The town of Payson is located 90 miles north of metropolitan Phoenix via Highway 87 and 90 miles south of Flagstaff. It is located in the geographical center of the state in northern Gila County, south of the rugged Mogollon Rim and is called THE HEART OF ARIZONA.
At an elevation of 5,000 feet, Payson enjoys a mild four-season climate. When it snows in Payson, the snow usually melts the following day. No matter what time of the year, Payson is fifteen to twenty degrees cooler than Phoenix or valley areas. Renowned for having the cleanest air in the west, Payson is one of only three pure air ozone belts in the world.
Payson is completely surrounded by National Forest amid the world's largest stand of virgin Ponderosa Pines. It is a mecca for recreational activities. Popular outdoor activities include hiking, biking, golfing, camping, hunting, and fishing in the seven Rim Lakes and countless trout steams which are all very close to Payson. Cross-country skiing and snow play areas are a short drive away. Less than 1% of northern Gila County is deeded land. This fact alone has made Payson a very desirable place to live.
Payson is a 3 tiered community of Swiss Alpine, Old West and Contemporary Ambience. The economy includes tourism, retirement and business with a high quality of life profile that is geared to light industry. The population of approximately 15,000 people is about 40% labor force. Retail trade, service-oriented businesses, finance, insurance, real estate, utilities, government and the casino are the basis of the employment structure. Payson is the tenth fastest growing retirement community in the U.S.
There is adequate shopping in Payson with a Super Wal-Mart, Safeway and Bashas' for groceries. There is a Home Depot in town as well as a couple of other lumber/hardware stores. Other stores in town includes furniture, clothing, dollar stores and lots of antique and specialty stores.
Payson offers excellent schools, an excellent hospital, two nursing homes, and a wide range of outside medical services. Town lakes, parks, outdoor activity sites, library, the Mazatzal Casino, a wide variety of churches not to mention the "World's Oldest Continuous Rodeo;" makes Payson an excellent place to retire, live, or raise a family. Payson is a beautiful and friendly place to live.
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