What has happened to Sedona? by Lydia M:

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

To the Editor,

For decades, Sedona has been a haven, a place where people come to connect with nature and find a sense of community. My family has lived here for generations, and I've watched this town evolve, but recently, I feel like our very soul is being sold off, one short-term rental at a time. The quiet neighborhoods that once housed families and longtime residents are now dominated by vacation homes, occupied by strangers who come and go, with no investment in our community. The constant parade of visitors, the noise, and the disrespect for our shared spaces are eroding the sense of belonging that we’ve always held so dear.

The problem is the flood of wealthy, out-of-town investors and reality firms who see Sedona not as a home, but as a commodity. They swoop in, buy up properties, and turn them into lucrative Airbnbs, driving up real estate prices and pushing out the working-class families who have built this town. Our teachers, firefighters, and small business owners can no longer afford to live here, and our vibrant, local community is being replaced by a ghost town of empty homes. These firms have no understanding of our culture or our needs; they only see a profit, and the cost is the very fabric of our community.

This is not a matter of tourism; it's a matter of greed. The people who benefit from this are not the local artists, the restaurant staff, or the shopkeepers, but rather distant corporations and absentee landlords who siphon wealth out of our city. They market a sanitized, glamorous version of Sedona, all while ignoring the damage they cause. They don't have to deal with the traffic, the overcrowded trails, or the strained city services. They don't have to watch their neighbors pack up and leave because they can no longer afford to live in the town they love.

It's time for our city to prioritize its residents over profits. We need stricter regulations on short-term rentals, and we need to create policies that support local families and workers. We need to say no to the out-of-town firms that are destroying our community and reclaim Sedona as a place for those who truly love and care for it, not just those who can afford to rent it for a weekend. Our community is worth more than a business plan.

Sincerely, Lydia M. A Concerned Sedona Resident TO SUBMIT YOUR LETTERS TO THE EDITOR, PLEASE CLICK HERE!

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