Exploring the 55+ Communities in Sierra Vista, Arizona

 A charming city in Southern Arizona, Sierra Vista has a lot for active adult homebuyers to love.

Sierra Vista is a small city of about 45,000 people in Southern Arizona, and it appeals to homebuyers who want smaller communities of a few hundred people rather than the larger communities you find around Phoenix and Tucson. It’s very much for those who like small-town living rather than the big city, but there’s still a lot going on, and the place has great character. It also has beautiful scenery—after all, the name in English means “Mountain View.”

Location

A group of hikers walking along a rocky hiking trail in Sierra Vista, Arizona

Sierra Vista is surrounded by mountains, with several ranges on the horizon: the Huachuca, the Dragoon, the Whetstone, the Mustang, and the Mule Mountains. Homes with mountain views are in great demand. Popular tourist towns are also nearby with the former mining town of Bisbee and the old west town of Tombstone each only a 30-minute drive away.

Tucson International Airport is about a 75-minute drive northwest, mostly on Interstate 10, and Downtown Tucson is just a little further. It’s a similar distance to the Mexican border town of Nogales, where many residents take advantage of cheaper dental care and prescription drugs, though Sierra Vista also has two hospitals for medical care.

Also, homes here are cheaper than around cities like Tucson and Phoenix, and the cost of living in Sierra Vista is lower than both the national average and the average for Arizona. Arizona also has several tax advantages for retirees.

Climate

A road in Arizona leading to Huachuca Mountain in the distance

Sierra Vista enjoys the typically mild Southern Arizona climate. Snow isn’t common, though a bad winter will see a few inches, which usually melts quickly as the days warm up. Nights can be cold with occasional freezes. There are usually only a few rainy days per month, except in July and August when the summer monsoon rains provide spectacular thunder and lightning, turning the surrounding mountains into a light show.

From April to October, temperatures range from the mid 70s through to the low 90s, but some years, you’ll get periods when it goes over 100 degrees for days, sometimes weeks, at a time.

Culture and Events

A large wall mural with benches at a public library in Sierra Vista, Arizona
Image credited to Peggy Hazelwood / Shutterstock.com

The city has its own symphony orchestra, and in the summer, there are regular music concerts in Veterans’ Park. There’s an annual cowboy music and poetry festival, a birdwatching festival, and many events at the city library. The city’s two active adult communities also organize events for their own residents.

Low $200s - Low $400s

The gated entrance to Winterhaven in Sierra Vista, Arizona.

Winterhaven is the larger of the two communities with 630 single-family homes. It’s a gated 55+ community located right on the edge of the city, only a 5-minute drive from the city center. Home models here range from 1,200 to 3,000 square feet with two or three bedrooms, two or three bathrooms, and an attached garage.

For a comparatively small community, it offers attractive amenities. Within Winterhaven itself, there are two clubhouses, two outdoor pools, a spa, an exercise room, billiards, a card room, and courts for bocce and shuffleboard. Residents also have the option of joining the neighboring Pueblo Del Sol Country Club, an 18-hole golf course that also has a clubhouse, an outdoor pool, two tennis courts, and The Grille restaurant.

Winterhaven residents also have access to a number of clubs, groups, activities, and classes including neighborhood cookouts, a bocce club, swimming and tennis activities, and parties on holidays.

Low $100s - Low $200s

Saguaro cacti with sunrise skies and clouds in North Scottsdale, Arizona.

Vista View Resort is on the eastern edge of the city, backing onto desert land, and it’s about a 10-minute drive from downtown. It’s a gated community with a 55+ age restriction, and it has 355 single-family homes.

Amenities here include a clubhouse, a fitness center, a catering kitchen, a computer room, a library, an outdoor pool and spa, and hiking and biking trails. Residents also organize plenty of social activities and clubs, including potluck suppers, water aerobics, dancing, live music, casino trips, card groups, and computer and technology classes. There are also several golf courses within a 20-minute drive of the community.

The smallest models are 1,088 square feet with one bedroom, a den or small second bedroom, one-and-a-half bathrooms, and an attached two-car garage. They also have a covered patio, and some homes have opted to extend their garage space to accommodate either a workshop or a golf cart. The largest models are 1,865 square feet with three bedrooms, two bathrooms, and a two-car garage.

Can you spot the $207,744 difference between these identical homes?

Financing is the difference!

Get the details in The 62+ Loan Homebuyers Guide.

55places Mortgage is a joint venture between Mutual of Omaha Mortgage and 55places.com.
Details here.

Share this post:

We're here to help! (800) 928-2055

Call us to speak with a customer service representative.

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Get Weekly Updates

I agree that 55places and its affiliates, partner providers or agents may call, text, or email me about my inquiry, which may be made with automated means. I understand that my consent is not a prerequisite for buying a property. I may revoke my consent at any time by contacting [email protected] Message/data rates may apply. I also agree to 55places.com’s Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.

The Best Places to Snowbird in 2021

We’ve gathered 25 of the best places for snowbirds, including cities in Florida, Arizona, California, Texas, South Carolina, and Nevada. For each entry, we’ve also provided a list of recommended 55+ communities in the area. If you’re ready to find your own winter retreat this season, here are some of the best places to consider.

The Most Affordable Retirement Communities in Florida

We’ll help you narrow some of your options by providing an overview of the most affordable retirement communities in Florida. You’ll find you can make an offer in one of these communities, and get a great home with a lot of amenities for a reasonable asking price.

View of the downtown cityscape of St. Louis, Missouri from across the river at dusk.

Explore the 55+ Communities Near St. Louis

St. Louis an ideal location for retirees who are looking to settle down in a mid-sized, midwestern city with a myriad of entertainment options, cultural amenities, exciting attractions, and several professional sports teams. Additionally, the area boasts a number of appealing 55+ communities that offer a variety of housing options and price points for active adults who are interested in the area.

A hand holding a red arrow pointing up with wood model homes in the background.

5 Reasons Not to Overprice Your Home

When selling a property, trying to get as much money as possible is a given. But, being aware of why you might be overpricing your home, and why it’s a bad idea, can be the difference between a deal and deadweight property.

Tiny, colorful model homes on stacks of coins.

Should Residents of 55+ Communities Pay Less Property Tax?

Active adults often have a particular budget in mind. In addition to the sticker price of a home, however, active adults may need to plan for other expenses, like utilities, repairs, and real estate taxes. Homeowners may start to wonder, “Do senior citizens pay property taxes?”

A mature woman smiling while sitting on the couch and using an app to help her sell her house.

Online Resources to Help Sell Your Home Fast

Selling your home can be difficult, especially if you’ve spent a lifetime raising your family and building memories within those walls. The process may be easier if you use some simple online resources to understand your home’s potential value and find professionals who can help you make your home look its best before it goes on the market.

A bag of money balancing on a seesaw with a wood house model.

10 Financial Benefits of Downsizing Your Home

Not only will downsizing relieve some of the stress of maintaining a larger home, but it will also provide some hefty financial benefits. Here are 10 ways downsizing your home can lead to an upsized bank account.

About 55places

We’re changing the way people 55 and older are searching for their perfect next place. With a national network of hand-selected real estate experts, plus comprehensive information, unbiased content, and on-the-go insight about thousands of communities across the country, we’re a trusted resource paving the way from here to home. Whether you’re interested in a low-maintenance single-level residence, an active lifestyle or age-qualified community, an intimate enclave, or anything in between, we can help you make your next move the best one yet.

Scroll to Top