I got this email today. I'd love to hear thoughts from people in the comments below.

Hey there-

I'm hoping you can make some suggestions, in terms of best places to live in Arizona.

I just accepted a sales gig and I can live anywhere I want, in California and/or the southwest.

I'm leaning heavily towards the Tucson and/or Phoenix area because of lower cost of living, less traffic(relatively speaking) than Southern California.

And, more single track, I think, in AZ??

I've lived/ridden/raced in Austin for the last 8 years, or so.

So, I like warm weather, sunny days, singletrack. I'm 46 and single, too, so don't want to live with in complete suburbia, if possible.

Really like to find a casual, laid back, town/neighborhood to live, work and squeeze in as much single track as possible....when I'm not working. A spot where there are good little restaurants, places to catch an independent film, good cafes, bookstores....kinda like Austin, I guess, if you've ever been there.

Ride off my door step onto some good singletrack. Possible in AZ??

I am most interested in access to fast, flowy, twisty, challenging, amazing singletrack.

Flagstaff is too cold for my taste though I hear the riding there is pretty epic.

I've raced 40-49 CAT 1 XC and have done most of my riding in Texas. So, I'm sure your AZ trails will rock my world.

Any suggestions for good towns and good trails.

Top five trails that fit description above?

Thanks in advance for your thoughts/suggestions/ideas!

Cheers,

[name withheld]

I live in Colorado and would probably pick Flagstaff first, but this person says it's too cold. I'd pick Tucson second. I have had few experiences with Phoenix, but wouldn't live there if I didn't have to. I'm not sure that I'm the most qualified person to answer this question. I know very little about SoCal.