Active adult living with views of the Catalina Mountains
Located about 25 miles north of Tucson, SaddleBrooke offers resort-style living to residents aged 55 and older. This master-planned community makes up most of the larger, census-designated area of Saddlebrooke, which also includes the community of SaddleBrooke Ranch. “It sits at the base of the Catalina Mountains, so a lot of the homes have amazing mountain views,” says resident Helen Graham, an agent with Long Realty. Spanning 1,200 acres with over 5,000 homes, this active-adult community is a melting pot of retirees from all over the country. “It’s like when you went off to college, and everybody was new and from somewhere else, all ready to make friends and have fun,” Graham says. “That’s what SaddleBrooke is, just for a later chapter in your life. No one’s from here or grew up here, so everybody is very welcoming and open. There are a ton of activities for everybody, and it’s very social.”
Sitting at about 3,400 feet in elevation, the community boasts cooler temperatures than Phoenix, where the sweltering summers often force residents to higher ground for part of the year. While Graham notes that the community is home to some seasonal snowbirds, most residents live there year-round. “Some full-time residents will leave during the summer to travel, but many have chosen not to have a second residence,” she says.
Two homeowners' associations, one SaddleBrooke
The median home price here is about $500,000, compared to Tuscon’s average median of $345,000. The community is made up of SaddleBrooke One and SaddleBrooke Two, each with their own homeowner's associations. While both are similar, SaddleBrooke Two is newer and includes more homes. SaddleBrooke One has homes that date as far back as 1987, while those within SaddleBrooke Two’s Preserve subdivision have homes built within the past couple of years.
While Graham notes that some of the community’s floor plans are two stories, the vast majority of homes are single level. Housing here includes 1,500 square foot villas for as low as $300,000, while 3,700 square foot homes in the Preserve with golf course views and quarter-acre lots can be upwards of $1.5 million. Regardless of the floor plan, homes throughout SaddleBrooke have Southwestern influence with stucco exteriors and clay tile roofs.
Resort-style amenities for all residents, plus public and private golf at three courses
SaddleBrooke offers over 200 clubs that cater to a wide range of interests and hobbies in everything from hiking to photography. The community has several clubhouses and recreation centers with swimming pools and tennis courts, as well as a pickleball facility used by members of the pickleball club. There is also a softball complex and several basketball and bocce ball courts. The community’s three fitness centers have regular dance, aerobics and Pilates classes, while the two arts and crafts centers have studios for artists of all mediums. The Desert View Performing Arts Center stages tribute bands, variety shows and dance performances with talent from within and outside of the community.
The private, members-only SaddleBrooke County Club has three nine-hole courses, while the Mountain View and Preserve courses are open to both residents and non-residents with a daily fee. With the exception of golf, all recreation facilities, regardless of where they are located, are open to all residents of both SaddleBrooke One and SaddleBrooke Two as part of their HOA dues.
Weekly social events and the SaddleBrooke Farmers and Artisan Market
Regular weekly and monthly events are held across the community’s clubhouses and recreational facilities, including trivia nights, happy hours and mixers, karaoke and more. The weekly SaddleBrooke Farmers and Artisan Market on Fridays offers fresh produce, baked goods and handmade jewelry, and twice a year in March and November, the SaddleBrooke Arts and Crafts fair showcases and sells work made by artists in the community. Popular annual events include the 4th of July fireworks show, the Memorial Day car show, and the Christmas golf cart parade.
Post-golf hangouts and happy hours at the clubhouse restaurants
The community's clubhouses have several restaurants offering everything from casual bites and brews to elevated fine dining. While some are only open to residents, several are open to members of the public. SaddleBrooke is also home to a small number of businesses, including banks, pharmacies, salons and gas stations. Additional dining options, along with grocery, retail and fast-food chains, can be found within 10 miles along Route 77.
SaddleBrooke Patrol serves as the eyes and ears of the community
No specific crime statistics are readily available for SaddleBrooke. The community doesn’t have its own police or fire department and is served by Golder Ranch Fire Department and Pinal County Sheriff’s Office. SaddleBrooke Patrol provides security 24 hours a day and patrol vehicles. SaddleBrooke Patrol also enforces traffic, checks on homes when residents are away and coordinates with the local fire and sheriff’s department as needed.
A golf cart-friendly community at the junction of State Routes 77 and 79
Golf carts are the most common way to get around within the community, which is otherwise largely car-dependent. SaddleBrooke is located at the junction of two major routes; State Route 77 leads about 25 miles south to Tucson, while State Route 79 connects drivers to Phoenix about 120 miles northwest. Oro Valley Hospital is about 10 miles south, and Tuscon International Airport is about 35 miles south.
