on my senior greyhound. Jumping in/out of the truck was hard on old, scared/injured legs. I was so glad when she started showing some improvement earlier this month and is now getting around well.

I love this place!!!!!!!!!!! It is hot. Damn hot. And it's keeping me out of my trailer. She's at a little RV storage place a couple miles from my home. It's a nice enough place but doesn't allow for any real access - and that means I can't really work on her as I need. So I'll look to some place that has more room.

I've started to settle into my job. Though it's a whole different world from the small R&D environment. Honeywell is a corporate beast! I'm liking it now - and the folks are friendly.

I've been doing some hiking - mostly in the White Tank Mountains. And just bought a commuter bike. It's a little hot to really ride, but I've strolled around the area.

I'm ready to go camping!

Cheers and again, thanks for all of your help and guidance in this move.

Laura

Hittenstiehl · 07-28-2015, 04:01 PM

Funkill, Laura we were wondering how it went. Glad you are getting settled in and work is going good.

We like to refer to it as a dry heat, although it's a bit humid for now. This is the worst of it and you will love the other season.

Look for announcements from 4CU and Phoenix Unit later this year so you can join some Airstreamers.

drboyd · 07-28-2015, 05:08 PM

Laura, that's great you like it here! Please be careful to take - and drink - plenty of water when you're outside!!! The Phoenix Unit sounds like fun - maybe we'll run into each other sometime.