Communities in Arizona
Assisted Living, Memory Care, Respite Care
View Community
Assisted Living, Memory Care, Respite Care
View Community
Independent Living, Assisted Living, Memory Care, Respite Care
View Community
Try These Popular Searches
Senior Living in Phoenix West Valley: Everything You Need to Know
All Orchard Pointe Communities share a single mission: To create the senior living experience you want. We’ll connect you to a community that matches your lifestyle, tastes and needs. Orchard Pointe Communities throughout the Phoenix West Valley area offer vibrant Independent Living, with Assisted Living, and Memory Care.
Below is a list of our communities in the area. Feel free to view each website or read on to learn more about the area it’s amenities and what we have to offer.
It’s all in place to put a smile on your face. That’s what living better feels like.
Everything you need to know about living in West Phoenix Valley
History of the area
The Phoenix West Valley lies just outside of the Phoenix city limits in Maricopa County. What was once a desert outpost is now a thriving and vibrant metropolitan area that is home to 1.7 million people.
When the Arizona Canal was built in 1882 and a reliable water source became available, the growth and popularity of Phoenix West Valley began to rise and transportation improvements soon followed. In the early 20th century, construction of the Roosevelt and Wadell dams further improved the area for farming.
During the next several decades new towns sprang up in Phoenix West Valley and by the 1950s the area became known as a wonderful place to retire and escape the snow, ice and cold of northern states. With hot dry summers and warm to cool winters the climate makes life easy for people of all ages.
West Phoenix Valley today
Today, Phoenix West Valley continues to grow and thrive as home to companies like Goodyear and Amazon, and is expanding in the areas of health care, warehousing and distribution, manufacturing, aerospace, finance, and technology. Residents also enjoy excellent shopping, restaurants and diverse destinations that ensure a never-ending supply of entertainment.
The freedom gained during retirement means more time to relax and reconnect with favorite pastimes. It’s also a time to explore new destinations and discover new passions. The Phoenix West Valley area offers many opportunities to do just that:
Destinations
For a one-of-a-kind experience the Eagle Tail Mountain Wolf Sanctuary is not to be missed and helps to support the care of abandoned wolves and wolf dogs and teach the public about these native animals.
Another great place to enjoy animals is the Wildlife World Zoo, Aquarium & Safari Park. Visitors can ride a train through a Safari Park and see animals from Africa, go underwater at the aquarium with more than 80 exhibits from tropical fish to sharks and rays and observe a wide variety of animals from around the world in the Zoo, Dragon World and Adventure Land.
To experience the history of the area, trek over to the Gatlin Archeology Site, once home to about 500 Native Americans and dating to between 800 A.D. and 1200 A.D. The site was discovered in 1959 and today is a designated National Historic Landmark.
Festivals
Feel like something new for dinner? Join friends and family for 1st Friday West Valley Food Trucks in the Park at Whyman Park in Tolleson for diverse food truck vendors, family-friendly music and more.
Make the most of Independence Day at the City of Peoria’s All-American Festival featuring free admission, live music, kid’s activities, a cornhole tournament, great food and beverages, and of course outstanding fireworks to wrap up the celebration.
Enjoy the arts on many levels at the Tempe Festival of the Arts in December. With more than 350 artists from across the country, visitors can choose from arts and crafts, live music shows, wine and spirits tasting, and a variety of food and beverage vendors.
Arts
The climate of Phoenix West Valley makes it perfect for community art displays like those in the City of Glendale where visitors can view murals, sculptures, statues and many more beautiful art forms throughout the city.
Another excellent way to enjoy the arts is at The Vista Center for the Arts in Surprise with live music concerts from rock and roll to symphony and everything in between as well as diverse stage performances spanning cultures, seasons and genres.
For live theater check out the Sun City Players Community Theater featuring excellent local talent performing on stage for more than 60 years!
For some of the best Native American art and culture the Heard Museum in Phoenix offers an amazing array of collections from ancient artifacts to beautifully crafted textiles to sculptures and more. Spend the day, enjoy lunch at the Courtyard Café and shop the authentic arts crafts in the gift shop.
Learning
Lifelong learning is a fulfilling goal and there are several options near Phoenix West Valley. Three of the best are the Osher Lifelong Learning Institutes at Arizona State University’s West campus, North Scottsdale campus and Tempe Connection, and at ALLE Learning. Each offers a full catalog of classes as well as experiential opportunities and social events designed for seniors.
Read about how to Live Well During Retirement in Phoenix West Valley.Enjoying retirement in Phoenix West Valley
Restaurants
Arizona’s diverse culture makes for amazing dining venues. Casual dining options include:
- Old Pueblo Café and Pub for unique Sonoran-style Mexican fare
- Zeta’s Grill for authentic Lebanese and Mediterranean cuisine
- Enjoy true Italian family dining at Bella Luna Ristorante
- For an upscale dining experience try Vogue Bistro featuring tantalizing French-American dishes and an intimate ambiance
- Arrowhead Grill offers amazing steaks, seafood, cocktails, and award-winning wines
- Enjoy a mouth-watering dinner and breathtaking views at the AAA Four-Diamond Different Pointe of View restaurant at the Hilton Phoenix Tapatio Cliffs Resort
Fresh & local
For those who love to cook and create amazing meals there is nothing better than fresh ingredients from the farmers market.
One of the best Phoenix West Valley farmers markets is the Arrowhead Farmers Market (formerly Momma’s Organic Market) held every Saturday year-round and offering produce, dairy products, meat and seafood, baked goods and much more.
For an adventure in farming, spend a day at Grandma’s Farm in South Phoenix where everything from fruits and vegetables to herbs and plants are available each Saturday.
Another excellent option is the Ahwatukee Framer’s Market in Phoenix with seasonal produce, herbs, flowers, meat and seafood, baked goods, and local arts and crafts vendors.
Fitness & swimming
Staying fit is key to aging well and Burn It Build it Fitness in Avondale can help with state-of-the-art equipment, classes and personal trainers.
Another option is Esporta Fitness in Goodyear offering group and personal training, an indoor pool, basketball and a sauna and whirlpool.
For those who enjoy the health benefits of swimming the Goodyear Community Pool offers open swim and adult fitness classes to strengthen and build balance.
Walking Trails
Walking is arguably one of the best ways to exercise and Phoenix West Valley offers excellent walking trails to enjoy.
Near Buckeye the moderately-challenging Verrado Lost Creek Trail is a 4-mile trail and a great area for bird watching as well.
Another option is Sienna Hills Trails spanning almost 4,000 feet of 10-foot-wide concrete trail and more than 1,600 feet of 5-foot-wide concrete trails in Sienna Hills.
In El Mirage, Basin Park combines nature and recreation with a paved walking path through natural desert areas.
In Wickenburg, the 2.8-mile Sunset Multi-Use Path and Kerkes Trailhead each provide excellent walking options.
Back to nature
Spending time in nature is a wonderful way to get life in perspective and Skyline Regional Park in Buckeye is a mecca for nature lovers with miles of trails and sweeping vistas as well as programs for hiking, stargazing, desert survival, and more.
Also beautiful is The Base and Meridian Wildlife Area near Goodyear on the north bank of the Gila River, where the riparian habitat is teeming with plants, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and mammals like coyotes, foxes and bobcats.
For a lesson in water conservation the Glendale Xeriscape Demonstration Garden is an award-winning presentation of how to grow a lush low-water garden using conservation techniques.
Even more of the diversity of desert flora can be found at the Desert Botanical Garden featuring trails through acres of plants, educational programs and the Cohn Family Butterfly Pavilion.
Golf
Another way to get into nature is on the links and Arizona has some of the best golf courses anywhere.
One to try is the public Tres Rios Golf Course in Goodyear with 18-holes amid breathtaking views, plenty of shade and year-round tee times.
Tee-up at one of the three Wigwam Golf Club courses set in mountain ranges where wildlife abounds.
Volunteer opportunities
Volunteering can help seniors live longer and healthier lives with lower mortality rates, a lower incidence of depression, and better mental and physical abilities.
Check for more opportunities at volunteermatch.org, or contact charities like the local animal shelter or Habitat for Humanity.
For those with corporate experience consider mentoring budding entrepreneurs at SCORE Greater Phoenix.
Pitch in to beautify the state with Clean up Arizona.
Show your appreciation for our veterans by helping them through Operation Enduring Gratitude.
Religious Organizations
Places of worship include:
- Alleluia Lutheran Church
- Apostles Lutheran Church
- Avondale Baptist Church
- Beth Emeth Congregation Synagogue
- Bharatiya Ekta Mandir Hindu Temple
- Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church
- Bo De Vien Buddhist Temple
- Brian’s House Hindu Temple
- Buckeye Baptist Church
- Chabad House Synagogue
- Chabad of Goodyear Synagogue
- Citrus Road Community Church
- Concordia Lutheran Church
- Congregation Baruch Hashem Synagogue
- Faith Harvest Church
- Fountain of Life Lutheran Churc
- Greenway Mosque
- Masjid Al Kausur Mosque
- Masjid Rahman Mosque
- Our Savior Evangelical Lutheran Church
- Lakeview United Methodist Church
- Litchfield Park First Baptist Church
- Mission Church
- New Life Covenant Church
- New Song United Methodist Church
- Our Lady Of Guadalupe Mission
- Our Lady of Perpetual Help Roman Catholic Church
- Pebble Creek Community Church
- Santa Teresita Catholic Church
- St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church
- St. Clare of Assisi Catholic Parish
- St. Louis the King Catholic Church
- Saint John Vianney Catholic Church
- St. Paul Lutheran Church
- St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church
- St. Vincent de Paul Roman Catholic Church
- Shepherd of the Desert Evangelical Lutheran Church
- Shepherd of the Hills United Methodist Church
- Spirit of Hope United Methodist Church
- The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
- Temple Beth Shalom Synagogue
- Temple Solel Synagogue
- United Islamic Center of Arizona (UICA)
- Wat Thydaputikaram Buddhist Temple
- Wellspring Church
- West Valley Islamic Center
Friendships
Making friends and socializing are essential to aging well and Phoenix West Valley offers plenty of places to get together.
In Sun City the Banner Olive Branch Senior Center offers exercise and fun activities as well as health and wellness assistance.
In Glendale try the Glendale Adult Center for fitness classes, cards and games, a computer lab, ceramics classes, and seasonal events.
The Buckeye Senior Center is another option with programs, activities and services.
The El Mirage Senior Center offers exercise programs, activities and excursions, as well as classes, games and more.
The Phoenix West Valley area has so much to offer residents and visitors alike. Ready to learn more and see our communities for yourself? We invite you to schedule a time for a private tour today to get to know us and picture yourself at one of Orchard Pointe by Heritage Communities’ senior living communities.
At Orchard Pointe by Heritage Communities, we empower older adults to advance their own health and well-being by creating vibrant lifestyles that inspire creativity, support choice, protect dignity, and celebrate experience. Our team members are dedicated to creating an environment that empowers each resident to live their very best life.