55+ Living in the East Valley: Where to Start

The short answer: 55+ living in the East Valley starts with knowing how you want to live: active and social, quiet and low maintenance, or part of the year here and part somewhere else. Make a list of must-haves, tour communities in person, read the HOA documents carefully and ask about age rules, amenities, fees and guest policies. Then choose the place that feels like your next great chapter.

This is one of the most exciting moves people make. Maybe the kids are grown, maybe you are retiring, or maybe you just want more time for golf, friends and sunshine. The East Valley has many choices for active adults, from resort-style communities to quiet neighborhoods. Here is how to start.

An age-restricted or active adult community is built around residents in a certain age group, often 55 and older. Each community sets its own rules for who can buy, who can live there and how long guests can stay. Those rules are in the community's governing documents, so read them for every community you consider.

Some communities are full of clubs and classes. Others are simply quiet neighborhoods with single-level homes. Neither is better. It depends on what you want.

Start with yourself, then the community.

Ask yourself:

• How active do I want to be? Clubs, fitness, pickleball, golf, crafts or just a quiet porch.
• Will I live here full time or part time? That changes what you need.
• Do I want to be near family, doctors or the airport?
• What size home fits now and later? Single-level living is a favorite for a reason.
• Do I have pets, a golf cart or an RV? Check the rules before you fall in love.

Then ask each community:

• What are the age requirements for buyers and residents?
• How long can guests, like grandkids, stay?
• What amenities are included, and are any extra?
• Are rentals allowed, and for how long?

Most active adult communities have an HOA, and the HOA shapes daily life. Before you write an offer, ask for the CC&Rs, bylaws, rules, budget and recent meeting minutes.

Look for answers to these:

• Fees. How much, how often and what do they cover?
• Reserves. Is the HOA saving for big repairs, like pools and roads?
• Special assessments. Have there been any recently, or are any planned?
• Exterior rules. Paint colors, landscaping, patios and additions.
• Parking. Golf carts, RVs, boats and guest parking.
• Pets. Number, size and leash rules.

Our guide to the hidden costs of buying a home in Arizona helps you plan the full monthly budget.

A lock-and-leave home is one you can close up and walk away from for weeks or months with peace of mind. Many 55+ buyers love this, especially if they travel or split the year between Arizona and somewhere else.

Look for:

• Low-maintenance landscaping with an irrigation timer.
• A smart thermostat you can check from your phone.
• Smart locks or cameras for added peace of mind.
• HOA exterior maintenance, if offered.
• Neighbors who keep an eye out. Community matters.

If part-time living is your plan, read our winter home guide for the East Valley too.

Rightsizing means choosing a home that fits the life you want next, which might be smaller, or might just be easier. Think about the rooms you really use, a guest room for visiting family, storage for hobbies and a garage for the golf cart.

Our downsizing guide for the East Valley walks through how to sort, sell and move without the stress.

Maricopa County has a senior valuation protection program that some homeowners may qualify for. Rules and income limits apply, so read our guide to senior valuation protection in Maricopa County and check with the county for your situation. For tax questions, talk with your tax professional.

Arizona also has a flat 2.5% state income tax, and Social Security and military retirement are exempt from state income tax.

Plan a few visits and make them count:

• Visit at different times. A weekday morning and an evening feel very different.
• Eat at the clubhouse or join an event if guests are allowed.
• Talk to residents. They will tell you what they love.
• Drive to your doctor, grocery store and airport.
• Visit in summer too. Visit in July or August before you commit, not December.

• Skipping the HOA documents. Read them all.
• Choosing amenities you will not use. You still pay for them.
• Forgetting about guests. Check the visitor rules.
• Buying only for today. Think about single-level living and access.
• Going it alone. An agent with senior real estate training helps.

I am Kim Williamson, REALTOR®, with REAL Broker. I have lived in Arizona 36 years, sold real estate for 20+ years and closed 1,000+ transactions, and I am an 8x WPRA World Champion. I hold the SRES and SRS designations, and I love helping people find their next chapter in the Metro Plex of Arizona. Horse property is my niche, but I sell everything, including 55+ homes, condos and townhomes. Some of my happiest clients are the ones who moved into a community where they made friends the first week. Let's find yours.

How do I choose a 55+ community in the East Valley? Decide how active you want to be, then tour communities, talk to residents and read the HOA documents before you buy.

Do 55+ communities have HOA fees? Most do. Ask what the fees cover, whether there are reserves and whether any special assessments are planned.

Can my grandkids stay with me in a 55+ community? Usually yes, but each community sets its own guest rules. Check the documents.

What is a lock-and-leave home? A home you can close up for weeks or months with peace of mind, often with low-maintenance landscaping and smart home features.

Does Arizona tax Social Security? No. Arizona exempts Social Security and military retirement from state income tax.

• Downsizing in the East Valley
• Senior valuation protection in Maricopa County
• How much do I need for a down payment in Arizona

Do your own due diligence. General information only. Read each community's governing documents. For tax questions, talk with your tax professional.

Ready to explore 55+ living anywhere in the Metro Plex of Arizona? Call or text Kim Williamson, REALTOR®, REAL Broker, at 480-206-1500, or start at www.ArizonaHorsePropertyForSale.com.