Looking for suggestions in Arizona to live. (Phoenix, Tucson: low crime, how much)

[Skoster]

My wife and I are moving back to the US after an extended period abroad and we are currently looking at places that meet our criteria.

Here is what is most important to us in terms of places to live:
1. Friendly people.
2. Good healthcare.
3. Small/medium sized city (perhaps around 10K - 30K people).
4. Reasonable COL with nice homes available for under 300K without high property taxes.
5. Warmer rather than colder weather, without significant extremes and with lots of natural beauty.
6. Local government that respects human rights and does not infringe on Constitutionally protected activities.
7. Excellent internet access.
8. Low crime - High safety.
9. Nowhere there has been rioting, looting or burning during the recent protests.

Pluses would be:
1. Organic markets.
2. Vegetarian options for dining.
3. Educational opportunities for my wife (ESL classes, perhaps a university or college if she chooses to attend).

Things that do not matter to us:
1. Job prospects - I work online.
2. Education - We intend to homeschool.

Please make some suggestions.

Thanks!

[Sno0909]

I'm not sure there is one city in all of Arizona that checks off all of those boxes. The most difficult thing would be finding a small city, with good healthcare, and homes under $300,000. Most cities (at least near PHX) are large and average home price is in excess of $300k.

My initial thought would be to look at a place like Verrado or Anthem. They are master-planned communities that feel like a small town within a large city. So you kind of have the best of both worlds. Verrado, for example, is scheduled to have about 14,000 homes at full-build, and they have their own downtown Main St with shops and restaurants. You are also very close to good healthcare and last I checked their was no rioting or looting there. I would say the local government in that area would be right of center.

[goolsbyjazz]

Look into Chattanooga, TN.

[KurtAZ]

Nice list...not sure in anywhere in AZ hits them all. Sounds like you are looking for Orange County or San Diego in the 80s.

Anywhere in AZ that is going to have good internet access and good healthcare is either going to be too expensive for your budget or too hot. Really depends on what your definition of "natural beauty" is as well. Some find the desert to be beautiful, to others it is a wasteland of brown. If you are looking for higher elevation towns...you will have to increase your budget.

Maybe Cottonwood? You would need to find High Plains naturally beautiful though.

[unit731]

Payson. Prescott. Eager, Wickenburg, Kingman, Bullhead City.

[Skoster]

Originally Posted by Sno0909

I'm not sure there is one city in all of Arizona that checks off all of those boxes. The most difficult thing would be finding a small city, with good healthcare, and homes under $300,000. Most cities (at least near PHX) are large and average home price is in excess of $300k.

My initial thought would be to look at a place like Verrado or Anthem. They are master-planned communities that feel like a small town within a large city. So you kind of have the best of both worlds. Verrado, for example, is scheduled to have about 14,000 homes at full-build, and they have their own downtown Main St with shops and restaurants. You are also very close to good healthcare and last I checked their was no rioting or looting there. I would say the local government in that area would be right of center.

Thanks, so let's say that I have to increase the budget a bit, are we talking bringing it up to 350k or 500k?

My wife and I aren't really into big cities, but I'll look into those options you listed.

Originally Posted by goolsbyjazz

Look into Chattanooga, TN.

Already have Cookeville TN on my list, Chattanooga is bigger than we want, but thanks!

Originally Posted by KurtAZ

Nice list...not sure in anywhere in AZ hits them all. Sounds like you are looking for Orange County or San Diego in the 80s.

Anywhere in AZ that is going to have good internet access and good healthcare is either going to be too expensive for your budget or too hot. Really depends on what your definition of "natural beauty" is as well. Some find the desert to be beautiful, to others it is a wasteland of brown. If you are looking for higher elevation towns...you will have to increase your budget.

Maybe Cottonwood? You would need to find High Plains naturally beautiful though.

How much would I have to increase my budget?

We find a lot of different types of nature beautiful. Most of what I want is something that looks nothing like Vietnam (just so we have a change, nothing against the nature here), and aside from Florida the mainland US has that pretty much in spades!

Originally Posted by unit731

Payson. Prescott. Eager, Wickenburg, Kingman, Bullhead City.

Thanks, I'll check them out!

[Skoster]

Originally Posted by KurtAZ

Nice list...not sure in anywhere in AZ hits them all. Sounds like you are looking for Orange County or San Diego in the 80s.

Anywhere in AZ that is going to have good internet access and good healthcare is either going to be too expensive for your budget or too hot. Really depends on what your definition of "natural beauty" is as well. Some find the desert to be beautiful, to others it is a wasteland of brown. If you are looking for higher elevation towns...you will have to increase your budget.

Maybe Cottonwood? You would need to find High Plains naturally beautiful though.

Just took a look, and the pictures I'm seeing of the High Plains are indeed beautiful!

[OurNextAdventure]

Originally Posted by Skoster

My wife and I are moving back to the US after an extended period abroad and we are currently looking at places that meet our criteria.

Here is what is most important to us in terms of places to live:
1. Friendly people.
2. Good healthcare.
3. Small/medium sized city (perhaps around 10K - 30K people).
4. Reasonable COL with nice homes available for under 300K without high property taxes.
5. Warmer rather than colder weather, without significant extremes and with lots of natural beauty.
6. Local government that respects human rights and does not infringe on Constitutionally protected activities.
7. Excellent internet access.
8. Low crime - High safety.
9. Nowhere there has been rioting, looting or burning during the recent protests.

Pluses would be:
1. Organic markets.
2. Vegetarian options for dining.
3. Educational opportunities for my wife (ESL classes, perhaps a university or college if she chooses to attend).

Things that do not matter to us:
1. Job prospects - I work online.
2. Education - We intend to homeschool.

Please make some suggestions.

Thanks!

You won't find Mayberry in Arizona. 10 years ago yes, but not anymore. The only small City that meets the Home price point is Kingman. Prescott you can't even get into a 2 bedroom home for under 200K anymore unless you're willing to live in an older doublewide 25 miles from the city. But even then it's pushing it.

[KurtAZ]

Originally Posted by unit731

Payson. Prescott. Eager, Wickenburg, Kingman, Bullhead City.

Payson=/= reliable internet, good healthcare and for a nice place you are into the $400s. No shopping, pass through city but if you love fast food....they have all of them.

[KurtAZ]

Originally Posted by Skoster

How much would I have to increase my budget?

We find a lot of different types of nature beautiful. Most of what I want is something that looks nothing like Vietnam (just so we have a change, nothing against the nature here), and aside from Florida the mainland US has that pretty much in spades!

Well...for the more desirable areas...figure $400k+.

Someone mentioned Payson...used to be affordable but if you work from home I would stay FAR away. The Internet access to the town dies frequently. Any major healthcare you would be coming to the Valley for...the "Hospital" is a 32 bed Banner Medical Center with an ER. You stated you wanted something more moderate and it gets into the 90s in the summer and snows in the winter. Decent properties are pretty high due to the demand of retirees moving to the area.

Prescott...much like the area around Cottonwood but again...$400k+ Good Medical, Good Internet access (Dual paths back to Phoenix or through Flagstaff back to Phoenix), great restaurants...Embry Riddle (University) is right there as is the community college. Downside is it is congested.

I didn't mention Show Low or Flagstaff since they both get a significant amount of snow.

If you don't mind the heat...Tucson or Sierra Vista may be worth a look?