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I work with a lot of retirees. And the conversation almost always starts the same way.
They have done their research. They know Arizona has low taxes and warm winters and good golf. They have probably been here a few times and loved it. Now they are serious. They want to know — specifically — where in the East Valley should they be looking, and why.
The honest answer is that the East Valley is one of the best retirement destinations in the entire country. U.S. News and World Report ranked Gilbert #2 and Queen Creek #3 on their 2025-2026 Best Places to Retire in Arizona list. Chandler came in at #5. These are not chamber of commerce rankings — they are based on livability, healthcare access, housing costs, crime, and quality of life data.
Here is what I know from working with retirees across these communities every year.
Why Arizona Makes Financial Sense for Retirement
Before I walk through the specific East Valley cities and communities, let me address the financial picture — because it is genuinely compelling and it drives a lot of the California, Illinois, and New York retirees I work with.
Arizona does not tax Social Security: Your Social Security income is completely exempt from Arizona state income tax. For retirees who depend on Social Security as a significant income source, this is a meaningful financial advantage.
Flat 2.5% income tax: Arizona taxes all income — including retirement distributions from 401(k)s, IRAs, and pensions — at a flat 2.5% rate. Compare that to California’s income tax rates that can reach 13.3%, or Illinois at 4.95%, or New York at up to 10.9%. Retirees moving from these states routinely save thousands of dollars per year in state income taxes.
Property taxes among the lowest in the nation: The effective property tax rate in Maricopa County is approximately 0.46%-0.65% of home value — well below the national average of around 1.02%. On a $500,000 home your annual property tax bill runs approximately $2,300-$3,250. On a comparable home in New Jersey the same bill might be $10,000-$15,000.
Arizona also offers a Senior Property Valuation Protection Program for qualifying homeowners age 65 and older — which can freeze your assessed value and prevent property tax increases. This is a powerful tool for fixed-income retirees.
Year-round outdoor lifestyle: The East Valley delivers 300+ days of sunshine per year. October through April is genuinely spectacular — outdoor dining, hiking, golf, pickleball, walking. The summers are extreme — temperatures regularly exceed 110 degrees from June through September. Every retiree I work with tells me the same thing: you adapt, and the 7 months of perfect weather make the 2-3 months of heat completely worth it.
The Best East Valley Communities for Retirement
Sun Lakes — Chandler Area
The most established and comprehensive 55+ retirement destination in the East Valley.
Sun Lakes is actually five separate communities — Oakwood, Ironwood, Palo Verde, Cottonwood, and the original Sun Lakes Country Club — all managed under the Robson Communities umbrella and totaling nearly 10,000 homes. Each community has its own golf course, clubhouse, pools, and amenity center. When you buy in one community, you have access as a homeowner to all five.
The lifestyle at Sun Lakes is genuinely exceptional. Five separate 18-hole golf courses. Multiple resort-style pools and spas. Tennis and pickleball courts. Fitness centers. Ballrooms. Restaurants. Dozens of clubs and social organizations that keep the community calendar full year-round.
Location advantages: Sun Lakes sits just south of Chandler with immediate access to the I-10, Loop 101, and Loop 202. Chandler Fashion Center — Arizona’s second-largest mall — is 15 minutes away. Sky Harbor International Airport is approximately 20-25 minutes away. Scottsdale’s restaurants and cultural offerings are 25-30 minutes.
Price range: Homes in Sun Lakes start from the upper $100,000s in the original community (1970s-built) to the $450,000s and above in the newer Ironwood and Oakwood sections. Wide variety — villas, single-family homes, manufactured homes — to fit different budgets.
Best for: Retirees who want the most comprehensive resort-lifestyle community in the East Valley with established infrastructure, multiple golf courses, and a full social calendar.
Encanterra — Queen Creek
The resort experience for active adults who want the absolute best.
Encanterra is simply the most impressive resort community in the East Valley — full stop. Built around an 18-hole Tom Lehman signature championship golf course, Encanterra’s centerpiece is La Casa Club — a 60,000 square foot Mediterranean-style clubhouse featuring four restaurants, a full spa, fitness center, resort pools, pickleball courts, tennis courts, a wine bar, and an outdoor amphitheater for concerts and events.
Encanterra offers both all-ages neighborhoods and the 55+ Trilogy section — giving buyers flexibility. New construction homes start from the low $400,000s with resale options ranging up to $1 million+ for larger custom homes.
The lifestyle here is resort living without leaving your neighborhood. Morning golf, afternoon pool, evening concert at the amphitheater — all within walking distance of your front door.
Location: Queen Creek, approximately 40-50 minutes from downtown Phoenix. Better suited for retirees who are not commuting daily and prioritize lifestyle over proximity to the urban core.
Best for: Active retirees who want resort amenities at the absolute highest level and are willing to embrace a more secluded lifestyle in exchange for an extraordinary everyday environment.
Ovation at Meridian — Queen Creek
A newer 55+ gated community that brings resort living at a slightly more accessible price point.
Ovation at Meridian is a gated active adult community in Queen Creek anchored by a 13,500 square foot clubhouse with a resort-style pool, fitness and yoga studio, pickleball courts, tennis courts, bocce ball, and a full calendar of social activities and clubs.
Homes feature open-concept single-level layouts designed specifically for active adult living — low maintenance, energy efficient, move-in ready. Walking trails, parks, and nearby shopping round out the lifestyle.
Best for: Active adults who want a newer community specifically designed for 55+ living at competitive Queen Creek price points.
Trilogy at Power Ranch — Gilbert
An active adult community embedded within one of the most beloved master-planned neighborhoods in the East Valley.
Trilogy at Power Ranch gives residents access to a private 2,300 square foot athletic club with a state-of-the-art fitness center and a full social hub at the San Tan Club — featuring a bistro, cyber cafe, plasma TVs, a performance area, a full movie theater with plush seating, and a studio for artistic pursuits. Four championship tennis courts. Walking access to Power Ranch’s 26 miles of trails and multiple community parks.
Gilbert’s Heritage District with outstanding restaurants, weekly farmers market, and community events is minutes away.
Best for: Active adult buyers who want an amenity-rich lifestyle within a vibrant all-ages master-planned community that keeps them connected to the broader Gilbert community.
Encore at Eastmark — Mesa
Mesa’s premier 55+ resort community anchored by Eastmark’s award-winning infrastructure.
Encore at Eastmark brings resort-style 55+ living to Mesa’s most celebrated new master-planned community. The Encore clubhouse features a resort pool, fitness center, sports courts, and a full calendar of activities. Thoughtfully designed low-maintenance single-family homes. Easy access to the Loop 202, Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport, shopping, dining, and cultural attractions.
Eastmark’s broader community — with its extraordinary Great Park, bike and walking trails, and emerging commercial district — surrounds Encore with infrastructure that makes daily life genuinely enjoyable.
Best for: Active adults who want Mesa’s value and connectivity, excellent freeway access, and proximity to Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport for frequent travel.
Sunland Springs Village — Mesa
One of Mesa’s most established and beloved 55+ communities.
Sunland Springs Village is a 900-acre development featuring a spectacular 27-hole executive golf course at its center. Single-family homes, condominiums, and townhomes are available across a wide range of price points. The community’s location in east Mesa puts residents near the Superstition Gateway shopping complex with major retailers, restaurants, and services immediately adjacent.
Best for: Active adults who want golf-centric community living in Mesa at a variety of price points, with comprehensive amenities in an established neighborhood setting.
What to Look for When Choosing a Retirement Community
After working with dozens of retiring clients across these communities, here is the framework I walk through with everyone.
Healthcare access: The East Valley has outstanding healthcare infrastructure. Banner Gateway Medical Center in Gilbert, Chandler Regional Medical Center, and Banner Desert Medical Center in Mesa are all within 20-30 minutes of most East Valley communities. For retirees managing chronic conditions or who anticipate more frequent healthcare needs — proximity to strong medical facilities matters.
HOA fees and total cost of ownership: Resort communities carry higher HOA fees — often $200-$500+ per month — that fund the amenities you are paying to enjoy. Sun Lakes HOA fees run approximately $114-$173 per month depending on community. Encanterra and Trilogy carry higher fees reflective of their premium amenity levels. Always calculate HOA fees into your monthly budget alongside mortgage, taxes, and insurance.
Lifestyle match: The most important question I ask every retiring client is this: what does your perfect Tuesday look like?
If it involves golf and a quiet private community where you know your neighbors by name — Sun Lakes or Trilogy may be your answer. If it involves resort amenities and concert nights and spa days — Encanterra. If it involves staying connected to a broader community with access to the city and its events — Encore at Eastmark or something closer to Gilbert or Chandler’s urban amenities.
There is no wrong answer. There is only the right match for your actual life.
Summer reality: Every retiree who moves to Arizona needs to spend at least one summer here before committing. The heat is real. July and August in the East Valley regularly see temperatures above 110 degrees. Your electric bill will be $300-$600 per month in peak summer. Your outdoor activities will shift to early morning. Many snowbirds enjoy the best of both worlds — East Valley from October through May and a cooler location through summer.
Let Me Show You What Is Available
I work with retirees across all of these communities — from Sun Lakes to Encanterra to Eastmark. I know the communities that have the most active social calendars, the best-maintained streets, the strongest HOA management, and the ones that will hold their value best as the East Valley continues to grow.
This is a big decision. Let me help you make it with complete information.
Heather Seegmiller
Licensed Arizona Realtor
Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate S.J. Fowler
(480) 316-2667 | heather.az.properties@gmail.com | heatherarizonarealtor.com
License SA715388000 AZ
