Finding the Best Places to Retire Since 2006!
Queen Creek, Arizona
Outside of Phoenix in Sunny Southern Arizona, Queen Creek is Clean, Growing and Dotted with Planned Communities
Queen Creek is a Phoenix exurb, about 45 minutes from that city's downtown. It began as a farming community and is named after the creek that runs down from the old Silver Queen Mine in the neighboring San Tan Mountains.
Neatly laid out, Queen Creek is primarily comprised of planned communities and subdivisions, inlcuding Charleston Estates, Indigo Trails and Queen Creek Ranchettes. Many homes are variations on Mediterranean, adobe and Spanish Colonial styles. Trees are few and far between, and Xeriscaping is the norm. The town is spread out and has a newish, manufactured feeling. There is no real downtown, but there are attractive shopping areas, particularly on the west side. Chain restaurants are plentiful. Mansel Carter Oasis Park Lake has a lake with recycled water. The beautiful Horseshoe Park and Equestrian Center is a particular point of pride and hosts regional horse events.
The Queen Creek Performing Arts Center has a community theater and welcomes touring Broadway shows. Award-winning Schnepf Farms has a country store, a u-pick organic garden, orchard dinners and all sorts of fun festivals. San Tan Mountain Regional Park, just south of town, has 10,000 desert acres for hiking, biking and bouldering.
Population: 75,000 (city proper)
Age 45 or Better: 25%
Cost of Living: 47% above the national average
Median Home Price: $665,000
Climate: This area has very hot summers and mild winters. Summer temperatures are in the 90s and low-100s. Winter temperatures are in the 60s and 70s. On average, Queen Creek receives 10 inches of rain per year.
At Least One Hospital Accepts Medicare Patients? No, but Banner Ironwood Medical Center, about five miles away in San Tan Valley, accepts Medicare patients.
At Least One Hospital Accredited by Joint Commission? No, but Banner Ironwood Medical Center, about five miles away in San Tan Valley, is accredited.
Crime Rate: Below the national average
Public Transit: No
Public Library: Yes
Political Leanings: Conservative
College Educated: 38%
Is Arizona Considered Tax Friendly for Retirement? Yes
Cons: Officials recently announced a ground water shortage around Phoenix and are limiting new housing, including in Queen Creek. The city had been projected to grow to 175,000 people but now that will only happen if it can find new water sources. Predictions are that the urban sprawl will slow and housing prices will increase.
Notes: Queen Creek has grown 50% within the last decade. The desert is never far away. Home prices have remained flat since a year ago.
Recommended as a Retirement Spot?
Arizona:
The Grand Canyon State was originally part of New Mexico. After the land was ceded to the U.S. in 1848, it became a separate territory. It did not enter the union until February 14, 1912. Copper was discovered in the area in 1848, and metals mining continues to be an important part of the economy. Cattle and tourism are two of the states other vital industries.
Although Arizona can be one of the hottest states in the union, air conditioning continues to bring more and more people to the urban areas. The Colorado Plateau spreads through Arizona from the north and is interspersed with remnants of the Rocky Mountains. The land flattens into desert near Phoenix. The Colorado River forms the state's western borders and snakes through the Grand Canyon.
Arizona is stubborn when it comes to time. It observes Mountain Standard Time on a year round basis.
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