Need Advice: Family Friendly AZ towns not in the valley

[knothead]

Anything north of Metro Phoenix is bound to be ruined by exponential growth.  Although I like the Verde valley area, SE Arizona would probably be a better choice for overall quality of life.  As an educator, I can tell you the number one indicator of student success and performance is parental involvement and a loving home.  I sure wish I could do this all over again.  Good Luck.

[Mattman215]

I hear Southern California recently went through some real estate removal….maybe try there ? 
 

In all seriousness I wouldn’t move here. I live here with my family on the outskirts and quite frankly Phoenix sucks and the state kind of sucks. Every year gets busier and more liberal. Once the kids are grown I will be moving. 

[Flatlander]

34 minutes ago, Mattman215 said:

I hear Southern California recently went through some real estate removal….maybe try there ? 
 

In all seriousness I wouldn’t move here. I live here with my family on the outskirts and quite frankly Phoenix sucks and the state kind of sucks. Every year gets busier and more liberal. Once the kids are grown I will be moving. 

Bye 👋 

[daryl_s]

8 hours ago, Boarman03 said:

I don't know about the schools, but look at Coolidge and Eloy. They are probably about the cheapest land wise and in your path.

I’ve lived in Florence most of the last 18 years. Trust me when I say Coolidge and Eloy would be the two absolute worst places in AZ to move to. 

[oz31p]

5 hours ago, HighschoolHunter said:

Grew up in the valley but am in construction and have been hunting all over the state for the last 10 years. East of Prescott/Mayer area sounds the most like what you are describing and I know some people that have done that exact thing, buy an acre outside of Prescott to homeschool the kids and the dad drives an hour into the valley once every couple weeks. Even if it’s as much as twice a week, Mayer is less than an hour from north phoenix so I have considered that before. Only problem is I think those areas are pretty expensive especially as you get closer to Prescott/higher elevation. 
 

wickenburg and buckeye kinda fit your description but they are crazy expensive and will only get more crowded as development moves out that way. Also just hot dry desert.
 

Payson is awesome and truly the gateway to the best fishing and hunting in the state of AZ, also while only 45 minutes from fountain hills/the valley. And will probably never get crowded/overdeveloped cause it basically sits on a rock pile that’s impossible to build on. If you can afford it that’s where I would go.

Oracle is a small town north of Tuscon that could work if you are mostly between Tuscon and the valley, and sits at 4500’ so cooler than both, and has amazing Coues hunting in every direction. But I don’t know anything about schools/reputation/cost of living. 
 

Let us know where you land and God Bless.

I’m guessing you have not been to Payson in a while. 

[cohntr6]

2 hours ago, CatfishKev said:

After the most recent discussion it's looking more like safford.  I don't think momma will be wanting to be away from the babies. My kid loves working his morenci job and the next boy will be guaranteed to end up with his big bro.  But it's at least 2 hours closer then SV.  

Good to hear! I check in on him frequently at work when I see him. I got the same out of him. Good kid.

Jeff

[cohntr6]

Hatchet Jack,

Sounds like you need to come back this way. A few things have changed since you left but not much. You already know what you are getting into

with Pima, Thatcher and Safford. Central has changed with more houses and less cotton fields. My wife is from Taylor and when I retire we may move\up that

way. Round Valley is nice too. Sorry, I'm more familiar with the east side of the state than the places you mentioned considering.

Jeff

[Hatchet Jack]

On 2/21/2025 at 2:43 PM, catmanj said:

Better idea would be to switch jobs, move back to the Gila Valley, and take your Hushin sticker off your back window. 

suck it! Firebull forever!

[Hatchet Jack]

On 2/22/2025 at 3:45 PM, Rharris said:

How do you expect to ride one of my mules and follow my hounds with me way over by Prescott?

I think you've talked me out of it. It's Duncan or bust for me. Now if you can talk my wife into that you've really done something special.

[muledeerarea33?]

3 hours ago, Hatchet Jack said:

I think you've talked me out of it. It's Duncan or bust for me. Now if you can talk my wife into that you've really done something special.

I’m sure Duncan is a joke here but there is something to be said for greenlee county. I lived there 18 awesome years.

[Hatchet Jack]

14 minutes ago, muledeerarea33? said:

I’m sure Duncan is a joke here but there is something to be said for greenlee county. I lived there 18 awesome years.

I would love to live in Duncan or virden. My wife thinks she needs a Safeway within 10 minutes though so it’s a hard sell. 

[muledeerarea33?]

1 hour ago, Hatchet Jack said:

I would love to live in Duncan or virden. My wife thinks she needs a Safeway within 10 minutes though so it’s a hard sell. 

You got bashas 30 min away in morenci and almost everything in safford about an hour or so away. She’ll get used to it. Mine has.

[cl65driver]

Grand Canyon airlines started flying from Phx to Safford recently

[thegunsmith2506]

I'm not sure about the schools because we lived there before we had a kid but Cordes Jct was a fun place to live. Anthem, Prescott,  and cottonwood were all a short drive and had everything we needed. We hunted everything you can imagine from the house. The auga fria is right there. The Verde is a great day trip. Cherry and Mingus Mt are a short drive with lots of fun hiking. The Bradshaw mounts are not far for hiking and fishing.  Its grown since we left 11yrs ago but still a very small town. Good luck!

[bonecollector]

On 2/21/2025 at 12:37 PM, Coues247 said:

It's sad that Payson is so expensive (and the schools aren't the best for kids) because that sounds like it would fit what you're looking for. Could possibly find something cheaper in star valley or a little ways out of town. Maybe look into cottonwood or camp Verde? Prescott is getting bigger and bigger and very expensive. I would avoid Globe (or Glob as my dad calls it). I don't know enough about south of Phoenix to have any thoughts there. A little further out from 2 hours you would have to look at Heber/Overgaard area but once again not the best schools and pretty small without much for convenience and that drive wouldn't be much shorter than driving from gila valley anyway. 

dang, whats wrong with Globe?