Sister Wives family makes home in inclusive Arizona city

Aug 31 '2018, 4:54 PM | By Chris

Sister Wives Family Relocates to Flagstaff, Arizona for a Fresh Start

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. - The Sister Wives family has officially traded the bright lights of Las Vegas for the cool mountain air of Flagstaff, Arizona. Kody Brown, the patriarch of the famous TLC reality television family, recently arrived in the northern Arizona city with his four wives and 18 children, marking a new chapter in their public and personal lives.

As Kody navigated the scenic streets of Flagstaff for the first time as a resident, the San Francisco Peaks stood proudly in the distance. The mountain views were breathtaking, but his thoughts kept returning to the piles of unpacked boxes waiting inside the four separate homes his family had rented.

“We moved to heaven, but we are in living hell right now,” Kody said with a laugh during a phone interview, referring to the chaos of unpacking after a massive family move.

Why the Sister Wives Left Las Vegas

The decision to leave Las Vegas was not sudden. The Browns had lived in the city since 2011 after fleeing Utah under the threat of prosecution for polygamy following the premiere of their groundbreaking TLC series. While Las Vegas provided refuge and privacy, the family said they never envisioned staying there forever.

According to Kody and his wives, the family’s time in Las Vegas felt like living in exile. Although their children were able to grow up without constant judgment from neighbors or school peers, the Browns eventually decided they wanted a home where they could put down permanent roots.

“We realized we did not want to grow old in Las Vegas,” Kody explained. “It was time for a change.”

Why Flagstaff, Arizona Was the Chosen Destination

When the Browns began searching for a new home, Flagstaff stood out. Known as a liberal and inclusive college town in an otherwise conservative state, Flagstaff offered both a welcoming community and a beautiful natural environment. The City Council has passed resolutions supporting diversity and inclusion, and the area’s residents are often described as having a “live and let live” philosophy.

Flagstaff is also famous for its seasonal snowfall, making it a popular getaway for people from the surrounding desert cities. With its pine forests, mountain views, and a thriving arts scene, it provided the Browns with the kind of open-minded atmosphere they wanted.

“Let’s just say there are a lot of hippies in Flagstaff, and they are awesome,” Kody said.

The Legal Landscape for Polygamy in Arizona

Polygamy, also called bigamy, is illegal in every state in the United States. However, Utah has stricter laws than most because of a provision that makes it a crime for a legally married person to live with another “spiritual spouse.” The Browns identify as fundamentalist Mormons and say they practice polygamy as part of their faith. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints officially abandoned polygamy in 1890 and now strictly forbids it.

Kody is legally married to only one wife, Robyn Brown. His relationships with his other wives, Meri, Janelle, and Christine, are considered spiritual unions. Because of this arrangement, Flagstaff police have stated that Kody cannot be prosecuted for bigamy under Arizona law.

The Family’s Big Property Purchase

In June, the Browns took a significant step toward building their future in Flagstaff by purchasing four lots totaling nearly 15 acres for $820,000. The land is located just a few miles from downtown, providing easy access to the city while offering privacy. The family has stated that they plan to build one or more permanent homes on the property, but for now they are living in four separate rental homes across the area.

Filming for Sister Wives will continue in Flagstaff, with most scenes taking place inside the family’s residences and in a commercial space they have leased. TLC scheduled the show’s eighth season to air in January 2019, meaning fans would soon see the new Arizona chapter unfold on screen.

How Locals Are Reacting to the Sister Wives Move

The Browns’ arrival has sparked conversations across Flagstaff. Some residents have shared sightings of the family on social media, while others have expressed curiosity or concern.

Pete Page, a neighbor living across from one of the Browns’ homes, described the area as quiet and surrounded by natural beauty. While he has no personal objections to the family’s lifestyle, he worries about the potential for disruption from filming.

Michael Reidy, another neighbor, summed up the primary concern. “Everyone has the same question: Is this going to turn into a circus? Most of us do not think it will, but that is the fear.”

Other locals have focused on the cultural aspects of polygamy rather than the logistics of filming. Jessie Luckey, a Flagstaff mother of two, said she has watched Sister Wives and would treat the family respectfully if she met them. However, she believes polygamy is patriarchal and sexist. “This is not a culture I want here,” she said, “normalizing a behavior that I do not think should be normalized.”

Utah Remains Off the Table

Before deciding on Arizona, the Browns briefly considered returning to Utah, where they had lived prior to the show’s debut. They even filed a lawsuit challenging the state’s anti-cohabitation law, arguing that it violated their religious freedom. Although they initially won in lower court, a federal appeals court dismissed the case, ruling that they could not sue since they had never been prosecuted under the law.

For Kody, the court’s decision confirmed what he already believed. “Utah is hostile toward polygamists,” he said. “There is a very natural and subtle discrimination from the public because of those anti-polygamy laws.”

How the Children Have Adjusted

While the Browns’ adult relationships have been a focal point for the show and media attention, the family’s children have also been shaped by the moves. The wives say the years in Las Vegas helped the kids grow up in an environment where they were not singled out for being part of a polygamous household.

The children now range in age from toddlers to mid-twenties. Three are married, and two others are in committed relationships. One of their daughters is openly lesbian. None of the children has indicated plans to practice polygamy, and Kody says he supports their decisions fully.

“I am very comfortable with their choices regardless of what they are,” he said.

A New Chapter in the Mountains

The move to Flagstaff represents more than just a change of scenery for the Sister Wives family. It is an opportunity to live in a place that offers acceptance, privacy, and a strong connection to nature. The city’s open-minded culture contrasts with the legal hostility they experienced in Utah, and it provides a new backdrop for the ongoing story of their lives.

Still, the relocation comes with challenges. The family must adjust to living in separate homes, integrate into a new community, and manage public curiosity. They also have to balance the demands of filming a popular reality show with the need for a peaceful home life.

For now, the mountains and pine forests of Flagstaff offer a sense of promise. The Browns are hopeful that this chapter will allow them to live more openly, free from legal threats, while still sharing their journey with the millions of viewers who have followed them for years.

As unpacking continues and filming resumes, the Sister Wives family is settling into a city that may prove to be their most welcoming home yet.