Lakeside attracts outdoor lovers with lakes, mountains and golf
The Lakeside community makes up the northern end of Pinetop-Lakeside, a winter-sports and eco-tourism hub in Arizona’s White Mountains. Living in rural Navajo County, folks here enjoy the remote quiet of highland country between towering pines, state parks and reservation land, about 190 miles from Phoenix and almost 200 miles from Tucson. The outdoors anchor the day-to-day, whether that means lake fishing, golfing, horseback riding, hitting the slopes or a night stargazing. At the same time, nearby healthcare, dependable internet and steady local jobs make it easy to live here year-round or enjoy seasonally.
What to expect from Pinetop-Lakeside’s four-season climate
According to Tamie Aguilera, a Realtor with Re/Max Fine Properties, Pinetop-Lakeside’s high-altitude climate is different from much of Arizona’s. “I think when most people come here, they’re surprised by the snow, which we do get almost every year.” The White Mountains region has four seasons – snowy winters, blooming springs, mild summers and colorful falls. “I don’t think people know how beautiful it is in the fall,” Aguilera says. “We would welcome people to come up more in the fall to look at the beautiful colors and support local businesses during what we call our ‘slow season.’” Winter means ski season, bringing its own influx of visitors, and Aguilera says both the town and Navajo County do an excellent job of keeping roads clear. “We really have a powerhouse for our city and county public works.” With that in mind, residents pay taxes to the county, state and town, so folks may notice a difference compared to the state average.
What do single-family, manufactured and multifamily homes cost
Single-family properties with room to roam make up most of what’s for sale in Lakeside. They range from around $200,000 to about $2.4 million, depending on size, age, condition and location. Waterfront and multiacre residences sell on the high end. Homeowners associations aren’t standard, but some planned communities use them, including Mountain Gate, Elk Springs and Wolf Pines. HOAs may have rules regarding short-term rentals, but beyond that, the town’s a boon for Airbnbs, Aguilera says. The community also has manufactured homes that range from under $100,000 to the mid-$300,000s. Multifamily options sell from the low $300,000s to the low $600,000s. Overall, Lakeside's median price is in the mid-$400,000s.
How homebuyers can navigate wildfire risks in Lakeside
Wildfires are an environmental consideration for the area, especially when it comes to insurance, Aguilera says. Standard homeowner’s insurance covers fire damage, but obtaining that coverage can be tricky in high-risk areas. “We talk about having 5 to 30 feet of defensible space, removing dead trees and participating in the Firewise program...a national program designed to help homeowners reduce the risk of wildfire damage," she says.
Students are zoned for highly rated public schools
Lakeside is part of the highly rated Blue Ridge Unified School District No. 32, which includes Blue Ridge Jr. High School and Blue Ridge High School. Because of Arizona's open-enrollment laws, students can apply to transfer within the district or to schools outside of the district's boundaries, depending on available space. There are also private school options, such as Mountain Christian School, which serves kindergarten through Grade 8.
Outdoor adventures range from trail hikes to winter skiing
Pinetop-Lakeside puts you in the middle of outdoor recreational opportunities, from winter snow sports to hiking, mountain biking and golf. Local destinations include:
- White Mountains Trail System: An over 200-mile network of hiking, mountain biking and horseback riding trails
- Pinetop Lakes Golf and Country Club: An 18-hole executive course featuring a mix of par 3s, 4s and 5s
- Sunrise Park Resort: A mecca for winter-sports fans, offering seasonal skiing and snowboarding and more family-friendly fun in the off-season
- Rainbow Lake: Small and scenic, this little lake is popular for fishing, kayaking, canoeing and paddleboarding
Year-round living supported by strong services and local jobs
For a rural, mountain town, Pinetop-Lakeside has healthcare options. A full hospital, as well as specialty and 24-hour emergency care, is just a few miles up the road in Show Low. Aguilera says Summit Healthcare is probably the area’s largest employer, followed by Navajo County, Blue Ridge Unified School District No. 32 and the Town of Pinetop-Lakeside. “Some people who work for the railroad commute to Holbrook, our county headquarters is up there… We have some county offices in Show Low, too.” Additionally, high-speed internet is available through Sparklight.
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Written By
Micaela Willoughby
