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14 Small Towns in Arizona Realtors Swear Are About to Be Retirement Hotspots

From neighborhoods built with retirees in mind, to small towns with easy access to stunning natural beauty, realtors say these Arizona spots have big draws for retirees.

By Laura Gesualdi-Gilmore

Edited by Lauren Wellbank

Updated Feb. 4, 2025

Arizona has many perks for retirees, including a low cost of living that can be great for anyone planning for retirement.

"The weather is the big reason Arizona is a great retirement community," says Rebecca Hidalgo Rains, CEO and designated broker of integrity with All Stars Realty. Hidalgo Rains says a lot of that has to do with the taxes, since Arizona has lower taxes compared to back east, where many retirees come from.

Below are 14 Arizona towns real estate professionals believe will be (or that are already becoming) major hot spots for retirees.

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Sun Lakes

"Sun Lakes in Chandler is a city with no regular residential homes. It is all active adults,"
Hidalgo Rains says.

Aside from the low taxes the state is known for, Hidalgo Rains says that the city has plenty of community amenities. "There is a club for everything from underwater basket weaving to hiking," she explains.

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Green Valley

Tony Ray Baker, a REALTOR ® with Re/Max Professionals in Tucson, recommends Green Valley due to its low median home price of $297,000, and proximity to amenities and natural beauty.

"Green Valley is an entire community built for retirees," he says. "It offers golf, major recreation centers with pickleball, restaurants, and everything else you can imagine in a retirement community where you do not need to leave."

Prescott Valley

male hiker admiring the view of Fain Lake

Prescott Valley offers proximity to stunning Sedona at a more affordable price. The median home price is around $514,000 and Helpful Home Group real estate investor Holden Andrews says that it offers more of a quaint, small-town feel than other draws around Arizona.

"Here you get a lot of the benefits of Sedona, which is a massive place for retirees, like beautiful nature, great hiking, and sunny weather, but without the Sedona price tag," he says.

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Saddlebrooke

Desert Residential Community with Catalina Mountains

Stunning Saddlebrooke offers a median home price of $450,000, a community built with retirees in mind, and easy access to Tucson, which is why it makes Baker's list to watch.

"This one hits the beauty factor," he explains. "It is built into the mountainside of Pusch Ridge and is very close to Miraval Spa, a world-renowned spa frequented by celebrities."

Gold Canyon

Gold Canyon offers stunning views of the Superstition Mountains — and its proximity to East Valley cities means easy access to shopping, great dining, healthcare, and more, according to Melissa Bailey, a lead real estate agent with The Jason Mitchell Group.

"Gold Canyon is a close-knit, friendly atmosphere with a slower pace of life, allowing retirees to relax and enjoy their golden years," she continues.

Tucson

Tucson may not be a "small" per se, but parts of it certainly maintain the small-town feel, and it has plenty of other big draws for retirees. With a median home price of $324,000, Baker touts it as an affordable option for those who want to stay active and connected.

"You have a metropolitan city, but with very affordable living," he says, touting an array of outdoor draws — like The Tucson Loop — plus access to art, theater, and great restaurants.

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Eastmark

Eastmark, in the heart of Mesa, is a more under the radar option for retirees of all sorts, according to Hidalgo Rains.

"There is a little pocket for active adult neighborhoods," she continues, adding that Eastmark has everything from townhomes to assisted living. "It's a newer community, so it is appealing to retirees who want something new."

Marana

Marana offers easy access to Tucson, stunning mountain views, and a median home price of $410,000, according to Baker.

"You can move into Dove Mountain or Sunflower at Continental Ranch; Marana has big retirement communities," he adds.

Desert Ridge

Aerial View of Downtown Phoenix - Phoenix, Arizona, USA

Alana Mann, developer of the luxury condominium complex The Luxe at Desert Ridge, touts the weather, community, and access to great healthcare such as the Mayo Clinic, as reasons retirees may consider relocating to this Phoenix neighborhood.

"They love the area primarily for the weather, with more than 300 days of sunshine a year," she says. "And let's not forget that Arizona residents enjoy an affordable state tax of only 2.5%."

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Oro Valley

The median home price in beautiful Oro Valley is a bit higher at $503,000, but Baker points out a financial perk that can make a big difference in the area: lower homeowners insurance rates.

"Homeowners insurance tends to be lower in Oro Valley because of the services available in the community — it's a quieter community than a city, and it's a master-planned community," according to Baker. Not only that, but the town offers stunning views of Pusch Ridge, beautiful hilltop homes, retirement communities, popular markets, and more.

"It is becoming very competitive with Tucson for events and things to do," Baker adds.

Gilbert

Sunlight shines on the historic downtown water

Bailey recommends Gilbert, and more specifically, Trilogy at Power Ranch, in this Maricopa County town.

Trilogy "offers resort-style amenities with a welcoming, tight-knit community," she says, adding that the location keeps you close to the heart of the city but still "enmeshed in your own community."

Sun City

For retirees hoping to stretch their retirement dollars, Jo Ann Bauer, an agent with Coldwell Banker Realty, says you can't beat Sun City's $359,000 average sale price.

As far as activities for retirees, the 55+ community has plenty of golf courses, recreation centers, and more than 100 clubs, according to Bauer.

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Peoria

Bailey also recommends a community called Vistancia in Peoria. It's "a premier 55+ adult community designed for those seeking an elevated lifestyle in their retirement years," she says.

From surrounding mountains to a state-of-the-art fitness center and spa, there's something for everyone in the community.

Queen Creek

Another excellent option in the East Valley, Bailey recommends retirees look into Encanterra in Queen Creek. "Encanterra's location in Queen Creek offers easy access to shopping, dining, and entertainment, while still maintaining a peaceful and relaxed atmosphere," she says.

The surrounding area is also rich in natural beauty, so you can enjoy plenty of free outdoor activities to help maximize your retirement savings.

Bottom line

Even if you don't necessarily downsize, relocating to an Arizona town that offers low taxes and a lower cost of living is a smart option to help pay for your bills.

However, as these areas grow in popularity — and Arizona grows as a retirement hotspot overall — the low prices listed here may begin to spike, so be sure to keep an eye on real estate trends so you don't miss out.

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