Family moving to Payson...Advice please! (Phoenix, Flagstaff: home equity, homes, schools)

[DonewithCali]

Our family is considering moving to Payson. We have two girls, 4 and 8. How is it there, schools, community activities, churches, crime?? Any advice please...............

[HollyhockGarden]

Hello -- Payson is a beautiful town, up in the mountains with National Forests and an Indian Reservation almost surrounding the town. Because the town is almost surrounded by government land it is considered land-locked in terms of future development. Flagstaff is in a similar situation. In addition, many wealthy Californians have moved into these towns, bringing large amounts of home equity $$$ with them, and as a result, home prices in these communties have soared. I'm assuming that you have a job(s) lined up and you know what the job will pay; relative to the high housing costs. I know there is a demand for Registered Nurses in these towns, and I have read that the hospital is Payson has been offering a program to assist with down payments, etc. Other occupations, such as firefighters and school teachers are having a very difficult time finding affordable housing in Payson and often wind up in manufactured homes a ways down the mountain; sharing a home with a second family might be another option. The local newspaper is called The Payson Roundup and is very informative. As long as you are arriving in town with good-paying jobs lined up, or perhaps an inheritance, you should be okay. Many people living in the Phoenix area would move to Payson in a heartbeat, because it is smaller, cooler, and has beautiful scenery. Unfortunately the housing cost is very high and many of the jobs do not pay adequate salaries to compensate for the high housing costs. Payson does have a small hospital, schools, churches, retail such as grocery stores, Wal-Mart and Home Depot, even a Chili's Restaurant. It is a lovely town and you will probably like it! Good luck with your move!

[utsava]

Originally Posted by DonewithCali

Our family is considering moving to Payson. We have two girls, 4 and 8. How is it there, schools, community activities, churches, crime?? Any advice please...............

Why did you choose Payson????
Anyhow, the area is gourgous, white mountains, just goods country.
If you like hiking and lakes and forests and mountains.....

But there is nothing really going on over there...
Except a lot of corruption.....

I believe, Flagstaff is a better choice; similar sceneries, but better people, same corruption, but a lot of late back people,if you like that.
Flagstaff has more to offer; same outdoor wise, but more shopping,great bubs, bars,restaurants,music, mall etc.
People like it there. It depends what you want, but probably would be for kids better. Also jobwise you will have more oportunity.

Climate vise both places are the same, great climate all year.

[qhreggie]

Can anyone tell me what the hospital facility (or for that matter any medical care) is like in Payson. Can the medical facilities there handle most things or do people find themselves needing to travel to other areas such as Phoenix.

[mhouse2001]

Payson is at 4,921' in elevation while Flagstaff is 7,009' up. There is a difference in scenery and climate. Payson is on the edge of a plateau that drops into the desert while Flagstaff sits at the foothills of a 12,000' mountain. Both cities are nestled in Ponderosa pine forests. Flagstaff gets >100" of snow a year and can get below 32 degrees more than 250 days a year. Payson is milder and gets less snow. Summers however are very similar in both towns with Flagstaff having cooler mornings. Both are expensive to live in based on rates of pay. Flagstaff is a college town and is the most progressive (read: liberal) town in the state by some standards. Payson is red-state territory and isn't appreciative of artsy types or bohemians. I can't help you on medical facilities but I would surmise that Flagstaff has more options since its far larger.

[DougDolde]

I live in Payson and while it's "nice" it is also boring. Think Dogpatch and Recnecks & Retirees.

[azdr0710]

DougDolde made several posts yesterday in the various Payson threads about how bad he thinks Payson is.....he evidently has had some bad experiences up there....