8 Safest Towns In Arizona For Senior Living
Arizona, the sixth largest state, is one of the best places in the US for seniors. A chief reason is that it is third in the US in Health Care Quality, according to US News & World Report. The weather in Arizona is almost always warm and dry, making outdoor activities a top priority. There are both forest and desert environments with multiple national parks across them, including The Grand Canyon. Plenty of small towns with decent home prices and low crime rates make it an ideal place to spend your golden years with less worry. These eight safest towns in Arizona offer lots to do and plenty of reasons to stay.
San Luis
San Luis is situated on Arizona's southwestern border with Mexico. Recognized as the safest city in Arizona by SafeWise, it is a secure place to live. The city features several walk-in clinics, including San Luis Urgent Care, along with a larger medical facility at San Luis Medical Mall. Additionally, San Luis has a well-developed senior community offering amenities such as bingo, free daily meals, and transportation to various activities and educational programs at the San Luis Senior Center.
Arizona is for those who enjoy the outdoors, and Joe Orduno Park is an outdoor hub of activity in San Luis. It offers multiple playing fields, picnic areas, and a community pool. Another plus is that many amenities, such as public transit and public spaces, are within walking distance of one another. For a change of pace, seniors can also cross the border to San Luis' sister city, San Luis Rio Colorado, one of the largest communities in the area, with even more to explore.
Oro Valley
Oro Valley, a small town just 20 minutes north of Tucson, is renowned for its outdoor activities such as hiking, camping, and especially biking. The city actively promotes bicycling as a safe, efficient, and acceptable mode of transportation, offering 78.89 miles of dedicated bike facilities. The American League of Bicyclists has awarded Oro Valley's trails a "gold" level rating, highlighting that every new commercial building must include bike parking according to the Zoning Code. Additionally, the city features parks like Catalina State Park and is near Mount Lemmon, the southernmost ski area in the United States.
There is more to consider than just outdoor activities, but Oro Valley offers a lot for seniors. The median listing price for homes was $535,000 in December 2024, a little higher than the nation's average. Finally, the town is home to several convenient medical facilities, including its top-rated and award-winning Oro Valley Hospital.
Sahuarita
Sahuarita translates to "little saguaro," the widespread cactus species native to the area. The nation's largest cactus, the giant saguaro, is primarily located and protected in Tucson, just 30 minutes north. The city is known for its accessibility to local parks such as Anamax, the city's oldest public park, and Man in the Maze, with plenty of walking and biking trails. Sahuarita Lake is a 10-acre manufactured lake popular for boating and fishing. A unique aspect of the city is its space focus, with both Kitt Peak Observatory and Whipple Observatory offering access to their facilities to view the Arizona sky and surrounding Santa Rita Mountains and science centers.
According to SafeWise, Sahuarita is the third safest city in the state. It is safe and affordable, with the median house list price at about $375,000. Residents can also take comfort in knowing the open, around-the-clock Northwest Medical Center Sahaurita, offering everything from labwork to surgery, is just five minutes from downtown.
Eagar
Eagar is a small, interesting town on the state’s eastern border with New Mexico, with a population under 5,000. It sits in the White Mountains and offers an impressively scenic backdrop for residents. If those views get boring, seniors can visit the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest for hiking, camping, or other outdoor recreation, including more than a dozen trails to explore. There is also excellent fishing in the Little Colorado River, which flows through Eagar on its way to the Grand Canyon.
Eager also truly values safety. For peace of mind when it comes to health, multiple facilities are in the area, including White Mountain Regional Medical Center in Springerville.
Bisbee
The whimsical-sounding Bisbee is as charming as its name, with a population close to 4,900. Bisbee sits right near the southern border with Mexico among the Mule Mountains, making it a somewhat exotic locale. The city has a strong art community with multiple unique art galleries, such as Sam Poe, Belleza, and 55 Main Galleries, all located near the city's main strip. Outside the galleries, downtown itself is a National Historic District with examples of Art Deco, Victorian, and Mission Revival architecture.
Copper Queen Community Hospital is in town, so residents can feel safe about their healthcare options. In addition, median home listing prices were around $300,000 as of December 2024. This combination of safety, affordability, natural beauty, and art makes Bisbee one of the most desirable locations for retirees in Arizona.
Payson
Payson is a small to medium-sized city with traditional Western charm. Known as the heart of Arizona because it sits nearly at the center of the state, it shares Arizona's outdoor-focused culture. The city is surrounded by the Tonto National Forest, and nearby lakes like Woods Canyon Lake, covering 55 acres, and the lakes at Green Valley Park are popular spots for boating and trout fishing. To reinforce its Western heritage, Payson hosts the World's Oldest Continuous Rodeo, established in 1884, which features multiple major events annually.
For the convenience of medical care, Payson has Banner Payson Medical Center, which, for the second time, received the Performance Leadership Award for excellence in Patient Outcomes from The Chartis Center for Rural Health in 2024.
Wellton
Wellton is a small agricultural town near the Mexico/Arizona border. It is known for its farming culture, multiple trails, including Fortuna Peak, Telegraph Pass, and Elephant Trail, and two golf courses, Coyote Wash and Butterfield Golf Course. Topping off the natural amenities is the Desert Hot Springs, which offers relaxing waters to soak in, perfect for a retiree.
Despite its great location, Wellton is impressively affordable, with median home prices around $315,000 in December 2024. Wellton has primary and preventative care facilities within the city limits, and the closest comprehensive treatment facility, Yuma Regional Medical Center, is just 30 miles outside the city.
The Perfect Place for Seniors to Stay Safe
The Grand Canyon State is a grand choice for seniors looking for a place to live their golden years. It is a massive state with a great climate for being outdoors. Arizona offers numerous small-town options, and it should be on the radar of anyone looking for an escape from the overcrowded and fast-paced city life of some other states. Not only is it a beautiful locale, but it is safe, and many of its cities are highly affordable, especially for retirees.
