Saint Johns is a quiet mountain town in Arizona
The town of Saint Johns, Arizona, sits in the quiet foothills of the state’s White Mountain region. It is isolated and located at the crossroads of a pair of two-lane desert highways, attracting prospective buyers with its promise of a tightly bonded community that's off the beaten path. “What drives people to Saint Johns and makes it special is mostly how affordable it is,” says Realtor Tamie Aguilera, branch manager of Re/Max Fine Properties and an area native. “It’s got maybe 3,500 residents, so when I say it’s a small town, I mean small. It really encourages a self-sufficient, outdoor lifestyle, and I know quite a few people who grew up there who are not planning on leaving.”
Diverse home styles, from rural homesteads to manufactured homes
Home styles in Saint Johns vary from small midcentury cottages near the center of town to sprawling ranch-style homes on landscaped half-acre lots. “There are a couple of little subdivisions with HOAs, although the location really encourages self-sufficient homesteads,” Aguilera says. “Most homes on the larger lots help residents live out that off-grid lifestyle they’re looking for. And there’s a good mix of manufactured homes and site-builds.” Single-wide manufactured homes can cost around $100,000. Prices for permanent single-family residences range from $110,000 to $310,000, depending on square footage, number of bedrooms and status of any renovations.
Highly rated school district and historic rivalry between two high schools
Saint Johns Unified School District, with an A-minus rating on Niche, serves the area and is comprised of three institutions. Coronado Elementary, located on the east side of town, scores an A-minus. Saint Johns Middle educates students from grades 4 through 8 and receives an A. Saint Johns High, the home of the Redskins, is also rated A-minus. The Redskins’ rivalry with the neighboring Round Valley High School Elks is the longest-documented rivalry in Arizona history, dating back to 1904.
Outdoor activities include swimming, hiking and elk hunting
Saint Johns City Park, in the heart of town, has a small playground, tennis courts and a public swimming pool for residents. The town also sits near two large parks that attract tourists. “Lyman Lake State Park and the Petrified Forest bring lots of visitors for camping and hiking,” Aguilera says. “And it’s near several hunting grounds, with plenty of elk, deer, antelope, and even mountain lion and black bear. It’s a very diverse landscape up here in the White Mountain area, so there are lots of opportunities to get outdoors.”
Local shops offer fresh meat, produce and DIY supplies
Saint Johns Market and Ace Hardware are in the same space and serve as the community's main grocery store and place to pick up DIY goods. Fresh, local meat is available at American Arrow Beef Company, and daily household items can be purchased at Saint Johns Drug. The city’s small downtown district contains locally owned restaurants like Ditty’s Pizza, Village Café and Jaramillos Tavern and Store.
Apache County Fair brings an annual rodeo and carnival to the area
The Apache County Fairgrounds, on the north side of town, has hosted the annual Apache County Fair since 1945. The fair includes a carnival, rodeo and vendor village. “Other than that, it’s pretty quiet,” Aguilera says. “They have a small museum on Cleveland Street, as well.” The Apache County Historical Society Museum preserves a wide collection of artifacts that detail the town’s past, including fossilized mammoth bones and cultural artifacts of the indigenous tribes.
Highways 180 and 191 connect Saint Johns to nearby amenities
U.S. Highways 180 and 191, two major regional thoroughfares, converge in Saint Johns. Route 180 connects the town west to Holbrook and Interstate 40, while Route 191 provides the most direct route south to White Mountain Regional Medical Center, the nearest hospital. The closest major airport, Phoenix Sky Harbor International, is 211 miles southwest of town.
