Prefer Northern or Southern Arizona for weekend adventure? (Phoenix, Tucson: homes, to buy)

[magnum0417]

Having only been familiar with places from The Valley northward in the years I came here prior to fulltime residency last year in Tempe, I knew very little about areas south of PHX for exploration. Most of my coworkers prefer north (Prescott,Flagstaff, Grand Canyon, 4 Corners Region). Until recent discovery of the south.

I'm here to say areas southward are more authentic southwest with better scenery as well. Being a hiker, I love the mountains. Wrightson Peak and Mt Graham may not be as high as the SF Peaks. However, they are more jagged and have much higher relief (6000 feet plus as opposed to SF Peaks with 5000 ft relief).

Prescott and Flagstaff are decent places to see greenery but they don't have resonance. Once you spend a few times there, there's nothing that makes you want to invest significant time in again. Limited cuisine, a small strip devoted to nightlife (Whiskey Row in Prescott) and that is about all she wrote.

However, the I 19 corridor from Tucson to Nogales has become my favorite area of the state for scenery and entertainment. The mountains are more jagged and make you feel you are south of the border. Especially the Tubac area down to Nogales. The homes in Tubac and Rio Rico that you can see from I 19 are really unique and impressive as far as true SW decor. Of course I am a huge fan of Nogales Sonora as that truly is something that has resonance. There's always new vendors to haggle with and new items to buy that one can't find north of the border. The food, La Roca Restaurant especially, is 5 star at 2 star prices.

I don't find that resonance anywhere north of The Valley and am curious to hear who prefers The North or The South and why. Thanks !

[BuckeyeBoyDJ]

I prefer Northern Arizona for weekend adventure. The vast majority of the state's population lives in the lower deserts and it's nice to get out of this environment and head north to enjoy the high country when possible.

[magnum0417]

Originally Posted by BuckeyeBoyDJ

I prefer Northern Arizona for weekend adventure. The vast majority of the state's population lives in the lower deserts and it's nice to get out of this environment and head north to enjoy the high country when possible.

Thanks for your input. This is a subjective thread and there are many beautiful parts up north. I didn't really mention the White Mts or specific areas of 4 Corners such as the ride through Petrified Forest near Holbrook.

[Scottay]

I prefer Northern Arizona because of the vegetation. After moving away and living in Kansas City and Denver I fell in love with trees and grass.

[chazk14]

I prefer northern Arizona. But the Pinalenos, and Chiricahua Mountains are beautiful.

[cacto]

I can't pick northern or southern AZ over the other because I love all of AZ equally, but if you're in Tempe you should really explore by way of the 87 up to the Rim and even areas along the Beeline between the Valley and Payson. I grew up in North PHX always going north up the 17 to Northern AZ and when I moved to Tempe I was blown away by how close and awesome everything up the 87 is.

Even going straight east on the Apache Trail to the lakes or out past Superior/Globe are good trips from the East Valley.

For me, generally, I head north or east when it's hot and south in the winter. Hiking the cactus forests around Tucson surrounded by snowcapped mountains is my idea of a perfect xmas.

Also, for those who pick northern AZ for greenery I'd advise you to acquaint yourself with all the forested mountains in the south of the state. You can go to the top of some of those sky islands and be close to Mexico and hardly be able to tell the difference from the woods in Flag. Not to leave out the grasslands and woodlands of Cochise County. Some parts of the year that can be the greenest part of AZ.

[magnum0417]

Great posts guys. Anyone been on the route between Globe and Show Low (Salt River Canyon) ? My wife can't handle steep grades and curves and have only been to Show Low going the longer way through Payson. Yes. The Superior and Globe corridor is very overlooked and is beautiful I agree.

Speaking of Globe. De Marco's Italian Restaurant offers some very good food at reasonable prices for those out that way. Their eggplant parm is excellent !

[CodyW]

My favorite parts of the state are down in Santa Cruz and Cochise counties. The Patagonia area is gorgeous, as is most of the I-19 corridor.. Tubac, Tumacacori.. Neat places. Lots of history. Would love to live down there. Then heading over in to Cochise County, Bisbee is one of my favorite places in the state. Lots to see down there, but I'm glad it stays off people's radar a bit. It doesn't have the same crowd problem certain spots in Northern AZ do during peak season.

[grmi66]

It's a toss up. When I lived in Tucson I enjoyed going over to Mt Graham or driving down to Sonoita. Now that I am in Phoenix I like to hit Sedona. That's what is great about Arizona, we have more places to visit than most states.

[saffordpastor]

I live in SE AZ and absolutely love it....but I need to spend more time in Northern AZ...every time I have been there I found something else to love.

Arizona is just a great state.