Retirement Communities in AZ

Sun City West Retirement Community

For seniors looking for an active retirement in Arizona, Sun City West is one of the best 55+ communities to consider. Founded in 1998, it is one of six Sun City properties focused on creating the ideal retirement environment to make the most of your golden years.

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Located in Maricopa County, it is a sister property of the original Sun City, which was the first active lifestyle community established in Arizona. In the five decades since, the Grand Canyon state has been the fastest-growing destination for seniors thanks to the warm winters, a friendly tax structure, and an active lifestyle. Keep reading to see if this master-planned community is your ideal retirement destination.

How Much Does Sun City West Cost?

Additional Fees

Sun City is one of the most popular places in the country to retire thanks to the affordable housing prices and the distinction of being a 55+ active community. The average price of a home is up 8.6 percent over the last year, but still very affordable at a $266,000 entry. Additionally, one of the key selling points of Sun City West vs. some of its sister properties is that it does not have HOA fees, only an annual $445 recreational fee.

There will be property tax on whatever home you purchase, but for Arizona retirement communities, the effective average property tax is a minuscule .72 percent! These lower purchase prices and annual costs allow for financial flexibility to subsidize everyday living expenses in retirement. Typical spending in retirement includes vehicle registration, insurance, food and utilities, and of course — the lifestyle amenities in and around Sun City West.

Is Sun City West, AZ a Good Place to Live?

How do retirees spend their time

We mentioned some of the savings available and how they affect the lifestyle and habits of retirees in Sun City West, but what does the day to day actually look like?

Well, for starters, there are sports bars and breweries, wine tasting and boutique kitchens, and recreational clubs abound. A big part of the retiree culture in Arizona is the dedication to volunteerism, and SCW (as the locals call it) is no stranger to helping those in need. Churches and community centers are widely represented as places where members of Sun City West can make friends, and a good portion of the HOA fees are dedicated to their upkeep and maintenance.

Finally, Sun City West is a famous golf community, and the course fees are lower for residents. An annual pass can be as cheap as $800 for all courses, with a cart — a stunning value if you go regularly. People visit Arizona all year long to play rounds on these sought-after courses, and lucky residents of Sun City get to live on or stroll down to them at a moment’s notice. That’s called retiring into the good life!

How Hot Does it Get in Sun City, AZ?

How Hot Does it Get in Sun City, AZ

A significant draw to Arizona and its various retirement communities is the year-round warm weather. Granted, it does get extremely hot during the summer — triple-digit temperatures are the norm from June to August. However, for many retirees this is an acceptable inconvenience to deal with when every unit has air conditioning and the winter months are what most states consider spring weather.

The temperate weather gives you more time throughout the year for outdoor hobbies and makes it easy to meet friends on the pickleball court or at the pool. In fact, the weather is often considered an extremely important attractor for new retirees in Arizona. If you are going to be spending the summer months in Sun City West, there are some precautions you can follow to ensure you’re not getting too much sun exposure.

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During the non-summer seasons, there is a very temperate range of 46 degree nights to 75 degree evenings. There are occasional dust storms called haboobs that sweep through the state, but they are largely non-threatening. Ultimately, if getting a little dust in your beer on a hot summer day is the worst part about the weather, that’s a small price to pay for the other months of paradise.

Playing up in Size

It's Like a Small Town

Sun City West has 24,000+ residents housed in about 17,000 unique homes, which would qualify as a relatively large retirement community in the first place. This creates a marvelous dynamic in which the neighborhoods are spacious enough to feel like it is a small town, but the amenities and location SCW can provide extroverts with all they need.

Phoenix is roughly 30 miles away should retirees want to hop to a true big city, and other places like Scottsdale are available for day trips. An excellent component of having five sister 55+ communities is that you can pop over to use many of the amenities in the Sun City family of communities, and can develop an even broader friends group of people throughout the state.

It is always reassuring to know that no matter what your tendencies are socially, there will be an avenue to enjoy your ideal lifestyle. If you are looking to enjoy the weather quietly, the houses off the golf course are for you. Or, if you want to host card games overlooking the green and take the party to a pub later, Sun City West has you covered as well!

Find Your Dream Retirement Home in Sun City West’s Retirement Community

How To Choose

When it comes to choosing a retirement community in Arizona, there is a lot of information to process. Luckily, the entire state caters towards those wanting to live a stress-free lifestyle. Sun City West is definitely one of the most enticing options when you take its pricing, weather, and community values into consideration.

If you’re thinking about making the move to Arizona for retirement, be sure to partner with an experienced real estate agent to find your dream home. They’ll help you map out each stage of the retirement home buying journey so you can enjoy a smooth transition and mitigate any financial surprises.

Meet our Century 21 Northwest Retirement Realtors.

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