Florence

Roughly 60 miles southeast of Phoenix, the master-planned, HOA-governed community of Anthem at Merrill Ranch offers recreation options and events that attract both retirees and families with young children. "We've got anything you want to do, whether it's crafts, dances, dinners, or pickleball,” says resident Claudia Wilson, an agent with Realty One Group. “It’s very pet friendly and you see people out and about all day long walking their dogs, riding their bikes, driving golf carts,” adds resident Ayanna Hawkins, a Realtor with Simple Realty Professionals. Within this largely residential development, the northern Sun City section welcomes buyers aged 55 and older, the southern Parkside section is open to residents of all ages, and everyone comes together at a shared community center. The CAP Index crime score is 2 out of 10, compared to the national average of 4 out of 10. Residents can do some grocery shopping and dining right in the neighborhood, but Hawkins notes that the area's shopping, dining and entertainment options are increasing with the continued development of nearby communities. "We're within striking distance of Queen Creek and San Tan Valley, which are growing exponentially right now,” she says. While residents in the age-restricted portion of Anthem at Merrill Ranch have access to their own private pickleball courts, the Anthem Parkside Community Center welcomes everyone who lives in the community. The center offers outdoor tennis, pickleball and volleyball courts, as well as a pool with waterslides and lap-swimming lanes; indoors, residents can shoot hoops in the gym, climb the rock wall, or use the fitness center. The adjoining community park offers a large playground and splash pad, as well as fishing ponds, a dog park and fields for soccer and softball. On the neighborhood’s east side, the 18-hole Poston Butte Golf Course is open to the public; on a clear day, golfers teeing off from the fairway can catch a glimpse of the Temple of the Sun, a landmark built on top of Poston Butte Peak by explorer Charles Poston, known as the “Father of Arizona." Residents can enjoy a regular roster of special events at the community center, including trivia on the first Friday of each month and a neighborhood potluck on the second. "The HOA does a really good job of making sure we have regular things to do on a daily basis,” Hawkins says, adding that residents frequently look forward to drive-in movies at the park and golf course, or dive-in movies at the pool. "Every week there's something going on at our community center,” she says. “If you’re bored here, there might be something wrong with you.” Home construction in Anthem at Merrill Ranch began in the early 2000s, but buyers can also find brand-new homes in both the Sun City and Parkside sections. All homes on the Sun City side are single-level ranch-style homes, while Parkside has two-story builds. Modest homes start at around $300,000, while larger versions, often with private swimming pools, can go up to $700,000. Most homes here have neutral-colored stucco walls and clay barrel-tile roofs, but some have brick-accented facades; nearly all homes here sit on quiet, sidewalk-lined streets and have attached, front-facing garages. Properties are well-maintained, and most feature low-water landscaping with gravel and desert plants. Anthem at Merrill Ranch is zoned for the Florence Unified School District. Local students can attend Anthem K-8 on the neighborhood’s south side before moving onto Florence High 10 miles southeast; both schools receive a C-plus rating from Niche. Florence High has a renowned music and fine arts program with several band and choir ensembles, and students here can enroll in a variety of career and technical education courses in fields like graphic design, agriscience and sports medicine. Residents can do some local dining and shopping on the neighborhood’s west side, at the intersection of Hunt Highway and Merrill Ranch Parkway. There's a Safeway for groceries, Valentino’s Eatery for classic Italian fare and lengthy wine, cocktail and dessert menus, and Chen’s Chinese Bistro for family-style dinners and takeout lunch specials. Further east at Poston Butte Golf Club’s Anthem Grille, folks can order smoked meat by the half pound or enjoy Sunday brunch on the patio. Retail options can be found less than 20 miles northwest in the Queen Creek community, including Target, Walmart and Kohl’s. Anthem at Merrill Ranch doesn't have direct freeway access, but Hunt Highway wraps around the community to the south and west, eventually connecting with Loop 202 to the north and State Route 87 to the south; State Route 87 leads west to Interstate 10. Florence Hospital is at the northeast end of the community, and Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport is roughly 25 miles northwest.