Flagstaff & Munds Park
Living in North Peoria puts you within a two-hour drive of various climates, from desert to mountains. One of the most popular weekend escapes is to Flagstaff and Munds Park, located 20 miles south of Flagstaff. In both destinations, it is often 25 degrees cooler in the summer, and there’s often snow in the winter.
Jessica Shrake, Associate Broker with ValleyLUX at Libertas Real Estate (ValleyLUX.com) explains that both destinations are wildly popular weekend escapes. “The allure of a second home that you can get to in less than two hours—and be in a totally different climate—has fueled that demand.”
“Munds Park draws a big weekend crowd heading to a cabin or taking the RV up,” explains Shrake.
Both destinations are ideal for hiking, off-road vehicles, golfing and dining. A second home in either destination lets you experience small-town living whenever you want.
Sedona
Sedona, surrounded by exquisite red rocks, is a bit of a magical location. There are mild, year-round temperatures with summers generally 10 to 20 degrees cooler than in the Valley.
It is a favorite destination for hikers and bicyclists, who can meander slowly through the red sandstone formations. Summer days playing in Oak Creek Canyon and nights stargazing (Sedona is an International Dark Sky Community) lend to that magical quality. Combining the outdoor areas with great shopping and dining, it’s easy to see why Sedona is an ideal vacation home choice.
Prescott
There has been tremendous growth in Prescott. The historic town—once Arizona’s capital—is west of I-17, about 90 minutes north of Peoria. While some locals lament the less-populated Prescott of past decades, it beckons those looking for a slower-paced life.
Realtor Stacy Dragos of Century 21 Toma Partners (StacyDragos.com) loves Prescott and sees it as her home away from home. “The climate, landscape, wildlife, endless hiking/mountain biking/equestrian trails, golf, lakes and small-town charm make Prescott easy to fall in love with,” says Dragos.
She loves the historic beauty of the Mt. Vernon and Park Avenue districts in Prescott but also recommends Talking Rock Ranch and High Valley Ranch.
Talking Rock Ranch is a luxury golf community with year-round outdoor activities. High Valley Ranch is a smaller luxury community of custom rustic estates bordering the Prescott National Forest.
“You find yourself in a wilderness preserve where wild turkeys, white-tailed deer and javelina roam,” explains Dragos. “And yet, you are only a 3-mile drive to historic Courthouse Square.”
