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Retirement living
Discover why the Valley is a prime retirement destination
Metro Phoenix has long been considered an ideal retirement
spot—and for many good reasons. There's the natural beauty of
the Sonoran Desert, sun-filled days, spectacular sunsets,
bountiful recreational opportunities and a host of facilities,
services and housing options tailored to retirees and their needs.
For example, metro Phoenix has
more than 190 of the state's 300 golf
courses, according to the Greater
Phoenix Convention and Visitors
Bureau. Healthcare facilities are (picture of woman)
plentiful across the Valley as are
senior centers, with the City of
Phoenix alone offering 19. Equally
abundant are money-saving offers
provided by local businesses for
those 65 and older, along with
rewarding volunteer opportunities.
Location also is a draw for retirees. While it offers all the
amenities of a major city, the Valley of the Sun also provides
close access to everything from the bright lights of Las Vegas
and house boating on Lake Powell, to enjoying the mountain air
of Flagstaff and the wonder of the Grand Canyon.
Given all this, it's no surprise that the Arizona Department of
Economic Security projects that Maricopa County's population
of people age 65 and older will nearly double over the next two
decades. Braced to meet the needs of this growing senior
population, metro Phoenix offers every imaginable retirement
living option, including senior apartments, assisted living
facilities, nursing homes, mobile home parks and some of the
nation's best active retirement communities.
“There are a couple major reasons why active adults choose
Phoenix: year-round activities, climate and, in particular, the
strong active adult community offerings,” says Paul Bessler, vice
president of research for Del Webb Corporation. A leading
builder of active adult communities for people 55 and older,.
Representing nearly every area of metro Phoenix,
master-planned developments making the magazine's list were:
Sun City and Sun City Grande in Surprise, ,
PebbleCreek Resort Community in Goodyear, which is in the
Southwest Valley; Tonto Verde in Rio Verde, located in the
Northeast Valley; Grayhawk and Troon North, both in
Scottsdale; Sun Lakes Resort Community in Sun Lakes,
Trilogy in Gilbert, Sunbird, Springfield and Solera in Chandler
all located in the Southeast Valley.
Regardless of which part of the Valley they call home, metro
Phoenix's retirement communities typically feature a full slate of
amenities, including multimillion-dollar clubhouses, recreation
centers, fitness facilities as well as golf courses, pools and tennis
courts. The end result is resort-style living combined with
community clubs, classes and social activities to foster the
camaraderie many retirees seek.
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