7 Arizona Towns With The Best Quality Of Life In The Transition Zone

Abstract

• Head to Payson for a reasonable local weather, festivals, low value of residing, and crime fee beneath the nationwide common.
• Prescott Valley affords unspoiled magnificence with a mixture of suburban-rural residing, 4 seasons, and a low crime fee.
• Superior in Pinal County has a shocking desert setting, adventures galore, decrease residing prices, and a wealthy Western heritage.

The Arizona transition zone is a slim, northwest-by-southeast area throughout central Arizona. It’s usually a mountainous area that transitions from the higher-elevation Colorado Plateau to lower-elevation deserts within the southwest and south. The varied panorama in Arizona may be jaw-droppingly lovely, from surprisingly beautiful waterfront towns to among the world’s most scenic desert road trips, and Arizona’s transition zone isn’t any completely different.

All through a lot of the state, ample sunshine, high-quality outside adventures, and a rising economic system with a relaxed, laid-back way of life guarantee a top quality of life. These cities within the Arizona transition zone match an identical and even larger high quality of life.

7 Payson, Gila County

Referred to as “The Coronary heart of Arizona,” the city boasts a reasonable local weather, loads of festivals, a low value of residing, and a low crime fee

Surrounded by the huge Tonto Nationwide Forest, Payson lies close to Arizona’s geographic heart and is known as “The Coronary heart of Arizona.” It is also within the heart of the Arizona transition zone.

Arizona’s Western heritage nonetheless lives on in Payson by way of its many festivals and occasions. The Payson Rodeo, the “World’s Oldest Steady Rodeo,” has entertained for 140 years with out lacking a beat. The Hashknife Pony Categorical additionally makes its annual historic run by way of Payson, choosing up letters for supply. Together with its Fundamental Road, Payson has one of the best historic downtowns in Arizona.

The Tonto Pure Bridge, the most important identified pure bridge on the earth, is situated simply northwest of Payson in Tonto Pure Bridge State Park. The world can also be common with rock hounds, and a few of its quartz crystals rival Herkimer diamonds in high quality.

6 Prescott Valley, Yavapai County

Unspoiled pure magnificence on this excessive desert city comes with a suburban-rural combine and a low crime fee

Roughly eight miles east of Prescott, the smaller city of Prescott Valley, previously often called Lonesome Valley, is surrounded by Prescott Nationwide Forest.

With 4 distinct seasons, any time of 12 months is ideal for a go to to Prescott Valley. With wildflowers in spring, altering leaves in fall, and snow within the winter, this charming small city within the Arizona transition zone is an ideal trip or life vacation spot.

Though the price of residing is barely excessive, the wonderful high quality of life contains over 300 acres of neighborhood parks and trails for the general public, together with a considerably decrease crime fee than the US common.

5 Superior, Pinal County

A shocking location within the coronary heart of the Sonoran Desert, it boasts a top quality of life, comfy residing prices, and excessive security

Exploring the huge Decision Copper deposits, Superior in Pinal County was as soon as a part of an unlimited Apache reservation however returned to the general public area after discovering silver and copper deposits. It was initially referred to as Queen, then Hastings, and at last, in 1902, named after Lake Superior.

World-class adventures await guests in Superior. The rugged and numerous panorama contains the 98-mile Apache Path, the Saguaro Cacti, the red-streaked cliffs of the Apache Leap Mountains, and 4 lakes created by dams alongside the Salt River.

Spanning over 392 acres, the Boyce Thompson Arboretum is a world-renowned and Arizona’s oldest and largest botanical backyard.

4 Seligman, Yavapai County

The longest surviving part of America’s iconic Route 66 begins right here and is the birthplace of Historic Route 66

Initially referred to as “Prescott Junction,” Seligman is a favourite cease for tour buses and vacationers on highway journeys, whether or not they’re touring the longest stretch of Route 66 or taking I-40 to the Grand Canyon.

A notable small city within the coronary heart of the gorgeous excessive desert northwestern Arizona, inside the Arizona transition zone, Seligman is the traditional western city with American eating places, memento shops, and historic buildings.

The village of Supai and its magical waterfalls are Northern Arizona’s best-kept secrets and techniques. Seligman is the perfect place to stay the night earlier than and after an journey to Supai.

3 Clifton, Greenlee County

Set in a canyon, with an exciting historical past, a well-preserved downtown, and alternatives for outside recreation

Arizona’s Grand Canyon is the world’s most-visited natural wonder, however the state boasts many smaller and underrated canyons, and Clifton is one such canyon. Prospectors got here to Clifton for gold however discovered copper, a discovery that attracted a various array of immigrants from Scotland, Italy, Mexico, and China. At present, a photogenic city awaits vacationers to Clifton.

From a remarkably well-preserved turn-of-the-century downtown to the quaint previous mining city framed by dramatic canyon partitions and the majesty of bighorn sheep clinging to unattainable cliffs above a year-round river, Clifton has lots to see and do.

Union Corridor is a gorgeous instance of Territorial-style structure, mixing Pueblo and Victorian types. The annual Colours of Copper Artwork Worldwide pageant (November 1 and a couple of, 2024) attracts artists from the USA, Mexico, and France.

2 Jerome, Yavapai County

As soon as referred to as the wickedest city within the West, it’s now a bustling vacationer spot and the most important ghost city in America

From a thriving copper mining camp stuffed with miners, bootleggers, gamblers, and prostitutes, Jerome in Arizona is now a bustling vacationer vacation spot stuffed with artists, musicians, and reward store proprietors.

It’s a common hillside location for guests keen to find extra concerning the Verde Valley’s mines, wines, and advantageous arts. The city’s former highschool homes the Jerome Artwork Middle, the place greater than 30 artists lease studio area.

Catastrophic fires and violent deaths within the city’s early days have led to its “ghost city” standing and this Arizona town is known for its eerie history. Night ghost excursions introduce guests to the native spots that former residents are stated to hang-out. All through Jerome, placards share the historical past of each the ruins and the remaining buildings.

1 Clarkdale, Yavapai County

Arizona’s first “deliberate neighborhood” is strategically 10 minutes from Jerome and half-hour from Sedona

Clarkdale, nestled between the cities of Jerome and Sedona, is a singular mix of artsy environment and gorgeous views. Its awe-inspiring landscapes, small-town attraction and prime quality of life make it the right hub for an Arizona expertise.

The city heart and enterprise district had been constructed within the Nineteen Twenties with Spanish Colonial structure. The Clark Memorial Clubhouse and Memorial Library, nonetheless in use, are landmarks of this historic legacy.

A historic rail line was reborn in 1990 because the Verde Canyon Railroad, a four-hour common exercise to identify bald eagles alongside the very scenic line.

Guests to Clarkdale can discover Tuzigoot Nationwide Monument, historic Indian ruins, constructed on a hilltop, with nice views of your entire space, all the best way as much as Jerome.

Whichever city you select, there’s loads to see and do in Arizona’s transition zone.