Mesa lies at the northeast corner of this huge urban district, so residents have all the attractions of a big city with easy access to nearby scenic mountains and lakes. In addition, Mesa enjoys the warm climate of Central Arizona, as well as good health care and some tax advantages compared to other states.
55+ active adults looking for affordable retirement communities in Mesa can choose between large and small developments as well as gated or non-gated communities. One has a 45+ age restriction. In order of size, with the largest first, here are the most affordable retirement communities in Mesa.
Dreamland Villa
High $100s – High $200s
Dreamland Villa is a 55+ active adult community of 2,732 resale single-family homes with floor plans that begin at 942 square feet for two bedrooms, one bathroom, and a carport. The community is just a 20-minute drive from downtown Mesa and a five-minute drive from the 1,146-acre Red Mountain Park, an urban park with walking trails, a fishing lake, and sports facilities.
The community’s amenities include a 9-hole golf course, three outdoor pools, a restaurant, arts and crafts centers, an outdoor amphitheater, and courts for bocce, shuffleboard, and pickleball. There are plenty of clubs and activities such as woodworking and other crafts, card and board games, book club, photography club, and various dancing groups.
Leisure World
Below $100k – Low $400s
Leisure World is a gated community for 45+ active adults that contains 2,664 resale single-family, attached, and condominium homes. The more affordable home models start with condos and single-family homes just under 1,000 square feet and attached homes with an average of 1,270 square feet.
The community offers a good range of amenities, including two 18-hole golf courses, three outdoor pools, six tennis courts, three ballrooms, hiking and biking trails, and a 10,000 square-foot fitness center. Residents have numerous clubs and activities such as yoga, big band, arts and crafts groups, card and board games, singing, woodworking, and writing.
The location puts residents within a 20-minute drive to downtown Mesa, with its museums and historic district. It’s also adjacent to the Superstition Springs Shopping Mall, with stores including Best Buy, Target, and Walmart.
Sunland Village East
Mid $100s – High $300s
Sunland Village East is a 55+ active adult community of 2,437 resale single-family and attached homes. The home models start at 1,000 square feet, with one bedroom plus a den, two bathrooms, and a one-car garage.
Amenities in this community include an 18-hole golf course, a restaurant, six lighted tennis courts, and two community centers that provide an outdoor pool, a fitness center, arts and crafts studios, and other facilities for residents. There are also numerous clubs, classes, and activities to participate in, including sports and exercise groups, card and board games, arts and crafts clubs, painting, dancing, and music.
Residents who want to explore the surrounding area can drive just 20 minutes to downtown Mesa and less than five minutes to Highways 60 and 202, which both offer easy access to the entire Phoenix area.
Fountain of the Sun
Below $100k – Low $300s
Fountain of the Sun is a gated 55+ community with 2,296 resale single-family, attached, and manufactured homes. The home models begin at 1,000 square feet and offer one bedroom, one bathroom, and an attached garage or carport.
Residents have the option to join the Fountain of the Sun Country Club, with its 18-hole golf course, restaurant, and bar. Other amenities available to all residents include a clubhouse, ballroom, fitness center, billiards room, library, outdoor pool and spa, and courts for pickleball and shuffleboard.
There are also many clubs and activities for residents, such as yoga, exercise classes, line dancing, craft classes, card and board game groups, organized casino trips, and singles group.
Apache Wells
Low $100s – High $400s
Apache Wells is a 20-minute drive from downtown Mesa, and less than ten minutes from Red Mountain District Park with its fishing lakes, walking trails, and other amenities. This 55+ active adult community has 1,823 resale single-family, attached, and condominium homes. The floor plans begin at 600 square feet, making this one of the more affordable retirement communities in Mesa.
Residents have access to the Apache Wells Country Club with its 18-hole golf course and other facilities. Other amenities include a fitness center, craft and hobby studios, an outdoor pool and spa, scenic lakes, hiking and biking trails, and facilities for pickleball, bocce, shuffleboard, and other sports.
There are also many clubs and classes to join, including tai chi, yoga, Zumba, hiking, biking, gardening, arts and crafts, and singles social club.
Greenfield Glen
Low $100s – High $100s
Greenfield Glen is the smallest of these more affordable retirement communities in Mesa with 208 resale attached homes. There are two home models sized at 1,104 and 1,255 square feet with two bedrooms, one or two bathrooms, and attached two-car garages.
Amenities include a clubhouse, library, exercise room, heated outdoor pool and spa, tennis court, and four shuffleboard courts. Residents join in various clubs and activities such as billiards, arts and crafts, a choir, games nights, and organized day trips.
The location puts residents just 15 minutes from downtown Mesa and five minutes from Superstition Springs Center, a major shopping mall with restaurants and cinemas.
