Best place to live in Arizona?

tallelkchaser

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Considering a move to Arizona, trying to weigh out some of the better options. Considering Eagar, show-low and payson areas as the top candidates. Want to be able to ski, chase elk regularly, have some upland game opportunities and fish. Any insights from this group?
 
All three are nice. I live close to Eagar and would pick that since it could still be considered the high desert and I like the desert, although the ponderosa pines are only 10 minutes away. Show low and Payson have hospitals and doctor offices, so they have that advantage. Show low gets colder than any of the three. Payson would be nice because it’s closer to Mesa when you have the need to go to the city and not take all day. Payson is closer to better fishing too. All have good elk hunting nearby.
 
Eager is to Isolated unless thats what you want. And cold Too. Payson is Much better if You you can afford it. Closer to every thing and to Phoenix. All good Hunting in both areas . Good Luck. ............................BULL!
 
Eagar would be the cheapest option for property. Then show low then payson. Payson is out of control on land prices. Most snow is gonna be show low. Sunrise ski resort is abiut same distance from show low as from eagar. Payson would be about a 2 hour drive to ski. Any of the three you can be chasing elk within 20-30 min. Payson would offer more opportunity at upland game opportunities (gambels quail in the desert). Any of the three are close to fishing but Payson would be closer to the big lakes like roosevelt, canyon, apache, saguaro.

Could also look at living in Heber which is between show low and Payson. Also pretty expensive land there and much smaller than any of the three places you mentioned. Snowflake may be an option. Land is cheaper, less snow but you're a little ways away from the lakes, skiing and a lot of the better elk country. So lots of things to consider depending on what's more important to you.
 
First- thank you! Really appreciate the insights!
I admittedly have never applied for hunts in Arizona or done a much research into this yet. But as a resident, can you regularly get elk tags in these areas? I assume cow tags can be had on a regular basis? What about chasing bulls?

Eagar is currently top of the list- would like land and do prefer a smaller town. Did a loop a few years ago from the valley up to payson, through heber and down to show low. All pretty areas, but I think the mountains between show low and Eagar are my favorite. I personally like more of the alpine feel rather than desert if given the option.
 
Define regularly…

At the end of the day it all comes down to what your desired style of hunt is. Can you get cows tabs regularly? Yes but it eats points that would be used to draw a bull tag.
 
Darn page refreshed did didn’t keep everything.

To guarantee an ok tag assuming loyalty / HS
Early Archery 10-12 years
Early rifle 20+
Late rifle 5-7 years

There are some opportunity hunts around just have have the time or access.
 
Elk permits could be about every five years for late Bull if you’re lucky. Cow permits about every two years. The beauty about Springerville/Eagar is that you’re close to some good NM hunting. I would hunt Deer and Elk as a Non Resident there for 16 years and drew regular permits for deer and Elk although not every single year but often enough that it was worth it even though the permits are pricy. It’s close enough that you could commute from town instead of camping.
 
Elk permits could be about every five years for late Bull if you’re lucky. Cow permits about every two years. The beauty about Springerville/Eagar is that you’re close to some good NM hunting. I would hunt Deer and Elk as a Non Resident there for 16 years and drew regular permits for deer and Elk although not every single year but often enough that it was worth it even though the permits are pricy. It’s close enough that you could commute from town instead of camping.
I liked Flagstaff very much- spent 14 years there. Worst thing- not being able to draw tags of any type with any consistency. Super frustrating!!
I even got my Lifetime Resident Hunting License-didn’t help. So beware !
Best climate year round - heaven!!!!! Of course
we came from Texas - hell hole supreme, the whole mess. Not enough $$$$$ to get me
back there ever.
Heaven is Flagstaff ! Trust me there !
??????????
 
Where are you at now?

How much heat can you tolerate?

I've never skied in AZ....but my friends say that it is marginal.

If you'll drvie 2 hours, each way, then you can pretty much fish in any part of AZ....lake fish that is. I don't know nutN 'bout fly fishing.

I haven't lived in AZ since '99....the draw seems to have changed since then. But, I only got drawn for elk once when I was there. Archery used to be easier.

I used to hunt doves there...there is nothing like that in my part of CO.
 
I was born in Show Low and lived in Phx area for 8 years and moved back to Pinedale/Clay Springs area after living in Payson for 2 years. Payson is nice but has water problems, I felt like I was being cheated by living in the "Mountains" but not being able to have a lawn etc., it is also very expensive.
Show Low/ Snowflake/Heber area is great but getting expensive due to a tremendous amount of people moving in. Limited amount of trees the further north you are. High desert
I love the Eager/Springerville area but you are more remote for sure. Send me a message with any questions if you want.
Houston
 
Springerville has a cool store called Western Drug. It’s one of the only places left where you can go and buy Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

There was a place in Flagstaff called Ruff’s Guns that did the same thing, and it even sold pornography. Now I think they’re only a gun store and not a grocery store like before.
 
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Flagstaff for sure, born and raised in the Verde Valley, ended up in Flagstaff for a job couldn't imagine leaving, sure there are cons like everywhere but its heaven to me
 
If your priorities are elk hunting, skiing and fishing, there may be better states for you.

Our elk hunting is world class but tags are extremely difficult to draw. The skiing is marginal quality and crowded. Our lake fishing is good but trout fishing is pretty limited and we don’t have walleyes.
 
Flatlander ,so true .We are getting crowded everywhere in AZ. I moved last year to South Carolina , Things are half price of what they are in AZ. I prefer AZ. though. Here you can take 5 deer and 3 Turkeys in the spring. I am in the country on 6 Acres 20 miles outside the Capital. It aint bad . Living with Girlfriend and retired. Still will hunt the west when drawn. Good to hear your Voice.................................BULL!
 
Recommend visiting white mountains now as it is windy season for the next few months so you can get an idea of the worst season. Tags are always hard to get. We just get used to waiting for tags. No perfect place I reckon. Good luck my friend!
 
I lived in Eagar for 6 years. Moved after I retired in 2020. Eagar/Springerville had doctors and a hospital. It's a great place to live. Summers are great. The mountains are at your doorstep. There are many lakes and a few streams to fish in within 30 minutes. Fewer people and to me that's a big positive. It's cold and windy in the winter and spring.
Lots of wildlife live in or near town. I saw Elk and deer almost daily. Bighorn sheep within 10 minutes etc.
 

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