The Best Places to Retire in Arizona: A 55+ Buyer’s Guide
Arizona has more 55+ communities than almost anywhere — established Sun Cities, upscale golf resorts, and affordable hidden gems. Here are the best places to retire in Arizona that our buyers ask about most, and how to tell which is right for you.
Arizona is one of the country’s top places to retire, and it isn’t hard to see why: sunshine most of the year, dramatic desert-and-mountain scenery, no state income tax on Social Security, and communities built specifically for active adults. Also, the Greater Phoenix Valley — from Buckeye and Goodyear in the west to Mesa and the East Valley — holds one of the deepest collections of 55+ communities anywhere. For the tax side, see our guide to Arizona taxes for retirees.
Founder Jarl Kubat has spent 22+ years helping buyers and sellers in Arizona 55+ communities, and he lives in one himself, in Arizona Traditions in Surprise. So this list comes from walking these neighborhoods every week, not from a ranking website.
There’s no single “best” — there’s the best for you
Of course, any list like this is really a starting point. In the end, the right community comes down to your budget, whether you want golf or a lake or just low upkeep, how much you’ll travel, and how big a community feels like home. The communities below are the ones our buyers ask about most — grouped by the kind of buyer they tend to fit. So use it to narrow the field, then let us help you compare the survivors in person.
About the prices: “Homes from” is the lowest sale in each community over the last 90 days, from the Arizona Regional MLS (fall 2026). It’s often a smaller home, a patio home or a home that needs work, so most homes sell for more. See every community’s starting price on our Arizona 55+ communities map.
The originals — established & amenity-rich
The big, well-known names that defined active adult living. As a result, you get deep amenities, huge social calendars, and strong resale. Also, see all eight in our Del Webb communities guide.
The first active adult community in the country (1960). Today, you’ll find golf, rec centers, and single-family homes and townhomes at every budget.
Homes from about $110KIn short, Sun City’s larger, newer sibling — golf courses, rec centers, sports courts, and a famously friendly, club-filled atmosphere.
Homes from about $160KDel Webb’s upscale resort-style 55+ community — four golf courses, three activity centers, and one of the most complete amenity packages in the Valley.
Homes from about $270KOne of the East Valley’s largest, most established 55+ communities — guard-gated, two golf courses inside the walls, and you own the land.
Homes from about $180KLuxury & resort-style
Next, these are for buyers who want the country-club lifestyle — championship golf, upscale clubhouses, and newer homes.
For example, a Robson resort community with two golf courses, guard-gated sections, and remarkable value for the amenities — against the White Tank Mountains.
Homes from about $335KShea’s flagship resort-style 55+ community — two clubs, a golf course, and one of the most active lifestyle calendars in the Valley.
Homes from about $405KA gated Toll Brothers community with a Nicklaus golf course and resort clubhouse — still building, with a 55+ section and a family section.
Homes from about $390KSimilarly, upscale 55+ living inside Verrado’s master plan — two golf courses, a big clubhouse, and Verrado’s walkable Main Street, framed by the White Tanks.
Homes from about $345KShea’s East Valley resort community, with a country club, a full clubhouse, and mountain views on the southeast edge of the Valley.
Homes from about $355KA gated golf community with old-west small-town charm about an hour northwest of Phoenix — resort amenities in a quieter, scenic setting.
Homes from about $370KAffordable & great value
In contrast, these offer real active-adult amenities without the premium price — the smart-money picks.
Del Webb, still building newer homes at an affordable price — golf, pickleball, and miles of trails at the base of the White Tank Mountains.
Homes from about $290KPlus, it offers new-home value with twelve lighted pickleball courts, Gemini twin homes, and RV-garage floor plans — still building.
Homes from about $295KMeanwhile, an active adult community in the Estrella master plan with a lake, trails, and a resort clubhouse — near the end of its build cycle.
Homes from about $290KA Farnsworth 55+ community around Mesa’s only 27-hole golf course — a resort-style rec center and newer homes at real value.
Homes from about $310KFinally, five Robson country clubs in one town, each with its own golf and clubhouse — a long-time East Valley favorite at many price points.
Homes from about $180KNot 55 yet? There may be a door open
A 55+ community only requires that one resident be 55 or older, and federal rules let a limited share of homes have residents under 55. While a community is still building, buyers as young as 45 can often buy a new home, and some communities let a 19-or-older adult child live with a qualifying owner. However, the rules vary by community and can change — so if you’re in your late 40s or early 50s, don’t assume you’re locked out. Ask us and we’ll confirm the specific community’s policy in writing.
How to choose the best place to retire in Arizona for you
Once you’ve got a short list, the differences that actually shape daily life come down to a few things: the HOA — what the dues cover, the CC&Rs, and the community’s financial health; the lifestyle — whether the clubs, courts, and social calendar match how you want to spend your time; and the location — proximity to healthcare, shopping, family, and the airport. After all, these are exactly the details a good agent pins down for you before you write an offer, so there are no surprises after you move in. For dues, compare our Arizona 55+ HOA fees guide.
Best places to retire in Arizona, by city
Want to zero in on one area? Then start with a city guide:
The best way to find your fit is to see them
Of course, a list can only take you so far. When you come to town, you ride with us and we drive — our gas, not yours. We’ll loop through the communities on your short list, walk the clubhouses, and help you cross off the ones that aren’t right so you can focus on the ones that are.
Coming in from out of state? In fact, most of our buyers are. So tell us when you’re planning to visit and we’ll help lay out the whole trip.
Let’s find your best fit.
First, tell us your budget and what matters most, and we’ll point you to the right communities — then show them to you in person.
Call or Text: (480) 710-6326 Contact PageCommunity details are summarized for general guidance and can change. Fees, amenities, age rules, gated status, and build status vary by community and are subject to change — always verify with the association before you buy. “Homes from” prices are the lowest recent sales from the Arizona Regional MLS, believed accurate but not guaranteed. Jarl Kubat is a licensed Arizona REALTOR® with West USA Realty.