Bon Ayre
Dover, Delaware
Payson, Arizona
What It Is Like to Retire in Payson
Payson, Arizona, is a town for outdoor enthusiasts as it is located at the base of the majestic Mogollon Rim and is surround by the Tonto National Forest, in the jurisdiction of the United States Forest Service. Consequently, the town offers many year round outdoor activities which include hiking, fishing, hunting and camping. The Mogollon Rim is a 7,000 foot high, 200-mile long escarpment that stretches from north-central Arizona to Colorado’s Rocky Mountains. As a mountain town, Payson embraces its rural Old West heritage as it was home to many cowboys and rodeos. Author Zane Grey visited the area often and wrote numerous books about it. Payson is still host to oldest continuous rodeo in the world, which started in 1884, but also offers art galleries, antique stores, resturants, outdoor attractions, and a casino nearby. Picture of Green Valley Park courtesy of Wikipedia and Richard N Horne, photo of Historic Payson Main Street courtesy of Wikipedia and Marine 69-71, Licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
Where to Retire in Payson and Home Prices
Zillow reports the median home value was $434,755 in mid-2023. There are communities in Payson.
What Is Special about Payson
Payson is in a beautiful spot in "Rim Country" which allow for breathtaking views and scenery. It is a small mountain town that offers much in outdoor recreation.
What Is Not Special about Payson
Payson is isolated with the nearest large city, Phoenix, about 90 miles away. If you don't enjoy being outdoors all four seasons, there wouldn't be much to do.
Who Will Like Retirement in Payson
Retirees who enjoy hiking, camping, fishing and all of the outdoors would enjoy Payson. It is a small town with the crime rate and cost of living both below the national average.
Local Economy Is Driven by
Health care, Administration, and Construction
Climate and Physical Environment
Payson experiences all four season, but with moderate temperatures. Because of its location with an altitiude of of 5,000 feet, it escapes the summer Arizona heat, and in the winter, what snow it gets does not stay long. The median January temperature is about 40 degrees and the median July temperature is about 75 degrees.
Restaurants & Cultural Scene
The town is home to two parks that offer a lot of activities. Green Valley Park has three lakes with fishing, picnicing and an amphitheater. Rumsey Park offers ballfields, tennis courts, a skate park, basketball, and a dog park. Each year Payson hosts August Doins, which is the worlds longest continuous rodeo and attracts the worlds greatest professional cowboy and cowgirls. The Old Time Fiddler's Contest held each year, is a popular event which celebrates the towns old time music heritage. There are beautiful state parks and natural attractions around Payson including Tonto Natural Bridge State Park. The Rim Country Museum and Zane Gray Cabin and Museum offer a look back through the history of Payson. There is a casino nearby, and for a more varied cultural scene you could go to Phoenix.
Crime
The crime rate in Payson is below the national average and mainly involves theft.
Medical facilities
Payson Regional Medical Center
Transportation
Payson has a small airport for private planes and businesses. The closest international airport is in Phoenix about 85 miles away.
Valuable Links
Payson Rim Country Payson, Arizona Tonto Natural Bridge State Park
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