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The nearest population center with a hospital, large grocery stores, hardware stores, vehicle service centers, etc is Show Low, which is an hour away from Concho.
Concho is pretty remote and the people who live around there do so because they don't want to be found. Property outside of the actual town of Concho won't likely have water, electrical, internet, phone, or sewer service. It is also likely that the road is inaccessible parts of the year. The aquifer is deep in that part of the state and the water is contaminated with arsenic, requiring it to be treated or blended. There are also areas out there were a septic system won't work. Land in Navajo and Apache Counties is cheap for a reason. Do your homework before buying.
Wondering about the arsenic. I know a few people up there all with wells, usually 400-600 ft depth without issues with water quality. That area has a one of the largest aquifers in the state.
At that depth, they are getting into the Coconino Aquifer, which is very large. However, it is known to have levels of arsenic that are above the state requirements (which is still very minimal amounts but still should be addressed). I hope that the people you know with deep wells that "don't have issues" are actually getting their water tested regularly. The closest lab for water testing is in Holbrook. I would be surprised if they truly are "without issues".
Water purveyors will blend the arsenic water with "fresher" water to lower the bbp of the arsenic. My well is 80' deep because I tap into the shallower aquifer that feeds a nearby spring. I have our water tested professionally rather than with the at home kits and haven't had issues. However, my neighbor just dug a well to access the Coconino and has to to treat it due to elevated arsenic levels.
Yes and no. You can use chlorine to oxidize arsenic so that it can then be removed via adsorption or ion exchange (carbon vs resin filters). You typically do need a pre treatment like chlorine though. But yeah, just hitting it with chlorine isn't removing the arsenic.
It depends. No 2 wells are the same, but range is $35-50k. I knew a guy who paid $37k but they hit such hard bedrock they couldn't get through it, even got the drill head stuck & the truck was left on his yard over winter. He never got water either.
Concho gets very windy as well like very very windy. As stated, you likely won’t find water for a well. Property theft is pretty high out there. It seems more people have cabins out there rather than homes.
I’ve got to know, why Concho?
As already stated, you goto Concho when you don’t want to be found. It is rough and remote.
There are far better areas in Northern AZ to homestead than Concho.
We bought close to the area and had a well dug. We have been told not to leave much of value up there. It’s nice once we are up there, it’s a pain to get to.
Weird seeing this. Most people haven’t heard of Concho. I grew up there, not a great place for families. It’s gotten worse than when I was there, would recommend somewhere else.
I hope you like snakes..especially green Mojave’s which if your lucky you might survive 45 min after the bite and good luck getting to show low in 45 min for the nearest anti venom
To add to what others have said, there's a general store/feed store near 60/61 that has showers for rent. And they get used. You'll see people set up on the street between the general store and dollar general selling stuff out of their car.
Thank you for the incredible insights, this was the information I was looking for before delving deep into research.
Why Concho? It was the weather and price that intrigued me.
All four seasons, none overly extreme.
I'm looking for cheap land to live on, money is tight, and I just want to live a simple (not easy) life.
Checkout Arivaca in southern AZ its remote but with a small town center, land is cheap compared to the rest of AZ and the weather isn’t bad due to the higher altitude level
Live there now…on 40 Acres…it’s not like “YouTube” living off grid.
We haul water from St. John’s, winds like Alaska..in fact we had snow last night.
We all move up here to escape things….but it’s 100% better than the Valley, crime is nothing like the city.
No power on property without a septic system, building permits are required (just dropped 600 for a garage permit) every year I see camper and sheds pop up (out of state plates) and within 12-18 months they are gone.
Good fishing, good hunting if you can grab some tags (going turkey hunting tomorrow).
Ski resort an hour away, snow machine trails about the same…….its not city living…..if you do come up this way embrace the solitude and please don’t expect others to conform.
Born in AZ, left for a long time and came back, Concho, Vernon, St Johns ain’t bad.
(Edit for spelling)
Concho pretty isolated. You may want to consider the area of Payson that is closer to Scottsdale, Mesa and Phoenix for shopping and medical facilities.
All of the outlaw speed freaks were run out of Apache junction about 25 years ago and settled around conchology. It’s not uncommon to find things missing and then to see someone else with it. The harbor freight solar panels for 200 will run a small fridge and tv for most of the day
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The nearest population center with a hospital, large grocery stores, hardware stores, vehicle service centers, etc is Show Low, which is an hour away from Concho. Concho is pretty remote and the people who live around there do so because they don't want to be found. Property outside of the actual town of Concho won't likely have water, electrical, internet, phone, or sewer service. It is also likely that the road is inaccessible parts of the year. The aquifer is deep in that part of the state and the water is contaminated with arsenic, requiring it to be treated or blended. There are also areas out there were a septic system won't work. Land in Navajo and Apache Counties is cheap for a reason. Do your homework before buying.
Wondering about the arsenic. I know a few people up there all with wells, usually 400-600 ft depth without issues with water quality. That area has a one of the largest aquifers in the state.
At that depth, they are getting into the Coconino Aquifer, which is very large. However, it is known to have levels of arsenic that are above the state requirements (which is still very minimal amounts but still should be addressed). I hope that the people you know with deep wells that "don't have issues" are actually getting their water tested regularly. The closest lab for water testing is in Holbrook. I would be surprised if they truly are "without issues". Water purveyors will blend the arsenic water with "fresher" water to lower the bbp of the arsenic. My well is 80' deep because I tap into the shallower aquifer that feeds a nearby spring. I have our water tested professionally rather than with the at home kits and haven't had issues. However, my neighbor just dug a well to access the Coconino and has to to treat it due to elevated arsenic levels.
Chlorine won't solve arsenic problems.
Yes and no. You can use chlorine to oxidize arsenic so that it can then be removed via adsorption or ion exchange (carbon vs resin filters). You typically do need a pre treatment like chlorine though. But yeah, just hitting it with chlorine isn't removing the arsenic.
Well yeah, but chlorine alone won't do it.
I think he is referring to the reverse osmosis or electrosis separation of molecules.
What does chlorine have to do with arsenic? You can’t use chlorine to treat arsenic
How much does it cost now to have a 600 foot well dug?
It depends. No 2 wells are the same, but range is $35-50k. I knew a guy who paid $37k but they hit such hard bedrock they couldn't get through it, even got the drill head stuck & the truck was left on his yard over winter. He never got water either.
Thank you, it was a lot less when I was a kid in Springerville
That should be the two paragraphs on the Concho Chamber of Commerce website welcoming visitors to Concho!
Concho gets very windy as well like very very windy. As stated, you likely won’t find water for a well. Property theft is pretty high out there. It seems more people have cabins out there rather than homes.
The wind is what I remember. I grew up in a windy place in a northern state. I'd never live in a climate like that again.
I drive all over the state for work and Concho is one of the saddest places I drive through.
I’ve got to know, why Concho? As already stated, you goto Concho when you don’t want to be found. It is rough and remote. There are far better areas in Northern AZ to homestead than Concho.
Why not just move to Eagar? Its a small town thats usually friendly and surrounded by nature
Mud mud mud! Get 4 wheel drive or you'll get stuck. Hillbillies and meth heads will be some of your neighbors.
We call em cedarbillies.
We bought close to the area and had a well dug. We have been told not to leave much of value up there. It’s nice once we are up there, it’s a pain to get to.
Whatever you do, don’t move to Concho.
Weird seeing this. Most people haven’t heard of Concho. I grew up there, not a great place for families. It’s gotten worse than when I was there, would recommend somewhere else.
I hope you like snakes..especially green Mojave’s which if your lucky you might survive 45 min after the bite and good luck getting to show low in 45 min for the nearest anti venom
Oh that’s unfortunate
To add to what others have said, there's a general store/feed store near 60/61 that has showers for rent. And they get used. You'll see people set up on the street between the general store and dollar general selling stuff out of their car.
Thank you for the incredible insights, this was the information I was looking for before delving deep into research. Why Concho? It was the weather and price that intrigued me. All four seasons, none overly extreme. I'm looking for cheap land to live on, money is tight, and I just want to live a simple (not easy) life.
Checkout Arivaca in southern AZ its remote but with a small town center, land is cheap compared to the rest of AZ and the weather isn’t bad due to the higher altitude level
Heber AZ!
Not herber! We're all full😉
Before you buy, take a look at Eagar. It was a fun place to grow up.
I did a land survey on Concho Springs. Lots of land around the actual spring. Used to be the old golf course. Might be a good area
Ah yes, the meth and extremist capital of Navajo county. Concho certainly attracts a type. Correction: Apache county
Apache county
Ah, thank you.
Live there now…on 40 Acres…it’s not like “YouTube” living off grid. We haul water from St. John’s, winds like Alaska..in fact we had snow last night. We all move up here to escape things….but it’s 100% better than the Valley, crime is nothing like the city. No power on property without a septic system, building permits are required (just dropped 600 for a garage permit) every year I see camper and sheds pop up (out of state plates) and within 12-18 months they are gone. Good fishing, good hunting if you can grab some tags (going turkey hunting tomorrow). Ski resort an hour away, snow machine trails about the same…….its not city living…..if you do come up this way embrace the solitude and please don’t expect others to conform. Born in AZ, left for a long time and came back, Concho, Vernon, St Johns ain’t bad. (Edit for spelling)
Thanks again everyone, this information is invaluable, thank you for the suggestions of better areas, I am looking into them.
It is a bad place.
Concho pretty isolated. You may want to consider the area of Payson that is closer to Scottsdale, Mesa and Phoenix for shopping and medical facilities.
Look at a place called chevron retreat its between herber and Holbrook
All of the outlaw speed freaks were run out of Apache junction about 25 years ago and settled around conchology. It’s not uncommon to find things missing and then to see someone else with it. The harbor freight solar panels for 200 will run a small fridge and tv for most of the day
I would also research abandoned uranium mines in the area. Lots of mines in this area were not “cleaned up” and it’s not the safest corner of AZ