5 Reasons Payson AZ is a Great Place to Live

5 Reasons Payson AZ is a Great Place to Live In 

 

While the Valley of the Sun attracts flocks of snowbirds during the winter, it is not a pleasant place for half the year. Luckily, in less than two hours, you can escape the brutal Phoenix summer heat. Ninety miles from Phoenix is Payson, where the summer temperatures are 20 to 30 degrees cooler than the Valley. And, while it does snow in the winter, that snow often melts away quickly. Overall, the temperatures in Payson are moderate year-round.

Often called “The Heart of Arizona”, Payson offers small-town charm with modern convenience. If you're curious about buying Payson AZ real estate, read on. We'll go over the reasons that make Payson a great place to live.

 

A Family-Friendly Place Packed With Adventure

If you love the outdoor life, Payson is the place to be. Situated within the Tonto National Forest, hiking, biking, fishing, hunting, and off-roading are just minutes away. In fact, Green Valley Park is right in town, with three small fishing lakes.

But, if you want to get out of town into the wild, the Rim Country around Payson is home to seven beautiful alpine lakes. Knoll Lake, Black Canyon Lake, Woods Canyon, Willow Springs Lake, and C.C. Cragin Reservoir are easily accessed. Knoll Canyon and Black Canyon Lakes also offer nearby campgrounds.

However, Bear Canyon Lake and Chevelon Lake are much more of a challenge to access. You'll either need to hike a steep trail or take your quad. But, you'll feel like you have the lake all to yourself for a truly uncrowded experience.

Hikers and mountain bikers will also love living in Payson AZ. There are dozens of well-established trails in the area, appropriate for all levels of fitness. While the temperatures are much cooler than in Phoenix, it can still get into the 90s. Be sure to bring plenty of water and wear sunscreen as you hike and bike around Payson.

Bird watchers and rock hounds will also love Payson. From the tiny Black-tailed Gnatcatcher and kestrels to huge, gliding Turkey Vultures, the Tonto National Forest is home to dozens of bird species.

Kids will especially love rock hunting for fossils, agates, onyx, sparkling quartz crystals, and geodes. The trails and forests around Payson have a lot of fun to offer.

 

Payson is Steeped in Old West History

If you love the romance of the Old West, Payson offers plenty of that. Established in 1883, Payson continues to be home to the world's oldest, continuous rodeo. That rodeo is held in August, but there are other rodeo events held throughout the spring and summer.

Payson is also home to the Zane Grey and Rim Country Museum. The Western author made Payson his home for decades and wrote many of his beloved novels here. The museum houses all sorts of artifacts from the region, covering everything from Native American life to ranching, mining, and of course, rodeo.

In nearby Strawberry, the kids can get a feel for what school was like in the 1880s at the Strawberry Schoolhouse Museum. The log cabin schoolhouse was built in 1884 and is the oldest standing schoolhouse in the state. The beautifully preserved schoolhouse is complete with desks, blackboards, and other period details.

There are several historic structures in Payson, built by pioneer families. For example, the Sidles Mud House was built in 1882 by Henry Sidles. The mud house still stands at 505A W. Main Street. You can also dine and have a beer at the Oxbow Inn and Saloon. Built of logs in 1933, the Oxbow was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2004.

During the winter months, the Winter Range Shooting Contest rides into town. Typically, more than 1,000 competitors participate in the national championship of Cowboy Action Shooting. Cowboy Action Shooting requires competitors to shoot with old-style lever-action rifles, single-action revolvers, and Old West shotguns. Moreover, competitors must also dress in Old West attire.

The Winter Range event also features demonstrations of Old West skills and crafts, such as a fast-draw competition and trick horses. Visitors can also peruse stalls selling period cowboy hats and clothing, reproductions, antiques, and chuckwagon BBQ. It's an event both grownups and kids will love.

If you have ever dreamed of being a cowboy, Payson is the place to be. While today, it's thoroughly modern, the Old West is woven into the fabric of the town.

 

A Full-Service, Modern Town

 

While Payson has a family-friendly, small-town feel, you will not lack services. There is a Walmart Supercenter here, as well as two grocery stores, two hardware stores, a Home Depot, and a Tractor Supply store. There is also a PetSmart, and a feed store.

Payson also has the medical services you need, from family practitioners, chiropractors, dentists, and hospitals. Your pets can also be cared for by the resident veterinarians. For the most part, you'll be able to find everything you need locally in Payson.

 

Payson Has Nightlife

 

While Payson is a family-friendly place, there are also adult things to do too. The Mazatzal Casino, owned and operated by the Tonto Apache Tribe, offers both slots, table games, and sports betting. The casino also offers fine dining, concerts, and other events. 

There are also several bars, breweries, and restaurants in the Payson area that are open till later at night. While Payson is not offering 24/7 entertainment, there are places to go at night to enjoy adult fun.

 

Payson AZ Real Estate Has Variety

Whether you fancy a mountain cabin, a suburban ranch-style home, or a rustic mansion, you can find it in Payson. There are hundreds of real estate listings available in Payson, giving you plenty of properties to browse.

Prices also range from modest to million-dollar properties. You can also find raw land if you want to build your custom dream home.

Fortunately, growth in Payson has been slow over the last two or three decades, preserving the smalltown feel. Also, being surrounded by the Tonto National Forest, it's unlikely that Payson will ever be the victim of urban sprawl.

 

 

 

 

 

5 Reasons Payson AZ is a Great Place to Live

$549,900
3 Beds 2 Baths 7006757 MLS Payson Pines Recorded SubDv. ACTIVE Status
Stone gas fireplace in the great room. Split floorplan and open kitchen. Low maintenance, nicely landscaped yards. Stepping out of your car you'll notice this well-maintained home with easy car landscaping. Walking up to the home, you'll pass through a gate into a front patio area perfect for your early morning coffee or afternoon iced tea or cocktail. Ounce you walk through the front into the spacious foyer you notice the open floor place with laminate flooring and exquisite stone fireplace that invites you to come over and sit in the comfortable chairs for a minute or two soaking in the atmosphere of the great room. After relaxing in the recliners, you notice the alcove entertainment area to your right with big screen TV and sound system waiting for the evening movie with popcorn and beverages. Looking around you see the dining area and open kitchen with loads of cabinets and stainless-steel appliances, perched in the middle is a large island for meal prep for those family and friend gatherings. When you finish soaking it all in you remember, oh, there's the Main bedroom with ensuite, ounce you enter there's a stone accent wall and lots of space for a king-size bed. The ensuite features a walk-in shower, waist high counters with dual sinks, roomy walking closet, and that's not all! Off the main bedroom there is also a screened in AZ room to enjoy the great Rim Country weather with access to a covered patio, the back yard is adjacent to a green belt for more privacy. The secondary bedrooms are spacious; one is currently set up as office with vinyl planking for easy cleaning.

405 W Houston Mesa Road, Payson

$568,000
4 Beds 3 Baths 6952076 MLS Forest Park And Forest Park Addition I SubDv. ACTIVE Status
Custom home-built home by JFC Homes, a prominent builder in Payson with 2x6 construction and 9-foot ceilings. This beautiful and spacious move in ready home offers 4 bedrooms and 2 baths on the main level, office/bonus room, family room plus a potential 5th bedroom and full bath on the lower level. Oversized garage with attic space, storage shelving, on a .25-acre cul-de-sac lot in the perfect neighborhood of Forest Park. Centrally located in Payson, close to schools, parks and shopping. This amazing home is ready to move into, new paint inside and out. Upon entering there is a foyer entry with plenty of natural light that walks you into the open and inviting living area. It offers a stone gas fireplace for those chilly evenings or ambiance, access to the large covered back deck along with the bright and spacious kitchen/dining area. The kitchen offers stainless steel appliances, freshly remodeled kitchen counters, breakfast bar and cabinets. If you need cabinet space, there is plenty in the kitchen along with the large laundry room with a laundry sink and plenty of counter space. The primary bedroom offers a sizeable walk-in closet, the primary bath has a custom shower that has an easy step in, multiple rain heads, bull nose glass and a shower door. There are 2 guest bedrooms on the main level along with a full bath. On the lower level you walk into a large spacious family room/theater room/play room with outside access, bedroom with a full bath and a potential 5th bedroom/office and a large storage closet with built-in shelving. The additional bonus upgrades are a low voltage consolidation box that was installed in the for easy coax, internet and network management, hot water recirculating pump - no waiting for hot water and an all-house fan which is great for bringing in fresh air when the windows are open. There is a new solar system with no payments, it is free and clear along with a new roof. Don't miss out on this amazing home, priced to sell!

103 S Overland Court, Payson

$574,900
3 Beds 2 Baths 7050241 MLS Wildwood SubDv. ACTIVE Status
This corner-lot gem captures the perfect mountain-home look and feel. The main level is wrapped in beautiful tongue-and-groove wood throughout, creating a warm, rustic atmosphere enhanced by soaring vaulted ceilings and an open-concept design. During the cooler months, the wood-burning stove provides the cozy ambiance and comfort that people dream about in a mountain retreat. And for many folks that have block walls surrounding their yard, this property is very open with no fencing. The primary bedroom is conveniently located on the main floor, and the easy-access parking allows you to step directly into the great room, where the character and charm of this Rim Country beauty are immediately apparent. Situated on the desirable west side of town, this home offers a peaceful setting away from the traffic and congestion of central Payson. Nearby, you'll find one of the area's most treasured parks, featuring scenic lakes, walking paths, and abundant opportunities to enjoy the outdoors. Outdoor enthusiasts will appreciate the close access to Tonto National Forest, with trails for off-road adventures, hiking, and exploring. Take in the breathtaking vistas of the Mazatzal Mountains just minutes from your doorstep. Spectacular sunsets and star-filled night skies create an unforgettable backdrop, making it easy to feel immersed in the beauty and tranquility of the surrounding wilderness. The finished lower level provides additional flexible living space with an open floor plan, offering endless possibilities for a bedroom, recreation room, home theater, game room, fitness area, guest retreat, or whatever best suits your lifestyle.

307 S Brassie Drive, Payson

$575,000
2 Beds 1 Baths 7063728 MLS Kohls Ranch Saddle Mountain View SubDv. ACTIVE Status
ON THE CREEK! The best part of your week doesn't have to begin when you arrive on vacation- it can begin every time you open your front door. Just over an hour from the valley, the desert gives way to towering pines and the temperatures drop with every mile; the pace of life begins to change and even the air smells different as you're pulling into your own cabin tucked among the towering trees and pines. In Kohl's Ranch, the sound of the creek replaces the noise of the city. Morning starts with coffee on the deck in the crisp mountain air enjoyed with the sound of water spilling over the rocks below. Afternoons are spent fishing, hiking nearby trails, exploring the Rim Country, or simply doing nothing at all- a luxury that's becoming harder and harder to find. Cont.. Evenings end around a fire beneath a sky filled with more stars than most Valley residents ever get to see. Whether you're escaping the summer heat, creating a place where children and grandchildren will make lifelong memories, or simply looking for a retreat that allows you to disconnect without being hours away, this creekfront cabin offers something increasingly rare: peace and tranquility. This 2 bedroom, 1 bathroom cabin has been completely renovated with huge windows overlooking the river. It is located in the highly sought-after community of Kohl's Ranch, and places you in the heart of Arizona's outdoor playground while remaining an easy drive from the shopping, dining and entertainment of Payson. Here, weekends feel longer, holidays become traditions, and every visit reminds you why owning a mountain home isn't just a purchase--it's an investment in the way you want to live. Don't wait on this one- Its rare to find waterfront property in AZ and even more so to find one that is project free!!

695 S Meadow Lane, Payson

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