Part III of a 3-part story about the Baby Boomer Seniors.
Today’s post-50’s are looking for specific lifestyle amenities in their ideal retirement spot. In addition to low local taxes, affordable recreation and community size, Boomers polled in a recent study by the Consumer Federation of the Southeast indicated a number of more specific preferences that make Fountain Hills a top contender as a perfect retirement location. Continued from Part I, September 9, 2012 and Part II, October 10, 2012.
7. Arts and Culture
First Love is part of the extensive Fountain Hills public art collection, featuring over 100 works.
Within 5 minutes of cruising downtown Fountain Hills, visitors have a sense that Art is a big deal in Fountain Hills. Our public art collection approaching 100 pieces of sentinel public art is stunning by any standards. A small public art levy commits a percent of the funds received for commercial building permits to fund the on-going display of public art. Placed throughout the central downtown and Town Lake area, the variety of western and contemporary art is a joy to stroll through or enjoy on an escorted tour.
8. Elder Care Services
Fountain View Village offers continuing care for Fountain Hills’ residents or their family members
Fountain View Village is a senior living community in Fountain Hills Arizona that provides independent living, assisted living, memory support, and skilled nursing. Located in the center of town, the elegant facility provides transportation for residents, dining, recreation and a wide range of resort-quality amenities. Looking for a more personal approach? Fountain Hills has a variety of in-home senior care services, from daily support help to 24 hour care professionals.
Valley Jazz Favorite Margo Reed entertains residents at Fountain View Village
The Area Agency on Aging “Meals on Wheels” and “Give a Lift” programs use the Senior Center as its hub, providing care and rewarding volunteering opportunities for volunteers and recipients alike.
The Town has no fewer than six gyms, and Anytime Fitness is home to the “Silver Sneakers” program for residents with one of the AARP PPO or HMO Medicare plans.
9. Affordable Housing
Affordable townhomes and duplexes in the Town Center of Fountain Hills, AZ start in the mid $100’s
Fountain Hills has also earned a top accolade from the magazine, Business Week. In its February 2009 edition, the magazine named Fountain Hills the “Best Affordable Suburb” in all of Arizona. They evaluated suburbs on a variety of factors but weighted affordability most heavily. They also considered lifestyle (short commutes, clean air, low crime, good weather, and green space), the quality of schools, and the strength of the local economy. None of the places evaluated had populations of more than 60,000 or less than 5,000. Only one suburb per state was selected. (Source: www.fh.az.gov )
Fountain Hills occupies a unique position in the greater Phoenix area market. Well-built homes, condos, apartments and Gemini homes, (no home in the entire Town was built before 1970), offer stunning mountain views from nearly every part in the Town. Efficient condos or Gemini homes, with pools, meeting facilities, and in some cases, tennis, shuffleboard and grassy areas for pets start in the $90’s. Upscale gated condominium range from $275,000 to the mid $400’s, with a wide range of amenities.
Beautiful mountain-view homes are the hallmark of Fountain Hills, many starting in the high $300’s.
Free-standing homes offer the biggest range of options, ranging from fixer-uppers in the low $200’s to homes with large lots, refreshing pools and 180 degree views for under $500,000. There are several lovely communities focused on golf and/or tennis that occupy select locations. Names like SunRidge Canyon Golf Club, CopperWynd, Eagle Mountain Golf Club, Desert Canyon Golf Club and We-Ko-Pa Golf Club at the Fort McDowell Raddisson Resort and Casino conjure images of pristine desert golf for enthusiasts and hackers alike. Many of the homes in these communities offer sweeping views up to 100 miles and provide an luxury unparalleled for the price in the entire Greater Phoenix/Scottsdale area.
10. Lifelong learning
Just as Fountain Hills is a community of volunteers, it is also a community that nurtures an environment of learning and exploration. The Town underwrites a significant Senior Center with dozens of affordable options from exercise to political debate, crafts, to nationally recognized senior-net classes for computer relevancy. Yoga, stretching, tai chi, language classes, painting and drawing, fishing, woodworking, knitting, quilting…all for a $10.00 per year membership fee. (Class supplies may be extra).
The River of Time Museum sponsors a series of rollicking dinner meetings where the history of the area is brought to life by a series of entertaining historians. One of the 2011 highlights was a talk by one of America’s three remaining Navajo “Code-talkers” from World War II. One of this season’s dinners will include a talk on the “Harvey Girls” at the world-famous La Posada Hotel in Winslow, AZ.
McDowell Mountain Regional Park, which borders Fountain Hills on the North has an on-going program of nature walks where their entertaining rangers educate visitors about the amazing assortment of unusual plants and animals that call the Sonoran Desert home.
Fountain Lake in Fountain Hills Town Center is the centerpiece of activity for all ages.
The Town of Fountain Hills Parks and Recreation department offers year-round classes in three categories:
- Lifetime learning
- Arts and Crafts
- Health and Wellness
In 2006, Fountain Hills was named by Phoenix Magazine as the best place to live in the Valley of the Sun and was cited as “a welcome oasis on the outskirts of a metropolis.” The magazine measured the quality of life in 22 Valley communities, including the statistical analysis of each community’s population, income, home price, crime rate, miles to Sky Harbor Airport, and square feet of retail.
The low density, cooler and cleaner air quality, 75 mile views, amenities and welcoming community spirit make Fountain Hills the best value and the best quality of life in all of Arizona.
Let Sonoran Lifestyle Real Estate be your guide in Fountain Hills. For more information about this world-class community, its beautiful vistas, vibrant Town Center, lovely neighborhoods and fantastic real estate values, go to www.SonoranLifestyle.com. Check out the area relocation guide at www.150Ways.com where you’ll find links to 150 area recreation, sports, entertainment and cultural attractions. In Fountain Hills, be sure to stop by the Sonoran Lifestyle visitor center on the Avenue of the Fountains, only ½ block from the World Famous Fountain, or call 480-816-5557.
The.Sonoran.Life.Style 