Globe vs. Payson (Phoenix, Tucson, Scottsdale: coop, house, neighborhoods)

[crazyme4878]

We are moving to Young, which means we need to choose either Globe or Payson to do most of our shopping and errands. According to one person, they can make the drive in about the same time, even though the mileage is shorter to Payson (they complained about the washboard road to Payson, but I didn't think it was that bad).

I think I would like the drive to Payson more...not sure if I should use that in choosing, though. I will need to choose within the next couple weeks, so I can pick out a bank. (Hmm...I should probably see if there are banks in both locations).

We like to shop local, don't shop at Walmart, would like a coop or "natural foods" store--just to give you a little bit of an idea of our shopping habits. Oh, a good coffee shop to treat myself at would be a super bonus, too!

If you had the choice, which would you pick?

[observer53]

Of course there are banks in both places (likely some of the same ones, which would be convenient if you ended up shopping in both places). Limited choices compared to larger cities, though, I assume.

I'd wonder if either has a "natural foods" store... limited population tends not to support those things. I'll be curious to see what folks who are more familiar with both places can tell you about that!

There was a really nice little coffee stand in Payson, but my last drive through there, I didn't notice it...not sure if it is still there.

[MaikeerinWA]

I know that Wells Fargo and BofA are in both towns. Not sure why one would need to necessarily "choose" one city or the other, for shopping, though. Why not go to both? Living in Young, the variety will be a highlight of your life - just kidding.

The Rim Country is a pleasant place to be in the dead of summer, but Globe doesn't get as hot as Phoenix by any means.

I remember seeing a little health products place called Back to Basics, or something like that, in Payson. Not certain about their food selection, though. You'll find the aforementioned Wal-Mart in both towns, but Payson seems to have a little more types of shopping in general, perhaps because so many residents have moved there recently from urban areas?

We have gone to a coffee shop called Vida e Caffe in Globe as recently as last year, and it was pretty good. But I'm sure there is a decent cup to be had in Payson somewhere...

[ArizonaBear]

If using just the 'metric' of amenities: I would pick Payson over Globe----------never mind that on a personal level, I prefer the latter town.

[crazyme4878]

Originally Posted by observer53

Of course there are banks in both places (likely some of the same ones, which would be convenient if you ended up shopping in both places).

Oops--my bad. I was just rereading my post as I went to see the new ones here, and realized I didn't phrase that sentence well...and bang! you nailed me on it! I meant the same bank in both locations!

Originally Posted by MichaelinWA

I know that Wells Fargo and BofA are in both towns. Not sure why one would need to necessarily "choose" one city or the other, for shopping, though. Why not go to both? Living in Young, the variety will be a highlight of your life - just kidding.

Thank you for all your great info. My main reason to pick "one" is for banking--even though we do most of it online. But I also figured I should choose one town and get to know it really well, at least at first. Plus, good coffee and lattes are my psychelogical crutch, so I don't want to go to one location for a few months, only to find that the other town has awesome coffee--something I could potentially find out from all you nice folks! I know, I know, such an emphasis on a cup of coffee, but you are right...I am going to be living in Young!

Maybe Payson more in the summer and Globe more in the winter? Ah...I'm looking forward to exploring! I love moving!

[rambrush]

Payson is the place to be, Globe is the Gila county seat though. So in the olden days anyway if you had county business and lived in Payson you had a road trip to get things done.

[DougDolde]

Payson is a dump and so is Globe but even more so. Don't look for much in the way of ammenities. Both have a Walmart. Plenty of rednecks and retirees. Personally I cant imagine living in Young though, way to remote for me.

The only "coffee shop" if you can call it that is a Starbucks in Safeway, at least in Payson. Globe has the same but whether it has anything else I don't know.

For natural foods either Whole Foods in the Valley or New Frontiers in Sedona or Flagstaff. Back to Basics is pretty much a joke.

[ArizonaBear]

Originally Posted by DougDolde

Payson is a dump and so is Globe but even more so. Don't look for much in the way of ammenities. Both have a Walmart. Plenty of rednecks and retirees. Personally I cant imagine living in Young though, way to remote for me.

The only "coffee shop" if you can call it that is a Starbucks in Safeway, at least in Payson. Globe has the same but whether it has anything else I don't know.

For natural foods either Whole Foods in the Valley or New Frontiers in Sedona or Flagstaff. Back to Basics is pretty much a joke.

Vida e Caffe is on Cedar St in Globe; I stop there whenever I visit that town

[crazyme4878]

Originally Posted by ArizonaBear

Vida e Caffe is on Cedar St in Globe; I stop there whenever I visit that town

I just discovered Vida e Caffe, too! Yeah! And there is a cute shop on the main street, too (Simple Sarah?). My friend and I are going to have a girl day there some time. In Payson, there is the Red Elephant for coffee/tea. Good lunches too, although it doesn't get served instantly.

I do like Payson a little better, mainly because it seems slightly easier to get around and for the most part, I prefer driving the north road vs. the south road. The Vitamart in Payson just expanded a few months ago, so I can go there for some special items.

I do like Young alot. I recently spent a week in Scottsdale and while it was nice to go 'do things' and get some special shopping done, I was glad to get back. There is actually a community here and despite what people's generalizations are, there are so many fancinating people with a range of backgrounds. Example: Today we had the Easter play day. Every child got a goodie bag with toys in it, then an egg hunt with over 1,000 eggs, organized games with ribbons, a basket giveaway (2 children in each age group), then everyone got to pick out another toy and do crafts and eat homemade snacks. And everything was free, adults were mingling and kids were running around with their friends having a grand time. I would take that over any awesome coffee shop (yes, even me, the coffee addict) or access to shopping.

And then afterward, I went over to talk to some new neighbors that just moved from Japan.

[lilypad]

I was in Globe for about 6 mos. a few years back and loved the area. Went every weekend to Tucson for shopping (Oro). The people were friendly and did meet people from everywhere, retirees, artists, etc. Neighborhoods eclectic, was offered a very cute house in the hills (friend was leaving) if I was going to stay, but permanent residence was in Texas at the time and did not want to just pick up and leave. Really miss the beauty of the desert and wonderful dry climate though!

Went to the coffee shop on the main street for lattes, forget the name. Across the street was a little health food store.