Prescott vs Payson (Phoenix, Mesa, Prescott Valley: house, new construction, cabinets) - City-Data Forum

jnehall · 11-01-2007, 06:04 PM

Hi, We are retired and are thinking of moving to Az. Our son lives in Mesa but it's way to hot for us there. (We live in Vt.) We have been looking at Prescott and Payson. The weather in both seems OK to us, not the hard winters that we have here. We have been reading the forum threads from both cities and its hard to know which is truth or what is friction. Both cities are in our size range. I know this is crazy, but we would like to find a nice home for $200,000, maybe that's a pipe dream. Thanks for any info that we might rec've.

Nice Nice Baby! · 11-01-2007, 09:02 PM

A pipe dream on your house price, unless you pick up a small fixer upper. It's hard to retain employees in the area due to housing costs. Public service employees have a hard time making it. Many retired people want to move to the mountains, and so do second home owners as an escape from the heat, just like you!

jnehall · 11-02-2007, 08:45 AM

Hi, Yes, we were afraid of the housing prices. We had a REA email a few listings in that range and it looked a little sad.

Nice Nice Baby! · 11-02-2007, 10:13 AM

Prices have been softening, but not as much as in the valley. Keep your eye on them because I think you'll pick up a bargain if you search hard. Someone will have to sell quickly when inventory has climbed. Inventories didn't get out of hand like the valley either. I look on the MLS, and I find $200k as a starter home.

AzDreamer · 11-02-2007, 10:57 AM

Maybe you can find what you're looking for East of the valley, in a town like Globe.

Nice Nice Baby! · 11-02-2007, 11:38 AM

Yeah, at the top of Signal Peak!

desertpine1 · 12-03-2007, 12:25 PM

Hi! Saw your letter. Phoenix area is definately to HOT for far to many months! My husband and I moved to a "bedroom community" near Prescott. Its 4000 feet up as opposed to Prescott is 6000 feet. Prescott gets its share of bitter cold and snow also. (I moved here from WI 20 yrs ago) Cordes Lakes where we moved is just gorgeous! Surrounded by mountains, and has four seasons. The summers are NOT hot, and the winters are mild. Occasional snow flurries, rarely stick. The air is clear, and clean and crisp! Its a short commute to the Prescott area, and less than an hour to Phoenix. Straight interstate either way, which is easily accessible from Cordes. Our home is 8 yrs old, 3 b.r. 2 bath, Lots of pine trees in the yard that we planted, vaulted ceilings, fireplace, arched doorways, huge closets, and hickory cabinets throughout. Sadly my husband passed away at 40 yrs old last year, and I had to leave my beautiful home. It is MUCH more affordable than homes in Prescott which are >the $200K mark, even in this realty market. Mine is a one owner, site built, and I am selling it for $149K, because it is to painful to up the price and drag it out. I need some closure, and I will never have it as long as I'm responsible for the upkeep. It was painted outside and in, before his illness, and newly papered. It has a screened in porch in the back. I do not see a way to send attachments here, or I'd send photos. If you are interested let me know, and I will send you my email address where you can write and I can reply w/attachments, or my realtors phone #, emal address and she can send the photos she has. I have photos inside and out, as does she, just different ones. Good luck, Robyn/desertpine1

Gretchen B · 12-03-2007, 04:49 PM

Payson would be the easier commute for you to Mesa. However, from what I've seen, homes in Payson are higher than Prescott Valley. You can easily get new construction in PV at $200k or less (with the builder incentives, etc). There's also been some pretty nice resales come on the market in PV in the $190's. Of course, on the new builds, it's going to be a small lot, and pretty small sq ft (as in under 1300sf, generally). With the resales, you'll get a larger lot, but usually an older (as in 80's or early 90's build).

Hope this info helps a little. As far as weather, Payson & Prescott Valley - it's almost identical.

jnehall · 12-03-2007, 05:52 PM

Hi Robyn, Thank you for your reply. we are so sorry to hear of the loss of your husband. We are in the just talking stage right now and do not expect to make a move till next spring. Your location and home sounds very nice. One thing that I worry about in Prescott is the traffic. I suppose it gets to be "normal" after awhile. Again, thanks for the input and good luck. Ed/Joyce

uote=desertpine1;2155587]Hi! Saw your letter. Phoenix area is definately to HOT for far to many months! My husband and I moved to a "bedroom community" near Prescott. Its 4000 feet up as opposed to Prescott is 6000 feet. Prescott gets its share of bitter cold and snow also. (I moved here from WI 20 yrs ago) Cordes Lakes where we moved is just gorgeous! Surrounded by mountains, and has four seasons. The summers are NOT hot, and the winters are mild. Occasional snow flurries, rarely stick. The air is clear, and clean and crisp! Its a short commute to the Prescott area, and less than an hour to Phoenix. Straight interstate either way, which is easily accessible from Cordes. Our home is 8 yrs old, 3 b.r. 2 bath, Lots of pine trees in the yard that we planted, vaulted ceilings, fireplace, arched doorways, huge closets, and hickory cabinets throughout. Sadly my husband passed away at 40 yrs old last year, and I had to leave my beautiful home. It is MUCH more affordable than homes in Prescott which are >the $200K mark, even in this realty market. Mine is a one owner, site built, and I am selling it for $149K, because it is to painful to up the price and drag it out. I need some closure, and I will never have it as long as I'm responsible for the upkeep. It was painted outside and in, before his illness, and newly papered. It has a screened in porch in the back. I do not see a way to send attachments here, or I'd send photos. If you are interested let me know, and I will send you my email address where you can write and I can reply w/attachments, or my realtors phone #, emal address and she can send the photos she has. I have photos inside and out, as does she, just different ones. Good luck, Robyn/desertpine1[/quote]

jnehall · 12-03-2007, 06:07 PM

I'm not sure how to send this

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hi Gretchen, Thanks so much for the imput. The small lot size is not a great concern, though we would not want to be cramped. The 1300 sq. ft. area should not be a problem also. We are down sizing here in Vt., we are in our 70's and want to have less to take of but still be in our own home. It seems that there is much more going on in Prescott, along with better shopping and maybe better hospitals. I guess there is a lot to think about. We have been here in Vt. since 1965 so you can see what we are up against. Again, thanks for the info, Ed/Joyce

Gretchen B;2158028

Payson would be the easier commute for you to Mesa. However, from what I've seen, homes in Payson are higher than Prescott Valley. You can easily get new construction in PV at $200k or less (with the builder incentives, etc). There's also been some pretty nice resales come on the market in PV in the $190's. Of course, on the new builds, it's going to be a small lot, and pretty small sq ft (as in under 1300sf, generally). With the resales, you'll get a larger lot, but usually an older (as in 80's or early 90's build).

Hope this info helps a little. As far as weather, Payson & Prescott Valley - it's almost identical.