Phoenix Independent Living

The median cost of independent living in Phoenix for a single-occupancy apartment is $1,987/month (SeniorHomes.com - 2015). This monthly cost typically includes rent, utilities, dining, housekeeping and transportation.

Metropolitan Phoenix, the “Valley of the Sun,” is located in central southern Arizona. Half an hour’s drive to the northeast is Tonto National Forest; half an hour to the west is Estrella Mountain Regional Park. The city was founded in 1861 near the Salt River and incorporated in 1881. It has a population density of 2,798 as of 2011. This is comparable to Tampa, Florida. Seniors coming here for Phoenix independent living do so for the subtropical arid climate, which is good for the joints and the respiratory system and for the low cost of living. Rents, for example, are 30 percent of what they are in New York City. Groceries are roughly 80 percent of those in the Big Apple and eating in a restaurant is 60 percent.

Phoenix Attractions

Along with amazing weather and low prices, Phoenix has great shopping, endless blue skies and a laid-back way of life. Apart from thunderstorms, which are spectacular to watch, and the rare tornado, the most inconvenient aspect of Phoenix independent living is the requirement to carry bottled water around in the summer months in order to beat the heat and stay hydrated. For those wishing to take a break from the desert floor, escape to the mountains is less than an hour away. Tonto National Forest occupies 3 million acres of beautiful scenery from 1,300 to 7,900 feet in elevation. The park offers trout fishing in the cool shade of tall pine trees in Mogollon Rim, the setting for Zane Grey’s classic, “Under the Tonto Rim.”

The city’s Desert Ridge Marketplace and Desert Sky Mall are the main destinations for avid shoppers, offering a host of stores. Shoppers who prefer designer names flock to the Biltmore Fashion Park, where stores with hot names like Cole Haan and Escada are clustered around Saks Fifth Avenue. Downtown Phoenix has a number of fine restaurants in many different gastronomic genres, including Mexican and exotic flavors like Brazilian and French.

Phoenix Senior Activities

More than a dozen senior centers cater to residents enjoying Phoenix independent living. These facilities offer nutrition programs, lunchtime meals, social activities, advocacy and educational opportunities to citizens 60 years of age and older and to adults with disabilities. The Seniors Centers website has links to each one of the 15 facilities offering extensive information about individual programs, menus and activities. The city’s Senior Services department also offers advice on housing, elder abuse, discrimination complaints, victim services, homelessness assistance and seniors with disabilities. A service in the private sector, Elder Helpers, is a network of more than 10,000 volunteers who provide free help to seniors by running errands, carrying groceries, giving rides, helping around the house and providing whatever assistance is necessary. This is a community that really cares about its seniors.

Phoenix Medical Facilities

Today’s seniors are not only living longer, they are also aiming for higher levels of fitness than previous generations. High quality medical care is therefore a top priority for over-50s looking forward to Phoenix independent living. Communities with nearby medical schools tend to have a good quality of healthcare across the board. Phoenix is no exception. The University of Arizona Medical Center was ranked by U.S. News and World Report as one of the nation’s best hospitals for the care of older adults and 11 other specialties on their list of top hospitals for 2012-2013.

Phoenix Transportation

With ample bus lines, light rail and special transportation services like Dial-A-Ride for the elderly and people with disabilities, it is easy to get around town. The city is also friendly for those who prefer to carry out their Phoenix independent living in a car or on a bicycle. There are more than 25,000 parking spaces distributed downtown in public garages and on the street in metered parking spaces. Metered parking operates Mondays to Saturdays between 8am and 8pm.

Summing Up

The Valley of the Sun would an ideal place for Phoenix independent living in retirement if all it had to offer were pleasant climate and a low cost of living. Added value comes from beautiful nearby national parks, fantastic senior activities, excellent medical care and senior-friendly transport.