Arizona is the second-most popular state for retirees after Florida. With an ever-increasing population of active adults, Arizona has more than 100,000 homes in active adult communities that can meet the growing demand of this demographic.
Arizona is also the birthplace of active adult communities thanks to Sun City. Del Webb introduced this community in the 1960s, which was the first age-restricted community in the country and became the standard blueprint for other active adult communities that followed years later. So it’s no surprise to see why so many Baby Boomers relocate to the Grand Canyon State to live in one of the many 55+ communities.
55places.com determined the most popular age-restricted communities in Arizona according to unique pageviews between August 16, 2016 and August 15, 2017. Check out our list below.
1. Sun City – Sun City, AZ
Sun City Arizona was the first 55+ community in Arizona and the country. Del Webb developed this age-restricted community between 1960 and 1978 and built more than 27,000 homes at completion. Del Webb pioneered the active adult concept with the notion that homeowners should be able to live in a self-sustaining community that’s connected to the area’s daily conveniences and attractions.
Residents don’t need to drive cars to get around the community. Instead, they are allowed to drive golf carts on golf-cart-legal streets that are a convenient mode of transportation to all of Sun City’s amenities, shopping centers, and recreational facilities. Since opening in 1960, Sun City Arizona has had more than 40,000 residents call it home.
2. Sun City Grand – Surprise, AZ
Located in Phoenix’s northwest valley, Sun City Grand is Del Webb’s third 55+ community that was built between 1996 and 2005. There are more than 9,800 homes that come in a variety of styles, sizes, and price points.
Many of the resale homes offered in Sun City Grand feature modern home designs and furnishes as well as low-maintenance exteriors. Residents enjoy a myriad of world-class amenities in Sun City Grand such as The Village Center, which is the recreational focal point of all activities and events in the community.
Sun City Grand also has several other amenity centers as well as outdoor recreational facilities that include pools, four championship golf courses, and multiple sports courts. In addition to the amenities and distinct floor plans, Sun City Grand also has the ASU Lifelong Learning Academy. This on-site educational center provides residents with a fully integrated continuing education center where they can gain a wealth of knowledge on a variety of topics by accredited speakers.
3. Sun City West – Sun City West, AZ
Sun City West is just two-and-a-half miles west of the original Sun City Arizona. Del Webb developed this 16,900-home active adult community between 1978 and 1997. Modeled after Del Webb’s other Sun City communities, Sun City West also hosts a large selection of world-class amenities and activities that cater to the active adult lifestyle within a self-contained environment.
Retirees flock to this age-restricted community because of it’s variety of reasonably priced homes with a mix of amenities and activities. Sun City West was also designed to offer a combination of great retail stores, worship centers, restaurants, banks, post offices, pharmacies, and shopping centers within the community’s boundaries, which residents can access via the golf-cart-legal streets.
4. Sun City Festival – Buckeye, AZ
Del Webb opened Sun City Festival in 2006 and plans to build 7,200 homes upon completion. It’s ideally situated at the base of the White Tank Mountains and 1,600 feet above the valley floor in Buckeye. Homeowners have a wide selection of designs that are available as new construction or resale priced starting in the high $100s.
Homeowners can visit the 31,000 square-foot Sage Recreation Center, 9,000 square-foot Wood Shop & Craft Studio, or the 18-hole Copper Canyon Golf Club. This 55-plus community also has more than a dozen clubs, events, and activities that range from bowling and photography groups to art classes and hiking clubs. With endless options for socialization and recreation, residents will have a busy social calendar while easily making friends.
5. PebbleCreek – Goodyear, AZ
PebbleCreek is an age-restricted community in Goodyear. Robson Communities began construction of PebbleCreek in 1994 and plans to build 6,200 homes at build out. This active adult community features an enviable lineup of resort-style amenities including the 47,000 square-foot Eagle’s Nest Country Club amenity complex.
In addition to this lavish clubhouse, residents also have access to the Tuscany Country Club and the newly built Oasis Pool Complex, which provide additional recreational facilities for an active and social lifestyle. PebbleCreek is also known for its large variety of attached and single-family home designs that offer low-maintenance living.
Residents also love the social vibe within PebbleCreek thanks to its long list of clubs, events, and diverse interest groups. Homeowners can join anything from chess club, computer club, and jazz dance class to line dancing, bingo, singles club.
