Grand vistas, an ideal climate and a lower-cost-of-living are just a few of the reasons retirees are drawn to the great American Southwest for the ideal retirement.
The American Southwest, with its temperate climate and beautiful vistas, is one of the country’s most popular retirement destinations. As such, the area is home to many impressive active adult communities. Whether relocating adults are interested in a resort-style community or a more intimate neighborhood, they are sure to find a community to meet their needs. Here is a look at just a few of the spectacular active adult communities found in the American Southwest.
Arizona
Del Webb opened America’s first active adult community, Sun City, in 1960. Today, this sprawling community boasts over 26,000 homes, seven recreation centers, 11 golf courses, and an unsurpassed array of amenities. Since opening this first community, Del Webb has opened Sun City communities across the country, including several more in Arizona, such as Sun City Festival, Sun City West and Sun City Vistoso.
As one of the most popular states for relocating retirees, Arizona is home to many active adult communities. One of the largest, Green Valley Recreation, which was built by a variety of developers, offers over 12,000 homes, 13 recreation centers, eight golf courses, 13 swimming pools and 17 tennis courts.
Colorado
Built between 1962 and 1972, Windsor Gardens is the only active adult community found in the city of Denver. It is known for both its prime location and affordable homes. Set on 143 acres, this mid-sized community is minutes from the various shopping, dining and cultural activities found in downtown Denver.
The first Del Webb community in Colorado, Anthem Ranch features many resort-style amenities, as well as magnificent views of the Rocky Mountain foothills. In addition to its fantastic indoor and outdoor amenities, Anthem Ranch offers a wide range of social clubs to meet the interests of any resident.
Nevada
With 7,779 homes, spread over 2,400 acres of rolling mountainside, Sun City Summerlin is the largest active adult community in Nevada. This Del Webb masterpiece offers four clubhouses, three golf courses, three restaurants and a wide variety of first-rate amenities.
For those who prefer a smaller community, Siena by Sunrise Colony Company offers 2,000 homes set on scenic Lake Siena. This luxurious resort-style community includes a 71,000 square foot clubhouse, an 18-hole championship golf course and a full-service Salon and Day Spa, among other amenities.
New Mexico
Set just 20 miles south of Albuquerque, Jubilee at Los Lunas is New Mexico’s largest active adult community. This fantastic development, built by Jenamar Communities, includes 700 homes and a spacious clubhouse filled with a variety of popular amenities. Residents can also enjoy the area’s temperate climate, stunning mountain views and rich cultural history.
Texas
The highly acclaimed Robson Ranch Texas by Robson Communities offers world-class amenities for active adults, such as the 18-hole Wildhorse Golf Course, spacious clubhouse, a variety of outdoor sports courts and a Creative Arts and Technology Center. While Robson Ranch Texas—which will have 7,200 homes upon completion—is geared toward residents over the age of 55, a portion of the community is open to those aged 40 or better.
With a projected 1,900 homes, Hill Country Retreat in San Antonio is a peaceful community where residents will often glimpse wildlife roaming through the lush, natural landscaping. Though smaller than some of Texas’ other age-restricted communities, this Del Webb property features a 28,000 square foot clubhouse and plenty of amenities to support an active adult lifestyle.
Utah
The beautiful St. George area is rapidly gaining popularity among retirees, and SunRiver at St. George is one of Utah’s most impressive active adult communities. With 2,200 homes, this gorgeous resort-style community includes an 18-hole championship golf course, a spacious clubhouse, state-of-the-art fitness center and much more. In addition to SunRiver’s many amenities, residents can enjoy Utah’s mild weather and spectacular views of Pine Valley Mountain.
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As this article (and even more so, this website) points out, there is something for every taste, want, need or expectation. While the experts tell us how retriement is all but dead and gone in this country, the reality is there are options and the best way to find them is to look.
Without question the health care problem is causing those at retirement age to rethink whether they can afford to go. I thought the article Bill posted on the Early Retiree Reinsurance was interesting and would hope those looking to retire dig into whether their company is pursuing it or even qualifies for the assistance.
We were fortunate and bought our house in Sun City at 51. We rented it out during the prime winter months and covered virtually all of the yearly costs while we were still working. It meant we cut back on some of the things we were doing, but we knew we wanted out at 55 and getting there was as easy as a little planning and a lot of research (or maybe it was a lot of both).
Costs run the gamut in retirement communities. Knowing what you want in retirement and being able to afford them vary from person to person, so there is no one size fits all. Start shopping early, look at all options and then set your plan in motion. While we saw far more glamorous and glitzy settings, we knew we wanted a community where we could give back and become a part of the fabric and afford to live comfortably. The original Sun City was perfect for us, but it is not for everyone.
Whatever you want is out there, you just need to go find it.