Just because baby boomers are of retirement age, it doesn’t mean they have to slow down. Sure, they may have cut back on certain responsibilities, but this generation values a good work-life balance. Long gone are the days when just a golf course could attract boomers to gated communities. So what’s a modern boomer to do with free time and energy when a golf course alone won’t cut it?

Today’s boomers want more options, independence, and they’re far from considering themselves “aging” like their parents were at the same stage, according to Forbes. Boomers are more active and embrace a healthy lifestyle, which is why so many neighborhoods in the Phoenix metro area provide resort-style amenities, activities, and social events that cater to modern boomers. From lock-and-leave condos to gated estates with fine dining and endless activities, these five communities will appeal to even the most active baby boomer.

Sun City West

Sun City West welcome sign photo courtesy of Mark Wagner

Sun City West is more than a golf community; this community doesn’t believe the word “tire” belongs in retirement. With social clubs like the Boomers Club of Sun City West as well as a variety of other classes, lecture series, concerts, and events, residents will have their social calendars full. And when they aren’t busy at one of the many clubs or activities, homeowners can head to nearby Surprise, just minutes from the center of Sun City West, for a variety of shopping centers and restaurants. Sun City West also has more than 16,000 homes priced from below the $100s to the low $600s and built by Del Webb between 1978 and 1997.

Eastmark - Mesa

Nationally ranked among the country’s top-selling master-planned communities, Eastmark in Mesa offers retirees an assortment of home styles, amenities, events, and activities. This large development features a wide selection of neighborhoods from family-friendly enclaves to age-restricted subdivisions. With 11 homebuilders offering unique designs, homebuyers can find the perfect floorplan to fits their lifestyle and budget. Homes typically range in size from 1,332 to 5,704 square feet and are priced from the mid $200s to low $600s. 

In addition to a variety of home designs, Eastmark also offers resort-style amenities, giving residents anything they need on-site. The Eastmark Community Center features a resort-style pool, hobby and game rooms, and lounge areas. And with social events and activities offered throughout the year like First Friday Concert Series held in The Eastmark Great Park, residents will never run out of things to do while living in Eastmark. Homeowners can also participate in activities and clubs such as trivia nights, boot camps, books clubs, astronomy club, beer and wine clubs, and more.

Heritage Village - Scottsdale

Old Town of Scottsdale photo by Shutterstock

Heritage Village is a community within the master-planned development of Scottsdale Ranch. Active adult homebuyers can find condos within the 55+ section called Heritage Village IV. With homes priced from the mid $300s to low $400s, this moderately-priced community offers attached and single-family homes as well as a rich lineup of amenities and activities. Residents have access to heated pools, tennis courts, and a clubhouse as well as some of the master-planned amenities like the Scottsdale Senior Recreation Center and the Scottsdale Ranch Park and Tennis Center. Homeowners can also enjoy Lake Serena located at the center of Scottsdale Ranch. The community’s prime location gives residents easy access to major hospitals, shops, and restaurants. With waterfront living and well-appointed amenities in the heart of Arizona, Heritage Village is an oasis in the desert.

Verrado - Buckeye

Boomers looking for a small-town vibe without giving up modern big-city amenities will appreciate Verrado in Buckeye. Ranging from attached to single-family homes, houses in this community are priced from the low $200s to over $2 million. Victory at Verrado is the community’s 55+ section consisting of 3,500 homes. Whether boomers choose to live within the age-restricted section or among the family-friendly neighborhoods, they’ll have plenty of options to choose from.

Verrado also features picturesque tree-lined streets, a walkable Main Street, and neighborhoods peppered with pocket parks. Residents can choose from multiple cafes, shops, and gourmet restaurants within its downtown district, as well as enjoy farmers markets, free concerts, and street festivals. The Victory Club boasts private pools, fitness facilities, a spa, and a hillside vineyard. Also, the Verrado Grille and the renowned Vic Bar + Kitchen are local hotspots for golfers as well as residents to grab a bite to eat or enjoy drinks with friends.

Pebblecreek - Goodyear

Goodyear Park photo courtesy of Virginia Williams

Located between the White Tank Mountains, Estrella Mountain Park, and Downtown Phoenix, Pebblecreek offers a myriad of amenities as well as a large selection of attached and single-family homes priced from the low $200s to mid $700s. Regarded as a “luxury retirement community,” Pebblecreek attracts modern boomers with its appealing amenities and vibrant social atmosphere. From creative arts programs and educational classes to dozens of social clubs, residents have activities to enjoy any day of the week. Besides the multiple swimming pools, athletic fields, and fitness facilities, homeowners can also dine at one the community’s four on-site eateries, such as Eagles Nest, Toscana’s, Portofino, and Ed’s Dogs.