Chuck & Gina's
Arizona Relocation Guide
By Josh Hogan & Jacqui Shoffner | Live AZ Co
Welcome to your personalized guide to the Phoenix metro area. Based on our conversation, we put together a curated look at communities that match what matters most to you: newer construction, an active lifestyle with pool and pickleball, reasonable proximity to Sky Harbor, and a place that feels like home after 20 acres in Lompoc. This guide covers everything you need to explore during your visit.
What We're Looking For
Communities to Explore
Five carefully selected communities that match your criteria. Tap each to learn more.
Encore at Eastmark
Mesa (East Valley) • Signal Butte & Williams Field RdHome Details
- 1,339 to 3,200 sq ft floor plans
- 2-4 bed, 2-2.5 bath, 2-3 car garage
- All single-story construction
- Resale only (sold out for new builds)
- Average resale around ~$585K
Amenities
- 15,000 sq ft Encore Club
- Fitness center, resort pool and spa
- Pickleball, tennis, bocce courts
- Arts and crafts studio, library, cafe
Monthly Costs
- HOA: $172-$239/month
- Eastmark CFD: ~$2,000-2,500/year
- $600K sweet spot for quality options
Nearby
- Banner Health hospital within 5-10 min
- Gateway Airport 10 min
- Eastmark Great Park
- Strong retail and dining in Eastmark area
Ovation at Meridian
Queen Creek (East Valley) • Meridian Master PlanHome Details
- ~1,461 to 2,500 sq ft floor plans
- Single-story, low-maintenance exterior
- New builds available (Taylor Morrison)
- HOA covers yard, irrigation, and trimming
Amenities
- 13,500 sq ft clubhouse
- Resort-style pool and spa, fitness with yoga studio
- 4 pickleball courts, 2 tennis, 2 bocce
- Dog park, event lawn, shade pavilion with bar and BBQ
Meridian Master Plan Bonus
- Equestrian arena and trails
- Outdoor movie ramada
- Community garden, boulder gardens
- 229 acres of open space and parks
Monthly Costs
- HOA: ~$200-$282/month
- CFD status: verify with builder
- Gated with staffed gatehouse
- East Valley (our service area)
Verrado / Victory at Verrado
Buckeye (West Valley) • Base of White Tank MountainsHome Details
- Victory section: ~1,900 to 2,800 sq ft
- 3-4 bed, 2-3 bath, 2-3 car garage
- New builds from David Weekley, K. Hovnanian
- Well within $600K for many floor plans
Amenities
- Walkable Main Street with shops and restaurants
- Verrado Golf Club, 78+ parks
- 21+ miles of trails
- Victory Club: pools, fitness, spa, pickleball, tennis
Coming Soon
- Verrado Marketplace: $275M, 500K sq ft development
- Target, Safeway opening May 2026
- Harkins Backlot (cinema + bowling + arcade) Fall 2026
Monthly Costs
- Layered HOAs: master (~$88-118/mo) + section fees
- CFD: ~$1,500-3,000/year (varies by assessed value)
- Important cost factor for fixed retirement budget
Anthem
North Phoenix • Off I-17Home Details
- 1,000 to 8,000 sq ft range in Country Club
- Wide variety of floor plans
- Resale only (no new construction)
- Established landscaping and mature lots
Amenities
- 2 championship golf courses
- 2 clubhouses, 2 fitness centers, 2 pools
- Tennis courts, dining facilities
- Community center, water park, sports fields
Community Feel
- Feels like its own self-contained town
- 300+ businesses within community
- Outlets at Anthem for shopping
- 36% of Anthem is open space
Monthly Costs
- HOA only (no CFD tax)
- Country Club HOA is higher (golf maintenance)
- Parkside HOA is more moderate
- Great I-17 access to Sky Harbor
Sun City Festival
Buckeye/North Surprise (West Valley) • Base of White Tank MountainsHome Details
- 22 floor plans from Del Webb
- 1,100 to 3,340+ sq ft
- 2-4 bed, 2-3 bath, 2-3 car garage
- New builds still available
Amenities (The Amenity King)
- Two rec centers (31,000 sq ft main)
- 27-hole Troon-managed championship golf
- Resort pools, fitness centers, pickleball
- Tennis, basketball, volleyball, bocce
Lifestyle
- 9,000 sq ft crafts studio (wood shop, ceramics, pottery)
- Amphitheater, restaurant (Indigo Grille)
- Horseshoes, softball complex
- Golf cart friendly community
Monthly Costs
- HOA: ~$175/month ($525/quarter)
- CFD: ~$3,500-4,000 total assessment per lot
- CFD can be paid off at purchase (saves ~$400/yr)
- Best price-per-sq-ft of all options
Side-by-Side Comparison
Scroll horizontally to compare all five communities at a glance.
| Factor | Encore at Eastmark | Ovation at Meridian | Verrado / Victory | Anthem | Sun City Festival |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Location | Mesa (East Valley) | Queen Creek (East Valley) | Buckeye (West Valley) | North Phoenix | Buckeye (Far West) |
| Sky Harbor | ~25-35 min | ~40 min | ~55-60 min | ~40-45 min | ~55-60 min |
| Construction Era | 2015-2020 | 2019-present | 2000s-2026 | 1999-2008 | 2006-present |
| New Builds? | No (sold out) | Yes (Taylor Morrison) | Yes (multiple builders) | No (resale only) | Yes (Del Webb) |
| 55+ Community | Yes | Yes | Yes (Victory section) | No (active adult) | Yes |
| Community Size | 970 homes | 780 homes | 14,000+ (master plan) | 27,000+ residents | 7,200 homes |
| On-Site Golf | No (nearby) | No (nearby) | Yes | Yes (2 courses) | Yes (27-hole Troon) |
| Pickleball | Yes | Yes (4 courts) | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Trails / Open Space | Eastmark trails | 229 acres open space | 21+ miles of trails | 36% open space | White Tank access |
| Rec Center | 15,000 sq ft | 13,500 sq ft | Victory Club + Main St | 2 clubhouses | 31,000 sq ft + 2nd |
| Gated | Yes | Yes (staffed gate) | Varies by section | Country Club: yes | No |
| Monthly HOA | $172-239 + CFD (~$2-2.5K/yr) | ~$200-282 | Layered HOA + CFD ($1.5-3K/yr) | HOA only | ~$175 + CFD ($3.5-4K payable) |
| $600K Gets You | Strong options | Strong options | Strong options | Strong options | Premium home |
| Nearby Retail | Strong | Growing | Marketplace 2026 | Strong (Outlets+) | Limited |
Cost of Living: Arizona vs California
Key financial differences that will impact your monthly budget in retirement.
No State Tax on Social Security
Arizona does not tax Social Security retirement benefits. For Chuck retiring at end of year, this is a significant ongoing savings compared to many other states. Arizona's overall state income tax rate is a flat 2.5%, one of the lowest in the nation.
Property Taxes
- Arizona effective rate: ~0.6-0.8% of assessed value
- On a $600K home: roughly $3,600-4,800/year
- Generally lower than California's effective rates
- No Prop 13 equivalent, but rates stay reasonable
Utilities
- Summer electric: $250-400+/month (June through September)
- Two power companies: SRP and APS (depends on location)
- Water: City water, typically $50-80/month
- Winter months are very affordable, averaging $80-150/month for electric
Solar Panels
Solar only makes financial sense if panels are owned and paid off. Leased solar panels rarely pencil out, especially on SRP (Salt River Project). APS buyback rates are slightly better. This is why we flagged "no leased solar" as a search criteria for your homes.
What is a CFD Tax?
A Community Facilities District (CFD) tax is an additional annual assessment in some newer communities (especially in Buckeye) that funds infrastructure like roads, water lines, and schools. It is billed on top of your property tax and HOA. Typically $3,500-4,000/year.
Communities WITH CFD: Encore at Eastmark (~$2-2.5K/yr), Verrado/Victory (~$1.5-3K/yr), Sun City Festival (~$3.5-4K, can be paid off at purchase)
Communities with minimal/no CFD: Ovation at Meridian (verify), Anthem
HOA Ranges by Community
- Encore at Eastmark: $172-239/mo + CFD ~$2-2.5K/yr
- Ovation at Meridian: ~$200-282/month
- Verrado/Victory: Layered HOA + CFD ($1,500-3,000/yr)
- Anthem: HOA only (Country Club section higher)
- Sun City Festival: ~$175/mo + CFD (payable upfront or amortized)
Your Team
Real people who know this market inside and out.
Relocation Specialists
We help out-of-state buyers understand the Phoenix metro every day. We know the communities, the builders, the HOA pitfalls, and the real costs of living here.
Data-Driven Guidance
Every recommendation is backed by market data, not opinions. We walk you through comps, cost projections, and neighborhood stats before you ever write an offer.
Full-Service Team
Josh, Jacqui, and our team member Suzie handle everything from touring to closing. You will always have someone available when you need us.
Local Knowledge
East Valley specialists who also know the West Valley and North Phoenix communities inside and out. Wherever you land, we have you covered.
Next Steps
Here is how we suggest organizing your visit for maximum coverage.
West Valley Exploration
Starting from Residence Inn, Peoria
East Valley (The Closer)
The communities closest to Sky Harbor
Before Your Visit
- We are setting up a property search so you will start getting matches via email
- Browse the listings we send and star anything that catches your eye
- Text or email Josh your Peoria hotel address so we can plan routes
- Let us know your flight arrival time and which days work best for touring
Ready to Start Exploring?
We are here to answer any questions and can not wait to show you around.