The United States is dotted with a lot of retirement communities that offer different housing varieties for retirees and seniors. In particular, Florida, Arizona, California, and Texas are popular locations for retirement communities because of their warm climate.
Retirement communities provide numerous opportunities for residents to do a multitude of recreational activities within the community. Common amenities found in most retirement communities include swimming pools, golf courses, fitness centers, and clubhouses.
Most retirement communities have age restrictions – mainly accommodating people who are aged 55 and up. 45+ communities are not as common as 55+ communities, making it harder for early retirees to find a suitable home. Fortunately, The Grand Canyon State of Arizona has several communities that cater to younger retirees. Some even allow those who are at least 40 years old.
Types of Retirement Communities
Before we examine the specifics, it’s essential to know first the different kinds of retirement communities. It lets you know your options better so you can choose a home that is perfectly suited to your needs. Here are the types of retirement communities, briefly explained:
- Active Adult Communities. Categorized into two types: age-restricted communities and age-targeted communities. InaAge-restricted communities, at least 80 percent of housing units must have an occupant who’s at least 55 years old. Anyone under 19 years old is not allowed to be a permanent resident. On the other hand, age-targeted communities are not explicitly age-restricted, although they are marketed towards the 55+ group as well. Both types of communities are in a country club or resort setting, where there are numerous amenities and recreational facilities for retirees to enjoy.
- Leisure Communities. These are communities with no age restrictions, but still provide standard amenities such as clubhouses, golf courses, and swimming pools.
- Independent Living Communities. Typically private apartments and condominium units, independent living communities are for retirees who don’t need any special medical care. They are also for those who want to do little to no home maintenance. Independent living communities provide housekeeping services, laundry, and repairs.
- Continuing Care Retirement Communities (CCRCs). These communities include assisted living, independent living, and nursing homes. CCRCs cater to individuals who want an independent living lifestyle but still prefer easy access to medical services.
Best 45+Retirement Communities in Arizona
1. Sun City Grand
Located in Surprise, Arizona, Sun City Grand is an active adult community that has a prime location near shopping outlets. It is also near cultural attractions such as West Valley Art Museum, Wildlife World Zoo, and Challenger Space Center. Completed in 2004, Sun City Grand was developed by Pulte Homes – Del Webb, a company prominent for building retirement communities around Arizona and California.
Sun City Grand was initially restricted to residents aged 55 and older. But in 2008, this age restriction was lowered to 45. More specifically, it was agreed that up to 15% of homeowners in Sun City Grand could be at least 45 years old. The rest of the population are 55 and up. This opened up the community to a broader, younger market.
Their Village Center is the heart of activities since it houses almost all amenity buildings. They have gourmet restaurants, fitness centers, full-service spas, and even continuing education centers. Sun City Grand’s Sonoran Plaza boasts a 9,000 square-foot grand ballroom, together with meeting rooms and multi-purpose hobby and crafts studios. Sports-loving retirees and their families can take advantage of the community’s swimming pools, golf courses, bocce ball courts, tennis courts, softball fields, and more.
2. Sun City Festival
This 45+ retirement community in Buckeye, Arizona, was also developed by Del Webb. Like Sun City Grand, Sun City Festival is also mainly a 55+ community. However, it has a friendlier exception, allowing up to 20% of its homes to people who are at least 45 years of age. This exception is for new builds only though, and not for re-sales.
Located at the bottom of the White Tank Mountains, Sun City Festival is a peaceful sanctuary with 7,200 residences and numerous recreational activities for retirees to enjoy. Their world-class Sage Recreation Center houses an exciting array of facilities, including a 31,000 square-foot clubhouse, a ballroom, library, state-of-the-art fitness center, spin bike studio, aerobics and dance studio, pool, full-service spa, tennis court, pickleball court, bocce ball court, basketball court, volleyball court, basketball court, softball stadium, and even an outdoor amphitheater.
Sun City Grand also boasts its Copper Canyon Golf Club which has an 18-hole golf course, golf practice facilities, and a pro shop. For craft enthusiasts, this retirement community offers a 9,000 square-foot wood shop and craft studio which hosts different clubs and classes.
3. Trilogy at Vistancia
An upscale retirement community in Peoria, Arizona, Trilogy at Vistancia is a gated community with exceptional resort-style amenities. It allows 45+ retirees for new builds. Trilogy at Vistancia is rapidly gaining popularity among 45-and-up active adults since it was named as America’s Best Master-Planned Community in 2005, the same year it opened.
This 45+ retirement community takes pride in its Kiva Club – a massive 35,000 square-foot facility that houses a wide variety of amenities. Kiva Club has a ballroom, aerobics and dance studio, card room, library, arts, and crafts studio, a full-service spa, library, indoor lap pool, grandkids’ playground, fitness center, and a center for higher learning, among others. For those with an active lifestyle, Kiva Club has an 18-hole golf course, four tennis courts, four pickleball courts, and walking/biking trails.
Trilogy at Vistancia also has a Mita Club, a 17,000 square-foot amenity complex with restaurants, tennis courts, an outdoor pool, and more.
Multi-purpose rooms and studios allow residents to engage in different interests such as painting, quilting, photography, scrapbook, ceramics, and other various art forms. With the vast assortment of activities available at Trilogy at Vistancia, retirees are sure to enjoy a well-rounded experience throughout the years.
But aside from the first-class amenities, this retirement community also plays its part in providing a greener life by offering environment-friendly houses that use eco-friendly materials and reduce energy costs. Trilogy at Vistancia also contains parks and natural spaces, further creating a more sustainable community.
4. Westbrook Village
Another active adult retirement community, Westbrook Village is one of the most sought-after communities in Peoria, Arizona. It is mainly a 55+ community, but allows 20% of homeowners to be 40 and older.
Many retirees favor this 3,910-home community because of its proximity to 101 Loop, which leads access to many attractions in Phoenix Valley. Westbrook Village also provides breathtaking views of Sunrise Mountain, West Wing Mountain, Hieroglyphic Mountains, and sweeping vistas.
Though Westbrook Village has a lesser population at under 4,000 homes, its amenities are abundant. Their Lakes Recreation Center has a ballroom, 18-hole golf course, woodworking shop, aerobics and dance studio, lapidary studio, computer lab, and billiards. Outside, residents can enjoy tennis courts, horseshoe pits, a sunset bistro, and the outdoor pool and patio.
Another amenity center in Westbrook Village is the Vistas Recreation Center, housing another 18-hole golf course. It includes multi-purpose rooms, a fitness center, ballroom, sewing studio, stained glass studio, tennis courts, pickleball courts, bocce ball courts, and another outdoor pool and patio.
To further heighten residents’ social experiences, Westbrook Village also hosts annual live musical events, plays, and social get-togethers. With more than 70 clubs and organized activities, this retirement community is a perfect place for people who want to live in a tightly-knit locality.
5. PebbleCreek
Located in Goodyear, Arizona, PebbleCreek is a premier active adult community with plenty of features to take in. Its features include landscaped grounds, two massive amenity centers, and other attractions that will surely keep residents’ days jam-packed with activities.
PebbleCreek is also mainly a 55+ community, but it allows 20% of homeowners to be 40 and up, which is good news to those looking to move to a retirement community at an earlier life stage.
PebbleCreek’s Eagle’s Nest Country Club is a 47,000 square-foot hub with a diverse selection of amenities such as a fitness center, grand ballroom, auditorium, library, a resort-style pool, whirlpool spa, and lighted tennis courts. A Creative Arts Center in this country club has hobby studios for arts, crafts, stained glass, ceramics, and woodworking.
For those who have an active lifestyle, PebbleCreek’s Tuscany Sports & Aquatics has a fitness center, pickleball complex, tennis courts, and bocce ball courts. A wide variety of pools including an indoor pool, resort-style pool, grandkids’ pool are also available for residents.
Indeed, Arizona is a perfect place for retirement – sunshine weather, fantastic food, and the great outdoors. And with the world-class 45+ retirement communities in Arizona, both young and old retirees, can enjoy a well-rounded mix of active living and relaxation.