Set amid North America’s largest Ponderosa Pine Forest at the base of the San Francisco Peaks Mountain Range, the city of Flagstaff is a breath of fresh air that invigorates locals and attracts tourists. "Folks come to Flagstaff for mountain living and the high quality of life," says Weston Foster, Team Leader/Associate at Re/Max Fine Properties, who has lived in the area for 17 years. "They like the small-town vibe while still being close to amenities." Those amenities include a thriving downtown, an extensive trail system and annual events, not to mention the Grand Canyon is 90 minutes away and a renowned ski resort is a few miles north.
Joggers and cyclists often hit up the Flagstaff Urban Trails System.
Natural Grocers in Flagstaff Townsite has plenty of healthy options for shoppers to choose from.
Hiking trails can be found through Flagstaff including the Forest Highlands area.
Local residents come dressed to impress with lederhosen and other traditional German attire.
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An outdoor enthusiasts’ paradise
Joggers and cyclists often hit up the Flagstaff Urban Trails System (FUTS), a 56-mile network of pathways, while hikers can trek for hours along rugged, dirt-packed trails. Area parks offer a variety of activities, from basketball to tennis and disc golf to playgrounds. A state-of-the-art BMX Park is the city’s newest recreation facility. Youth and adult soccer and baseball leagues play at Thorpe Park Sports and Recreation Complex, and the nearby 215-acre Buffalo Park is packed with multi-use trails and stunning views of the San Francisco Peaks.
While hikers are busy looking at the mountain range, skiers and snowboarders are flocking up it to the Arizona Snowbowl. The alpine ski resort is about 14 miles north of the city and its slopes are packed from December to mid-April. In the summer, gondola rides and kids’ activities are offered here.
However, one of the most popular activities in town requires minimal physical effort, just the ability to stay up late. Flagstaff is a Dark Sky City, meaning it limits the amount of light pollution and that allows the stars to shine bright overhead. Once the sun goes down locals and tourists come out to stare at the celestial show. The famed Lowell Observatory is here and has a number of telescopes for people to gaze at the galaxies
Flagstaff Townsite residents have access to the Flagstaff Urban Trails System.
The soccer team is waiting on the sidelines to play at Thorpe Park Sport Complex in North End.
Star gazing adventures can be found at the Lowell Observatory in Flagstaff Townsite.
Forest Highlands visitors can take a scenic gondola ride up to 11,500 feet at Arizona Snow Bowl.
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Celestial, holiday and art-based events
While stargazing is a nightly event, it takes center stage every September with the Star Party and Celebration of the Night event at Buffalo Park. Here, attendees can view the constellations through 30 telescopes guided by professional astronomers. Halloween is celebrated in almost every neighborhood, with homes decorated and kids trick-or-treating. Downtown hosts a Halloween Pub Crawl, featuring drink specials at participating establishments, costume contests and social media games. At Wheeler Park in downtown, the annual Flagstaff Oktoberfest celebrates German culture with various beer and cocktails, live music and a brat-eating contest.
Single-family and custom-built homes with mountain views
Foster says the average sale price for single-family homes here is between $650,000 and $680,000,which is higher than the national average. Manufactured homes up to 870 square feet sell for between $87,000 and $112,000, while three-bedroom, 2,200-square-foot homes range from $205,000 to about $400,000. Four- to five-bedroom homes range between $555,000 and $800,000, and custom-built homes with up to six bedrooms and over 3,000 square feet can cost between $950,000 and $4.7 million.
Flagstaff has various home styles. Near downtown, minimal traditional Cape Cod homes and A-frame bungalows from the late 1800s to early 1900s border sidewalks. Craftsman-style homes with picket fences are peppered throughout the city, and ranch-style homes built between the 1970s and ‘90s feature wood or brick siding. Cabins and custom-built homes feature picture windows and higher acreage. Mountain views are accessible from most yards, and homeowners associations allow residents to rent their properties.
These vibrant color homes are well cared for in the neighborhood of Flagstaff Meadows.
Three-bedroom ranch-style homes from the ‘40s and ‘60s are found further north, in North End.
Forest Highlands features earth-toned wood siding homes with floor to ceiling windows.
In North End, near downtown, two-bedroom bungalows date to the 1940s.
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Eateries using locally sourced ingredients and shopping essentials
Flagstaff is home to over 200 restaurants, many of which use locally sourced ingredients. A few have been nominated for James Beard awards. Bistros, cafes and bakeries offer everything from fine dining to sweet treats, and almost every neighborhood has a locally owned or chain coffee shop. City Hall downtown hosts the Community Farmers Market from May through October. For beer connoisseurs, the Flagstaff Brewery Trail offers a commemorative pint glass for visiting all eight establishments.
Downtown’s Old Town Shops feature boutiques, trendy gift shops and jewelers, while department and name-brand stores are inside the Flagstaff Mall.
North End locals enjoy coffee, smoothies and sandwiches at Kickstand Kafe.
The upscale Josephine’s Modern American Bistro is set in a restored bungalow in North End.
Fat Olives in Flagstaff Townsite, a great place to find hand tossed pies.
Grab a Navajo Taco or Irish Coffee at Charly’s Pub & Grill in Flagstaff Townsite.
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Clubs and dual enrollment at Flagstaff Unified district schools
The Flagstaff Unified School District, which earns a B-plus from Niche, serves nearly 9,100 students throughout 15 school sites. High schoolers can take advanced placement and dual-enrollment classes to earn college credit or focus on career technical education in culinary arts, graphic communication and sports medicine. Navajo and Spanish language classes are also offered, and the schools often hold cultural celebrations.
Higher education here includes Northern Arizona University, which offers over 100 undergraduate degrees and over 400 clubs and organizations. The school is also one of the top employers in the city of 76,000. Coconino Community College is also in Flagstaff and features degree and certificate pathways in fire science, medical fields and construction.
enter the halls of a great school at Coconino High School.
Flagstaff High School entrance with the flag waving high.
Students are proud of Sinagua Middle School in Flagstaff.
The front faculty building at Eva Marshall Elementary looks like a mountain lodge.
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Interstates and alternate travel options
Nearby Interstates 17 and 40 lead to Phoenix and California, respectively, and Historic Route 66 parallels I-40. Residents here typically travel by car, but Mountain Line Public Transit buses offer rides throughout the city, and the Amtrak station is located downtown. Mountain Express Shuttles carry passengers from downtown to Arizona Snowbowl. "Cycling is very popular here,” says Foster. “In fact, you can bike the entire city and even rent E-bikes from local businesses.” Flagstaff Medical Center is toward the north, and Flagstaff Pulliam Airport sits about 6 miles south of downtown.
Decreasing crime and snowy winters
Over the last nine years, Flagstaff’s property and violent crime rates have steadily decreased and either sit below or near national averages. Flagstaff experiences cold, snowy winters with some parts getting more than 100 inches of snow. Summers are hot and dry and the city mandates homeowners take certain actions to mitigate the spread of wildfires.
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