Why We Moved Our Family From Scottsdale Back to Prescott

I grew up in Prescott. I left for the big city. And then I moved my whole family back home.

My husband and I are both Prescott kids. We met in high school, headed to ASU together, and spent the next ten years building our careers and our family in Scottsdale. We loved it there. We had amazing friends, great restaurants, and everything we could need within a few minutes' drive.

Until, slowly, we started wanting something different.

What pulled us home

Somewhere between three little boys and a hundred 110-degree days, we started dreaming about pine trees, cool summer evenings, and a town where life feels a little slower and more intentional. Here's what made the decision for us.

• The weather. Weeks of extreme heat make it hard to be outside with kids. Prescott has four mild seasons: a few hot days, a few snowy ones, and the rest of the year you can be outdoors all the time.
• A slower pace. Traffic is practically nonexistent. You can go a week or more without getting on a highway, and errands don't eat up your afternoon.
• Small-town charm. Historic homes, tree-lined streets, neighborhoods where no two houses look alike, and a community that takes real pride in its town.
• Outdoor living. Hiking, biking, pickleball, horseback riding, kayaking on the lakes, strolling the Courthouse Square, or tending a backyard garden. You can be outside as much or as little as you want.
• Convenience. Scottsdale is still under two hours away for world-class dining, shopping, and the airport. Go down for the day, then come home to peace and quiet.

What I learned from our own move

Relocating back wasn't as simple as finding a house we liked. We had to figure out which areas fit our lifestyle, how far from town we wanted to be, and what we were willing to trade for more privacy or more space.

That experience changed how I help my clients. I've been on both sides of this move, and I know how many small decisions sit behind the big one.

My advice if you're moving from Scottsdale to Prescott

1. Set your expectations early. Life here is different, in the best way. Things move slower, and we don't have every store and restaurant at our fingertips.
2. Start with your why. Small-town charm, more land, a slower pace, or four seasons outdoors? Your why will guide your home search.
3. Pick the type of home that fits. Prescott has new builds in master-planned communities, custom homes on a hill with views, cabins in the pines, and homesteads on acreage. Each one lives differently.
4. Decide your maximum drive to town. A 20-minute drive to the grocery store here feels very different from 20 to 30 minutes on the 101, but it's still worth deciding up front.
5. Plan your doctors. Many people keep their Scottsdale specialists and make a day of it when they drive down. Others get established here. Plenty do both.
6. Remember you're not saying goodbye. Your friends and favorite spots are a short drive away, and your Scottsdale friends will absolutely want to visit from May to September.

Not ready to move full-time? See how Prescott compares as a second home vs. Flagstaff and Payson, or read my honest pros and cons of living in Prescott.

Your next step

If you're thinking about trading the Valley for Prescott, I'd love to help you figure out what that could look like for your family. Call or text me at (928) 830-9647, email abby@abbykoehler.com, or ask for my free Moving to Prescott Guide.