Pinetop-Lakeside is located 30-40 minutes from Whiteriver, AZ. Many WUSD teachers and staff reside in Pinetop-Lakeside as owning property in Whiteriver is only allowed for members of the White Mountain Apache Tribe.

Pinetop-Lakeside has many residential areas including three country clubs. Pinetop-Lakeside provides many amenities including restaurants (Italian, Mexican, Asian, etc); grocery stores (Safeway and Ed's Market Place); and hardware and car parts stores.

Show Low is located 15 minutes from Pinetop-Lakeside. Several teachers and staff have homes in this area. Show Low is the home of larger stores such as Wal-Mart, Home Depot, Lowes, K-Mart, and JC Penney.

Sunrise is a ski area that offers great down hill and cross country skiing. Sunrise offers challenging triple diamond slopes on its Cyclone and Apache peaks. Sunrise will please any type of skier from beginner to expert.

The White Mountains is famous for its outdoor activities such as hiking, bicycling, horseback riding, camping, fishing, and hunting.