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Trilogy® Vistanica Model Grand Opening

Trilogy® Vistancia near Phoenix recently held a Grand Opening for seven new model homes.

Couldn’t make it to the Grand Opening?

Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered! Check them out in the video below:

Located in Phoenix’s Northwest Valley and the centerpiece of America’s Best Planned Community, this vibrant resort community enjoys a pristine desert setting, award-winning golf, spectacular resort-style amenities, and easy access to all of your favorite Valley retailers and entertainment.

Trilogy® at Vistancia was named 2015 Best 55+ Community of the Year at the prestigious “Best in American Living” awards, receiving the top-rated Platinum Award.

Want to see all of the great floorplans available in Trilogy® Vistancia?

Request More Information

A Day in the Life

A lot of retirement communities offer “stay and play” programs where potential buyers can come and stay for several days and nights getting to know the community.

They’re a great way to figure out whether you’re going to really like a particular community.

But for some people, staying for several days is just not feasible.

That’s why we’re glad to see Taylor Morrison introducing their “A Day in the Life” Program at their Arizona communities CantaMia and Encore.

With the Day in the Life Program, you can spend the day enjoying the amenities, meeting the residents, and experiencing the fun, friendly atmosphere of each community first-hand.

As a guest you will:

Meet with one of the onsite community experts
Tour the gorgeous model homes and clubhouse
Have access to the community amenities
Have the opportunity to participate in a daily fitness class for free
Enjoy a complimentary lunch
And much, much more!

Best part? You get to go home when the day is through. No packing, and no tooth brush required!

Request more information about each community below, and get more information about the Day in the Life Program.

CantaMia

CantaMia’s active baby boomer lifestyle is the inspiration for this expansive 55-Plus community. With more than 500 acres of parks and open space, including 72 acres of lakes for boating and fishing, over 20 miles of paths and hiking trails, and the Nicklaus Design championship golf course, The Golf Club of Estrella, a CantaMia home offers you the freedom you deserve during the best years of your life.

Get the CantaMia at Estrella Information

Encore at Eastmark

Encore at Eastmark offers an active, resort-style community for the 55-Plus crowd. Encore is being planned for approximately 900 single story homes upon completion and has its own clubhouse, The Encore Club which boasts and exciting list of exclusive features: fitness center, pickelball courts, locker rooms, billiards room, arts & crafts center, resort-style outdoor pool, and much more!

Get the Encore at Eastmark Information

Phoenix and Tucson Make US News & World Report Best Places to Retire List

There are so many “best places to retire” lists to consider, but I think that’s a good thing.

While each list is different because they use different data to come to their conclusions, it’s great to check them all out because they can bring different places to your attention.

To come up with their best places to retire list, U.S. News analyzed data for the 100 largest metropolitan areas in the USA to assess how well they meet Americans’ retirement needs and expectations. Top criteria include the happiness of local residents, housing affordability, tax rates and healthcare quality.

Phoenix and Tucson were the only two places in Arizona that made the list. Here’s a brief snippet of what they said about each place:

#34: Phoenix

“Phoenix is the best place to get a sampling of all the state has to offer. Its downtown area may be characterized by sleek, ultramodern office buildings, but the city center is not all about work. Phoenix also contains ample opportunities to play.”

#68: Tucson

“But perhaps the best part of Tucson is its scenery. The metro area is ringed by mountain ranges that emphasize the great desert skies and sunsets that continuously impress even the most seasoned residents.”

You can see the full list here.

Trilogy® at Verde River Golf & Social Club October Update

The Resort Club planned to open in fall of 2017 in Trilogy® at Verde River will include incredible amenities, from first class dining to fitness and spa facilities, trails and outdoor adventures, entertainment venues, and countless opportunities to connect with fellow Trilogy Members.

Take a look at the progress so far:

As the only new golf resort community proposed to be built in this sought-after area of the Valley in several years, Trilogy® at Verde River is destined to become one of the finest examples of Shea Homes’ master planned resort communities.

Located directly east of North Scottsdale, Trilogy® at Verde River is within easy reach of some of Arizona’s most popular shopping, sports, and tourist destinations, as well as its spectacular natural landmarks, and less than an hour from Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport.

Trilogy® at Verde River will combine thoughtfully designed floorplans with quality construction, energy-saving innovations, and architectural inspiration.

Request More Information

The Oscar in Encore at Eastmark

The Oscar model, available in Encore at Eastmark in the Phoenix Metro area is a 2 bedroom, 2.5 bath, 3-car “split garage” floorplan with 3,205 sq. ft.

This is going to be a fun walkthrough, because the Oscar is the largest floorplan available in Encore at Eastmark and it is dressed to the nines, so no matter what size home you choose, you’re going to get a lot of ideas and inspiration to carry over into your home.

Let’s go inside and take a look.

Want to see all of the great floorplans available in Encore at Eastmark?

Get the Encore at Eastmark Information

Upon entering the foyer of the Oscar, you can’t miss the formal dining room to one side…

And this informal living room off to the other side…

Proceeding further into the home is when things really open up and you really start to get a feel for how grand this floorplan is.

Here’s a shot of the great room…

And here it is from another angle…

Did you catch the wet bar in the corner? Here’s a closer look at that…

A home this grand requires a gourmet kitchen, and this one certainly does not disappoint…

We saw the formal dining room earlier, but the Oscar also includes this less formal breakfast nook…

Next up is the master bedroom, with optional tray ceiling…

And this spectacular master bath…

You never have to worry about having enough space for your guests or worry about them being comfortable, because they’ve got not only this guest bedroom…

But also the option to turn what is considered a den into a 3rd bedroom…

When adding the 3rd bedroom option, both guest suites get their own bathroom, so you don’t have to worry about your guests being on top of each other.

Here’s a look at one of those bathrooms…

A look at the covered patio of the Oscar brings this model home walkthrough to a spectacular close…

But like we mentioned at the beginning of this walkthrough, the Oscar is about as big and lavish as it gets in Encore at Eastmark, but they have several smaller and lower priced floorplans available in this community, so request more information about those below.

Want to see all of the great floorplans available in Encore at Eastmark?

Get the Encore at Eastmark Information

The Maverick in Trilogy® at Wickenburg Ranch


When most people retire, they don’t want a ton of space that they have to pay for but will rarely use.

The Maverick model available in Trilogy® at Wickenburg Ranch near Phoenix has 1,749 sq. ft. of living area and includes 2 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms, and a den.

Let’s go inside and take a look around!

Want to see all of the great floorplans available in Trilogy® at Wickenburg Ranch?

Get More Information

Upon entering the Maverick, you’ll find the guest bedroom tucked off to one side. The guest bedroom features its own bathroom, walk-in closet, and my favorite feature, a private covered patio which would be a great space for guests to take their morning coffee.

Next up is the den, which can be setup to have any number of uses. Here it looks like they have it set-up as a little office.

The kitchen, dining room, and great room are all open to each other and they form the heart of the Maverick.

Here’s the kitchen from a different angle. You can see the laundry room which is situated off to the side of the kitchen…

And here’s a great shot of the comfortable Great Room…

The Master Suite of the Maverick is located at the back of the house…

…and in addition to the bedroom, it features a luxurious master bathroom and a walk-in closet.

All in all, the Maverick is a great option for those looking to downsize their home’s footprint and overall upkeep, but aren’t willing to give up the great spaces that make a house a home.

Want to see all of the great floorplans available in Trilogy® at Wickenburg Ranch?

Get More Information

7 Questions to Ask Your Future Arizona Neighbors

When you visit communities to figure out which one you want to live in, one of the most important things you could possibly do for yourself is talk to as many people who actually live there as possible.

This is best accomplished if you are taking advantage of the “Stay and Play opportunities” that many communities offer these days, where for a nominal fee they will put you up for a couple of days so you can get a good feel for the community. In which case you’ll have a few days to meet several residents and learn what they like and don’t like about the community.

But even if you’re just visiting for the day and getting the official sales presentation, you need to find a way to break free from the salespeople and strike up a conversation with as many residents as you can.

In great communities, salespeople realize their residents are the BEST salespeople, and they’ll have no hesitation about you talking to the residents. Some communities even set you up with a resident ambassador to facilitate this process.

If you’re ever in a community though and get the sense they don’t want you to talk to other residents, that could be a bad sign.

Here’s what you should be asking.

1. Where are they from?

Finding common ground quickly is important if you truly want them to open up to you.

Asking people where they’re from can help you find that common ground. Maybe you’re not from the same place as they are, but maybe you know someone from there or you’ve visited in the past.

Either way, this is a great place to start and you can also get some good information about what it was like adjusting to life in Arizona.

2. How long have they lived here?

With this question you’re trying to figure out just how much experience they possibly have to share with you.

If they’re a fairly new resident, that can be a good thing. Everything you’re about to go through will be fresh in their mind and you can get a lot of helpful hints about things like home selection, lot selection and so on from people like this.

If they’ve lived in the community a few years or longer, this can be a good thing too. First, you know they liked it enough to stay. It’s good to hear they didn’t move in and hate it so much that they immediately started looking for another community.

Plus, they’ll have a better understanding of the inner workings of the community that they’ll hopefully feel free to share with you.

3. What model did you buy?

For whatever reason, people tend to be super-proud of whichever floorplan they chose. Even if its not the size or style you’re thinking about buying, hear them out. You never know what great insights might escape their lips.

Related to this you can ask what they building process was like, what changes they would have made to the home (if any) in hindsight.

All of this can help you immensely no matter what type of home you buy or where you buy it.

4. Where in the community did they buy?

If its a small community, this doesn’t matter as much. But if it’s a big sprawling master-planned community, it’s a very important question.

Different neighborhoods within the community can have drastically different vibes, and pluses and minuses.

Try to get to the root of why they chose to purchase where they did.

5. Do they live in the community full-time?

If you’re planning to snowbird for a few years at first this is a great way to figure out who your fellow snowbirds are and what it’s like to lock and leave your home for months at a time.

What types of services (security, house check, maintenance, etc.) do they employ while they’re gone to keep an eye on their home and how do they like them?

If they live there full-time, try to get a sense of what the different times if year are like in the community. Are certain times more crowded or less crowded than others, and what is that like?

6. Do they plan to stay here forever?

Nobody can predict the future, but most people have some sense of whether this will be their forever home or if they see themselves outgrowing the community in some way.

Maybe they like their home but they heard about the future golf course community being built a few miles away and they’re interested in checking that out.

Either way, this question can elicit some very helpful information.

7. What do they think about other communities in the area?

If their response is to belittle all the other communities around, however rude it may seem, its not necessarily a bad thing. Maybe they’re just passionate about the community they chose and very happy with their choice.

(Side note: A salesperson should NEVER do this. If they do, it should raise red flags! It’s o.k. for them to point out the ways in which their community might be better, but they should never say something like, “Oh, that community is terrible … you don’t want to look there.”)

Back to the residents, see if they know anyone who lives in the other communities you might be considering. Maybe they’ve met these other people through church, civic, or social groups. The more leads you get for people to talk to and learn from, the better.

Don’t Be Shy!

Don’t be shy about any of this. The residents you’re going to meet were in your shoes one day not too long ago, and they’ll remember and empathize with what you’re going through and the decisions you’re grappling with.

In almost 100% of cases, you’ll find that the residents you try to talk to will be more than happy to give you at least a few minutes of their time and tell you what you want to know.

Some of them will be so excited to talk to someone new you might not be able to get them to shut up once you’ve heard enough.

That’s o.k.

Good or bad, let them get everything off their chest. You never know what they might say, positive or negative, that might help in this important decision.

An Overview of Arizona’s Diverse Regions

Arizona is big — 113,998 square miles. It is the nation’s sixth largest state and the 15th most populous.

To help you get a general idea of the lay of the land, here’s an overview of the state’s five main regions.

Flagstaff and the North

Meteor Crater in Winslow, Arizona

Meteor Crater in Winslow, Arizona

North of Phoenix are a host of towns dotted around Arizona’s high country.

Flagstaff, a college town of 70,000, about 140 miles up the I-17 from Phoenix, debunks the notion that Arizona is a vast desert. The unofficial gateway to Grand Canyon Country, Flagstaff rests at an elevation of about 7,000 feet, nestled among hills of lush trees and peaceful meadows. Its climate is noticeably cooler than many other regions of Arizona. At the crossroads of Interstates 17 and 40, and the nostalgic Route 66, Flagstaff is a popular destination for vacationers and desert dwellers looking to escape the heat. Home to Northern Arizona University and one of the state’s three ski areas, the town has earned a reputation for its laid-back vibe.

All the beauty and adventures of Grand Canyon National Park await about an hour and a half northwest of Flagstaff.

To the right of the canyon are the town of Page and the famed Lake Powell – known for calm, clear waters and towering canyon walls.

Less than an hour south of “Flag” is Sedona, a town that draws visitors from around the world to hike among its red rock trails and seek spiritual healing.

In the eastern sections of Arizona’s high country are the mountain towns of Payson, high atop the Mogollon Rim and Show Low, not far from the base of the state’s largest ski resort.

Other charming towns that make up this region popular with tourists include Prescott, Cottonwood, Williams, and Winslow.

Tucson and the South

Sunset highlights Mission San Xavier near Tucson Arizona

Sunset highlights Mission San Xavier near Tucson Arizona

Tucson is the largest city in the southern third of Arizona, with a population of around a million.

Year after year, people are lured to Tucson for its climate, culture, and lifestyle. Resting at an elevation of 2,389 feet (approximately 1,300 feet higher than and 120 miles south of Phoenix), year-round temperatures are noticeably cooler in Tucson, yet consistent with a desert climate. Mild temperatures, with the rare wintertime freeze, means outdoor activities such as hiking, bicycling, and golf are favorites for people who live here.

The University of Arizona, Davis-Monthan Air Force Base join with the businesses they rely on and tourism suppliers, to form a healthy and diverse economy. Popular nearby attractions include Mt. Lemmon Ski Area, Biosphere 2, Old Tucson Studios and Saguaro National Park. The cities of Oro Valley and Marana are generally considered part of the Tucson metro area.

Tucsonans also enjoy weekend or day trips to historic Tombstone, Patagonia, Sierra Vista and cities in Mexico.

Other towns within a couple hours’ drive of Tucson include Casa Grande, Eloy, Oracle, Catalina, Green Valley, Nogales, Pearce, Bisbee, and Douglas.

Eastern Arizona

In the rugged terrain of Eastern Arizona lies a collection of small towns built on mining and tourism.

Homes in this region tend to be older and less expensive than in some of the faster-growing parts of Arizona.

With populations of 10,000 or fewer, Eastern Arizona towns are void of most big city hassles and exempt of HOA rules.

In exchange for the lack of modern conveniences found in more populated cities, folks in these parts enjoy a slower pace and tight community bonds.

Arizona’s West Coast

The world famous London Bridge located in Lake Havasu City, AZ

The world famous London Bridge located in Lake Havasu City, AZ

Landlocked deep in the desert southwest, Arizona lays claim to zero oceanfront properties. However, the clean Colorado River and a series of manmade lakes have created what residents refer to as Arizona’s west coast, which offers a plethora of water-based activities.

Stretching some 200+ miles from Lake Mead in northwestern Arizona to the border of Mexico in the south, the Colorado River winds through cities popular with retirees and action seekers alike.

Resort-style communities have sprung up in the past few decades in towns along Arizona’s west border such as Kingman, Bullhead City, Lake Havasu City, and Parker.

Residents in these parts enjoy warm temperatures year round, beautiful scenery and ample recreation on the water, plus hiking, golf and off-road touring.

At the southern tip of the West Coast sits Yuma, a town made legendary by Hollywood Westerns and just as popular with migratory birds as it is with human snowbirds.

Phoenix and the Valley of the Sun

Full Moon Over Phoenix Arizona

Full Moon Over Phoenix Arizona

Phoenix is Arizona’s largest and most metropolitan city. Located slightly south of the center most point in the state, Phoenix is the capital city and home to approximately 1.5 million people, making it the sixth largest city in the United States.

Known for its warm temperatures year round, the occasional wintertime frost in Phoenix makes the headlines.

Having experienced most of its growth since 1960, Phoenix is a modern, urban metropolis with numerous corporate headquarters, major professional sports teams with world-class stadiums, as well as thriving cultural and recreational scenes.

Phoenix and the surrounding cities make up metro Phoenix.

As a whole, the metro is fondly called “the Valley,” short for Valley of the Sun.

About 4.3 million people live in the Valley, which includes the cities of Tempe, Glendale, Scottsdale, Sun City, Chandler and dozens of others.

Although the metro area sprawls across roughly 16,000 square miles, getting around the Valley is easy thanks to two interstate highways and an elaborate system of freeways or “loops.”

Top 10 Places to See and Visit in Arizona

This video has some great ideas for places to see and visit in Arizona.

Of course the Grand Canyon is #1 on the list, but what else is there for you to discover?

Places Mentioned in This Video:

1. The Grand Canyon

2. Sedona

3. Monument Valley

4. Canyon de Chelly

5. Tucson

6. Kartchner Caverns

7. Tombstone

8. Phoenix

9. Flagstaff

10. Route 66

Retirement Spotlight: Goodyear

goodyear-arizona

Located just under 20 miles west of Phoenix, Goodyear is a classic suburb community that offers easy access to all of the big city amenities nearby, without all of the hustle and bustle that turns many boomers off to city life. While the big city might be only a short drive away, life in Goodyear is miles removed from Phoenix.

Goodyear History

Compared to popular retirement destinations in other parts of the country, Goodyear is a relatively new community. The area that would become this popular suburb of Phoenix was purchased by the Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company back in 1917 with the intention of growing cotton for vehicle tires.

The town of Goodyear didn’t officially become a city until 1985, but since then the community has seen an astounding amount of growth in a relatively short period of time.

Goodyear Demographics

Rapid growth is the name of the game here in Goodyear. During the 1990 census, there were only 6,258 people who made their homes in the city. That number grew to 18,911 in 2000, and then grew even faster to 65,275 in 2010. There were estimated to be 79,003 residents here in 2015.

With a median household income of $57,492 and a median family income of $60,707, Goodyear could definitely be considered a wealthy community relative to other parts of the country. That is likely driven by the fact that a full 25.1% of the population is between the ages of 45 and 64, with another 9.9% in the 65 and over bracket.

Goodyear Lifestyle

estrella-mountain-regional-park

Estrella Mountain Regional Park

One of the most appealing aspects of enjoying your retirement in Arizona is that the weather is absolutely beautiful just about every single day of the year. For that reason, most of the lifestyle choices here in Goodyear revolve around spending time embracing the great outdoors.

The nearby Estrella Mountain Range offers two different options that comprise the focal point of the traditional Goodyear lifestyle. Visiting Estrella Mountain Regional Park is a great way to get your regular exercise through hiking the vast number of desert trails you will find here.

For a more sophisticated lifestyle experience, you might prefer to enjoy the mountain view from the course at Estrella Mountain Ranch Golf Club, which was originally designed by Jack Nicklaus.

Goodyear Culture

Since the community of Goodyear is relatively new, there isn’t a deep sense of history or culture to be found here. However, that gives residents an opportunity to create whatever type of culture they want for the city.

One of the interesting museums that Goodyear does have is The Bible Museum, which is located in one of the local hotels. Here you will find an amazing collection of old bibles, and unlike most museums it is perfectly fine to pick up the items here and check them out for yourself.

Luckily, no one in Goodyear has to worry about local culture. That’s because there is more than enough cultural attractions of all kinds located less than 30 minutes down the road in Phoenix.

Goodyear Shopping

Shopping in Goodyear is all about strip malls and big box stores, and there are plenty of those to choose from located all over town. Two of the more unique stores that residents enjoy visiting are Southwest Specialty Food and Brass Armadillo Antique Mall.

Much like we saw with the cultural attractions, Goodyear residents are perfectly happy to have easy access to a plethora of amazing shopping destinations located just a short drive away in Phoenix.

Goodyear Dining

adas-fish-fry

Ada’s Fish Fry

Goodyear is also home to quite a few excellent restaurants, so you definitely won’t have to worry about going hungry here. Sal’s Tuscan Oven is known for their amazing brick oven pizza, but the menu also includes some great Italian pasta dishes and sandwiches.

If fried seafood is popular with your family, then Ada’s Fish Fry is going to be your new favorite restaurant. The specialty here is the fried haddock, but you can also get things like lobster rolls and grilled buffalo shrimp. We recommend starting with one of the combo platters!

Any town located in Arizona has to have a few great Mexican restaurants, and Goodyear surely has its share. One of the most authentic is Ramiro’s Mexican Food, where you will actually catch them mashing the refried beans by hand.

Goodyear Developments

With population booming across the entire state of Arizona, there are more than a few retirement communities to choose from in just about every town in the state. Here in Goodyear, one of our favorite options is CantaMia at Estrella by Taylor Morrison.

CantaMia’s active baby boomer lifestyle is the inspiration for this expansive 55-Plus community. With more than 500 acres of parks and open space, including72 acres of lakes for boating and fishing, over 20 miles of paths and hiking trails, and the Nicklaus Design championship golf course, The Golf Club of Estrella, a CantaMia home offers you the freedom you deserve during the best years of your life.

Request more information about CantaMia here.

The retirement lifestyle in Goodyear is all about being close enough to enjoy the amenities of the big city nearby, but far enough away that you can relax and enjoy the desert mountains. If you like to walk that line between urban culture and rural relaxation, this is the perfect hybrid.

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Model Home Walkthrough

The Juniper in Trilogy® at Verde River

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