Flagstaff, AZ's motto is "They don't make towns like this anymore." It's easy to see why. Flagstaff is the largest city in
Northern Arizona but maintains its small-town personality. Just a 55-minute drive from
Flagstaff to the Grand Canyon South Rim, Flagstaff offers dozens of Flagstaff hotels, bed & breakfasts and lodging choices that are perfect for tourists.
But Flagstaff isn't just a great destination for visitors; it's also one of the hottest real estate markets in the country. From affordable condos & townhomes to suburban neighborhoods to popular resort lifestyle communities featuring golf and luxury homes for sale, Flagstaff, Arizona real estate remains neutral for both buyers and sellers. There are bargains to be had, however, because the appreciation rate remains relatively strong while median home prices are affordable - a winning combination for those looking to retire, relocate or buy a second home in Flagstaff, Arizona.
Flagstaff, Arizona's Northern Arizona University student population may fool the visitor with its casual culture, but don't let it. Flagstaff is a center of academia. Northern Arizona University (NAU), along with Lowell Observatory, the Arboretum at Flagstaff, Pioneer Museum and the Museum of Northern Arizona have achieved impressive academic feats that have earned Flagstaff a place of honor in the nation's scientific and historical preservation communities. For example, Pluto was discovered in 1930 by Flagstaff scientists at Lowell Observatory and the Arboretum at Flagstaff is home to one of the country's largest collections of high-country wildflowers.
The railroad and Route 66 are defining characteristics of Flagstaff, as they have been for over 140 years. Route 66 is one of Flagstaff's main thoroughfares, with the railroad tracks running parallel with the legendary highway for miles. East Flagstaff stretches out along Route 66 and is home to quaint neighborhoods, established businesses and Flagstaff's premier shopping destination - Flagstaff Mall and the Marketplace at Flagstaff Mall.
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Travel southwest along Route 66 and you'll find Downtown Flagstaff at the apex of this boomerang-shaped city. Here, Route 66 meets Milton Road, Flagstaff's other main thoroughfare. Downtown Flagstaff is about two-dozen square blocks of a quirky, pedestrian-friendly mix of shops, bars, restaurants, art galleries and historic hotels. From downtown, you can take Humphreys Street / Highway 180 toward the Grand Canyon.
Head south on Milton Road and you'll find brand-name hotels, shopping centers and the junctions of both Highway 180 (toward the Grand Canyon) and Interstates 17 and 40 (to all points west, south and east including Williams/Grand Canyon, Phoenix and New Mexico, respectively.)
So, whether you make Flagstaff your hometown for a night or a lifetime, you're sure to appreciate its small-town character and metropolitan sensibility.
Arizona Travel Blog
