Phoenix Area 55+ Retirement Communities

The Phoenix area is one of the most popular retirement destinations in the country. In fact, Phoenix is home to the country’s first 55+ active adult community. Sun City northwest of Phoenix opened its doors for sales on January 1, 1960 and experienced outstanding success. Since then, active retirement communities in Phoenix have come a long way.

The warm weather, abundant sunshine and low cost of living has attracted 55 and older retirees from all parts of the country and around the world. As a result, the number of Phoenix active adult communities has grown tremendously in recent decades.

Homes and amenities are certainly popular attractions for many 55 and over residents, but the real draw to the area's 55+  retirement communities is the lifestyle. Most of the active adult communities in the Phoenix area include an exciting lineup of clubs, activities and events that cater to older adults. There are clubs, social activities, and interest groups in everything from sports and fitness to cards and crafts. Regardless of your passions or interests in life, you will certainly find other like-minded residents at one of the many area's 55+ active adult retirement communities.

Climate & Geography

The Phoenix area is in the south-central part of Arizona between Tucson and Flagstaff. The metropolitan area is known as the Valley of Sun and the city itself is made up of 15 urban villages. With a subtropical desert climate, the area has hot summers and warm winters with an average of over 330 days of sunshine. Typical of the Sonoran Desert, where Phoenix lies, precipitation is light throughout most of the year.

Most of the Phoenix area active adult and retirement communities are actually spread out in the outlying suburbs in places like Mesa, Chandler, Gilbert, Surprise, Sun City, Goodyear, Buckeye and elsewhere. Since the original Sun City community started over half a century ago, there have been several dozen large-scale active adult communities in Phoenix and its surrounding suburbs. In addition to the larger active adult communities there are many intimate age-restricted retirement communities in the area.

Recreation, Culture & Entertainment

If golf is your game, a Phoenix area active adult golf course community might suit you best. Many active adult communities in the area include a golf course and many of the communities include several or more courses. In fact, Sun City, the largest active adult retirement community in the Phoenix area, includes 11 golf courses.

There are many opportunities to experience fine arts and culture with many venues throughout the Phoenix area. The Phoenix Symphony Hall is home to the Arizona Opera, Ballet Arizona, and Phoenix Symphony Orchestra. There are dozens of museums throughout the valley including the Phoenix Art Museum, Arizona Capitol Museum, Arizona Military Museum, Arizona Science Center, and Heard Museum.

Phoenix  has a large number of parks and recreation areas. The city alone has 189 parks that make up 33,000 acres with facilities for hiking, camping, swimming, climbing, cycling, and horseback riding. The Desert Botanical Garden and Phoenix Zoo are popular outdoor attractions.

Cost of Living & Taxes

The Phoenix area's cost of living is 1.5% above the national average. The median household income is $52,589 and median home price is $147,800. The homes in Phoenix 55-plus communities are applauded for their affordability, low maintenance and single level living. Whether you prefer a small one-bedroom villa or an elegant estate home with golf course views, you will surely find a comfortable place to call home at one of the retirement communities in Phoenix. Buyers will find homes priced from under $100,000 to over $1 million and everywhere in between at Phoenix area active retirement communities.

Kiplinger rates Arizona as one of the most tax-friendly states. Starting in 2023 the income tax will be a flat rate of 2.5 percent with Social Security and military retirement income being exempt. Arizona does tax other forms of retirement income but does not have inheritance or estate taxes.

Health Care

The Phoenix metropolitan area is serviced by 56 hospitals. Some of the top-ranked facilities include Mayo Clinic, St. Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center, John C. Lincoln North Mountain Hospital, Arizona Heart Institute, Banner Health, and Barrow Neurological Institute.