"Rest of AZ is sparsely populated and one can drive a hundred miles and see NOTHING but rattlesnakes."
Yet greater Sedona, Prescott (Tri cities) and Flagstaff are great places. All together they might reach 200,000 to 300,000 population spread across higher and cooler scenery.
Yes, I was mostly referring to the southern half of the state. Although the norther half is relatively unpopulated there are GREAT mountains and woods. I think the greatest stand on Ponderosa (except Russia) is in northern AZ. Much cooler because of elevation, but not too many people. All the people are in Maricopa county which is very quickly becoming Los Angeles II.