Sahuarita, AZ 55+ Active Adult Retirement Communities

Overview

Sahuarita is a town located in Southern Arizona, just south of Tucson. The town offers residents warm weather and the picturesque, blue Sahuarita Lake. The Sahuarita area provides grocery stores, shops, and a seasonal farmers market. Aside from that, the town is just a short drive away from a major city, providing convenient access to even more amenities.

Climate & Geography

The climate in Sahuarita is classified as hot desert. This climate type only experiences two major seasons: a hot summer and a short, mild winter. The spring and summer months tend to be dry and sunny. Between June and September, the region experiences a monsoon season, which is marked by increased humidity and the majority of the year's precipitation.  The town receives significantly more sunny days than the national average, less rain than average, and no snow.

The surrounding terrain is mostly desert, though the Tucson area to the north consists of suburban and urban residential neighborhoods. The Madera Canyon is to the southeast, and the Santa Cruz river flows north through the town, however it is typically a dry riverbed except during the monsoon season or other extended wet periods. 

Recreation, Culture, & Entertainment

Sahuarita offers a variety of restaurants and grocery stores, providing all the essentials within close proximity to home. A short drive to Tucson allows residents to take care of all of more extensive shopping and entertainment needs. The Tucson International Airport makes for quick and convenient traveling or picking up guests.

Those looking to enjoy the weather in Sahuarita will appreciate the number of outdoor activities the area has to offer. Heirloom Farmers Market, located in nearby Green Valley, is a seasonal farmers market offering locals fresh produce among other goods once per week. The Sahuarita Lake is a popular option where residents can go fishing, boating, or stroll along the trails around the lake. 

Sahuarita offers residents museums that commemorate the area’s critical part in history. The Titan Missile Museum is the most famous attraction in Sahuarita. As a missile silo, the site  offers tours to educate visitors on the history of the location. The Asarco Mineral Discovery Center, another museum in Sahuarita, serves to educate visitors on the history and importance of mines. They offer exhibits, tours, and shows for the public to learn about Arizona’s mining history.

Cost of Living & Taxes

The overall cost of living in Sahuarita is just below the state and national averages. Although utilities and transportation costs are slightly higher than the national average, the cost of homes and housing, groceries, and health care are all below the average. 

The state of Arizona is considered moderately tax friendly to retirees. Social Security benefits are fully exempt from taxes, while income from retirement savings accounts are fully taxed as normal income. Some pensions are eligible for deductions, but this only includes federal or Arizona civil service pensions; private pensions and out-of-state pensions are excluded. Property taxes are quite low and there are property tax relief programs available for qualifying residents to help reduce this further. Sales tax is average in the state, and groceries and medicine are not taxed. 

Health Care

The Tucson area is rated about average on Gallup’s Well-Being Index, and the state of Arizona is rated on the higher end of average.

Just a short drive away from Sahuarita are two state-ranked hospitals. TMC Healthcare-Tucson, is ranked No. 7 in the state, and Northwest Medical Center-Tucson is ranked No. 14 in the state. Santa Cruz Valley Regional Hospital is located in nearby Green Valley.