Cresswind DeLand
DeLand, Florida
Phoenix, Arizona
What It Is Like to Retire in Phoenix
The city of Phoenix, Arizona, has long been a popular retirement community for active adults 55+. In the last 50 years this warm weather, desert community has leaped beyond its borders to become one of the top 10 largest cities in the U.S. Fortunately, although it has developed some large city problems like crime and traffic, its weather and proximity to the beautiful Arizona environment is unchanged. Phoenix, a metroplex of over 1.5 million people, has engulfed communities like rural Glendale, as well as more posh communities like Paradise Valley, Carefree, Mesa, Peoria, Surprise, and Scottsdale. Tempe, home of Arizona State University lies at the southern edge of the city. Phoenix is in Maricopa County. Retirees come to Phoenix in droves because of its warm winters, ample housing opportunities, and the Arizona lifestyle. Public facilities, such as golf courses, are widespread and nice.
Where to Retire in Phoenix and Home Prices
Phoenix gives retirees the option of living in any type of environment – big city, suburbs, active adult community, assisted living, or in one of the smaller towns in the area. As a large city the choices are wide and so are the budget ranges. Retirees considering the area should come here and visit to get a feel for the many different communities and neighborhoods. There is undoubtedly one that is right for you. Phoenix iwas one of the 3 hardest hit markets in the U.S. According to the National Association of Realtors, the median sales price of a home in the Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale area was $439,700 in the 1st quarter of 2023. Prices will differ by community within this huge Metro. Amazon Prime Free Trial
What Is Special about Phoenix
Beautiful setting; a desert surrounded by hills and mountains; Arizona State University - College town atmosphere; Proximity to the natural wonders of Arizona, such as the Superstition Mountains. Retirement is big business in Phoenix. The Metroplex has everything to offer.
What Is Not Special about Phoenix
Traffic is intense at times. Summers are really hot; Over development is a way of life; Big City life. Will there always be enough water?
Who Will Like Retirement in Phoenix
As a large city with a collection of diverse suburbs, every type of person lives here. It helps to love the outdoors. Retirees with the means go somewhere else during the extremely hot summers would be happy here the rest of the year.
Local Economy Is Driven by
Fortune 100 companies, education, medical, real estate, tourism, government
Climate and Physical Environment
Phoenix is situated in a flat plain and surrounded by conical hills and mountains on all sides. Winters are temperate but not as warm as southern Florida. Summers are brutally hot with endless days of 100+ degrees Here is our review of Prescott and Green Valley..
Restaurants & Cultural Scene
Phoenix has all the cultural opportunities of a large city. It is also home to more than a dozen major hospitals, including the Mayo Clinic and the Arizona State Hospital. Institutions include the Phoenix Symphony Hall (opera and ballet), Orpheum Theatre (home to the Phoenix Metropolitan Opera), and the Dodge theatre. The Heard Museum is world renowned for its collection of Native American art, but it is just one of many museums in Phoenix.
Crime
The crime rate is slightly above the U.S. average.
Medical facilities
Phoenix has more than a dozen major hospitals, including the Mayo Clinic and the Arizona State Hospital
Transportation
Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport is one of the country's top airports. The city is one of the few in the U.S. without an AMTRAK station. The metro mass transit system services Phoenix.
Valuable Links
For more information go to Retire in Phoenix.
Comments on "Phoenix"
ksw says:
We moved here full time from Minnesota 10 years ago. I'd like to correct this article - "Restaurants & Cultural Scene
..... It is also home to more than a dozen major hospitals, including the Mayo Clinic and the Arizona State Hospital. Institutions include , but it is just one of many museums in Phoenix." The mentions about health care should be under HEALTH. Also, Arizona State Hospital is a hospital for severely mentally ill. The major not for profit hospitals are, Banner Health, Honor Health, Mayo Clinic (Hospital ranked #1 in Arizona), Dignity and Abrazo. Retirees have difficulty accessing Mayo services because they do not accept Medicare Advantage insurance plus it is nearly impossible to be seen by their Community Internal Medicine group unless you got in before you are 65. With so many people moving to the metro, providers are busy but there are subspecialists for everything since the metro has about 5 million residents. Summers are as bad and long as mentioned. Winters are cooler but sunnier than in Florida. I've also lived in Orlando and still miss the water and green. The energy grid in Arizona is very stable so power outages are rare. Utility costs seem quite reasonable and property taxes in Maricopa seem modest compared to other places I've lived. Property insurance has increased dramatically this year like everywhere else, but still at a bargain price compared to tornado alley and hurricane prone Florida. Income tax is flat 2.5% and there is no estate tax.