3. Sun City (Sun City, Arizona)

As the original 55+ master-planned community built by Del Webb in 1960, Sun City established the blueprint for active adult living. Because the community is fully developed and municipally independent, property taxes and association fees remain famously low.

Instead of a traditional monthly bill, homeowners pay an annual recreation fee—usually around $525 per year, which breaks down to less than $45 a month. This incredibly low rate grants access to seven distinct recreation centers, eight golf courses, multiple swimming pools, and an indoor amphitheater.

You simply will not find a better ratio of cost to amenities anywhere in the Southwest.