Retirees and seniors flock to Arizona for its mild climates, affordability, and welcoming community of locals. Known as the Grand Canyon State, Arizona is the perfect place to retire for those looking to spend their Golden years in a spacious environment and lead an active lifestyle. From bedroom communities that allow easy access to major metropolitan cities like Coolidge to secluded nature-centric spots like Sierra Vista, where seniors can embrace the desert allure, read along to find your ideal new hometown in Arizona.

Wickenburg

Wickenburg is one of the oldest cities in Arizona, and it stands out as one of the best budget-friendly retirement spots for its well-rounded amenities. Located 65 miles from the major metropolis of Phoenix, Wickenburg’s main appeal is its proximity to big city amenities. Aside from its convenient location, everything from the town’s central shopping district to the housing layout and desert setting evokes a nostalgic Wild West aura. Seniors relocating to Wickenburg can find everyday necessities on the historic Frontier Street that dates back to the early 1900s while also discovering the town’s major tourist attractions like the Saguaro Theater and the Santa Fe Depot, along with endless team roping events hosted at places like the Big Tree Arena and Western Trails. Additionally, seniors who require attentive medical care can choose between popular retirement homes like My Father’s Retirement Ranch or Rustic Ranch Senior Living, while the main healthcare facility in town is the Wickenburg Community Hospital. In 2024, the average home price in Wickenburg is valued at $599,900, significantly more expensive than other options, yet estimated to be 95% of the national average.

Winslow

Winslow is a nature-centric town with an old-time appeal evident in its historic buildings. Adorned with parks and landmarks, Winslow defines the small-town experience with its tight-knit community of 9,000 residents, a thriving scene of local businesses, and quirky landmarks that pay tribute to the town’s iconic location along Route 66. Despite the town’s small size, seniors relocating to Winslow can enjoy easy access to top-notch healthcare amenities like the US PHS Winslow Indian Hospital, North Country HealthCare, and Little Colorado Medical Center. Better yet, the town’s tourist appeal adds a lively element, drawing thousands of visitors from all over, with the most popular being The Apache Death Cave, Standin’ on The Corner Park, and The Two Guns ghost town. As affordable as the best budget-friendly towns in Arizona get, the average home price is valued at $199,500.

Williams

Best known as an essential stop on your way to the Grand Canyon, Williams is the perfect budget-friendly small town for seniors seeking a relaxing mountainous landscape. The small town has a population of 3,398 and enjoys a rustic ambiance that adds to its homely appeal. Thanks to the town’s far-out remote location, it is best suited for seniors looking for an affordable town away from urbanization and enjoying a slower pace of life. William’s unique location near communities like Sedona and Flagstaff is also a main contributor to the town’s appeal as newcomers have a variety of welcoming communities to explore with just a short drive of less than 33 mi. The average home price in Williams is valued at $635,000, while the downside of relocating to Williams is its limited healthcare options. The best healthcare options near town are spread across other communities like Northern Arizona Healthcare in Sedona, which sits 63 miles away.

Sierra Vista

Sierra Vista is more of a small city than a town with a sizable population of 45,439 and a convenient location near the major metropolis of Tucson, Arizona. Known as the Hummingbird Capital of the US, Sierra Vista is also one of the best small towns for nature-passionate seniors to relocate to. Adding to the nature-centric ambiance is its lively business scene with an abundance of restaurants and wineries. Some of the town’s locally renowned businesses include Silver Strike Winery, The German Cafe, and La Casita Mexican Restaurant. Sierra Vista also boasts an array of retirement home options with some of the best-rated being Mountain View Gardens Gracious Retirement Living. The average home in Sierra Vista was valued at $325,000, making it a median option between affordable and average-priced home prices in Arizona. From Miller’s Peak’s lush mountainous area to the Patterson Observatory, this small town caters to all nature interests while enjoying a youthful ambiance emphasized by the student population of the University of Arizona.

Coolidge

Coolidge offers a small-town feel with the convenience of being near larger cities like Phoenix and Tucson. This small town makes almost every list of the best places to retire, with over 15% of its population being over the age of 65 and 11.9% of residents being veterans. Aside from affordability, the small town enjoys a desert setting that caters to a healthy active lifestyle. Balancing a countryside lifestyle near major metropolitan areas, Coolidge’s unique advantage compared to other small towns is a relaxed lifestyle with easy access to big city amenities, hospitals, and more. The average home price in Coolidge was valued at $299,000 in 2024, with the main healthcare facilities being in nearby cities. Top-notch healthcare facilities near the town include Arizona Heart Hospital and the Tucson Medical Center. With a population of around 13,000, Coolidge provides a peaceful and affordable retirement option, while boasting a rich historical ambiance with attractions like Casa Grande Ruins National Monument.

Douglas

Finally, Douglas offers a unique take on the small-town lifestyle, located on the Mexican and American borders. Multiculturalism in town is complemented by historical elements of well-preserved attractions like the Gadsden Hotel and the Douglas Williams House, showcasing artifacts from a bygone era. Enhancing its appeal, Douglas combines natural beauty with a Wild West ambiance, offering a unique twist to the typical affordable Arizona lifestyle. Better yet, those looking to retire near the Mexican border can also choose from a wide range of senior homes, with popular options being Haven Health Douglas, Cypress Inn, and the far-out Lesan Assisted Living with a countryside retirement appeal. Seniors relocating to Douglas can own a home for as low as $193,000 while enjoying a blend of cultures, cuisines, and community events.

Ultimately, Arizona offers an array of budget-friendly towns that cater to retirees seeking a mix of affordability, natural beauty, and welcoming communities. With varying prices and appeals, retirees have numerous options when moving to Arizona. The common threads among these towns are their desert settings and rich histories. With each town having its unique quirk, it becomes easier to choose your new hometown after spending a few days in each community and getting a deeper insight into life as a local.

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Also there a record high for the date of 118 in Needles, Calif., where the National Weather Service has records dating to 1888. The high of 122 edged the old mark of 121 in 2007.

And it was 124 in Palm Springs.

Around 130 million people were under threat Saturday and into next week.

Pacific Northwest, the Mid-Atlantic and the Northeast could reach 100 degrees , said Jacob Asherman, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service. And the humidity will be high.

Factors such as a recent lack of rainfall, low relative humidity levels and stifling temperatures will create an elevated wildfire threat.The harsh conditions can dramatically raise the risk for heat-related illnesses, such as heat stroke and heat exhaustion.

An expansive heat wave is projected to continue across the Western states through at least early week, AccuWeather meteorologists say. The pattern of intense and elevated temperatures plaguing the region is largely due to an amplified ridge in the jet stream anchoring high pressure over it with a consistent flow of warmth from the south.

“The large and expansive heat dome across the western United States will bring record heat from the deserts of Southern California stretching northward all the way into the Pacific Northwest,” explained AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Dan Pydynowski.

Daytime highs will soar above 100 degrees Fahrenheit across portions of Arizona, California, Nevada, Utah, Oregon, Washington and even Idaho.

Pydynowski highlighted that cities such as Seattle will challenge their daily records Sunday, Monday and Tuesday. The heat can be particularly dangerous in some cities west of the Cascades in western Washington, such as Seattle, Olympia and Port Angeles, where many people and homes do not have air conditioning.

Across the central valleys of California and the desert and basin regions of the Southwest, highs persisting above 110 and even 115 will be conceivable over the upcoming days.

“The all-time record of 117 in Las Vegas could be broken Sunday, and daily records in Vegas could be challenged or broken nearly every day from today through at least next Thursday,” noted Pydynowski.

Copious amounts of sunshine will continue to expand across the West through at least midweek, providing little relief for residents in terms of any shade gleaming from cloud cover. In the heart of the Southwest, locations like Las Vegas and Phoenix are forecast to have max ultraviolet (UV) index levels categorized as extreme for much of this week, ranging between 11 and 12.

At UV levels such as these, protection against sun damage is necessary for anyone outdoors during the midday hours. Items such as sunscreen, a hat, and loose-fitting and light-colored clothing are recommended in these situations.

Excessive heat warnings have been issued across the West, with many warnings lasting through at least midweek. The record-challenging heat will continue to pose a risk for anyone working outdoors, particularly during the prime heating hours of the daytime from mid-morning through the afternoon.

Forecasters say that a slight nudge in the pattern early this week will result in some cooling along the West coast, while locations farther inland will continue to bake in the heat.

“Some relief is in sight for early next week as the heat dome shifts eastward, promoting a dip in temperatures along the Pacific coast. Temperatures in cities near the Pacific coast, including San Francisco and Oakland, California, are expected to dip to near historical averages for July,” explained AccuWeather Meteorologist Elizabeth Danco.

Danco added that as the core of the heat dome shifts eastward into the Great Basin this week, dry conditions will again be coupled with all-time record highs from interior California into parts of southern Nevada and western Arizona.

There are currently 41 active fires across Oregon and 20 active fires in California. Forecasters warn that the ongoing heat wave and drier pattern will not improve wildfire conditions across the West.

“The heat combined with dry brush and low relative humidity across the region will continue to promote the risk for wildfires to start and spread. Individuals are urged to exercise caution when using open flames and to adhere to any bans that may be in effect,” highlighted Danco.

Although surface winds will generally be light across the majority of the West over the upcoming days, isolated gusts up to 30-40 mph may occur from areas spanning from southern Idaho to eastern Nevada, Utah and northern Arizona, which can cause any active fires to readily spread and pose challenges for firefighting crews.

Heat-related deaths in hottest major US city have almost doubled compared with the same period last year, after Phoenix experienced its hottest ever June on record.

The number of possible heat deaths reported by the Maricopa county medical examiner was 175 as of 29 June – a staggering 84% increase over the same period last year.

That current total comprises 162 suspected deaths under investigation and 13 confirmed heat deaths.

The death toll from extreme heat has been rising every year in Maricopa county, where Phoenix, the Arizona state capital and America’s fifth largest city, is located.

Deaths are concentrated in Phoenix despite city and statewide efforts to tackle the rise in heat mortality and morbidity.

Last year, Phoenix suffered a month of consecutive days over 110F (43C) and a record 645 heat deaths in the county – a 700% rise over the past decade. But the unprecedented July heatwave followed a cooler-than-normal June, which could partly explain the surge in early season heat-related deaths recorded so far this year.

The average temperature – a measure which takes into account the daily highs and lows – made June 2024 the hottest ever recorded in the city. This was driven in large part by multiple record warm lows or night-time temperatures towards the end of the month, when moisture from a tropical system sat over the region, trapping the daytime heat and limiting cooling.

The night-time low on 27 June was 95F – which broke the record for the warmest overnight June low, which was 93F and set in 1990. The hotter nights are particularly alarming for public health experts because heat is cumulative, and the body cannot start to properly recover until the temperature drops below 80F.

Dangerously hot temperatures are forecast for Maricopa county and the entire south-west United States, with a heat dome – a strong area of high pressure and warm air – expected to linger until the middle of next week, according to the National Weather Service (NWS) in a post on X.

With no rain forecast, temperatures could top 115F in Phoenix over the next few days, with records likely to be broken in parts of California and Las Vegas, according to Gabriel Lojero, a meteorologist at the NWS Phoenix.

“The heat is going to be very severe across the majority of the south-west with an excessive heat warning in place for most of the region. The heatwave will be especially severe over the July 4 weekend when more people are doing outdoor activities,” said Lojero.

Heat deaths are rising across the US – and globally – with official counts likely to be a significant underestimate as many medical examiners have yet to develop processes that match Maricopa county’s.

So far this year, heat has also killed at least two people in Idaho and at least five in Kansas City, according to reports from local health officials.

Investigating suspected heat deaths takes time.

Of the 13 confirmed heat deaths in Maricopa county so far this year, 46% of the people were Black, Latino or Indigenous American; 69% were men and 31% were women. At least two deaths took place indoors. In one case, the deceased’s air conditioning was turned off, in the other case it was not functioning, according to preliminary investigations.

Paramedics have responded to 424 heat-related emergency calls so far this year, according to the Phoenix fire department.

It’s not clear what impact the city’s decision to evict a large homeless encampment from downtown – where many services are located – will have on heat deaths, as 45% of last year’s fatalities involved unsheltered people. So far this year, 31% of the confirmed deaths involved unhoused people. It’s unclear whether some unhoused people have left due to Phoenix’s increasingly draconian crackdown on homelessness.

In May, advocates condemned Phoenix for effectively criminalizing homelessness after the Democrat-run city council voted unanimously to ban people from sleeping, cooking or camping at city buildings, parks and parking lots, and also within 500ft of schools, daycare centers, shelters and parks.

The tent ban can now be enforced after the US supreme court last week ruled that it was not unconstitutional for cities to arrest and fine people for sleeping in public spaces, even when no shelter space exists. Phoenix “will continue to offer shelter and services when possible, and will ask for compliance before resorting to an arrest”, according to the city attorney Julie Kriegh.

The region is accustomed to a hot desert climate, but daytime and night temperatures are rising due to global heating. The deadly consequences have been exacerbated by decades of unchecked urban development that created a sprawling heat island, which the city is trying to tackle with a variety of programs.