Retirement Communities in Arizona
Exploring retirement communities in Arizona for your next home? Seniors from all over the U.S. and Canada are choosing to retire in Arizona. It’s estimated that over 17% of Arizona’s population is 65 or older and there are over a hundred retirement communities situated all throughout the state, many of which are located in the Phoenix metro area. Boasting warm weather and sunshine 320 days a year, exciting local culture and attractions, a plethora of great shopping and dining destinations, scenic parks, an abundance of outdoor recreation options, over 200 golf courses, 4 professional sports teams, and Cactus League spring training baseball, it's no wonder that thousands of retirees flock to Arizona retirement communities each year for quality living.
Some of the best retirement communities in Arizona within Phoenix and Southeast Valley include:
- Sun Lakes, AZ
- Encanterra®, a Trilogy® Resort Community, Queen Creek, AZ
- Ovation at Meridian, Queen Creek, AZ
- Solera at Johnson Ranch, Queen Creek, AZ
- Trilogy at Power Ranch, Gilbert, AZ
- Solera, Chandler, AZ
- Sunbird, Chandler, AZ
- Springfield, Chandler, AZ
- Scottsdale Country Club, Scottsdale, AZ
- Bellasera, Scottsdale, AZ
- Terravita in Scottsdale, AZ
- Legend Trail, Scottsdale, AZ
- Scottsdale Shadows, Scottsdale, AZ
- Villa Monterey, Scottsdale, AZ
- Encore at Eastmark, Mesa, AZ
- Sunland Springs Village, Mesa. AZ
- Leisure World in Mesa, AZ
- Sunland Village, Mesa, AZ
- Sunland Village East, Mesa, AZ
- Apache Wells, Mesa, AZ
- Ahwatukee Retirement Village, Phoenix, AZ
- Anasazi Village Condominiums, Phoenix, AZ
Homebuyers will want to partner with a qualified agent who can help them find the perfect home for their lifestyle needs in the right retirement community. Cathy Carter is a top REALTOR retirement community Phoenix Arizona with over 25 years of local experience. She is very familiar with the best retirement communities in Phoenix and Southeast Valley. Highly knowledgeable, Cathy has all the information and resources to help you make the most informed home purchase decision. Feel free to contact Cathy directly at (480) 459-8488 or get in touch by email.
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For more information about homes for sale in retirement communities in Arizona, or to schedule a private showing, please contact Cathy Carter today.
WHY SENIORS SHOULD CONSIDER RETIRING IN ARIZONA
Many seniors choose to retire in South-central Arizona for health and wellness and for the regions’ dryer climate and desert vegetation, especially for those with allergies, asthma, or arthritis. Not to mention that many retirement communities in Arizona offer modern fitness centers, swimming pools, tennis & pickleball, walking & hiking trails, and various sports facilities to help keep you physically active and healthy. One of the most important factors for many active adults is the availability and accessibility of quality health care. And with so many seniors living in Arizona, the healthcare here needs to be top-notch, and it is. Scottsdale is home to the Mayo Clinic, which is nationally ranked in 8 specialties and ranked first in the United States in U.S. News & World Report's 2019–20 Best Hospitals. Banner Health System is also a nationally ranked hospital system in Arizona with locations throughout the state including the Phoenix East Valley communities of Chandler and Gilbert.
Houses Are Still Affordable
Since housing expenses are the biggest expense for retirees, Arizona can help many seniors reduce this cost, especially for those planning to retiree here from other, more expensive, states. According to Zillow.com, the typical home value in Arizona is $391,730 compared to the typical home value in the U.S. at $312,728. The median home value in Phoenix is $383,924. Compared to other cities like Austin with a median home value of $606,319; Los Angeles with a median home value of $918,443; San Diego with a median home value of $870,575; San Francisco with a median home value of $1,526,099; Portland with a median home value of $557,948; and Seattle with a median home value of $874,877, homes in Phoenix are still relatively affordable. Arizonians also pay very little in property taxes compared to other states (38 states tax at a higher rate, including Florida).
Tax Breaks & Cost of Living
Arizona is retiree-friendly when it comes to Social Security benefits, inheritance, and estate taxes because you won’t get taxed. This tax break allows you to hang on to more money, which can be extremely beneficial for seniors who are living off of their savings. Arizona does charge state income tax as well as taxes on most retirement sources, such as 401(k)s and IRAs - why it gets labeled as “moderately tax-friendly.” According to Expatisan.com, the cost of living in Phoenix is cheaper than in 77% of cities in the U.S. (24 out of 31). Phoenix is 8.39% less expensive than Tampa, Florida according to Numbeo.com. Overall, Phoenix is 5% less expensive than the national average. Housing expenses in Phoenix are 5% lower than the national average; Utility costs are 4% lower than the national average; Grocery costs are 3% lower than the national average; Transportation expenses are 8% lower than the national average, and healthcare is 2% lower than the national average, according to Payscale.com,
Exciting Art & Culture
The Phoenix metro area offers an abundance of art and culture. The downtown Phoenix art scene has seen major development over the past decade and dozens of museums span the valley, including the Phoenix Art Museum, Arizona Capitol Museum, Arizona Military Museum, Hall of Flame Firefighting Museum, Pueblo Grande Museum and Cultural Park, Children's Museum of Phoenix, Arizona Science Center, and the Heard Museum, among others. Performing arts in the Phoenix area includes the Phoenix Symphony Hall, Arizona Opera, Ballet Arizona, Orpheum Theatre, Dorrance Theater, and Herberger Theater Center. Concert venues include Talking Stick Resort Arena and Comerica Theatre in downtown Phoenix, and Gammage Auditorium in Tempe (the last public building designed by Frank Lloyd Wright).
The Mesa Arts Center located in Mesa also supports regular independent musical and theater performances. The city of Scottsdale is renowned for its exceptional arts and culture, home to the Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts, the Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Arts, the Musical Instrument Museum, and over 100 fine art galleries. Scottsdale’s art-driven events include the free weekly Scottsdale Art Walk, Canal Convergence, and Scottsdale Contemporary Month. Taliesin West, located in Scottsdale, is the Arizona home and studio of architect Frank Lloyd Wright and the winter campus for the Frank Lloyd Wright School of Architecture. Also in Scottsdale is the site of the Cosanti Foundation, founded by the Italian architect and builder Paolo Soleri.
Great Shopping
From high-end malls to quaint one-of-a-kind boutiques, shopping in Phoenix metro area accommodates every taste and budget. Retirees enjoy easy and convenient access to whatever type of shopping they want to experience. From Biltmore Fashion Park in Phoenix to Fashion Square mall in Scottsdale, to Chandler Fashion Center, you can find high fashion at every turn. For good deals on designer brands, there is Arizona Mills, an indoor, climate-controlled outlet mall in Tempe, or Phoenix Premium Outlets in Chandler with dozens of name brands. And for a more eclectic shopping experience, there’s Old Town Scottsdale offering boutique shopping featuring souvenirs, jewelry, and art with a Southwestern flair, or luxury shopping at one of the country's best malls - Scottsdale’s Fashion Square.
Outdoor Recreation Galore
The Phoenix area provides an abundance of outdoor recreational opportunities for all age groups. Hiking, biking, climbing, horseback riding, and golfing are among the most popular activities in the region and can be enjoyed year-round. In Phoenix, McDowell Mountain Regional Park offers spectacular features spectacular views, and more than 21,000 acres of pristine desert, with miles of hiking, biking, and horseback riding trails. South Mountain Park & Preserve, the largest municipal park in the U.S. includes over 51 miles of trails for horseback riding, hiking, and mountain biking for all ability levels. Salt River also provides plenty of recreational fun with bike paths and picnic areas that surround the lake.
Peak hiking season begins in late October and can run through winter into spring. Camelback offers some of the best urban hiking in the U.S. and attracts over 300,000 hikers every year. Some of the best trails can be found around Lost Dutchman State Park or Desert Foothills Park. You’ll also find some great local park options like Echo Canyon Recreation Area or Phoenix Mountain Preserve. The Best hiking trails in Phoenix can be found at Piestewa Peak / Dreamy Draw, South Mountain Park/Preserve, and Papago Park.
Located in North Scottsdale, McDowell Sonoran Preserve provides many trailheads with a variety of trails for both beginners and experts. Gateway Trail and Sunrise Peak are among some of the local favorites. There are 59 moderate trails in Scottsdale ranging from 1.9 to 52.2 miles and from 1,686 to 5,209 feet above sea level. Some of the best trails include Camelback Mountain via Echo Canyon Trail, Pinnacle Peak Trail, Gateway Loop Trail, Blue Wash Trail, Lost Dog Wash Trail to Ringtail Trail Loop, and Inspiration Point.
Golf & Professional Sports
The abundance of golf courses in the Phoenix metro area is a huge draw for seniors looking to retire in Arizona. A golfer’s paradise, the Phoenix-Scottsdale area is known for having some of the best golf clubs in the entire world. Scottsdale alone has over 50 courses, and there are over 200 golf courses in the greater Phoenix area to choose from. For sports fans, the Phoenix area provides a wide variety of professional sports & events such as the Arizona Diamondbacks (MLB) /Chase Field, Phoenix Suns (NBA), Phoenix Coyotes (NHL), ASU Sun Devil Football, ASU Cardinals Football, Phoenix International Raceway (NASCAR), Turf Paradise (Thoroughbred Racing), Waste Management Phoenix Open, and Cactus League spring training baseball.
Transportation
Public transportation in the Phoenix area is provided by Valley Metro, which includes trains, buses, and a rideshare program. The 26-mile Valley Metro Rail, referred to simply as "the light rail" by locals, connects downtown Phoenix to Tempe, Mesa, and Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport by way of the PHX Sky Train. From end to end, there are currently 38 stations, including 11 park-and-ride stations. Use Valley Metro's trip planner to find the best route to your destination using light rail and busses (Metro Rail Maps and Schedules). Bicyclists may bring their bikes aboard the train.
Metro light rail fares: single-ride tickets cost $2; an all-day pass is $4. Passes for seven days ($20), 15 days ($33), and 31 days ($64) are also available. Certain groups can get a discount—including seniors ages 65 and older, students, Medicare cardholders, and the disabled—children five and under ride for free with an adult. Passengers must have proof of eligibility to qualify for reduced fares. In addition to the light rail system, Valley Metro operates the local, express, and RAPID bus services and rural and neighborhood circulars - covering 513 square miles.
Many attractions, including the Heard Museum, Phoenix Art Museum, and the Arizona Science Center, are along the light rail's route. Valley Metro Rail is also ideal for events. Parking in downtown Phoenix can be a challenge for sporting events, concerts, and First Fridays, so many people park at one of the park-and-ride lots and take the light rail to their desired destination. The closest major airport serving Phoenix is Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, with over 1000 flights per day. The Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport is located in Mesa about 20 miles southeast of Phoenix.
Partner with Cathy Carter, REALTOR® Retirement Community Phoenix Arizona
Cathy has over two decades of experience helping her clients find the perfect home for their lifestyle needs in the best retirement communities in Arizona. With a focus on Phoenix and Southeast Valley, Cathy can provide you with in-depth information about the different active adult communities, the types of homes and features offered, community lifestyle amenities, surrounding area amenities, nearby attractions, and so much more!
As your agent, Cathy will protect your best interests, advocate for you, negotiate on your behalf, and guide and advise you to ensure the best results possible. Find out more about retirement communities in Arizona by calling Cathy today at (480) 459-8488 or get in touch by email.
Cathy Carter, Real Estate & Luxury Homes
RE/MAX Real Estate Professional
725 W. Elliot Rd., Suite 111
Gilbert, AZ. 85233
Email or Call: 480‑459‑8488
Toll-Free: 800-519-5578
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