There are a lot of good reasons to choose a gated active adult community for retirement. There’s peace of mind that comes with knowing a security gate is located at the entrance of the community to ensure only those who are supposed to be there can get in.
For homebuyers who appreciate privacy, a gated community provides that by creating a barrier between you and the outside. This also means fewer solicitors, private amenities, less dense traffic, and a greater sense of community among neighbors.
In the Phoenix area, there are plenty of active adult communities to consider, but only some of them offer a gated lifestyle. We’ve scoured the list and picked the ones we think are worth a closer look.
Sun Lakes – Sun Lakes, AZ
Low $200ks – Low $1Ms
The gate that runs around Sun Lakes is a pretty large one. Considering this 40+ community includes 6,683 homes across five country club-style neighborhoods—each with its own golf course and amenity center—that’s a lot of ground to cover.
This community is also home to plenty of amenities inside the community, but right outside the gates, residents have very easy access to the south side of Chandler. The community is within minutes of Interstate 10 and Loop 202, which makes it easy to connect to Gilbert, Mesa, and Downtown Phoenix as well.
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PebbleCreek – Goodyear, AZ
Mid $300ks – Mid $1Ms
Located in Goodyear, between the White Tank Mountains, Estrella Mountain Park, and Downtown Phoenix, PebbleCreek is a 55+ gated community full of exciting amenities and a fun lifestyle.
Residents can gather each day at the 47,000 square-foot Eagle’s Nest Country Club, the Creative Arts Center at Eagle’s Nest, the Tuscany Country Club, the Oasis Pool Complex, or at the numerous tennis, pickleball, and bocce ball courts.
There are also two golf courses and a thriving collection of clubs and groups for everyone in the neighborhood. The location near the intersection of I-10 and the 303 transit corridor makes commuting to Downtown Phoenix easy.
Robson Ranch – Eloy, AZ
High $200ks – Mid $800ks
Robson Ranch is another self-contained gated community with a lot to offer. With around 4,600 homes, this 55+ community made sure to include enough amenities to guarantee residents have plenty to do.
Behind the gates, homeowners have full access to indoor and outdoor pools, a state-of-the-art fitness center, hobby rooms, walking trails, tennis courts, a softball field, a fishing lake, and more.
As a bonus, residents get the security of living in a gated community but can still appreciate the surrounding mountain views and low desert air. Plus, since the community is located near I-10, it’s easy to get to both Downtown Phoenix and Tucson.
Trilogy at Vistancia – Peoria, AZ
LHigh $400ks – Low $1Ms
Trilogy at Vistancia offers a gated lifestyle within the Vistancia master-planned community, making it ideal for those who want the privacy of a tucked-away enclave surrounded by amenities and activities.
This 55+ community includes 3,300 homes, a 35,000-square-foot clubhouse, and a slew of amenities just for active adult residents. Living in Vistancia also means access to Vistancia Village and the exclusive Blackstone Country Club.
Leisure World – Mesa, AZ
Mid $200ks – High $700ks
Leisure World is a large, gated community that includes 2,664 homes and views of the stunning Superstition Mountains. The big appeal of this 55+ community is that it provides a secure hometown atmosphere while also giving residents easy access to Phoenix via Highway 60 and the 202 Freeway.
Behind the community gates, it really is its own little town chock full of amenities. There are twelve man-made lakes, two golf courses, a library with over 15,000 books, a post office, and its very own newspaper. There are even registered nurses at the wellness center to provide medical care for residents.
Encanterra – Queen Creek, AZ
Low $600ks – Mid $1Ms
Encanterra in Queen Creek offers 55+ residents their own gated slice of life within the master-planned community of Encanterra Country Club. Dubbing itself “city-close but country-quiet,” this community is all about balancing the rural location with proximity to Downtown Phoenix and suburbs like Mesa, Chandler, and Gilbert.
Right outside the gates, residents will find stunning mountain views and many recreational opportunities such as hiking, biking, and nature watching. Inside, the 60,000-square-foot La Casa clubhouse is the hub of activity. There’s also an 18-hole championship course designed by Tom Lehman.
