Don't know if this applies to Prescott, but isn't there emissions testing even for older cars in AZ? Here's what I saw at the AZ emissions site:

Q: What vehicles must be tested?
A: Vehicles that are model year 1967 and newer and more than 5 years old require emissions—this includes gasoline and diesel-fueled vehicles. Alternative fuel, flexible fuel (E85) and hybrid vehicles also require emissions. Newer vehicles are exempt for the first 5 years of registration. Some vehicles may require a different schedule. If unsure, call 1-877-myAZcar (1-877-692-9227.)

Maybe a resident can chime in about it. I'd want to know if I was considering a move to AZ.

Yes there is emissions however if you have classic car insurance then it’s waived for 1979 and older vehicles.

Also not all of Arizona has emissions just the major cities.

I think so.

Also the town as a nice car show on Main Street which is really nice.

Plus you are close enough to all the events in the Bay Area and Sacramento

No emissions testing in Prescott. I lived in Prescott Valley for several years. Had to move because of the lack of jobs, but since that is not a concern for you, no problem. Car scene is okay, but not as good as Phoenix or larger cities. I liked Prescott Valley better, as it got less snow and was more open flat land, about 5K feet elevation. Prescott is more mountainous and higher elevation (5-7K feet). I still own my house/shop there. Close enough to Sedona, Flagstaff and Phoenix to go whenever we wanted. AZ is nice for car registrations, as they are cheap and you can do for up to 5 years at a time!!! Driver's licenses are good from the time you get them until you turn 65 (one reason there are so many crappy drivers in AZ...) 8-) Property taxes aren't too bad and neither is the cost of fuel (when compared to CA, where I am now), but other places are cheaper. Roads are maintained okay, but there are still a lot of roads that are still dirt/gravel in the outlying areas. Temperatures range from lows in the teens in the winters to triple-digit heat in the summer. Those are the extremes, but normally not that bad. Loved those summer afternoon thunderstorms. Housing prices are on the rise again, after being depressed for a long time. Lots of drug, specifically Meth rehab. Not one of the things people will tell you (especially real estate agents). Prescott, Prescott Valley, Chino Valley, and Dewey are the larger towns with many smaller towns scattered in the area. Lots to what topside and RodStRace recommended. A lot depends on what you are looking for.

Concerning dry climate, we moved to northern Nevada in 2005 from California where we are also almost always below 15% sometimes as low as 3% in summer. It can be hard to get acclimated to the super low humidity. Things you don't expect like constant dry nose, hangnails in your fingernails, splits in your fingertips like razor cuts. We buy Working Hands cream by the case. I never drank a lot of water in California, now I can't go anywhere without it.

Also, the sun is like a heat lamp with very direct heat even in 50 or 60 degree temps. One side of your body can be hot and the other side cool. Really strange if you are not used to it. The difference between being in the sun and shade is dramatic. I would think Arizona is similar.

We are also looking to move, probably somewhere in the SE so the wife can be closer to her son in Ft Lauderdale. It gets very cold here in winter. Woke up to 17f this morning and will have a high in the mid 30's. So, central or SE Florida is looking tempting. SW FL is way too expensive, crowded and blue for our tastes.

I couldn't live in Florida, humidity is killer. Every morning you wake up and go outside and your car is drenched! Then every day at 2-3 it rains for half and hour...

Yea, that's my biggest worry. My only experience with high humidity was a short time at Camp Lejeune NC in August while in the Marines. It sucked! 90 degrees and pouring down rain. Get out of the shower and it feels like you didn't take one.....ugh.

On the other side of the coin, central/south Florida are in the 80's right now, and we are in the 30's for a high. I think I could live with 60's for a low and 80s for a high in December. Fortunately I'm retired now and wouldn't have to work in the muck. Not sure exactly where we will go, it seems anywhere east of the Rockies is humid. Texas maybe? Don't know.

That... and one ov these years some category 6 hurricane is literally going to blast the entire state into the Gulf.

If all you're looking for is great weather, try San Diego, CA...the best I've seen.

I don't mind the humidity too much but I also don't like wearing many clothes. It only rains every afternoon in the summer months, typically from about May to around September. It brings the temps down but the humidity gets worse then. I have always loved it here but lately I feel like I'm living in some third world country. Time to move to the mountains.

Mt Dora maybe ? ...

nice place I have been there a few times

Carsten

DON'T move to any part of california no matter what anybody tells you, prescott (pronouced preskitt,they will correct you if pronouced wrong), is where i'm going, great area, great people, nice climate.

Lived there three years, would go back in a heartbeat if I wasn't so rooted in Kentucky. Has a good population count but does not feel like a large city. Watch out for the college kids...Embry-Riddle, Yavapai College and Prescott College are all filled. Good canyon-carving roads, if you're into that sort of thing. Would recommend the occasional trip to Jerome, AZ to go eat at Haunted Hamburger.

Daughter is coming there for college at Embry Riddle. Bringing a truck, trailer and horses. If it is mountainous how often am I looking at brake adjustment and changes?! Being 9,000,000 miles from PA has me concerned.

Just regular maintenance should be fine unless she goes to Phoenix , Wickenburg or Camp Verde allot, those are some long 6% grades

California, is a beautiful state, no doubt. But if I were to relocate to the Southwest, AZ or NV is where I'd go. CA taxes and astronomical cost of property are the biggest factors.

Lon, we drove up that way a couple of years ago. Kind of like driving on US30 between Chambersburg and Breezewood. Just a nice, scenic drive winding up and down and around the hills but you may not want to go to Prescott via Sedona if you are towing a trailer. 89A from Sedona through Cottonwood and Jerome to Prescott is the more mountainous and curvy route with a few hairpin turns. Does your daughter want to be a pilot or an astronaut?

You do realize thats like, 23 times further away than the moon, right? You might go through a few sets ov brakes on the way...

She'd like to be both but at nearly 6'-1" she'd not likely make an astronaut!