Best Cities To Live In (Phoenix, Tucson: houses, rent, work)

[JKC91]

Can someone help me to find a list or make their own list of the top 10 towns of Arizona to live in?

I am looking into cities up north somewhere between Pheonix and Chino Valley.

[esselcue]

Depends on what you want...I live in Chino Valley and work in Prescott and I love it. Everything one needs is close at hand. Some prefer Prescott Valley, or Dewey-Humboldt, or the Verde Valley. All different but all nice areas, so it really is a matter of preference and personl opinion

[altus2006]

esselcue,

Is there a bus or van that takes plane passengers to Sky Harbor and back that runs to your area? Distance from the airport is one thing that keeps me from looking at places to retire outside of the Phoenix area.

altus2006

[Gretchen B]

Originally Posted by altus2006

esselcue,

Is there a bus or van that takes plane passengers to Sky Harbor and back that runs to your area? Distance from the airport is one thing that keeps me from looking at places to retire outside of the Phoenix area.
altus2006

There is. $25 - $28 one way with lots of pickup locations and leaving for the airport every hour or hour-and-half (can't remember which). I think that's very reasonable. With the price of gas, though, I keep looking for the price to go up. We've used the service several times and really like the convenience of being dropped off at the terminal door.

My vote for great towns in northern AZ would be Prescott (of course), Sedona, Payson, Wickenburg (which does meet the OP's criteria of "north of Phoenix"). I might include Page Springs on the list, too - it's such a pretty area but you'd have to drive to Cornville for groceries, or Cottonwood or Sedona for additional shopping.

[JKC91]

Originally Posted by Gretchen B

There is. $25 - $28 one way with lots of pickup locations and leaving for the airport every hour or hour-and-half (can't remember which). I think that's very reasonable. With the price of gas, though, I keep looking for the price to go up. We've used the service several times and really like the convenience of being dropped off at the terminal door.

My vote for great towns in northern AZ would be Prescott (of course), Sedona, Payson, Wickenburg (which does meet the OP's criteria of "north of Phoenix"). I might include Page Springs on the list, too - it's such a pretty area but you'd have to drive to Cornville for groceries, or Cottonwood or Sedona for additional shopping.

I was looking into Prescott Valley, but as of now it seems a bit pricey. At this point we have figured we are either going to be living in a city near Tucson or Chino Valley, depending on where the building is the company my Dad works for decides to purchase. We found out a few moments ago we will be moving by the beginning of 2010 which is good.

I am actually looking at Green Valley for Tucson and Prescott Valley. In Green Valley, the crime rate is excellent, taxes and monthly house payments are low, and the house prices is pricey, but decent and affordable.

[Gretchen B]

Prescott Valley home prices are about on a par with Chino Valley. I just did a realtor.com search for houses in Green Valley and those are VERY reasonable. Our prices up in Prescott Valley and Chino Valley for similar nice newer homes start in the $180's. So those Green Valley homes priced under $150k look like a bargain to me (that is, unless they're short sales).

I have a friend that lives in Green Valley during the winter and loves it there.

[esselcue]

Not only bus or van but also regular flights from the Prescott Airfield to Sky Harbor, and also Vegas, Kingman, etc. There is very little that is missing from life's Creature Comforts up in this area.

[JKC91]

Originally Posted by Gretchen B

Prescott Valley home prices are about on a par with Chino Valley. I just did a realtor.com search for houses in Green Valley and those are VERY reasonable. Our prices up in Prescott Valley and Chino Valley for similar nice newer homes start in the $180's. So those Green Valley homes priced under $150k look like a bargain to me (that is, unless they're short sales).

I have a friend that lives in Green Valley during the winter and loves it there.

Prices are very reasonable in Green Valley, but I am sure is it extremely hot considering it is right by Mexico. I will have fun adjusting from Cleveland weather to Arizona weather. Chino Valley seems reasonably priced as well. My Dad wants to move to Tucson in the city but the crime rate is just too bad and it doesn't seem like a great place to live.

[Gretchen B]

Originally Posted by JKC91

Prices are very reasonable in Green Valley, but I am sure is it extremely hot considering it is right by Mexico. I will have fun adjusting from Cleveland weather to Arizona weather. Chino Valley seems reasonably priced as well. My Dad wants to move to Tucson in the city but the crime rate is just too bad and it doesn't seem like a great place to live.

Green Valley won't be as hot as Phoenix. Generally, Tucson is about 5 to 7 degrees cooler than Phoenix. It's elevation that makes the biggest difference in temps in AZ. You know there's even a ski resort not too far from Tucson.

[JKC91]

Originally Posted by Gretchen B

Green Valley won't be as hot as Phoenix. Generally, Tucson is about 5 to 7 degrees cooler than Phoenix. It's elevation that makes the biggest difference in temps in AZ. You know there's even a ski resort not too far from Tucson.

Really? I had no idea. Until it is time to move, I plan on doing plenty of research and convince my Dad what the best places in Arizona to move are. Hopefully he takes it into considering. So far I am definitely eyeing Prescott, Green Valley, and Chino Valley, but we will have to see what happens.