Linden is a secluded community with access to the city
The unincorporated community of Linden is a bucolic expanse of buffalograss and evergreen trees in the high desert, home to fewer than 2,500 residents. Although the views of the surrounding desert give Linden the impression of a sequestered slice of country living, it is less than 20 minutes from the conveniences and amenities in Show Low. “It’s chosen because it’s secluded and rural, and it offers bigger lots at lower prices than in Show Low itself,” says Realtor Tamie Aguilera, branch manager of RE/MAX Fine Properties, who lives in the area. “We’re right at the top of the Mogollon Rim, so there are a lot more trees than people typically expect from Arizona.” Additionally, the area sees more snow than usual for Arizona – nearly 56 inches annually – due to its 6,300-foot elevation.
Linden’s quiet lots come with seasonal scenery and tree cover
Linden is known for its quiet, rural lots that are shaded by close clusters of spruce, juniper and pine. “One of the things about it that really surprises people is that you get the full set of seasons,” Aguilera says. “It’s not just Phoenix-hot with that year-round sun. We get the fall colors and snow, and there’s lots of wildlife that come through the lots. Just the other day, I had a black bear on my property.” Mobile and manufactured homes here can cost anywhere from $130,000 to $450,000, with prices varying based on lot size and build year. Stick-built homes with permanent structures can cost as low as $245,000 and as much as $950,000. Homes on multi-acre lots can fetch prices over $1 million, although this is still a lower price point than in neighboring communities.
While the area is prone to wildfires, Timber Mesa Fire and Medical Station 17 stands at the ready to serve the community. “They really do so much for us,” Aguilera says. “They’re absolutely the heart of the community, and we are very thankful for everything that they do.”
Show Low High offers dual credit through local college
Children in Linden are zoned to attend Linden Elementary School, which scores a B-plus grade from Niche. Students will likely attend middle and high school in nearby Show Low, including Show Low Junior High, which also receives a B-plus. Show Low High earns an A-minus and offers students the opportunity to earn college credit from nearby Northland Pioneer College in addition to their diplomas.
Hunting, hiking and lake activities are all close to home
Wildlife like deer, elk and turkey are common sights in Linden, and residents can head up Highway 260 to the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest to hunt seasonally on its over 2 million acres. Designated trails, such as the Ghost of the Coyote and Los Caballos Trailheads can be found throughout the area. Other recreational opportunities are in nearby Show Low. “Fool Hollow Lake is very close by,” Aguilera says. The Bison Golf Club, just east of Linden, has an 18-hole course designed by the PGA Tour's Billy Mayfair, and offers memberships. Show Low City Park has a playground, a pair of tennis courts and the local Little League field.
Restaurants and groceries are 20 minutes away in Show Low
There is a DG Market just on the eastern outskirts of Linden, although residents can also make the 20-minute trip to Safeway in Show Low for a more extensive selection. The closest big-box retailer is the Walmart Supercenter, also in Show Low. Popular nearby restaurants include Cattlemen’s Steakhouse and Lounge and The House, a lunch spot that serves unique dishes, such as the White Mountain donut burger.
Main highway links Linden to amenities and travel hubs
Arizona Highway 260 is the main road in and out of Linden, connecting the community to Show Low and U.S. Route 60. “You will absolutely have to take 260 to get anywhere from Linden,” Aguilera says. “But it’s not so secluded that it feels like the middle of nowhere. The other day, I was showing a property here, and we were looking down from the top of the Mogollon Rim. We could see for miles and miles, but then in 15 minutes we were back in town at Safeway.” Show Low is home to the closest hospital and to the Show Low Regional Airport, which provides several daily flights to Phoenix.
