When it comes to retirement communities, there is one such tradition that was certainly a surprise for us. In reality, this is the Arizona Traditions Retirement community in Surprise, Arizona. It's an interesting concept that takes the active adult retirement lifestyle into new territories. Let's find out why?
What Is Arizona Traditions All About?
When you hear about retirement communities, it's all too easy to imagine that you find plenty of bungalows that are like a revolving door for new tenants each year. Actually, Arizona Traditions are quite the active buzz among the residents who live there. Focused on those who have reached 55+ and older, this is a gated community that is more like a self-contained community than anything else.
The Arizona Traditions Community is located in Surprise, Arizona. From Sky Harbor International Airport: Get on I-10 W, Head east on E Sky Harbor Blvd. Use the left lane to stay on E Sky Harbor Blvd. Turn left onto E Sky Harbor Blvd. Use the left lane to merge onto I-10 W via the ramp to Downtown/Phoenix/AZ-51/AZ-202 Loop. Follow I-10 W and AZ-303 Loop N/Arizona State Rte 303 N to W Bell Rd in Surprise. Take exit 116 from AZ-303 Loop N/Arizona State Rte 303 N. Merge onto I-10 W. Use the right 2 lanes to take exit 124A to merge onto AZ-303 Loop N/Arizona State Rte 303 N. Take exit 116 for Bell Rd. Follow W Bell Rd to N Citrus Rd. Use any lane to turn left onto W Bell Rd. Pass by O'Reilly Auto Parts. Turn right onto N Citrus Rd. Destination will be on the left.
Focused on active living, 'Traditions' focuses on allowing their residents to explore and experience the best part of retirement living. It's not a community project that's in development and has been up and running for many years now. As of 2013, the last home was completed with a total of 1768 homes that are situated across 718 acres of property. It's located right off Bell Road in Surprise, Arizona, and is modestly sized for its intended purposes. Just South of 'Traditions' across from Bell Rd. is Surprise Farms community, click here to read more on this developing community.
Don't let that fool you, because the average distance from anything outside this community is just 34 miles (or hour) from downtown Phoenix. This makes it easy for residents to continue active living pursuits outside the gates in highly entertaining club outings and weekend activities. What you'll find on the inside of Arizona Traditions is just as enthusiastic for the residents who live there.
When Did Traditions All Begin?
Way back in 1997, the first ground construction began after much anticipation from the city of Surprise. It was touted to include an exclusive 18-hole golf course that was designed by Dick Bailey. Dick was originally an architectural designer by trade but made a bold move to become a real estate developer in the 1970s. By the 1990s, he transitioned again to become a world-class golf course development company called Dick Bailey Design in Arizona.
His company enlisted the help of several world-calls golf course designers who went on to design over 9 completed golf courses and 10 renovations to existing courses. Arizona Traditions is one of them, but two of his best-known courses include Martis Camp in Truckee California, and the Whitehawk Ranch in Cleo, California. Dick has passed away in June of 2020 and was a longtime Arizona resident since 1994 leaving his legacy a living memory.
Traditions were primarily constructed by Continental Homes but later completed by D.R. Horton in 2013. Most of the homes situated in Traditions are continental-style homes and feature 23 different model designs. They all range in size from 1,052 to 2,319 square feet and are primarily single-story homes. Among the final homes built by D. R. Horton, these are larger houses that even have swimming pools and 3-car garages.
Most of the larger-scale homes were constructed closer to the golf course and were given the title The Retreat at Arizona Traditions. Many of these homes are still selling quite well with an average price tag starting at the mid $300K to upper 400K range. Because of the current economy, some models have seen incredibly discounted prices averaging on the low end of $172K to $230K for many of their 2-bedroom models.
What Do AZ Traditions Have To Offer Residents?
Easily, the highlights of Traditions are all part of an impressive list. Since the focus is placed on active living, there is always something to enjoy within this close-knit community. They have cleverly designed and created several clubs that continue to grow as the community expands. Here is a complete list of the best amenities that they have to offer and many of the additions that have been added recently.
1
Central Clubhouse
This impressive hub is the main artery for club activities and spans a total of 20,400 square feet. This is where local residents can gather for dozens of creative activities all throughout the week. This facility also features a 700-person ballroom, library, arts and crafts studios, and state-of-the-art fitness center. In total, there are three community centers all within Arizona Traditions.
2
Swimming Pools
They also offer three different swimming pools and two spas. The main pools have three separate functions which include the fitness and lap pool, a resort pool with special features, and their retreat pool.
3
Fitness Center
Two separate fitness centers have all the latest equipment for active adults who like to enjoy daily exercise including yoga programs and exercise equipment that you would find in any average fitness center.
4
18-Hole Golf
As mentioned before, their signature golf course designed by Dick Bailey is certainly a compelling Parkland-style course. What makes this course stand out is that it's easily a standout course challenge with a solid par 70. Golf cards are also supplied for residents of all skill levels. At the AZ Traditions Sports Bar, residents can gather after golf rounds for drinks and cocktails.
5
Sports And More
In addition to their variety of playing fields, they offer a softball field that has held a long-standing award for being one of the best retirement communities of the West Valley. They encourage many residents to sign up for their softball club which features separate team games at select times of the year. In winter, they have two scheduled clubs that actively play in the mild Arizona winter months.
Traditions also are proud to feature a total of 6 Pickleball courts, 4 tennis courts, 4 Bocce Ball courts, 4 horseshoe pits, and two shuffleboard tables. They also have 4 billiard tables that are set up for friendly games for old-school pool sharks.
6
Walking And Bike Trails
The entire enclosure of traditions is peppered with plenty of walking trails and bike trails. The entire community is designed for allowing residents to enjoy everyday activities that are safely contained in a utopia-like design.
7
Fitness Clubs
Traditions have an impressive list of fitness fanatics who enjoy everything from chair and mat yoga, stretching and aerobics, Pilates, Tai Chi, and obviously water aerobics. All of these programs are encouraged by local residents living within the Traditions community and are free to join.
8
Social Groups
Who says the Boomer generation can't get their kicks anymore? Among so of the hottest social club activities include Bartenders Club, Singles Group, Social Dance Club, West Valley Cloggers, Line Dance Club, RV Club, and Theater Club. There is also a kinder side that includes the Alzheimer's Caregiver Support Club, Bible Study, Book Club, Apple/Mac Computer Club, Library Volunteers, Communications Staff, and Caterer's Club.
9
Crafts And Skill Arts
You would expect that many who are retired are starting a second skill set outside of their previous profession. These activities include pottery, ceramics, woodshop, glass arts, arts and crafts, and knitting/crocheting/quilting/sewing groups.
10
Sports Clubs
The most obvious clubs will also have active members joining in with biking, hiking, bowling, golfing, putting, horseshoeing, Women's golfing, tennis, softball, volleyball, and pickleball. If there's an opportunity to create a new club activity that isn't going to be strenuous, the Traditions community is highly encouraged to start a whole new sporting group and club.
11
Organized Dining Events
With so much to do you might think nobody has time to eat, however, Traditions is actively hosting, community breakfasts, patio lunches, Spaghetti nights, party dinners, fish fry's, and Bar and Grill nights. They also feature local bands to entertain, NFL Sunday events, sports channel watch events, karaoke, dances and balls, and various yearly entertainment programs.
12
Cards And Gaming
What community wouldn't feature card games that range from poker to Maj Jong? If there isn't a card game you haven't heard of, they probably are playing a variant of this at Traditions at their Clubhouse facility. They even hold Texas Hold'Em Tournaments for cash pots and prizes that are certainly worth being part of. There are various house games including Bingo, to trivia games that allow everyone to be part of the fun.
13
Outside Clubs And Programs
With most of the local things that are located in neighboring Phoenix, it's just half an hour away by car. Not to forget that Surprise features all the convenience of any city with grocery stores, pharmacies, hair salons, restaurants, and hardware stores. For those who enjoy sporting events, Surprise is also home to spring training for the Texas Rangers and Kansas City Royals who train down the road at the Surprise Sports Complex every spring.
There is also the Arrowhead mall, West Valley art museum, West Gate Shopping Center, and Cardinal Stadium. This further allows residents to take part in movie nights, dinner outings, and club events all within Surprise. Who knew that community living could be so satisfying?
Arizona Traditions Is A Safe Place To Live
More importantly, to mention is that this community is protected by 24/7 security protection at all times. The front gate doesn't allow non-residents to enter at any point unless they have permission. That doesn't mean that residents aren't free to come and go as they please. Right down the street from Traditions are all the major supermarket chains such as Safeway and Sam's Club.
Because Traditions is sandwiched in between Happy Trails Resorts and the Beardsley Canal, there isn't much else that can easily enter the Traditions community. This makes an ideal place to live without the worry of outside disturbances that are often found in Phoenix residential neighborhoods. Since many of the residents of Arizona Traditions are looking out for each other in so many ways, it's one of the safest retirement places to live these days. Also, see our review of one of the other popular retirement communities in Surprise, Village at Prasada.
Arizona Junk Removal is a proud provider of junk removal services for the Arizona Traditions Community in Surprise since 2014.
FAQs
The concept of Arizona Traditions is to bring a new brand of active living 55+ adult community activities to Surprise. The community is modeled on resort-style amenities within carefully designed neighborhoods that resemble everyday family-style housing. There are also housing options that cater to golfing lifestyles with ideal homes located right next to their world-class golf course.
This community places a lot of value on active living programs and activities that are designed to keep residents happy and active. The number of clubs, classes, events, and social gathering days are very similar to resort-style vacationing options. There is also a big emphasis on helping residents stay in touch with new friends or helping connect others with old friends likewise.
Many of the homes that were designed in Arizona Traditions are hard to distinguish from traditional family homes that the older generation grew up with. These homes also come with extras featuring modern appliances, smart home gadgets, garages, dens, and extra storage space. Some homes even have backyards and swimming pools. Many of these homes range from 1,200-2,400 square feet and may offer 2-3 bedroom layouts.
There are so many amenities that make Traditions a place where life is filled with something new to do every day. Among the fact they feature an 18-hole golf course, there are endless sporting courts, fitness centers, swimming pools, and indoor and outdoor activity zones. Because it’s settled next to the White Tank Mountains and the city of Surprise, there is easy access to shopping, entertainment, and dining options.
Just outside the gated entrance to Traditions, residents can drive a couple minutes into downtown Surprise to reach a multitude of amenities, services, medical services, and entertainment. It’s also conveniently located right next to Loop 303 and all major freeways.
The best feature that Traditions s offers is not being a typical retirement community at all. Visitors have often remarked that the Traditions community looks and feels like a vacation or resort setting with all the comforts of home. Additionally, the homes that are offered in many neighborhoods have a charming American-style look and feel that reminds older (and younger) adults what comfort a home needs to include.
Aside from all of the built-in amenities and activities, there is no restriction to enjoying life outside Traditions whenever residents want to enjoy downtown Surprise every once and a while. There are even clubs that organize trips to various US destinations for those who still enjoy being adventurous.
