6 Charming Arizona Communities To Retire Around Pheonix
Arizona's rough and wild scenery makes it a hit with nature lovers and positions it among the most sought-after retirement spots, especially for empty nesters with an undying interest in the outdoors. The Phoenix area is particularly a hot cake, considering one will be close to a delightful range of world-class amenities and cultural attractions. For example, Mayo Clinic-Arizona is on the Best Hospitals Honor Roll and rated high-performing in 22 adult procedures. If thinking of retiring around Phoenix, the following six charming communities stand out.
Sun City
With residents having a median age of 72.5, which implies an unbeatable social support network, Sun City is an easy retirement pick. Sun City also offers great highway access and fantastic schools for kids, including the highly regarded Zuni Hills Elementary. As if that is not enough, property taxes in Sun City are typically lower than both national and state averages. As for the outdoor recreational opportunities, Sun City is well-known for golf and boasts some of the most inexpensive golf you can find. Options include Palmbrook Country Club, Sun City Country Club, which has hosted Senior PGA and LPGA tour events, and Union Hills Country Club. Moreover, the Agua Fria River flows to the west of town, while the New River murmurs on the other side. The median listing home price in Sun City was $298,900 in July 2025, significantly lower than the Phoenix area median of $505,000. The crucial thing is that you are just 25 minutes from downtown Phoenix, so you can access an excellent variety of healthcare options in a jiffy.
Sun City West
Sun City West is just about 7 miles from Sun City, meaning the two towns have almost similar characteristics, including a high presence of empty nesters. For perspective, the residents of Sun City West have a median age of 74.9, which is certainly one of the highest in the state and probably in the nation. Moreover, the town is close to Loop 303, which allows for easy highway access and provides awesome healthcare opportunities. Banner Del E. Webb Medical Center, which opened its doors in 1988, has been a top healthcare choice in the Northwest Valley for more than 20 years. The median listing home price in Sun City West was a pocket-friendly $390,000 in July 2025, enticingly lower than what obtains in the Phoenix area. You can have lots of fun at the Beardsley Recreation Center, which doubles up as a fantastic place for pool walking, the splendid Briarwood Country Club, and Deer Valley Golf Course, which boasts large greens and wide fairways. And like Sun City, you also have the Agua Fria River.
Gold Canyon
Conveniently positioned just 40 minutes east of Phoenix, Gold Canyon is another cool retirement option to consider. Residents have a median age of 66, meaning you will be bumping into fellow empty nesters every other time and benefiting from a strong support network. The area is beautiful, normally quiet, and connects right to E US Hwy 60, making travel easy and super fast. Although the median listing home price in Gold Canyon is $525,000, a hair above the median in the Phoenix area, it is a ton of value, especially considering the town's convenient setting and the amenities within arm's reach. For example, Banner Gateway Medical Center, a two-time recipient of the prestigious Magnet Award, is a heartbeat away in Gilbert, Arizona. The designation is one of the most sought-after for nursing excellence in the country. Outdoor attractions include the Superstition Mountain, which beautifully backdrops the town, the nationally famous Lost Dutchman State Park, just a 15-minute drive, and the Gold Canyon Golf Course, a challenging course in exceptional shape.
Apache Junction
With a median age of 52 and proximity to the outdoor opportunities around the nearby Superstition Mountain, Apache Junction is easy to choose. The unique thing with the town is that it boasts a sizable population of about 45,000 residents, meaning it is a bit more vibrant and lively than several of its neighbours. Also, for what it's worth, the climate in Apache Junction is cooler than what you would experience in Phoenix, even if just slightly. Keep in mind that you are at the doorstep of the Lost Dutchman State Park, which provides one of the best camping experiences in Arizona. As if that means nothing, the beautiful Canyon Lake is just a 15-minute drive away. Of course, the well-maintained Prospector Park is always a great place to bring grandkids. To these features, add a thriving public library, a Central Arizona College campus, the Apache Junction Active Adult Center, and a nationally recognized Multi-Generational Center (MGC). To cap it off, the median listing home price in Apache Junction is a reasonable $429,900.
Cottonwood
With a median age of 56, implying a fit-for-purpose social landscape, a well-maintained historic center, and a rugged setting on a spot ringed by buttes and mountains, Cottonwood is another exciting retirement option to consider. Dead Horse Ranch State Park, which offers plenty of trails right to the Verde River, is an honored name in outdoor circles. Also, the 480-acre Verde River Greenway State Natural Area, which residents love for its beautiful lagoons, is just a good mood away. Not to be outdone, the Tuzigoot River is a great spot to kayak and enjoy the water’s continuous hum. On healthcare, Verde Valley Medical is a short-term acute care hospital with 99 beds. It has bagged awards for patient safety and meets or exceeds national averages in all areas. According to data from realtor.com, the median listing home price in Cottonwood was $495,000 in July 2025, slightly lower than the equivalent for the Phoenix area.
Eloy
Eloy stands out because its residents have a median age of 41, a sweet spot between the old and the young. Moreover, it is 45 minutes northwest of Tucson and an hour southeast of Phoenix, meaning a retiree can access either city on a whim. Accessible amenities include the Eloy Santa Cruz Library, where an empty nester can occasionally get snug with a gripping read, Robson Ranch Arizona, an oasis-like retirement community in the Arizona desert with friendly people and tons of activities, and the nearby Banner Casa Grande Medical Center, which has been providing quality health care to the Casa Grande Valley residents since 1984. Once in a while, one will enjoy cooling off at the Eloy Aquatics Center, enjoying a yummy range of outdoor recreational opportunities at the Picacho State Park, or mingling with birds at the Picacho Reservoir. The best part is that the median listing home price in Eloy is just $310,000.
Arizona is a world-famous outdoor wonderland, and Phoenix is among its finest base points. Besides boasting top-notch hospitals, Phoenix has one of the area's best Dia de los Muertos celebrations. You will enjoy places like the Desert Botanical Garden and the fun-filled festivities at the Mesa Arts Center, a unique complex of theaters, art galleries, and studios that draws crowds from every nook of the country. Besides proximity to Phoenix, all six communities offer appealing features—whether small-town charm, active adult lifestyle, natural beauty, or excellent amenities.
