Situated on both sides of I-19, Green Valley is one of the oldest 55+ masterplanned communities in Arizona and the U.S. The developers broke ground in 1960, and since then, Green Valley has grown steadily as a successful retirement community. Located 30 miles south of Tucson and 40 miles north of Nogales and the Mexican border, this exurban area is home to approximately 21,000 residents.
Nearly three quarters of Green Valley residents were over 65 years in 2014 as estimated by the Census Bureau. Females outnumber males by five percent. Although people living in Green Valley are primarily retired, the median household income exceeds that of Tucsonans by a substantial amount. In 2014, the Census Bureau reports a median income of $46,732 compared to $37,149 for households residing in Tucson. Green Valley households are smaller, with just 1.67 persons per home, while the average within Tucson is over 2.0.
You’ll find both single family homes and townhomes in Green Valley, ranging from some of the original, decades-old homes to a few new home developments. As of March 2016, there were 385 single family homes for sale and 155 townhomes or condos. The prices for single family homes ranged from $74,900 to $1,200,000 whose square footage ran from 1008 to 2980. Attached homes ranged $33,400 to $274,900 with square footage from 554 to 1922 square feet.
According to the Multiple Listing Service statistics for 2015, sellers in the Green Valley area received 97 percent of their asking price when the home sold, compared to 95 percent for all of Tucson. The days on the market numbered 88 for Green Valley, compared to 63 for the entire metro area. The Green Valley housing market is more seasonal than the mainstream housing market in all of Tucson because of the impact of winter visitors and second home purchasers.
The homeownership rate in Green Valley is higher than Tucson’s by a large margin. Eighty two percent of Green Valley residents own their homes compared to 49 percent of Tucson residents. According to estimates made by the U.S. Census Bureau for 2014, the median home value in Green Valley stood at $168,600, compared to Tucson's $133,500.
The two new communities that are part of Green Valley include Robson Resort Communities’ Quail Creek and Fairfield Homes’ Solterra. Solterra residents have access to all the amenities that Green Valley provides, while Quail Creek homeowners have their own facilities. Homes at Solterra range from $179,900 to $273,279 for 1412 to 2357 square feet. Quail Creek new homes start at $219,900 and go to $373,900 with a square footage range from 1589 to 2686.
If you’re looking for an area that has virtually everything to offer, a community within Green Valley will deliver. Green Valley proper has eight public and private golf courses and nearby Quail Creek has three private nine-hole courses. Quail Creek has numerous clubhouses, swimming pools, tennis courts, social clubs, and full slate of activities year-round, although activities peak in the winter.
Green Valley has eight public and private play golf courses, 13 recreation centers, along with pools and spas, six fitness centers, sports courts, a performing arts center, and more than 60 clubs and groups. You’ll have to pay a small initial membership fee to use the community amenities and low-cost annual dues.
Outside of the communities, it’s an easy drive to Tucson for all that this city offers or down to the border towns of Nogales. Dental services in Nogales, Sonora have surged in recent years, and this area is prime for local shopping and dining, no matter which side of the border you choose.
The natural environment in this part of Arizona is stunning. The only known jaguar in the U.S. has been discovered in the nearby Santa Rita Mountains, whose highest elevation tops out at 9,453 feet. If you’re up to a strenuous day hike, consider taking Old Baldy Trail, a six mile excursion with an elevation gain of 4,122 feet to the top of Mount Wrightson for the spectacular scenery and views from the top. The world-renowned hiking and birding destination, Madera Canyon, lies within the Santa Rita Mountains. Although there are no restaurants in this range, you can find a mountain getaway lodge that sits at an elevation of 5,000 feet just 13 miles southeast of Green Valley.
Even though Green Valley is in a desert, you can spend the day fishing or boating at Lake Sahuarita, just a few miles north of town. This lake is part of the all-ages masterplanned community of Rancho Sahuarita. The lake is routinely stocked and is open year-round for the public’s enjoyment.
As an established community, Green Valley has a full complement of local shopping areas at Green Valley Village and Continental Shopping Center. You’ll find grocery stores, pharmacies, apparel, hair salons, hardware stores, gift shops and health and wellness centers. Green Valley also has several motels. There are many places to eat out, including the clubhouses within Green Valley. There’s no shortage of all kinds of shopping and services in nearby Tucson for any taste or budget.
According to securitygauge.com, Green Valley is 55 percent safer than other places within the U.S. It’s served by the Pima County Sheriff’s Department, and the town has a volunteer patrol. Fire services are provided by the Green Valley Fire District. The Green Valley Hospital opened in 2014, and is an acute care medical center with 49 beds.
