The Grand Canyon State is a great place to live, and Northern Arizona is no exception. Northern Arizona has a lot of things going for it.
It’s close to Phoenix, which means you can take advantage of the city’s amenities without having to deal with the traffic or sky-high housing prices.
The state’s largest city, Tucson, isn’t far away either, so if you’re looking for nightlife or culture, it’s not hard to find. And while there are plenty of people who love living in Phoenix and Tucson, what if you want something smaller?
What if you don’t want to deal with all those crowds?
If that sounds like you, then check out our list below for some great towns in Northern Arizona where you’ll be able to find peace and quiet — at least until the summer heat hits!
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Best Places to Live in Northern Arizona
If you’re looking to relocate, why not choose Northern Arizona? Northern Arizona is a popular place to live and retire. With its mild weather and friendly people, it’s a great place to live.
The area is home to the Grand Canyon, Flagstaff, and Sedona, which are all popular tourist destinations. If you’re considering Northern Arizona, there are plenty of places to choose from.
Here are some of the best options:
1. Sedona
Sedona is one of the best places to live in Northern Arizona. It’s a great location for anyone who loves nature and wants to be close to all of the great things that Arizona has to offer.
The climate in Sedona is ideal for those who love warm weather or year-round sunshine. The average temperature is 67 degrees Fahrenheit and there are 90 days of sunshine per year.
You’ll find plenty of outdoor activities here, including hiking, biking and horseback riding. There are also plenty of opportunities for relaxing at the spa or enjoying outdoor concerts at Bell Rock Plaza.
Sedona is also home to many beautiful parks and monuments that can be enjoyed by visitors and locals alike. Red Rock State Park has numerous hiking trails as well as several scenic overlooks with beautiful views of Oak Creek Canyon below.
You’ll also find some great restaurants in town like Pines Café & Pub which serves up delicious pizza on Wednesday nights or try out The Cantina for authentic Mexican cuisine!
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2. Prescott
Prescott is one of the best places to live in Northern Arizona. The city has a very strong and growing economy and offers a comfortable lifestyle for its residents.
This community has a lot to offer, including many things for families, singles, and retirees alike. Prescott has a population of about 43,463 (2020) people and sits at an elevation between 5,500 feet and 6,000 feet above sea level.
Its climate is similar to that of Flagstaff’s — cool summers and snowy winters with not too much variation in temperature throughout the year.
It has much to offer, including a mild climate, beautiful scenery, and wonderful cultural events and activities.
3. Kingman
Kingman is one of the best places to live in Northern Arizona and is a great place to raise a family. Kingman has high-quality schools and excellent health care facilities.
The city has a strong industrial base and an economy that is diversified with many different industries including tourism, manufacturing, and agriculture.
The city’s population is about 30,433 (2020) people, with about half being veterans. The median age is 35 years old, which means there are lots of young families who call Kingman home.
One of the highlights of living in Kingman is that it offers easy access to outdoor recreation opportunities including hiking trails, fishing lakes, golf courses, horseback riding trails, and much more!
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4. Kachina
Kachina is one of the best places to live in Northern Arizona. It is a beautiful area that offers great schools, safe neighborhoods, and a variety of activities for residents.
It’s close enough to Flagstaff that you get all the benefits of living in a larger city, but it’s also far enough away that there aren’t as many tourists around.
The community was established in late 1984 but has since grown into a thriving city with many amenities for residents. Kachina is located near many parks, hiking trails, and lakes.
It also has a large library and community center where residents can enjoy free classes, programs, and events for children and adults alike.
The nearby town of Flagstaff has many shopping centers and restaurants as well as theaters and museums that are sure to keep you entertained.
5. Flagstaff
Flagstaff is one of the best places to live in Northern Arizona. It has a small-town feel with all the amenities of a big city but at a fraction of the cost.
The weather here is amazing year round and with so many things to do, you will never run out of things to do. Flagstaff is located right outside of Sedona which makes it an ideal location if you want to get away from the crowds and enjoy some peace and quiet.
It also has many hiking trails that lead into Sedona which make for an easy drive when you want to take advantage of everything that the area has to offer.
The downtown area is constantly being renovated and added on to. It is always fun exploring new shops and restaurants as they pop up.
You will also find several museums in Flagstaff including the Museum Club which showcases all kinds of exhibits from local artists and photographers.
The Coconino Center for the Arts also offers interesting exhibits at their museum. If you like sports then there are plenty of options available during your move-in process!
Flagstaff boasts four universities within its city limits so there will always be something exciting happening on campus whether it’s football season or not!
Related: The 10 Most Expensive Cities to Live in Arizona
6. Holbrook
Holbrook offers a wide variety of housing options as well as access to public transportation. Schools in Holbrook range from elementary schools to high schools and universities.
The cost of living in Holbrook is lower than most other cities in Arizona, making it an affordable place to live.
There are lots of things to do in Holbrook, including hiking and biking trails, museums, and cultural centers. And if you like to get out on the water, you’re in luck — there are lots of lakes nearby.
The weather here is perfect for exploring everything that Northern Arizona has to offer. From the red rocks at Sedona to the towering mountains of Flagstaff.
7. Williams
Williams, Arizona is a great place to live. It’s a small town but also has all the amenities of a larger city. The weather is beautiful and there are so many things to do year-round.
If you’re thinking about moving to Williams or just visiting, here are some reasons why it’s one of the best places to live in Northern Arizona:
The weather is amazing! Williams is located at an elevation of 5,000 feet above sea level and enjoys 300 days of sunshine each year.
The temperature rarely reaches 100 degrees, even during the summer months!
There are plenty of outdoor activities for everyone! The surrounding area has trails for hiking, biking, and horseback riding; fishing spots; rock climbing areas; golf courses, and even water parks.
You’ll never run out of things to do!
Williams is home to the Grand Canyon Railway which takes passengers on an unforgettable journey through Arizona and Utah.
The train stops at several points along the way including Flagstaff and Kanab Utah.
8. Jerome
The city has a rich history and offers amazing views of the surrounding mountains. The town is also known for its art scene, colorful buildings, and many excellent restaurants.
Jerome’s population is around 416 (2020) people, which makes it small enough to have an intimate feel but large enough to have everything you need.
It’s a great place to raise a family because it has a low crime rate and plenty of activities for kids and families.
Jerome is also close to skiing, hiking, fishing, rafting, and other outdoor activities — attractions that make Jerome an excellent place to visit during the warmer months as well as live year-round.
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9. Greer
Greer is a beautiful town in the White Mountains region of northern Arizona. It’s a great place to live and raise a family, but it’s also an excellent vacation destination for anyone who enjoys the outdoors or wants to learn about Arizona’s history.
There are plenty of open spaces where you can get away from it all. But don’t let the small size fool you — there’s plenty going on here! Greer is located just south of the Grand Canyon National Park.
This means that when you move here, you’ll be close enough to visit the park without having to drive too far.
The town itself has plenty of interesting shops and restaurants, but if you want something more than what Greer has to offer, there are plenty of other options nearby as well.
10. Payson
Payson is a great place to live. It’s close enough to Phoenix and Flagstaff, yet far enough away from the hustle and bustle.
The scenery here is amazing – you can see the Mogollon Rim from just about anywhere in town, and there’s nothing like waking up on a sunny day in January or February and looking out over the valley below.
There are plenty of things to do here as well – hiking, biking, fishing, birding (there are some amazing birding spots), etc.
Payson has an average population of over 15,708 (2020) people with a very diverse population of Native Americans, Hispanics, Caucasians, and African Americans.
The city is surrounded by mountains and beautiful lakes making it a great place for tourists to visit.