Northern Arizona University - Local Atmosphere

College Prowler Take

Due to its place alongside the historic Route 66, downtown Flagstaff is filled with all sorts of history and charm. Surrounded by miles and miles of nature in every direction, the city is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts. The world famous Grand Canyon is in the neighborhood, and Phoenix, the state’s capital and one of the largest cities in the country, is a short drive down the freeway. Flagstaff has been able to really balance the additions of modern day while still retaining the old-school look and feel of its Route 66 past. Plus, there’s a ton of hippies. Awesome. Downtown has plenty of quirky, hole-in-the-wall shops and stores that really add to the town’s flavor. Incense, beads, international furniture—some of the items you’ll find may surprise you. Flag is very laid-back and a very easy community to become comfortable living in. If you’re a fan of outdoor sports, you are in luck: Snowbowl has a lot of great runs for both snowboarders and skiers. Also, give yourself the opportunity to drive around and see some of the great geologic beauties in the surrounding area. There are tons of fantastic picnic spots and plenty of picture opportunities, so you can send Mom and Dad proof that their money isn’t going to waste. Because college students pretty much dominate the population, summertime is really when to explore and see what the area has to offer while everyone is away.

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Students Speak Out

Anonymous says:

Flagstaff is amazingly laid-back... Flagstaff is amazingly laid-back and comfortable. The Grand Canyon is very close, as is Las Vegas. There are many things to do in Flagstaff. Outdoor activities dominate the scene. Hiking, camping, snowboarding, and skiing are among the most popular things to do. However, downtown Flagstaff is made for the eclectic shopper. There are many cute and funky stores, and downtown Flagstaff is fun to walk around. 12345 Local Atmosphere Report

Anonymous says:

It’s friendly—well, from what I’ve... It’s friendly—well, from what I’ve experienced, at least. NAU is the only university here in town. I stay away from the weed and drugs; I hear there’s a lot of that stuff going on. I visit the bars and Snowbowl when there’s snow. 12345 Local Atmosphere Report

Anonymous says:

The small town atmosphere of... The small town atmosphere of Flagstaff is one reason I chose NAU; I love it here. It’s not too big or small, and there is always something to do. NAU is the only university, but there is a community college nearby. There are lots of things to see around Flagstaff. Visit Riordan Mansion, Grand Falls, Snowbowl, Lowell Observatory—and there is always the Grand Canyon. 12345 Local Atmosphere Report

Anonymous says:

Flagstaff is awesome. It’s such a... Flagstaff is awesome. It’s such a small town, but there’s so much culture. Downtown Flag is the place to be. With the town’s Route 66 history, plenty of memorabilia and historic sites can be seen all throughout the area. There’s lots of outdoorsy stuff to do, so if you’re not into that, you’re not going to be happy. Flag has just the right mixture of a large city’s convenience and a small town’s charm. I love it. 12345 Local Atmosphere Report

Anonymous says:

It’s a hippie town. Lots of... It’s a hippie town. Lots of Birkenstocks, tie-dye, granola, and hand-rolled smokes. For the most part, everyone is nice. People tend to smile back at you or say hello. There is Coconino Community College, but no other universities. There are no obvious college rivalries here. Downtown is awesome. Lots of little hippie stores selling crystals and knitted scarves and incense. 12345 Local Atmosphere Report

Facts

Did You Know?

Five Fun Facts about Flagstaff:
• In its May 2007 issue,  Kiplinger's Personal Finance singled out Flagstaff as one of the “great college towns.”
• Men’s Journal ranked Flagstaff second on its list of the top 50 places to live.
• The world-famous Lowell Observatory, located atop Mars Hill, is credited with first discovering the former planet Pluto.
• In 1996, Flagstaff was named the world’s first international “Dark Sky City.” Because of its altitude and influence in the astronomy community, Flagstaff limits light pollution so that the stars are always visible.
• In its September/October 2005 issue, Organic Style magazine named Flagstaff the eighth healthiest city in the nation.

Famous People from Flagstaff:
Ted Danson, Bruce Babbitt, Michelle Branch (Sedona)

Local Slang:
66 – The historic Route 66 that runs straight through town and “down the hill,” which is how Flagstaffers refer to the I-17 drive to Phoenix
The Flag – Endearing term for Flagstaff
Monty V – The historic Monte Vista Hotel
Phoenicians – Locals from Phoenix
South of the Tracks – The notoriously shady neighborhood of Flag
The Valley – Term for the Phoenix area and the surrounding suburbs

Most Recent Contributing Author

Name: Byran LaBore
Hometown: Bismarck, ND
Major: Biology

Bryan can't eat just one PopTart out of a pouch--he has to eat both!

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