Prescott, Arizona is known as Everybody's Hometown, because retirees often find something that reminds them of where they grew up. For many, it is the historic Yavapai County courthouse, tree-lined plaza and surrounding shops in the downtown area. To others, it is the overall small-town charm and hospitality. People are friendly here, and you will notice it no matter where you are in the community.
Prescott, Arizona is known as Everybody's Hometown, because retirees often find something that reminds them of where they grew up. For many, it is the historic Yavapai County courthouse, tree-lined plaza and surrounding shops in the downtown area. To others, it is the overall small-town charm and hospitality. People are friendly here, and you will notice it no matter where you are in the community.
There are a variety of 55+ retirement living communities in Prescott. Options include luxurious golf course resorts and beautiful homes near the heart of Prescott's historic downtown area. Prescott has many Victorian style homes in the older parts of the city that help it maintain a unique charm.
Unlike the larger retirement destinations of Phoenix and Tucson, Prescott does not have an abundance of large-scale active adult communities. However, there are several age-restricted active retirement communities in Prescott and the surrounding valley. Many retirees who move to the area choose one of the several magnificent master-planned communities. Some of which are gated and include clubhouses, golf courses, racquet courts, planned social activities and other amenities.
Prescott Arizona Area Climate & Geography
Prescott is known as Arizona' s mile high-city due to its elevation at 5,368 feet above sea level. This elevation, scenic views, and surrounding Prescott National Forest will give you a feeling of living in the mountains. The area's location provides it with a mild four-season climate. Due to the breezes coming off the adjacent Bradshaw Mountains, summer temperatures remain moderate, with average daytime highs in the 80s and nighttime lows in the 50s. Winters in Prescott are moderate with daytime temperatures generally in the 50s. The area receives an average annual snowfall of 25 inches. While springs may be a bit breezy at certain times, autumns are beautiful.
Recreation, Culture & Entertainment Near Prescott Arizona Area
Prescott is known for hosting a multitude of annual events, popular events include:
- Frontier Day
- The Bluegrass Festival
- Tsunami on the Square
- Cinco de Mayo celebration
- Shakespeare Festival
- Navajo Rug Auction
- The World's Oldest Rodeo
- Prescott Film Fest
- Folk Art Fair
- The Acker Music Festival
- Prescott Highland Games
- Cowboy Poets Gathering
Prescott is also known as Arizona's Christmas City because of its annual electric and Christmas parade as well as being the home of World's Largest Gingerbread Village.
The city has unlimited opportunities for outdoor recreation from parks and lakes within city limits to the 1.25-million acre Prescott National Forest. Backpacking, camping, hiking, mountain biking, golf, tennis, hunting, fishing, boating and swimming are favorite activities among Prescott's retirement population. The city has an active Parks and Recreation Department, which manages some of the most beautiful parks in the Southwest.
Prescott Public Library, known as "Prescott's Living Room," is a lively community center offering traditional and non-traditional library services to residents of Yavapai County. The Yavapai Library Network's online catalog offers access to over one million books, movies, audio books, magazines, and electronic resources.
Thoroughbred and Quarter horse racing take place Thursday through Sunday from Memorial Day through Labor Day at Yavapai Downs. The Sundogs are a minor league hockey team in Prescott Valley. Their new arena also plays host to many cultural events throughout the year.
Prescott Arizona Area Cost of Living & Taxes
The Prescott area has an overall cost of living index rated at 107.2, which is 7.2 percent above the national average of 100. Groceries are 103.4, transportation is 102.1, healthcare is 100.2 and utilities are 90.6. However Arizona residents have low property taxes, no taxes on groceries and prescription medications, and no estate taxes.
Housing prices tend to run somewhat higher than the national average. On the national housing price index, Prescott was rated as 119.2 compared to the national average of 100. This means that home prices in Prescott average 19.2 percent more than the national average.
Prescott Area Healthcare
Prescott has easy accessibility to some of the best medical care in Arizona. The city is home to the Yavapai Regional Medical Center West and the largest VA medical center in the region. Prescott is also near Yavapai Regional Medical Center East, the Del E. Webb Outpatient Center and Mountain Valley Rehabilitation Hospital all in Prescott Valley.
