Village of Oak Creek, AZ Apartment Renter's Guide

The Village of Oak Creek is home to the Verde Valley School, a private boarding school that features an International Baccalaureate program and has been supported by renowned anthropologist Margaret Mead. The annual Verde Valley Music Festival raised funds for Native American students to attend this school.

The Village of Oak Creek is a small community in Yavapai County, Arizona. Also known as Big Park, this town is something of a "bedroom community" for the workers and second-home owners of Sedona, Arizona. The original European pioneers in this region called their settlement Big Park, although the official name became Village of Oak Creek in the 1960s. This is a census-designated place without its own municipal government.

Fancy moving in amongst the retirees, tourists and vacationing Sedona residents? Great! The village is lucky to have you. Just a couple things you should think about before you pack up the U-Haul and set out into the wilderness:

House, Studio Apartment and Condo Rentals in Big Park

Houses and apartment buildings in Big Park were mostly built either in the 1980s or in the 2000s, however most abodes are long-lasting, low-lying, heat-repellent concrete homes that mimic much of the architecture of the modern southern states and Mexico. It is tough to find rental apartments in this area, because the community was really built for people who want large houses, either in their retirement or as a regular getaway from the hustle of nearby Sedona. You may be out of luck in finding a studio apartment, but nice condos and houses are definitely on the table. For the most part, you're not going to find anything smaller than a 2-bedroom condo. Sign on for the extra space and enjoy it!

Setting up the Utilities

Once you've found the perfect rental house, apartment, or duplex in Big Park, it's time to set up the utilities! Okay, maybe it's not that exciting, but it might seem more fun if you've ever moved into a new house only to realize that the power guys haven't plugged you in yet. Awesome. To get electricity running to your new address, contact Arizona Public Service, and as with the other utility companies, give them as much notice as possible! If you need natural gas, UniSource Services Natural Gas are the ones to call. Big Park Water will take care of your water, and Waste Management can hook you up with trash collection and recycling. As for TV and Internet service providers, you can choose from plenty of names, including CableOne.net and Century Link.

Working and Commuting in Big Park

With no Amtrak stations in sight and virtually no residents taking the almost non-existent public transportation to work every day, this is definitely the sort of town in which you need to own a car. Or at least be super-best friends with someone who both has a car and is flexible to your schedule. Your spouse, for example. If you are hoping to work in town, you'll have better luck searching for jobs in nursing, sales or management.

Since the Village is such a small community, hidden away in the depths of the Red Rock State Park, there are no neighborhoods or specific sections of which to speak. The village is divided down the center, north to south, by Highway 179, along which most eateries are located. Businesses and homes are evenly numbered on either side of the divide. Don't worry that you'll be bored, hidden away in the State Park - living in the woods has its advantages! The Ridge on Sedona Golf Resort is just one of them, the multitude of highly-rated restaurants are another.

Try the organic beef burger or the red mountain trout from the Grille at Shadowrock; if you're craving something a little more Italian, the Cucina Rustica ought to do the trick and then some. Change it up with sushi from the Minami Japanese Restaurant, and follow that up with Los Betos Mexican Food the next day! As you travel up and down Highway 179, you'll find all kinds of treats to tempt your taste buds night after night.

In-town entertainment includes shows at the Canyon Moon Theatre Co., viewings at the Village Gallery, and riding lessons at the Horse Mesa Ranch. Not enough adventure for you? Visit Red Rock Balloons and take a hot air balloon out over the national forest!

Of course, being completely surrounded by the Red Rock State Park - a 286-acre nature preserve - means that you can attend nature classes, watch locally-produced theater, take friend and family out for picnics, go hiking, or even go on daily guided nature walks. Fresh air, for real. The people of Big Park have chosen their home wisely, there's something for everyone and hardly time enough to enjoy it all!