Green Valley is an unincorporated Pima County community, 30 miles south of Tucson, that offers views of the Santa Rita Mountains and rural desert. Neighborhoods hug the west and east sides of Interstate 19, which splits the community down the center and connects it to Tucson’s employers. Nearly 80% of its about 23,000 residents are over 65 years old and most communities are designated for those 55 years old and older. “Green Valley's residents are from everywhere; since this is a popular retirement area, the diversity of thought, interests and backgrounds is abundant,” says Marvol Barnard, the National President of the LPGA Professionals. “People here are very active, with every sort of sport, social event, networking opportunity and outdoor recreation available. The saying here is, ‘If you are bored, it's your own fault!’”
Arid Garden is open to the public and offers hundreds of unique desert plants in Green Valley.
Desert Bloom Garden Center is a popular nursery in Green Valley.
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Age-restricted and golfing communities
Housing options vary by community; some, such as Conoa Ranch, have mostly single-story new traditional houses, and others, such as Tucson Green Valley, have Mission Revival-style villas and condos. Ranch-style homes also line communities. Single-family homes are priced between $100,000 and $1.3 million, while condos can list from $95,000 to $510,000. Green Valley's average home values are consistently lower than national averages, and its median single-family home price of $355,000 is less than the Tucson median by nearly $35,000. Some of the area’s 55 and older communities are also popular for the recreational access they offer, including that of the Country Club of Green Valley, where the Green Valley Country Club Estates neighborhood is located.
There are over 80 homeowners associations, and most homes are assigned to one. “As our neighbor Sahuarita grows and expands, we’re seeing more of the developments are looking to introduce nonrestrictive housing to incorporate more families and children,” says David McAllister Romo, Green Valley Council’s Executive Director. “We’re trying to move away from the moniker that we’re a sleepy town where people just come to retire. We’re a place that’s fun and exciting. Everyone knows everyone, even if they live on opposite sides of town because if they don’t live close, they’re in a club or play softball with them.”
Most Green Valley homes have rock gardens for easy maintenance.
Many Green Valley homes are ranch-style.
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From Green Valley Recreation to mountain trails
Most residents are members of Green Valley Recreation (GVR), a non-profit organization that organizes various community events. Across its 15 recreation centers, GVR has a 24-court pickleball center and indoor facilities that host fitness classes, hobby groups and social events. The Community Performance and Art Center (CPAC) holds events varying from jazz acts to dance performances. Parks like Desert Meadows are open to the public and include trails throughout the Sonoran Desert. Barnard says the Anza Historic Trail and trails at Madera Canyon in the Santa Cruz Mountains are also nearby and popular with locals.
While the GVR accounts for most of the area’s entertainment, golf courses also play an essential role in the culture of Green Valley. “As a golf professional, of course, I adore all the local golf courses, particularly my home course at the Country Club of Green Valley,” Barnard says. “Every course here is beautifully maintained, playable for all skill levels and a huge part of Green Valley's popularity. I didn't take up golf until I was a snowbird coming to the area from Alaska, so golf and the golf courses are what I love most about the area.” Temperatures hover around 100 in the summer and drop to the upper 30s in the winter. Rainfall typically stays below 12 inches each year and mostly falls during the monsoon season from mid-June to late September. Wildfires are a regional concern.
Green Valley is home to handfuls of golf courses, both private and public.
Green Valley has slow paced streets, allowing residents to safely take daily walks.
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Interstate ties to Tucson and shopping centers
Shopping plazas with box stores, grocers and restaurants are conveniently located at the exits of the central thoroughfare, Interstate 19. In addition to fast food and regional restaurant chains, dining options include locally owned coffee shops, pizzerias and Mexican restaurants. The community’s golf courses and country clubs also feature restaurants, making them popular destinations for lunch and dinner. “I love how close we are to Tucson for expanded shopping—Costco, Trader Joe's, etc.—but still far enough away to maintain our small-town feel,” Barnard says.
Manuel's Mexican Restaurant is a popular, casual restaurant in Green Valley.
The Crossing at Sahuarita offers numerous shopping and eateries in Green Valley.
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Travel and medical services around Green Valley
For trips outside Arizona, Tucson International Airport is about 25 miles north. Because the Santa Cruz Valley Regional Hospital closed in 2022 due to financial challenges, residents must drive about 10 miles north to Northwest Medical Center in Sahuarita for emergency care. Fortunately, Green Valley has urgent care facilities for minor accidents and illnesses. “You’re never going to see a traffic jam, and after 6 p.m., you’re lucky if you see five cars,” McAllister Romo says.
School options for a small student population
According to the United States Census, less than 1% of the population is school-aged. Green Valley is zoned for the Continental Elementary School District, which earns a B-plus grade from Niche. Sahuarita Unified School District also earns a B-plus and serves the area's middle and high school students. For private schools, options like Liberty Youth Academy are located less than 10 miles north in the town of Sahuarita.
Continental Elementary School serves grades K-5 in Green Valley, Arizona.
Students love the brand new playground equipment at Continental Elementary School in Green Valley.
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Crime in Pima County’s Green Valley
Pima County Sheriff’s Office serves the Green Valley area. The county’s violent crime rates are consistently below the state’s average, and property crime rates remain close to the state’s. Both rates have steadily increased since 2020. According to the Pima County Sheriff’s Department Green Valley Crime Statistics 85614 and Calls for Service Statistics reports from 2023, Green Valley’s quarter one calls for service—January to March—accounted for about 3% of calls.
Written By
Lauren Melton
Photography Contributed By
Kristen Rademacher
Video By
Michael Carey
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GreatSchools:
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On average, homes in Green Valley, AZ sell after 84 days on the market compared to the national average of 50 days. The median sale price for homes in Green Valley, AZ over the last 12 months is $297,000, up 1% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
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