Payson AZ? (Scottsdale, Prescott: living in, prices, move to)

[sidowl]

I am from Scottsdale AZ but want to move to a smaller town to retire to. I would love to move to Prescott as my grandparents have been there for 70 years (I know but my grandma is still very much alive at 94). The prices in Prescott seem a bit high I was wondering if anyone has any info on living in Payson? I read on the net that there was a huge meth problem there. Small town not much to do ect.

[AzDreamer]

I know people that live near Payson and if there is a meth problem it doesn't affect them. They live out of town a few miles and the only things they have to worry about are snow in the winter and deer eating their fruit trees.

[openeyes]

we lived in payson for about 10 years and never thought we would leave.
we would never move back. prices have skyrocketed, there are few jobs and nothing to do. the drug problem is very bad there.
we moved to pinetop/lakeside and found it to be a much nicer area. show low is also nearby and seems to be slightly better for jobs, and property is better priced than payson.
we are currently planning to move into New Mexico, where it is extremely affordable, and tall pines to boots, it appears to be a great place to raise our chandchild. arizona is a beautiful state. good luck in your adventure.