With its low cost of living and taxes, abundant sunshine, scenic beauty, and welcoming communities, Arizona has long been a mecca for retirees with ambitions for a good life in their golden years. Starting with Sun City, one of the first master-planned developments for retirees in the U.S., the state is brimming with cities, towns, and communities with plenty of amenities that appeal to the 55 and over crowd.
If you’re considering the Grand Canyon state for retirement living, here are some of the best places to retire in Arizona:
Sun City
Since Sun City’s original development in 1979, more than 100 retirement communities have sprung up in Arizona. However, Sun City remains the global standard for age-restricted communities, offering retirees a vibrant social scene and active lifestyle.
Nestled in the northwest corner of the vibrant city of Phoenix, Sun City offers a safe and secure environment with easy access to shopping, dining, and cultural experiences. Sun City is renowned for its extensive recreational activities, including playing on championship golf courses, swimming in multiple pools, and fully staffed fitness centers. Residents also enjoy a variety of social clubs that suit all interests.
Sun City is also known for its well-maintained infrastructure and friendly neighborhood atmosphere, making it one of the best places to retire in Arizona.
Sedona
People visiting Sedona for the first time are captivated by the picturesque town nestled among stunning red rock formations. Many come for the area’s breathtaking natural beauty but stay for the spiritual energy and tranquility, making Sedona a unique retirement haven.
Sedona is also known for its cultural attractions, including art galleries, museums, New Age shops, and spiritual wellness centers. The town also boasts a thriving culinary scene. Though many restaurants celebrate the flavors of the Southwest, Sedona attracts top chefs, restauranteurs, vintners, and brewers from around the world.
Prescott
Prescott is a picturesque town in Northern Arizona that blends old-world charm and modern amenities. Sitting at 5,000 feet in the Bradshaw Mountains, Prescott offers a mild climate with four distinct seasons, beautiful natural surroundings, and a strong sense of community, making it a desirable retirement destination.
With its proximity to Prescott National Forest and Watson Lake, Prescott provides a fulfilling lifestyle with abundant hiking, biking, horseback riding, and fishing opportunities.
People who visit Prescott rave about its well-preserved historic district, which treats visitors to charming shops, museums, and restaurants, offering the opportunity to immerse themselves in the town’s rich heritage.
While Prescott is more affordable than Scottdale and many of the larger cities in the state, it can be more expensive than other, smaller towns with retirement communities. Housing prices, in particular, have risen sharply in the last few years.
Though Prescott has a small-town feel, it offers excellent healthcare options, with the Yavapai Regional Medical Center serving the area.
Tucson
Surrounded by majestic mountains and stunning desert landscapes in southern Arizona, Tucson is a vibrant city offering a unique blend of cultural heritage and natural beauty. One of its most appealing aspects is its lower cost of living. Housing and utility costs are generally lower than in other major Arizona cities.
While it does get hot in the summer, the surrounding mountains offer relief from the heat. Overall, Tucson’s relatively mild climate makes it a popular year-round destination.
Tucson boasts a diverse cultural scene with something to offer everyone, including world-class museums, art galleries, lively street festivals, and farmers’ markets. The city also hosts the University of Arizona, providing retirees access to cultural events, lectures, and sports. With nearby natural settings like Saguaro National Park and Mount Lemmon, outdoor enthusiasts have access to numerous hiking and biking trails.
Home to several reputable medical centers, including Banner-University Medical Center and Tucson Medical Center, Tucson offers its residents quality healthcare.
Generally, Tucson’s abundant amenities and slower pace of life make it ideal for retirees looking for peace and tranquility without sacrificing the conveniences of urban living.
Green Valley
Just a short drive from Tucson, Green Valley is a popular retirement community offering a peaceful, relaxed atmosphere. Like Tucson, Green Valley’s cost of living is affordable, and it has competitive housing prices relative to retirement communities to the north.
As a master-planned development, Green Valley boasts more than a dozen adult communities brimming with recreational facilities, golf courses, swimming pools, and fitness centers. It’s also close to the Santa Rita Mountains, which offers opportunities for hiking and birdwatching.
With its close proximity to Tucson, retirees can easily venture into town to enjoy its vibrant restaurant and cultural scene. While Green Valley has its own medical facilities, residents can also access Tucson’s major medical centers.
Like Sun City, Green Valley offers many clubs, social activities, and events tailored to older adults. It’s a peaceful, tight-knit community that provides a supportive environment for retirees.
Flagstaff
Nestled in the towering San Francisco Peaks, Flagstaff is a mountain retreat for retirees seeking a peaceful and active lifestyle. Sitting at 7,000 feet and surrounded by national forests, Flagstaff offers cooler year-round weather with plenty of opportunities for outdoor activities, including hiking, biking, and skiing.
Flagstaff is just a drive to the rich cultural mecca of Sedona and about an hour south of one of the most magnificent wonders of the world, the Grand Canyon.
Anchored by Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff’s downtown offers a combination of youthful vibes and a vibrant cultural scene with museums, galleries, and live music venues. As a mountain resort town, Flagstaff’s cost of living is higher than some comparably sized towns, but it’s still lower than the upscale community of Scottsdale.
Retirees who yearn for four seasons, ample natural beauty, and a welcoming community will find Flagstaff a comfortable place to live year-round.
Scottsdale
Retirees with more high-end lifestyle leanings would be right at home in upscale Scottsdale, located in the greater Phoenix metropolitan area. If you have the means, Scottsdale offers the best in desert living with world-class golf courses, luxury shopping, and a vibrant cultural scene.
But be ready to pay.
Scottsdale is relatively expensive compared to other Arizona cities, with the cost of living about 20% higher than the national average. In return, retirees enjoy access to excellent healthcare facilities, including the renowned Mayo Clinic. And there’s no shortage of recreational and lifestyle activities, with hiking opportunities in the nearby McDowell Sonoran Preserve, as well as spas, art galleries, museums, and theaters right in town.
With its higher costs for higher-end living, Scottsdale is definitely a lifestyle choice for those who can afford it.
Phoenix
Retirees seeking a more cosmopolitan lifestyle would be right at home in Phoenix, Arizona’s largest city. From its world-class shopping and dining to its professional sports teams and rich cultural scene, Phoenix is an oasis for retirees who want to enjoy city life with a desert climate.
Speaking of climate. It gets hot in Phoenix. But many retirees are willing to endure the heat of summer to enjoy the wonderfully mild weather in the late fall, winter, and early spring. Phoenix averages more than 300 days of sunshine, allowing residents to make the most of outdoor adventures in nearby mountains and desert landscapes. But there are plenty of opportunities to escape the heat indoors with an extensive array of entertainment, shopping, and dining options throughout the city.
Like many urban centers in the U.S., Phoenix is not the most affordable option for retirees in Arizona. Living costs have risen in recent years, but Phoenix is still more affordable than other major cities. Housing costs are relatively moderate, and the area offers a range of housing options, from condos to luxury homes. Phoenix is also home to many retirement communities catering to active adults. Depending on their lifestyle preferences, retirees can choose from bustling urban districts or quieter suburban enclaves.
Additionally, Phoenix is home to some of the best healthcare facilities in the southwest, including Banner Health Network, St. Joseph’s Hospital, and Mayo Clinic.
Bottom Line
Few states offer a range of retirement options as diverse as Arizona—from luxury living in Scottsdale to the artistic charm of Sedona. Whether you want to engage in the active adult communities of Green Valley or soak in the natural beauty of Flagstaff, there’s a place for any budget or lifestyle preference.
Of course, if you’d like to retire in Arizona, it’s critical to weigh such factors as climate, access to healthcare, living costs, and recreational opportunities to find the perfect fit for your lifestyle preference. With its spectacular landscapes, abundant sunshine, and retiree-friendly communities, it’s hard to go wrong if you’re considering retiring in Arizona.
If you need help planning your retirement in Arizona, contact us to speak to one of our excellent retirement planners. You can call us at (480) 214-9572 or use our contact form to schedule a free consultation.
