Oro Valley, AZ 55+ Active Adult Retirement Communities

Looking for 55+ communities in Oro Valley? Oro Valley is a city in Southern Arizona with a culture of its own, as well as the conveniences of a nearby big city. It has a year round hot, but milder climate than the rest of the state, as well as several golf courses and hiking trails. With Tucson only miles away, as well as all the local amenities needed, Oro Valley is a popular destination for active adults.

Climate & Geography

A northern suburb of Tucson, Oro Valley lies in the western foothills of the Santa Catalina mountains. The Tortolita Mountains are just north of the town, while the vistas of the Tucson Valley are to the south. Although Oro Valley has a dry desert climate similar to neighboring Tucson, the higher elevation from the mountains cools down temperatures year round and there is less rainfall. Summers are long, dry, and hot, and winters are temperate and mild.

Recreation, Culture & Entertainment

Retirees seeking outdoor recreation can find it in the many trails and golf courses in Oro Valley. Several parks offer hiking trails for beginners and experts, including Honey Bee Canyon Park, Naranja Park, and Big Walsh Trail. The city has over six golf courses as well, both private and public. The Oro Valley Aquatic Center, another popular outdoor area, is a competition-level facility with a 50-meter lap pool.

Residents can also enjoy the Oro Valley Farmers Market on Saturdays, as well as the Oro Valley Marketplace. Oro Valley Marketplace has brand-name stores as well as local boutiques and restaurants. Tucson is only six miles away with even more shopping and dining options.

Cost of Living & Taxes

Oro Valley’s cost of living is above average for both Arizona and the U.S. The biggest factor is housing, with utilities and transportation also above average. Groceries and health care are much lower than the U.S. average.

While Arizona does not tax Social Security benefits, it does fully tax other forms of retirement income. Property taxes in the state are lower than average, whereas sales taxes are higher, with Oro Valley having an 8.6 percent sales tax. Groceries and prescription medicine, however, are exempt from this tax.

Health Care

55+ communities in Oro Valley are part of the Tucson metro area which consistently ranks in the top 75 communities nationwide in Gallup’s Well-Being Index.

Oro Valley Hospital is rated by U.S. News as high performing, the No. 2 hospital in the Tucson area, and the No. 10 hospital in Arizona. In nearby Tucson, TMC Healthcare-Tucson and Northwest Medical Center-Tucson are the No. 1 and No. 3 hospitals in Tucson, respectively.