We have an influx from southern California.  They've discovered that our real estate prices are cheaper than Phoenix, Flagstaff and Prescott, so they're coming to "Invest".

Some even plan to live here.

Now, I was raised with the fiery latinos, the humerous Navajo, accomodating Hopi and half- ed anglos.  In comparison, these people from California seem "bland".  They're nice enough, just no spice.

Once they relocate here, they're lost.  Their kids have been raised on concrete, and  say there's "nothing to do" here.  They've never learned how to play, other than organized soccer, t-ball, etc.  They can't see the possibilities of building forts in the rock bluffs, playing cowboy along the river or in the flats, flying kites from the top of a hill. 

Even the adults seem to have no inner resources, and need something to entertain them.  They soon find that their lives here are sorely lacking in that regard.

Although most come to the area with Four or Five Hundred Thousand from the sale of their California home, the haven't scouted out the job market.  Most end up working at minimum wage in the tourism industry and supplementing that income with their savings.  Within a decade, the savings will  be gone.

Some have tried  to get elected to city government on the platform that "In California, we -------------------"  (fill in the blanks), as if we're so ignorant that we need to adopt California ways.

Of course they never ask me about the availability of the things that are so important to them. I believe it never entered their minds that there is a town without such things as a sushi bar.   They merely come in, flashing that cash, and want to buy, buy, buy.  So I sell, sell, sell. 

And sometimes I ask myself "What the Hell are you doing selling out to these strangers?"  But that's the career I've chosen, and sometimes there's a real conflict between keeping quality of life and making the almighty dollar.

My little corner of the world, the ranch.  It's not for sale.