9 Best Places to Retire in Arizona, According to Local Experts (2024)

Phoenix

Many retirees move to Phoenix to escape harsh winters, and it’s easy to see why.

“Greater Phoenix is an ideal place for retirees for several reasons, including the signature warm climate that includes over 300 days of sunshine per year. This gives retirees an amazing opportunity to enjoy outdoor activities such as golfing, hiking, pickleball, and stargazing nearly year-round,“ said Doyle.

Phoenix is also known for its golf courses — there are over 200 in the area. But that’s not the only thing the “Valley of the Sun” has to offer.

Papago Park is beautiful, with massive sandstone buttes scattered throughout its landscape. It is a favorite spot for tourists and residents alike and offers hiking, mountain biking, fishing, archery, and golf. It’s also home to some of Phoenix’s most popular attractions like the Phoenix Zoo and Desert Botanical Garden.

Average home prices in Phoenix are around $622,730 (or $576,725 when including the entire Phoenix metropolitan area), according to Brigitte Berry, realtor and luxury property specialist with Coldwell Banker Realty, Phoenix/Paradise Valley.

While this is higher than the national average of $420,800 (for the first quarter of 2024), it’s not stopping retirees from choosing Phoenix, although many are opting for condos in the city in lieu of large suburban houses. “Downtown Phoenix offers gorgeous condominium options and a vibrant city life with arts, theatre, markets, and dining,“ said Berry.

Paradise Valley

A desirable suburb of Phoenix, Paradise Valley is another location in Arizona that retirees love. “[It] is incredibly picturesque with stunning Sonoran Desert scenery, mountain backdrops, and lush golf courses,” said Doyle. This community offers residents a laid-back, rural atmosphere with easy access to big-city amenities (Phoenix is just 25 minutes away).

Lots for new construction start at $899,000, and homes start at around $1.5 million, according to Zillow. While property in Paradise Valley doesn’t come cheap, residents love the quiet, relaxed lifestyle and natural beauty of the area.

Tempe

Tempe is a vibrant college town that embraces residents of all ages. It is one of three Arizona cities that have joined AARP’s Network of Age-Friendly States and Communities. “[The city has] taken the next step of developing and beginning to implement an action plan to address challenges that impact older adults [to] become more age-friendly,” said Rodney Harrell, vice president of family, home, and community at AARP.

Tempe is an active city with a relaxed atmosphere. Downtown Tempe boasts local restaurants, shops, and theaters, while Tempe Town Lake provides abundant water activities, including kayaking, paddleboarding, and fishing.

Sports lovers will enjoy Tempe’s proximity to a variety of teams and stadiums, including college football at Arizona State University’s Mountain America Stadium and the Los Angeles Angels baseball spring training at Tempe Diablo Stadium. The Arizona Diamondbacks and Phoenix Suns play in Phoenix, and the Arizona Cardinals play in Glendale, all of which are within a 30-minute drive from Tempe.

Scottsdale

Scottsdale tops many lists of the best places to retire in Arizona. It’s known for its vibrant art scene, upscale shopping, and dining.

Scottsdale is a haven for foodies, with over 800 restaurants to choose from. For nightlife, Old Town Scottsdale is the place to be, offering a variety of bars, lounges, nightclubs, and even a high-tech bowling alley.

Arts and culture are front and center in Scottsdale. Every Thursday evening, there’s the Scottsdale ArtWalk. This free event invites you to stroll through the historic Art District, enjoying the area’s galleries, shops, restaurants, public art, and live performances.

Scottsdale’s outdoor recreation options are plentiful and diverse. There’s hiking, biking, river rafting, horseback riding, and of course, golf. There are over 200 golf courses in the Scottsdale and greater Phoenix area, including the Gold Course at The Wigwam, one of the best courses in the state, and TPC Scottsdale, home of the WM Phoenix Open.

The city has also caught on to the pickleball craze. The largest pickleball facility in the state (and one of the biggest in the world), Pure Pickleball, will open in Scottsdale in the fall of 2025.

Tucson

Tucson has a hot and dry climate — perfect for those coming from cold weather destinations.

There’s no better place to live for easy access to Saguaro National Park and Saguaro National Park West, home to over two million iconic saguaro cacti. Another outdoor gem, Coronado National Forest, is easily accessible from Tucson. Located within the park are the Santa Catalina Mountains, which offer residents and visitors a great spot for hiking, mountain biking, rock climbing, birding, and camping.

Tucson is also a fantastic destination for enjoying the expansive night sky. “There is an outdoor lighting code to preserve the night sky's visibility and support local astronomy, which is perfect for stargazing,” said Cathy Wolfson, the 2024 president of the Tucson Association of Realtors.

Another thing Tucson has going for it is affordable housing. “The median home sales price in the Tucson area was $380,000. This is below the national average in May [2024] of $419,300,” said Kevin Kaplan, chief operating officer of Long Realty in Tucson.

The area also has a variety of housing options. “The Tucson area boasts a number of 55+ age-restricted retirement communities,” Kaplan told Travel + Leisure.

“Tucson’s appealing climate, affordable cost of living, abundant outdoor activities, accessible healthcare, rich cultural scene, and welcoming retirement communities make it an ideal destination for retirees looking for a comfortable and fulfilling lifestyle,” said Kaplan.

Sun City

Sun City, Arizona, is a 55+ community for active adults who are looking for a leisurely lifestyle.

These types of communities thrive in the state, Doyle explained. “Currently, the Sun City community and its sister community Sun City West are host to approximately 60,000 retired residents.”

This community is close to bigger cities like Phoenix and Scottsdale, but it’s designed to include essential features and services. Doctor’s offices, shopping, dining, churches, and even hotels for visiting friends and family are located within Sun City, so residents don’t need to leave unless they want to.

Sun City has a lot going for it but still manages to keep assessments low ($575 per property per year as of Jan. 1, 2024). Recreation Centers of Sun City, Inc. (RCSC) has “the most amenities for the lowest annual property assessment of any retirement community in the U.S. today,” per Doyle. Amenities like eight recreation centers, eight golf courses, two bowling centers, an outdoor amphitheater, and a 33-acre man-made lake make Sun City a popular place for retirees.

Since Sun City is actually an unincorporated section of Maricopa County, there is no sales tax. No schools mean there’s no school tax to pay either. There are property taxes, which help fund things like the fire department. However, these taxes are low, averaging between $300 and $1,300 a year.

Flagstaff

For retirees who would prefer four distinct seasons, there’s Flagstaff, Arizona. This mountain town, which sits 7,000 feet above sea level, not only sees an average of 108 inches of snowfall in a year but also averages 266 days of sunshine per year.

With summer temperatures in the low 80s, Flagstaff misses the brutal summer weather that many other Arizona cities experience. Because of this, outdoor activities are plentiful. Hiking and biking are especially popular, and there's a variety of trails in the area ranging from easy, accessible paths to challenging routes to trails better suited to horseback riding or electric bikes.

Since Flagstaff ranks among the snowiest cities in the country, it’s no wonder skiing is a popular wintertime activity. Arizona Snowbowl, located just 12 miles outside of Flagstaff, is one of the country’s oldest continually run ski areas. There are 55 runs and eight lifts, including the Grand Canyon Express, the state's first high-speed lift that takes six passengers 1,500 feet up in less than six minutes.

For skiers who prefer to stay on level ground, Arizona Nordic Village offers 25 miles of cross-country skiing trails and 10 miles of snowshoe trails.

Sedona

Sedona, Arizona, is a must-visit destination for artists and art lovers alike. This small town boasts over 80 galleries featuring a variety of mediums, including sculpture, jewelry, photography, ceramics, painting, and so much more. This diverse artistic community is the backbone of Sedona.

Residents and visitors will enjoy First Friday in the Galleries, a free monthly event that brings the community together to eat, drink, enjoy local art, and mingle with the artists.

While the art scene is prominent, Sedona has more to offer. There are over 400 miles of hiking and biking trails, four wilderness areas, and two state parks.

The vibrant dining scene favors fresh, local ingredients and locally owned restaurants. Be sure to stop by some of the wineries on the Verde Valley Wine Trail to sample some of the local Arizona wines. There’s even a yearly event, the Sedona Winefest, that celebrates the area’s wine, food, and music.

Yuma

If you would like to retire to a sunny destination, look no further than Yuma, Arizona. Often cited as the sunniest place on Earth, Yuma sees over 4,000 hours of sun per year (or about 11 hours per day).

This small city is located near the California and Mexico borders in Arizona’s southwest corner. Its location along the Colorado River makes it a unique spot for water activities — there’s everything from boating, fishing, and waterskiing to jet skiing, kayaking, paddleboarding, and tubing.

The Yuma area is also unique for another reason: It has three wildlife refuge areas (Cibola, Imperial, and Kofa) covering over 1,000 square miles of area. This is one of the largest contiguous protected areas for wildlife in the country.