Homes For Sale in Leisure World Live MLS listings, updated all day:Leisure World: A Guard-Gated 55+ Golf Community in Mesa
One of Mesa’s largest and most established 55+ communities — guard-gated, two golf courses, and you own the land. Here’s what to know before you buy.
Curious about Leisure World? Reach out any time — we’re glad to help.
Leisure World is one of Mesa’s largest and most established 55+ communities. Established in 1973, it grew into a private, guard-gated community of 2,664 homes — a mix of single-family homes, patio homes, and condos. Behind the gates you’ll find two golf courses, a big recreation center, sixteen pickleball courts, tennis, and even a dozen small lakes. It’s a true “small town” feel with a lot to do. The golf and the amenities are the big draw, and the fact that you own your land is a real plus. Just go in knowing the monthly fees here run higher than most.
Quick snapshot
Location: Mesa, AZ — a private county island surrounded by the city of Mesa
Established: 1973 (homes built 1972–1994) · Homes: 2,664 — single-family, patio homes & condos
Type: age-restricted 55+ — guard gated, and you own the land
Golf: two community golf courses
Amenities: a large rec center, 16 pickleball courts, 10 tennis courts, aquatic center, and more
Why buyers choose Leisure World
- The golf and amenities. Two courses plus one of the biggest amenity lineups of any Mesa 55+ community — this is the main reason people love it.
- Guard-gated security. Staffed guard houses at every entrance keep the community private and secure.
- You own the land. No land lease — your lot is yours.
- A real community feel. Big, active, and social, with a dozen small lakes and a small-town atmosphere.
- Room to add value. Many homes are original and priced accordingly — a chance to remodel to your taste.
Where Leisure World sits
Leisure World is in Mesa, on a private county island surrounded by the city. It’s near shopping, restaurants, and health care (including Banner Baywood Medical Center), with easy access to US 60 and the rest of the Valley. Because it’s a self-governed, guard-gated community, day-to-day life happens largely behind the gates — but you’re still close to everything Mesa offers. We’re happy to walk you through what living on a county island means for services and taxes.
Age rules
Leisure World is an age-restricted 55+ community with a common “80/20” rule. That means at least 80% of homes must have a resident 55 or older. The other 20% can have a resident who is at least 45 — and no one under 19 may live there full-time. Because that 20% allowance is limited, it must be confirmed before you buy if you’re under 55. Not quite 55 yet? There may be a door open here — let us check the current numbers for you.
Homes at Leisure World
Leisure World offers a real range: over 2,100 single-family homes, plus patio homes and nearly 500 condos, built between 1972 and 1994. Because the community has been around a while, condition varies a lot. Some homes are beautifully updated; many are still fairly original and could use remodeling. For a buyer, that’s opportunity — a chance to buy at a fair price and make the home your own. We’ll help you tell the well-kept homes from the ones that need work, and pull the details on anything you like.
Buying an older home to remodel? That can be a smart play here — just go in with eyes open on the roof, cooling, plumbing, and electrical. That’s what the inspection period is for, and it’s where having us on your side pays off. We’ll help you know what you’re really buying, and what it’ll take to update it.
A note on pets: single-family homes here are pet-friendly. Patio homes, townhomes, and condos can set their own pet rules, so if pets matter to you and you’re looking at an attached home, let us verify the pet policy on that specific unit before you fall for it.
Golf, pickleball & amenities
Amenities are Leisure World’s calling card. The community has two golf courses, so there’s a course to match your game and your pace. Beyond golf, the recreation center is huge:
- 16 pickleball courts and 10 tennis courts — a serious setup for both.
- An aquatic center, fitness center, and spa.
- Woodworking shop, arts & crafts building, and a computer lab.
- A ballroom, 75-seat auditorium, billiards, and shuffleboard.
- Library, meeting rooms, and a dozen small lakes throughout the community.
With this much to do, it’s easy to see why residents stay busy. The pickleball scene in particular is one of the strongest in the East Valley.
HOA & fees (2026)
Here’s the honest part: Leisure World’s monthly fees run higher than most Mesa 55+ communities. In fact, the patio-home fees are among the highest in the Valley outside of luxury Scottsdale. But you’re paying for a lot — guard gates, two golf courses, a huge amenity set, and owned land. Here are the current 2026 figures.
| Fee | 2026 amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | None | There is no separate annual fee |
| Monthly fee (single-family) | $370 / $584 / $652 | Depends on the section of the community — call for details |
| Monthly fee (patio homes) | Varies widely | Call to verify the amount for a specific home |
| Resale disclosure fee (one-time) | $175 | Paid at resale |
| Transfer fee (one-time) | $175 homes / $225 patio | Paid at title transfer |
| Capital improvement fee (one-time) | $4,000 | Paid by the buyer at purchase |
Why the monthly fee varies
Your monthly fee depends on the section your home is in and on the landscaping — grass-scaped lots and rock-scaped lots aren’t billed the same. The community generally trims the bushes, while trees are typically the owner’s responsibility. It’s worth pinning down exactly what your fee covers for the specific home. Fees can change through the Leisure World Community Association, and patio-home fees especially vary widely — we’ll get you the exact current numbers before you buy.
Is Leisure World right for you?
A great fit if you…
- Want golf, pickleball, and a huge amenity set behind a guarded gate.
- Like owning your land and being in a big, active community.
- Are open to a home that needs some updating, at a fair price.
- Value security and a private, self-governed community.
Worth knowing before you buy…
- Monthly fees run high — the patio homes especially. Budget for them.
- Many homes are older and may need remodeling — inspect closely.
- The monthly fee depends on section and landscaping — confirm it per home.
- It’s a county island, so it helps to understand services and taxes going in.
The fees are the trade-off for everything the community offers. Some buyers happily pay for the golf, the gates, and the lifestyle; others would rather spend less elsewhere. There’s no wrong answer — tell us what matters most and we’ll help you weigh it.
See what’s for sale in Leisure World
Live MLS listings, updated throughout the day.
See All Homes Contact UsNearby 55+ communities in Mesa
If you’re weighing Leisure World against other Mesa options, these are the ones to compare:
Frequently asked questions
Is Leisure World a 55+ community?
Yes — it’s an age-restricted 55+ community with an 80/20 rule: at least 80% of homes must have a resident 55+, the other 20% can have a resident 45+, and no one under 19 lives there full-time. We’ll confirm the current numbers before you buy.
Is Leisure World gated?
Yes — it’s guard-gated, with staffed guard houses at every entrance.
Do you own the land?
Yes. In Leisure World you own your lot — there’s no land lease.
Why are the monthly fees so different from home to home?
Your monthly fee depends on the section of the community and on your landscaping (grass-scaped vs. rock-scaped lots aren’t billed the same). Patio-home fees also vary widely. We’ll confirm the exact fee, and what it covers, for any specific home.
What do the fees cost?
For 2026, there’s no annual fee. Single-family monthly fees are $370, $584, or $652 depending on the section; patio-home fees vary. One-time fees include a $175 resale disclosure, a transfer fee of $175 (homes) or $225 (patio), and a $4,000 capital-improvement fee. Fees can change — confirm current figures before you buy.
Weighing Leisure World against other Mesa communities? Ride with us
You don’t have to sort the East Valley out from your laptop. When you come to town, you ride with us and we drive — our gas, not yours. In a day we’ll run through Leisure World and the other communities you’re weighing, walk the clubhouses and the gates, and you’ll cross half the list off yourself. The next day we go back into the finalists and tour real homes, so you can see the condition and the fees for yourself.
It’s the easiest, least stressful way to go from “there are too many choices” to “this is the one.” Ask us about setting up your community tour →
Thinking about buying — or selling — in Leisure World?
I’m Jarl Kubat, a licensed Arizona agent with 22+ years in the state’s 55+ communities. Leisure World has a lot to offer and a few things to get right — the section-based fees, the landscaping rules, and the condition of older homes. We’ll help you find the right home, understand exactly what you’ll pay, and negotiate with confidence.
Call or Text: (480) 710-6326 Contact
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.
Community information: Community facts are compiled from public sources and believed accurate but not guaranteed. HOA fees (2026) are current as provided and subject to change by the Association; monthly fees vary by section and landscaping, and patio-home fees vary widely. Verify age rules, fees, home details, land ownership, and services with the Association or your licensed agent before you buy. Jarl Kubat is a licensed Arizona real estate agent.
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