There are 1,660 dwellings clustered into various neighborhoods. Exteriors for both the single family homes and "casitas" (duplexes) are a light colored stucco with a tile roof. All properties are single story and have 1,400 square feet to nearly 2,500 square feet with at least a two-car garage (more expensive homes have an extended garage). A patio (or two), tall windows, arched doorways and tile floors are standard, as are mountain and golf course views. Landscaping consists of decorative rock, cactus, oleanders and other drought-tolerant shrubs and trees.

Prices start in the mid-$300,000s. Please check with a Realtor to verify these prices as they will change. HOA fees range from less than $100 per month to the $200s depending on the home and cover landscaping, exterior painting and more.

While the community is quiet, the Mountainbrook lifestyle is an active one. A full time activities director is on staff, and daily, scheduled events and classes include aerobics, clogging, bridge, darts, pickelball, pottery, book discussions, poker, painting and political discussions.

A theater group, holiday events, dinner clubs, concerts, pancake breakfasts, mountain hikes, parties and potlucks, as well as all kinds of excursions, from bingo bus trips and art gallery outings to trips to Disneyland, Mexico and the Greek Isles futher ensure that no one is ever bored.

A monthly newsletter keeps Mountainbrook residents in the loop, and a newcomers' group helps new residents feel welcome.

Homeowners also enjoy two heated swimming pools, a hot tub, tennis courts, a well-stocked library, a billiards room, a computer center, a ceramic arts center, a fully-equipped exercise facility and much more. Golf cart lanes meander throughout the community.

An 18-hole, public championship golf course also winds its way through the development. Althouh it is not owned by the HOA, Mountainbrook residents receive discounts to play. Four more courses are within a few miles.

Gold Canyon began as a cattle ranch in the 1800s and hosted Hollywood cowboys during the 1940s when numerous Westerns were filmed in the area. Canyon Lake has a marina and recreation sites, and it is a popular spot for swimming and boating.

Gold Canyon does not have a hospital, but Banner Baywood Medical Center is about nine miles away in Mesa and is accredited.

The climate is hot and dry with abundant sunshine. Summer daytime temperatures can easily top 100 degrees, and winter daytime temperatures are in the 60s and 70s. The area receives no snow but about 10 inches of rain per year.

Go to tinyurl.com/yak3yhze for listings.

Arizona:

On February 14, 1912, Arizona became the 48th state to join the Union. In the southwestern region of the United States, it borders New Mexico to the east, Utah to the north, Nevada and California to the west and Mexico to the south. The Cactus Wren is the state's bird, and the Saguaro Blossom is the state flower. The capital and largest city is Phoenix.

Arizona is home to the Grand Canyon, one of the nation's oldest national parks, and the Hoover Dam. It covers 113,000 square miles, making it the nation's 6th largest state. However, only a small portion of the land, about 15%, is privately owned. The rest of Arizona belongs to national parks, state parks and Native American reservations.

Interestingly, the majority of Arizonans - everyone except those in the Navajo Nation - do not observe Daylight Savings Time.

Are 55+ Communities Really "Retirement" Communities?

Many people who live in age-restricted developments (usually for people age 55+) are still gainfully employed. So why would they live in what is considered a "retirement" community? Why not continue to live in a standard neighborhood? People still employed choose age-restricted communities for the same reasons as people who are retired do: the safety, amenities and sense of community that one can provide.

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