Farnsworth 55+ Communities in Mesa
Dreamland Villa and the three Sunland communities — the value-priced, home-grown active adult neighborhoods that built east Mesa’s 55+ reputation.
The Farnsworth story
While the national builders were putting up the West Valley’s Sun Cities, the Farnsworth family was quietly building east Mesa’s answer to active adult living — and doing it as locals, for locals. It started with Dreamland Villa around 1960, one of the East Valley’s first affordable 55+ neighborhoods, and grew from there into the three Sunland communities over the following decades: Sunland Village in the 1970s, Sunland Village East from the mid-1980s, and Sunland Springs Village in 1997.
Because Farnsworth built where it lived, its communities share a certain character: sensible, single-level homes, low HOA dues, and a friendly, settled feel that residents are fiercely loyal to. Founder Jarl Kubat has spent 22+ years in east Mesa’s 55+ communities and knows these neighborhoods street by street.
What sets a Farnsworth community apart
Value, plain and simple. Farnsworth communities are among the most affordable ways to own a home on your own land in a 55+ active adult community in the East Valley, with dues that run well below the resort communities. Three of the four are built around their own executive golf course, and all four lean on the easygoing, low-maintenance lifestyle that made east Mesa a snowbird favorite. What you trade for the value is age: these are established neighborhoods, so homes vary from original to beautifully updated — which is exactly where a local agent earns their keep.
Recognition: Farnsworth’s communities have anchored east Mesa’s active adult scene for decades and remain some of the most sought-after value neighborhoods in the area. [VERIFY any specific awards you’d like named.]
The Farnsworth communities we serve
Sunland VillageResale
The original Sunland — established, grown-in, and the lowest-dues way into the trio, with an 18-hole executive course and eight pickleball courts run through the community association. See the floor plans.
Sunland Village EastResale
Newer homes than the original Village, with more open layouts and a public executive course visitors can play. Nine pickleball courts. See the floor plans.
Sunland Springs VillageResale
The newest and largest of the three, and the amenity leader — Mesa’s only 27-hole executive course and twelve pickleball courts, with a bit more of a resort feel. See the floor plans.
Dreamland VillaResale
Where the Farnsworth story began — one of east Mesa’s original 55+ neighborhoods. No golf course, but very low dues, affordable single-level homes, and a longtime, loyal community with its own active residents’ association. A strong pick for value-minded buyers.
Reading the cards: home counts are approximate (*) — confirm before you rely on them. “Age” is the minimum to buy. All four are established, resale communities — there’s no new-construction builder registration to worry about here. And HOA dues cover the common areas and amenities; where there’s golf, it runs on its own membership and fees, separate from your dues.
Comparing the three Sunlands?
The three Sunland communities are close together and easy to tour in one trip, and they differ mostly by home age, how much golf, and dues. We break it down side by side in our Sunland Village vs. Village East vs. Springs Village guide, and compare all three courses in the Sunland golf courses guide.
Go deeper on any Farnsworth community
Every community name in the cards above links to its full buyer’s guide — homes for sale, 2026 fees, golf, and age rules. For layouts, see the floor plans for Sunland Village, Sunland Village East, and Sunland Springs Village.
See more Mesa 55+ communities → · See all Arizona 55+ communities we serve →
Weighing a Farnsworth community?
Tell us what matters most — price, golf, home age, low dues — and we’ll point you to the right east Mesa community and the right home.
Tell Us What You’re Looking For Call or Text (480) 710-6326
Friends love their Mesa Sunland or Dreamland home?
I’m Jarl Kubat, a licensed Arizona agent with 22+ years in the state’s 55+ communities. I know these east Mesa neighborhoods street by street — the dues, the golf, the home ages, and where the real value is across the Sunlands and Dreamland Villa. No pressure, just honest local guidance.
Call or Text: (480) 710-6326 Contact PageFrequently asked questions
Is a Farnsworth community a good place to retire?
For value-focused buyers, yes. The Sunland communities and Dreamland Villa are among the most affordable ways to own a home on your own land in an east Mesa 55+ community, with low dues and easy single-level living. They’re established neighborhoods, so home condition varies — which is exactly where having a local agent pays off. Whether one fits you comes down to budget, golf, and home age, which we’re glad to talk through.
Are the Farnsworth communities gated?
We confirm gate status per community before you rely on it rather than assuming. Ask us about the specific community you’re considering and we’ll give you the current, accurate answer.
Do the Farnsworth communities have golf?
Three of the four do. Sunland Village and Sunland Village East each have an 18-hole executive course, and Sunland Springs Village has a 27-hole executive course — Mesa’s only one. Dreamland Villa has no golf course of its own, which helps keep its dues low. Golf runs on its own membership and fees, separate from your HOA dues.
Are these communities still building new homes?
No — all four are established and sell as resales, so there’s no builder-registration issue to worry about. That’s often good news for value: you get mature landscaping and proven amenities, and more home for the money than a new build.
About this page: Independent, buyer-focused information from Jarl Kubat, a licensed Arizona real estate agent — not affiliated with, authorized by, or endorsed by Farnsworth or the community associations. Builder and community names are used only to identify the communities described. Community facts — home counts, build years, gates, golf, HOA and golf fees, and age rules — are set by each community and change without notice; figures are approximate, summarized for general information, and current for 2026 as provided. Confirm current details with the community or your licensed agent before you rely on them.
Listing accuracy: Property listings and availability are drawn from the Arizona Regional MLS and are believed accurate but not guaranteed. Listings change throughout the day; confirm details with your agent before relying on them.