San Tan Valley 55+ Communities · Queen Creek AreaSan Tan Valley 55+ Communities and Queen Creek: The Complete Guide
Thinking about San Tan Valley 55+ communities or Queen Creek for your retirement move? Here are the three communities to know, how they compare, prices, airports, hospitals and things to do.
By Jarl Kubat, founder of Arizona 55+ Communities Real Estate · West USA Realty · Updated November 2026
San Tan Valley and Queen Creek sit at the southeast edge of the Valley, where farms, orchards and the San Tan Mountains meet newer neighborhoods. It’s one of the fastest-growing parts of Arizona, yet it still feels open and quiet. So for a 55+ buyer, it offers three very different San Tan Valley 55+ communities, from a private country club to a smaller Del Webb neighborhood.
Founder Jarl Kubat has spent 22+ years showing East Valley buyers all three. That’s why this guide lays them side by side and adds what we tell every buyer before they tour.
San Tan Valley 55+ communities compared
| Trilogy at Encanterra | Solera at Johnson Ranch | Ovation at Meridian | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Style | Private country club (Shea Homes) | Del Webb neighborhood | Newer, low-upkeep homes |
| Gate | Guard-gated | Gated | Gated |
| Golf | Tom Lehman course (membership) | 18-hole course through the neighborhood | None on site |
| Club | 60,000 sq ft La Casa club, 4 restaurants | Private clubhouse | Clubhouse and pool |
| Monthly HOA | About $514 | About $220 (two HOAs) | About $295, front yard care included |
| One-time costs | Social membership from about $8,500, plus capital and transfer fees | About $2,300 (capital $2,100 + transfer $200) | About $1,128 capital fee |
| Single-family from | About $360K | About $320K | About $420K |
Prices are the lowest single-family sale in the last 90 days as of October 25, 2026. Fees are 2026 figures; confirm with each association.
Resort-style country club living, with golf, four restaurants and mountain views to the horizon.
About 727 homes from the mid-2000s, with a private clubhouse and golf winding through the neighborhood.
A newer gated community where the monthly fee even covers your front yard.
See homes for sale in San Tan Valley 55+ communities
Here are single-family homes for sale in Trilogy at Encanterra right now. Use the buttons for the other two communities.
Solera at Johnson Ranch homesOvation at Meridian homesWhat we tell every buyer here
- Budget for Encanterra’s membership. The social membership is a big one-time cost on top of the price. Ask us for the current figure.
- Golf is separate. Also, HOA dues don’t pay for golf in any of these communities.
- Plan for the drive. For example, Sky Harbor is about 45 minutes away, but Mesa Gateway is close and growing.
- Growth is everywhere. As a result, new shopping and services keep arriving, along with more traffic on the main roads.
Living near San Tan Valley 55+ communities
- Farm life nearby. For instance, Schnepf Farms and the Queen Creek Olive Mill are local favorites.
- Mountain trails. Plus, San Tan Mountain Regional Park is right next door.
- Newer shopping. Meanwhile, big-box stores, restaurants and medical offices keep opening.
- Quiet nights. Best of all, you get darker skies and less city noise than central Phoenix.
Airports and drive times
| Destination | About how far | About how long |
|---|---|---|
| Mesa Gateway Airport | 12–15 miles | 15–20 minutes |
| Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport | 40 miles | 45 minutes |
| Downtown Gilbert | 18 miles | 25 minutes |
| Tucson | 95 miles | 1 hr 30 min |
| Sedona | 150 miles | 2 hr 30 min |
| Grand Canyon South Rim | 260 miles | 4 hr 15 min |
Approximate, from central San Tan Valley. Times vary with traffic.
Hospitals nearby
- Banner Ironwood Medical Center — San Tan Valley.
- Banner Gateway Medical Center and Banner MD Anderson Cancer Center — Gilbert, about 25 minutes.
- Dignity Health Mercy Gilbert Medical Center — Gilbert, about 25 minutes.
A note from our founder
“When I tour San Tan Valley, I start at Encanterra so buyers can see what country-club living looks like, and then we drive to Solera and Ovation. Of course, the difference in monthly cost is big, and so is the feel. Most people know which one is theirs by lunch.” — founder Jarl Kubat (22+ years)
Looking at the whole southeast Valley?
Also see our guides to Gilbert AZ 55+ communities and the East Valley 55+ guide. And for local news and events, the Town of Queen Creek keeps an up-to-date calendar.
Not sure which San Tan Valley community fits you?
Tell us your budget and how you want to live. We’ll show you all three in one morning.
Call or Text: (480) 710-6326 Send Us a MessageComparing towns south of Phoenix? See our Pinal County 55+ communities guide.
San Tan Valley and Queen Creek retirement communities: common questions
What 55+ communities are in San Tan Valley?
The three to know are Trilogy at Encanterra, a private country club community; Solera at Johnson Ranch, a Del Webb neighborhood with golf; and Ovation at Meridian, a newer gated community near Queen Creek.
Are there 55+ communities in Queen Creek AZ?
Ovation at Meridian sits in the Queen Creek and San Tan Valley area, and Solera at Johnson Ranch and Trilogy at Encanterra are a short drive away in San Tan Valley.
How much are homes in San Tan Valley 55+ communities?
Based on recent sales, single-family homes start around $320,000 at Solera at Johnson Ranch, $360,000 at Trilogy at Encanterra and $420,000 at Ovation at Meridian.
Is there a hospital in San Tan Valley?
Yes. Banner Ironwood Medical Center is in San Tan Valley, and Banner Gateway and Mercy Gilbert are about 25 minutes away in Gilbert.
How far is San Tan Valley from the airport?
Mesa Gateway Airport is about 15 to 20 minutes away. Phoenix Sky Harbor is about 45 minutes away, depending on traffic.
What is the sales tax rate in San Tan Valley and Queen Creek?
In San Tan Valley the combined rate is about 8.95%: 5.6% state, 1.1% Pinal County and 2.25% for the new Town of San Tan Valley, which started collecting its own tax on October 1, 2026. Queen Creek is also 2.25% for the town, so it’s about 8.95% on the Pinal County side and about 8.55% on the Maricopa County side. Rates can change, so check the current rate before a big purchase.
Community details, prices, distances and drive times are summarized for general guidance and can change. Fees, amenities, age rules and build status vary by community, so always verify with the association before you buy. Prices are the lowest single-family sale in the last 90 days from the Arizona Regional MLS as of October 25, 2026, unless noted. Jarl Kubat is a licensed Arizona real estate agent with West USA Realty. Equal Housing Opportunity.