Central Arizona 55+ Active Adult Retirement Communities

Overview

Central Arizona is one of the most popular regions for active adult communities. There are numerous age-restricted neighborhoods that range from large 26,000-home communities like Sun City to smaller 200-home tight-knit neighborhoods like Verde Groves. Whether you re a snowbird looking for a lock and leave condo or a retiree looking for a permanent single-family home, Central Arizona s 55+ communities are sure to offer everything you re looking for.

Central Arizona s active adult communities offer resort-style living without having to break the bank. There are plenty of new construction and previously owned homes throughout Central Arizona. There are many established active retirement communities in Central Arizona with a wide range of home prices, sizes, and styles.

Climate & Geography

Most 55+ communities in Central Arizona are found within or near the Phoenix metropolitan area. There are active adult communities in Surprise, Sun Lakes, Sun City, Scottsdale, Rio Verde, Queen Creek, Peoria, Mesa, Maricopa, Goodyear, Golf Canyon, Gilbert, Florence, Eloy, Chandler, Casa Grande and Buckeye. The warm climate is what brings people to purchase homes in this area. Central Arizona has a subtropical desert climate, with hot summers and warm winters.

Recreation, Culture & Entertainment

Living in a warmer climate allows for many outdoor activities. Central Arizona has plenty of outdoor space as it s home to tens of thousands of acres of untouched desert. It s great place for nature lovers to view wildlife like coyotes as well saguaro and cholla cactuses. There are dozens of public and private golf courses as well as parks for hiking, biking, and climbing. Buckeye Hills Recreation Area is a popular destination in Buckeye and it has a planned lake for water sports as well.

The town of Gilbert has many historical properties that have been included in the National Register of Historic Places. Scottsdale is filled with annual events and fairs, including the very popular Scottsdale Arts Festival. Scottsdale is also home to over 125 professional galleries and studios, one of the highest per-capita in the nation. Central Arizona's larger cities offer professional sporting events, fine dining, and world-class entertainment. Active adult communities in Central Arizona combine the best of both worlds, big-city entertainment and quiet, natural areas.

Cost of Living & Taxes

Generally speaking, the state of Arizona s cost of living is higher than the national average. The cost of living in each city varies by location. Phoenix and Scottsdale have a slightly higher cost of living but cities like Peoria and Goodyear are becoming more popular for it s affordable homes in the West Valley. New developments like Trilogy at Vistancia and CantaMia at Estrella offer affordable low-maintenance home options in the Central Arizona area.

Healthcare

Central Arizona s Phoenix Metropolitan area includes Glendale, Mesa, and Scottsdale. There are about 56 hospitals in the entire area and 13 are top-ranking. Some great medical centers for active adults in Central Arizona include the Mayo Clinic, Scottsdale Healthcare Shea Medical Center, St. Joseph s Hospital and Medical Center, Banner Good Samaritan Medical Center, Chandler Regional Medical Center, and Banner Estrella Medical Center.