55+ Communities Near Tucson AZ

Are you looking for 55+ communities in Tucson, AZ? This popular retirement favorite is the second-most populated city in Arizona. Active 55+ adults seeking culture, arts, and entertainment will enjoy this bustling metropolitan area. Filled with parks, nature preserves, museums, and shops, it has become a top destination for retirees looking to balance big city living with a hometown feel.

Tucson Climate & Geography

Located in Southern Arizona, Tucson experiences very hot, dry summers and mild winters as part of its desert climate. Settled in a valley between the Saguaro National Park East, the Tucson Mountain Park, and the Catalina Foothills, the city is surrounded by forested mountain ranges. Overall, residents can expect low rainfall averages, especially during spring and fall. Residents also enjoy more than 250 per year of famous Arizona sunny weather.

Recreation, Culture & Entertainment In Tucson

Tucson boasts a thriving arts and entertainment scene thanks in part to the proximity of the University of Arizona. Historic Fourth Street is home to many shops, bars, and restaurants near the University. The Arizona Theater Company, Tucson Symphony Orchestra, and Tucson Opera also call the city home.

Tucson is also home to several festivals, including the Gem and Mineral Show, Festival of Books, Folk Festival, Fourth Avenue Street Fair, and the Tucson Rodeo. Residents seeking a bit more history can visit the Arizona Historical Society, Pima Air & Space Museum, University of Arizona Museum of Art, and the Tucson Museum of Art.

The city has over 120 parks, 15 golf courses, zoos, and botanical gardens as well as several natural areas. Residents can enjoy “The Loop,” a popular trail for walking, biking, and horseback riding. Those interested in getting further from downtown can visit the Santa Catalina Mountains. The mountains are ideal for hiking, mountain biking, rock climbing, camping, swimming, fishing, and photography.

Tucson Cost of Living & Taxes

Despite being a major metropolis, the cost of living in Tucson is slightly below the national average. Utilities are higher than average primarily because of the heat that making air conditioning a necessity. Arizona has lower health care costs than the rest of the nation but they are even lower in Tucson.

Retirees with Social Security can enjoy tax-free benefits, but other forms of retirement income, such as pensions and IRAs, are taxable. Property taxes are below average for the state, however some homeowners over the age of 65 are eligible for property tax breaks. Arizona's state sales tax is higher than the national average at 5.6 percent, Tucson's total sales tax is 8.7 percent.

Health Care In Tucson

The Tucson Area ranks within the top 100 metro communities throughout the U.S. on Gallup’s Well-Being Index. Residents of 55+ communities in Tucson have a variety of choices and options when it comes to health care.

Within city limits are three high-performing hospitals, all of which are ranked well in Hip and Knee Replacements. TMC Healthcare-Tucson is ranked by U.S. News the No. 1 hospital in the city and No. 7 overall in Southeast Arizona. Other top-ranking hospitals include Oro Valley Hospital (No. 10 in the region) and Northwest Medical Center-Tucson (No. 14 in the region).