Thinking of moving to Arizona?

Travel Info
The heat is not an issue, just hoping for some that is less oppressive than our muggy weather. We live in Texas, where he11 was invented. We are looking for something smallish: you know, low crime rate but still it has some shopping or is near a shopping center. Planning a trip for the fall and we're wanting to stop off in a few places to check out housing markets, costs of living, job markets, the usual. Just looking for suggested places to stop for a look-see. Any help would be appreciated.

Travel Tips

I am from Fountain Hills and the person who said Mesa has a low crime rate... was probably talking about their block and not mesa all together... Nothern AZ is pretty cool... Fountain Hills, and Scottsdale are pretty high in cost... Mesa would be my last choice... Prescott, flagstaff, or somewhere up north... not Phoenix, glendale, scottsdale, mesa, tempe, chandler, or any other place within 75 miles of Phoenix... (IF you want a low crime rate...) AZ is awesome, LUVS IT!!!
Others

I grew up there. some of the best towns are

Maricopa
Casa Grande
SanTan Mountains
Scottsdale $$$Pricy
Bullhead City is small but growing. Flagstaff is great, especially if you are the nature type. A friend of mine recently moved to Tucson; I haven't been there yet, but he loves it. I do NOT recommend Phoenix or the surrounding area. But then again, if you're looking for smallish, Phoenix was probably not a consideration anyway!
I like the Mesa/Chandler/Gilbert area. The cost of living is a little higher than some more remote areas in Arizona, but still lower than a lot of the US. Casa Grande, Buckeye and Queen Creek are cheaper areas that are growing.
You asked for a place with a low crime rate and someone recommended Mesa??? Ouch.

I'd recommend north of Phoenix, maybe around Prescott Valley.

Keep in mind the cost of living in AZ is very high.