Best Places to Retire in Arizona

Tucson | Image credit: Andrew Schultz

Arizona has year-round sunshine, gorgeous towns and cities with top-notch shops and restaurants and limitless outdoor recreation opportunities. For those reasons, Arizona has become one of the top states in the U.S. for retirees. Few places can match Arizona’s natural upsides, which is why Investopedia lists it as the third-most-popular state in the country for retirees. Let’s look at some of the towns and cities in Arizona best suited for a comfortable retirement.

Phoenix

Litchfield Park

Litchfield Park is a quiet Phoenix suburb with beautiful nature and luxurious amenities. Situated with easy access to incredible Sonoran Desert scenery, Litchfield Park has excellent nearby golf courses, spas and shopping centers. It also has excellent hiking trails and a large retirement community.

West Valley

Tucson

If you want to spend your years in retirement golfing, eating top-notch southwestern cuisine and exploring the Sonoran Desert nature, Tucson might be the best place imaginable. It is a busy city with great weather, excellent air quality, and appealing natural sites for exploration. Many retirees live here, so it is easy to meet like-minded individuals.

Tucson

Chandler

Chandler is a suburb of Phoenix known for its excellent parks system. Many trails in and around Chandler in settings ranging from wetlands to deserts beckon residents. Chandler also has excellent museums and numerous retirement communities.

Chandler | Image source: @downtownchandler (Facebook)

Scottsdale

Scottsdale is another Arizona community famed for its outdoor recreation. The dozens of golf courses in and around the city make it particularly popular amongst golfers. Old Town Scottsdale is one of the area’s commercial centers, with high-end restaurants, scenic views, and many shops. It is a bustling and fun community great for all ages.

Scottsdale | Image credit: Jeremy Alford

Sedona

If you want to live immersed in some of the most stunning nature imaginable, Sedona should be high on your list of places to retire. It is surrounded by canyons and forests, and has red rock cliffs that give it an otherworldly look. The uptown area is appealing, with boutique shops and eateries, and it is a picturesque town with an immaculate location for nature-loving retirees.

Sedona

Chino Valley

Chino Valley is an Arizona town perfect for those seeking a quiet, peaceful place to retire. It has a population of around 10,000 and a welcoming community. The town is pleasant and has a rural vibe, and the surrounding areas offer excellent outdoor recreation. There are nearby mountains and parks perfect for exploration-minded residents.

Chino Valley

Phoenix

Arizona’s biggest city has something for everyone. Whether the top-notch hiking, golfing, shopping, or dining draws you in, there’s a lot to find in Phoenix. It has tons of excellent retirement communities, famed museums, and a lively atmosphere where shows and events are constantly taking place.

Phoenix

Mesa

Mesa is a suburb located just east of Phoenix that is famed for its history and parks. Mesa is an Arizona cultural center with museums and performance venues including the Arizona Museum of Natural History and the Mesa Arts Center. Mesa has many thriving retirement communities and natural environments providing excellent hiking areas.

Mesa

Florence

Florence is a historic community that is one of the oldest in Arizona. It has dozens of buildings listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Florence is a quiet community with an old-west feel and is an affordable option for those seeking to move there. Florence has multiple high-end senior living homes and plenty of dining and shopping options.

Florence

Sun City

Sun City is a city specifically designed to accommodate retirees. The town was designed with 55+ adults in mind; the developers hoped to create a community that provides a leisurely but active lifestyle for older adults. The community includes a pleasant, relaxing waterfront, excellent golf courses, and scenic parks and trails.

Willowbrook Golf Courses | Image source: Sun City, Arizona (Facebook account)

Prescott

Prescott is a lively Arizona community known for its busy nightlife and excellent food scene. Prescott has several museums that are renowned across the state, including the Smoki Museum. The town is also near Watson Lake, a popular spot for hiking and bird watching. It is a pleasant city with much to enjoy.

Watson Lake in Prescott

Green Valley

Green Valley is an Arizona city that attracts many retirees. It is a quiet city with a low crime rate and an excellent healthcare system. The weather is mild throughout the year, and affordable home options make it perfect for those trying to stretch their retirement savings.

Green Valley

Coolidge

Coolidge is a scenic town that is a haven for outdoor lovers and history buffs. It is home to the famed Casa Grande Ruins National Monument, which is a jaw-dropping prehistoric structure in the Sonoran desert. Coolidge is a great city for hiking and outdoor exploration and has a welcoming small-town feel.

Sonoran Desert | Image credit: NOAA