Retirement Community With Lakeviews At Leisure World In Mesa Az
Leisure World was established in 1972 and Im sure it was considered to be way out there in east Mesa. Now this 1.5 square mile active adult/retirement lakefront gated community with waterfront homes is part of the greater Phoenix area that connects seamlessly with the rest of Mesa and neighboring cities. Build out occured in 1994 with over 2,600 homes, both condos and single family homes, built by three builders Western Savings, Dietz Crane, and Rossmoor. Leisure World residents can be a young as age 45, as long as 80 percent of all residents are 55 and over.
Retire To The Sunny Desert Oasis Of Arizona
Though its best known for its Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona is also a great place for retired, active adults to pursue what they love, whether thats golf, swimming, hiking, or picking up a new hobby.
With sunny skies throughout the year and plenty of stunning desert landscapes, Arizona is a highly attractive place to live for those 55 and older. Much of Arizona is arid flat desert terrain with year round temperatures that rarely dip below 40F in the winter or rise above 110F in peak of summer. If youre looking for a change in climate, the mountainous region of Northern Arizona experiences the four seasons, where autumn colors or a weekend ski trip are within a few hours drive away.
Arizonas best 55+ communities are picturesque oases with lots to do for long-term residents. Theres a surprisingly diverse choice of desert-friendly plants that grow well in a low-maintenance xeriscape setting. Growing your own fruits, vegetables, flowers, and herbs is possible year round in raised, irrigated home garden beds and orchards for those who enjoy the hobby.
Many of the most popular places to live in Arizona for active 55+ seniors are master-planned communities with move-in-ready single story homes, perfect for empty nesters looking to downsize and age in place.
Other excellent Arizona housing options include luxury apartment rentals, age-restricted manufactured home communities, and condominiums.
Arizona Versus Other Southwestern States
You may be wondering what makes Arizona so different from other Southwestern states? For starters, people in Arizona tend to be more conservative than in the neighboring state of New Mexico. Arizona is also growing faster than lots of other states in the sun belt making it a great place to invest in real estate.
Scottsdale and Phoenix are two of the major cities that drive the states economy. These cities are busier and faster-paced than the suburbs, but host a lot of the major entertainment attractions. Many of the best 55 and over communities in Arizona are settled on the outskirts of these traffic centers, with easy access from multiple highways. This allows you to easily visit when you want, but return back to your safe and quiet community.
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Explore The Nearby Off
Arizona has an abundance of fun and interesting things to do that arent far from residential communities. Shopping opportunities include large malls and locally-owned shops with handmade goods. The abundance of casual dining options include authentic Mexican, American, Asian, and Mediterranean fare. While fine-dining options, like traditional steakhouses and modern, multi-course, haute cuisine, are perfect for special occasions.
Take a day trip to standout art museums like the Phoenix Art Museum, the Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art, and the Center for Creative Photography in Tucson. Arizona also has plenty of live music venues that put on concerts from rising stars and golden oldies alike.
Culturally-specific gathering places are common in Arizona, including meeting spaces for different ethnic groups as well as religious centers like churches and temples. The diversity of cultures in Arizona is one of the most exciting reasons to call it home!
If youre planning to travel during your retirement, Arizona has multiple international airports, the largest of which is Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport . If youd prefer not to fly, the Amtrak train picks up in Maricopa, the closest station to Phoenix. Convenient bus transfers to the Flagstaff train station are also available direct from the Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport. Trains head to major destinations such as San Diego, Los Angeles, New Orleans and Chicago!
Play a Round of Golf
Hike the Trails
Information About Retirement Communities In Phoenix

When it comes to taking in the sun and different attractions in Phoenix, Arizona, there are numerous different ways to fill up a day. Phoenix is a city that has a population of nearly 1.5 million people that come from different cultures and ethnic backgrounds. These different backgrounds help to make the city what it is today, and have also helped influence the different attractions, events and festivals that occur in Phoenix. Whether one is located in the heart of Phoenix or in one of its suburbs, there is no end to the plethora of activities, events, attractions, Phoenix retirement communities and centers to visit.
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Cost Of Living & Taxes
Phoenix s cost of living is 1.5% above the national average. The median household income in $52,589 and median home price is $147,800. The homes in Phoenix 55-plus communities are applauded for their affordability, low maintenance and single level living. Whether you prefer a small one bedroom villa or an elegant estate home with golf course views, you will surely find a comfortable place to call home at one of the retirement communities in Phoenix, AZ. Buyers will find homes priced from under $100,000 to over $1 million and everywhere in between at Phoenix active retirement communities.
Relaxing 55+ Active Adult Waterfront Communities
If youre looking for a waterfront retirement home in the Phoenix area but also want to enjoy the amenities of an active adult community, keep on reading. Active adult waterfront homes are found in Mesa, Sun Lakes, Goodyear, Peoria, Sun City and the city of Maricopa. Specifically, they are Leisure World, Sun Lakes, Canta Mia, Ventana Lakes, View Point and Dawn Lake in Sun City and Province. Find out if any of these adult retirement communities allow boating.
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Queen Creek/san Tan Valley
Location: Queen Creek – Feature: Partial 55+ Luxury golf community – Contact: 36460 N. Encanterra Dr., Queen Creek – 800-685-6494 – Open Daily – Appts preferred
A Trilogy luxury golf community. Shea homes at Queen Creek, Southeast of Phoenix. Price: $-$$$ Start low $200’s to high $300’s. Feeling of a private club with 18-hole golf. It is part of the master community Encanterra which is non-age restricted. Many clubs and activities and Alvea spa. Popular rural area offering small town lifestyle with outdoor amenities. A new club, the Algarve, is now open.
Amenities include:
- The Alvea Spa, named best clubhouse spa
- 3 pools including waveless lap pool and outdoor pool with cabanas
Location: Queen Creek – Feature: In intergenerational master community Meridian – Contact: E. Ocotillo Rd. and S. Signal Butt Rd., Queen Creek – Models open daily
Medium to large homes by William Lyon Single family homes with recreation center, pool and more. Now starting at low $400’s –
Best 45+ Retirement Communities In Arizona
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.
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Pros And Cons Of 55+ Communities
As you might expect, there are many positive elements of living in a 55+ community. These retirement havens are certainly made with their residents in mind, so the amenities built within the communities tend to reflect the wants and needs of an older crowd. Active adult residencies in Arizona also tend to place a great deal of emphasis on community events, which ensures that there is always something to do.
The downside to these communities tends to be over-regulation. They often have very active HOAs and it is difficult to make any changes to the community itself. There also tend to be fairly strict rules about who can live in the area and even about visitors, which can make things a bit more difficult for those who live in multi-generational homes. Despite this, the vast selection of these active adult communities in Arizona means youre bound to find something that works perfectly for you.
Luxury 55+ Communities In Arizona
In addition to being active, many in the 55+ community want a chance to spend their retirement years in luxury. Thats why so many of the communities in this area really pull out all of the stops when it comes to the amenities. While some of the amenities are meant to help keep residents active, many are simply meant to make life just a little more comfortable.
These communities tend to feature high-end homes and higher-end amenities. Youll find restaurants, lounges, and libraries in most of these communities. Perhaps most importantly, though, you will also find a general sense of relaxation thats hard to find elsewhere.
Related: Find out the 5 most luxurious active adult communities in the Phoenix area
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Things To Do In Phoenix
Phoenix-Mesa is an ideal spot to retire. Why not? Its beautiful, full of attractions and has amazing weather! If you want to be in the outdoors and hike in the glorious nature then make some trips out to Piestewa Park. With various levels of hikes you set your pace and path. Get closer to the stunning backdrop for Phoenix, Camelback Mountain. This is another great hiking area. If you love to fish, then Papago Parks stocked ponds will keep you casting. The beautiful red butte formations there are breathtaking. Theres even a golf course to get in a round of golf. Its always a good time to watch some minor league baseball and the Arizona Diamondbacks are a fun crowd pleasing team!
Phoenix has a strong arts and culture scene with several art galleries, the Phoenix Art Museum, the Heard Museum, the Musical Instrument Museum and the Pueblo Grande Museum. Learn some Arizona history at the Arizona Capitol Museum. Want to be the best grandparents ever? Take the grandchildren to the Phoenix Zoo to see over 125 acres of animals and habitats. When they visit and you need a cool spot to go, head to the Childrens Museum of Phoenix or the Arizona Science Center to spark some interests with the interactive and hands-on activities.
Retirement Communities In Phoenix

Discover retirement communities and active adult communities from Del Webb around Phoenix, Arizona, only about 45 minutes from the downtown area. When you design a home in one of our 55+ communities, youll find inspired designs for today’s senior living, like innovative kitchens with spacious countertops. Enjoy the top-notch amenities, golf courses, and classes our 55+ communities offer or visit the countless entertainment venues nearby like Chase Field and Comerica Theatre. Theres always plenty to do and see in this beautiful area in the Sonoran Desert.
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Your Mental Health And Where You Live
Today there was a great piece done on the Today Show about how to prevent Alzheimers. Surprisingly it may not be just your genetics but other environmental factors. The food you eat, your activity level, the stress you experience, and how social you are. The modern lifestyle may make you miss something else that keepsMore
High Quality Healthcare In Arizona
Arizona offers numerous general practitioners, specialists, and emergency healthcare organizations throughout the state, all of which are made more accessible to residents through programs like the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System , the states Medicaid agency.
Its home to the renowned Mayo Clinic in Phoenix, as well as other standout facilities like Banner-University, St. Josephs, and Abrazo. Managed care insurance plans supplement Medicare in Arizona to give you even greater choice in how you take care of your health. Many of these managed care plans have contracts with medical offices near retirement communities and cater towards the active older adult lifestyle.
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Staying Active Within Your Community
There are plenty of indoor and outdoor on-property activities to enjoy in Arizonas active older adult communities.
For those who want to work out close to home, many residential communities have their own fitness centers and gyms. Some have walking trails that wind through the property while many feature dog parks and DIY grooming stations so your pets can stay just as fit and healthy as you!
Swim in the Community Pool
Arizonas desert climate means that pools are available for year round use. Most 55+ communities feature pools and spas for residents to use at their leisure.
In addition to providing relief from the heat, swimming is a great way to stay active as you get older. Water sports like water aerobics and lap-swimming, put less stress on the joints than other high-intensity land based workouts, while reaping the same health benefits. Many seniors use hydrotherapy to stay fit in spite of chronic pain, while others simply enjoy the fun of staying active.
Visit the Community Center or Clubhouse
Many 55+ residential areas feature a private community center or clubhouse. These recreation centers offer the perfect opportunity to meet your neighbors and house a variety of activities, many of which are great for staying active!
Enjoy a Low-Maintenance Property
Many 55+ residences also offer access to a community garden, where you can rent your own raised bed to grow your favorite desert-friendly produce with other like-minded community residents.
Rio Verde Country Club
Price Range: Low $300ks Low $2msNumber of Homes: 980Age Restrictions: 55+
This exclusive golf retirement community high in the Sonoran Desert, its nearly 2,000 residents enjoy some of the highest quality golfing in the nation, with its two Tom Lehman-designed 18-hold golf courses. Theres also a nine-hole par-3 short course and tennis and pickleball courts. Residents can enjoy a heated pool with lap lanes and lounge area, as well as a heated spa. There is also an array of clubs and special interest groups, including ones that focus on bridge, yoga, books, biking and hiking. There is an art studio and massage facility, too.
Homeowners are part of a homeowners association. The HOA annual assessment for 2021 is $4,468. Residents pay no town or school taxes, just county taxes.
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Best Active Adult Communities In Arizona
The best communities in Arizona all tend to have a few things in common. First and foremost, they cater to the real wants and needs of their residents. They also tend to provide excellent atmospheres for community events, allowing residents to find ways to become more active on their own terms. While each of these places do tend to offer similar amenities, its important to remember that each does tend to be a better fit for certain types of residents. Figuring out what to look for in a 55+ community typically requires evaluating your interests and needs with the amenities and benefits they offer to see if they line up.
Active Adult Communities With Unique Amenities
The truth is that many active adult communities tend to center around the same basic sets of amenities. There are a few, though, that have some truly unique extras that set them apart from one another. Some of these amenities are relatively simple, but they can be make-or-break additions to potential residents. Others, however, are so important that entire communities are built around them. Below are a handful of communities that have some truly unique amenities for their residents.
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Province Waterfront Community For Active Adults
Province is an active adult community with a guarded entry and a community center that is sure to impress. Province boasts a 32,000 square foot clubhouse that features something for everyone a resort-style outdoor pool, an indoor lap pool, ballroom, fitness center, café, basketball court, outdoor amphitheater, bocce
ball and tennis courts. Originally developed by Engle starting in 2003, construction in Province came to a halt after Engle filed for bankruptcy in 2008. Shortly after that Meritage acquired the remaining lots. Continue reading about waterfront homes in Province, Maricopa.
Largest Retirement Communities In Phoenix

When you are looking for the top active adult communities in Phoenix, look no further than Sun City Festival, Trilogy, K. Hovnanians® Four Seasons, Victory Verrado and Province. Filled with fun amenities you will easily be enjoying your retirement. Play golf, meet new friends, attend clubs and find new hobbies at any of these great communities. Its time to focus on you! Youve earned it!
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