8 Small Towns To Retire Near Tucson, Arizona
These small towns within an hour's drive of Tucson make for some truly amazing places to retire in Arizona! The state of Arizona is known for its beautiful weather, endless sunshine, breathtaking natural beauty, and choices of leisure activities are reasons for retirees to retire in Arizona. However, there are also several small towns where retirees can retire on $2,000 a month or less if a budget is the limiting factor. Tuscon, home to a population of 550,472, is a college town that supports the University of Arizona and offers numerous leisure activities such as hiking, biking, and horseback riding. These small towns near Tuscon offer easy access to all amenities and activities while remaining within an hour's drive of Tucson. Benson, located east of Tucson, offers a scenic downtown area surrounded by scenic landscapes and outdoor recreational areas. Green Valley, a retirement community known as an active adult lifestyle, offers amenities such as golf courses, recreation centers, and cultural activities. Vail in Arizona is a desert gem that retirees may find attractive for warm-weather-loving retirees who want to stay connected to the rest of the country.
प्रकाशित : दो महीने पहले द्वारा Jill Robbins में Travel
What do beautiful weather, endless sunshine, breathtaking natural beauty, and a plethora of choices of leisure activities have in common? These are all reasons to retire in Arizona. Of course, there are plenty of scenic small towns in Arizona to retire in; plus, there are even a number of Arizona cities where people can retire on $2,000 a month or less if a budget is the limiting factor. All preferences aside, though, one particular city remains ever-appealing to retirees: Tuscon.
Tucson, home to a population of 550,472, is a college town that supports the University of Arizona. There are plenty of restaurants, bars, and other choices for leisure activities. For those who love outdoor activities, Saguaro National Park is just 12 miles from the city and the Grand Canyon is 335 miles away for anyone up for a longer trek. Also, the stars shine brighter in Tucson, due to the city’s commitment to responsible lighting practices. All of these things make Tucson attractive to prospective retirees.
While Tuscon itself is great for retirement, some golden agers might prefer to be based in quieter, smaller towns nearby; for anyone who wants to enjoy the amenities of the city while living a little further out, these small towns near Tuscon, each less than an hour’s drive away, allow easy access to all the myriad amenities and things to do in Tucson while offering residents local options in a quieter atmosphere.
These small towns are also robust communities that offer dedicated activities and easy access to shopping, doctors, and dentists. Plus, for retirees who want to set up a great home base to travel from and stay well-connected to the rest of the country (and international destinations), one of the key things to know about Tuscon's airport is that it's one of the USA's largest commercial airports, which opens up the rest of the world.
Located east of Tucson, Benson, population 5,352, boasts a charming downtown area, surrounded by scenic landscapes and outdoor recreational areas, like nearby Kartchner Caverns State Park.
Over half of Benson’s residents are over 45, making this small town near Tuscon a solid choice for retirees looking for a community with lots of peers. Moreover, Benson's average home cost of around $245,000 makes it one of the slightly more affordable small towns in Arizona to retire in based on home prices.
Benson also maintains a city events calendar with information about local festivals and fairs, which allows retirees to keep connected to their community. This is just one of many charming small towns near Tucson - keep reading for more!
Located south of Tucson, Green Valley is a retirement community known for its active adult lifestyle and scenic surroundings. It offers amenities such as golf courses, recreation centers, and cultural activities.
This small community, with a population of 20,729, is made up of primarily 55+ plus residents, so this is an excellent choice for retirees looking to socialize with other older adults while being only a half hour from Tuscon.
Although Vail in Colorado is known for being an outdoor enthusiast's dream, Vail in Arizona is a desert gem that warm-weather-loving retirees may find attractive. With a population of just 16,397, Vail is a rural community with a focus on education and outdoor living. It's home to the Colossal Cave Mountain Park and offers opportunities for hiking, biking, and horseback riding.
Retirees who move to Vail should be aware that the local restaurant and shopping scene aren’t very robust, but the spectacular unobstructed sunsets might just be worth the drive to Tucson for a night out. All in all, this is one of the quaint small towns to retire near Tuscon, offering scenic rural living but without being too far from the big city.
Southwest of Tucson, Three Points is a rural community with a close-knit atmosphere, offering a slower pace of life and proximity to desert landscapes. This small town with a population of 5,580 is a great choice for retirees who want to feel removed from city life without being too far from the amenities of a larger city.
Nearby Tucson Mountain Park is a great place to enjoy outdoor activities, such as biking, wildlife watching, and archery hunting – both a hunting license and local permit are required. Plus, despite being a small, rural location, Three Points has a handful of locally-owned eateries, so residents need not drive into Tucson every time they want a break from cooking.
Located Southeast of Tucson, Sahuarita, home to a population of 35,638, is a family-friendly community with parks and recreational facilities and proximity to the Santa Rita Mountains. Although Sahuarita is popular with families, it’s a great choice for retirees who want activities they can do with their grandchildren and extended family members.
The town also has a lower-than-average crime rate, which may be attractive to older adults who prioritize safety or who live alone.
Marana, situated Northwest of Tucson, has a population of 55,962 and is one of the numerous scenic Tuscon suburbs to retire in. Marana has a mix of suburban and rural areas, which is great for retirees who want options. Outdoor lovers will enjoy Marana’s proximity to parks and green spaces, such as Ironwood Forest National Monument.
Marana also has a fabulous shopping scene, access to several golf courses, and the Ritz-Carlton’s Dove Mountain Resort, which has an upscale spa and dining experience.
Catalina, home to a population of 6,004, is located north of Tucson near Catalina State Park and Coronado National Forest. Catalina is one of the many beautiful small towns near Tuscon to retire to and has a suburban feel with many options for dining and shopping. A retiree who doesn’t like the idea of having to drive to Tucson for a night out or errands might appreciate the healthy balance of amenities and small-town feel.
Catalina is also popular with families, which makes this another great option for retirees who want easy access to fun things to do with their grandchildren and extended family, such as Biosphere 2, an educational center devoted to the study of climate change that’s fun for all ages.
Oro Valley, with a population of 48,226, is located north of Tucson. Oro Valley is a great place for active seniors due to the abundance of outdoor activities residents can take part in year-round. Nearby Catalina State Park and Coronado National Forest are a short drive away and provide opportunities to hike, bike, and camp.
Oro Valley also has a thriving restaurant scene and several golf courses. This is another Arizona city near Tucson with a lower-than-average crime rate and is ideal for anyone who lists safety as a top concern.