Sunsites is a retirement destination in southeastern Arizona
Sunsites is a secluded spot in the Chihuahuan Desert, known for warm weather and mountain views. This rural neighborhood began as a retirement community in the 1960s but is now open to anyone, not just retirees; about 800 people live here today. “It’s still mostly retired people, but you have some families and single residents out here. If people move to Sunsites, they want to be away from the traffic and all that,” says John Shaver with Realty Executives, a Realtor since 2016. He grew up on a ranch outside of neighboring Willcox, and he’s lived in the area for over 50 years. “People like the idea of being able to pick up a few groceries and eat at a restaurant, but they’re still out in the desert. They might work in Douglas, Willcox or Benson, or the power company is just up the road in Cochise.” Farming and ranching are other popular professions, as wide open spaces surround the neighborhood. Stretching across this desert, U.S. Highway 191 runs along Sunsites’ eastern side, and it’s the main route in and out of the community.
Exploring the Dragoon and Chiricahua ranges
A part of the Coronado National Forest, the Dragoon Mountains are about 15 miles west of Sunsites, and they’re visible from almost anywhere in the neighborhood. This range used to be a refuge for a famous Apache chief, Cochise, and his people; their brick stronghold still remains as a historical site, built sometime in the 1860s. Visitors can camp here or hike on one of the many nearby trails. Most scale thousands of feet in elevation, and some go above 7,000 feet. The trail to Mount Glenn, for instance, is about 6 miles and ascends nearly 3,000 feet.
Another segment of the Coronado National Forest, the Chiricahua Mountains are about 35 miles away on the community’s eastern horizon. This range offers more hiking trails and steep peaks, some of which go above 9,000 feet. The area is also known for the Chiricahua National Monument. Receiving more than 50,000 visitors per year, this geological park features hundreds of rock pinnacles — giant pillars of granite — that formed from an ancient volcano. Notable sights include Organ Pipe Formation, Natural Bridge and Big Balanced Rock.
Home prices, lot sizes and housing styles in Sunsites
The median sale price in Sunsites is roughly $180,000, less than half of the median for Arizona. Townhomes are between $50,000 and $170,000; ranch-style homes have more square footage, and they’re between $125,000 and $340,000. Fixer-uppers are typically on the lower end of the market, as their renovations require an overhead cost. Most properties were built in the 1960s and ‘70s by the original developer, but some homes are from the 1990s and 2000s. A majority are set close to the street with short, paved driveways. Yards are spacious with dirt or gravel, typical for the Chihuahuan Desert. Though this is a rural community, most neighbors are close together on quarter-acre lots, as they would be in a city subdivision. Homes, unless they’re farther into the desert, are hooked up to the community’s water and sewer, and heating systems typically use natural gas.
U.S. Highway 191 and neighboring towns
While pedestrians don’t have to deal with traffic, Frontage Road has the only sidewalk in the neighborhood, and summer temperatures frequently reach over 90 degrees. Most people drive in Sunsites and around the desert anyway. “A lot of people here are farmers and ranchers, so they ride whatever they have,” says John Franko, a Realtor with Keller Williams Southern Arizona. His brokerage sells about 80 homes in the region every year. “You’ll see ATVs, UTVs, tractors, horses and whatever else.” Better suited for cars, U.S. Highway 191 is the main route in and out of this community, stretching along its eastern side. This two-lane road goes about 25 miles south to Elfrida and about 25 miles farther to Douglas. This small city provides a port of entry into Mexico, plus other shopping and dining options. About 35 miles west of Sunsites, Benson and its hospital are accessible via 191, Dragoon Road and Interstate 10. Tucson International Airport is roughly 40 miles farther west.
Walkable commercial district on Frontage Road
Frontage Road is the commercial district of Sunsites. In addition to the post office and dentist, it has all of the community’s restaurants and shops. TJ’s Bar & Grill serves lunch and dinner, and as the only nightlife spot in the neighborhood, it’s open until two in the morning. With swinging saloon doors, billiards and horseshoes get competitive, and beer pairs with classic bar food. Talking Irons Coffee Saloon is nearby with everything from bagels to ice cream, and its outdoor seating area has a sunshade. Apache Hardware sells building and garden materials, and Dollar General is just up the street for groceries. For larger trips, the nearest Safeway is about 25 miles north on U.S. Highway 191.
Historic buildings in Pearce
A couple of miles south of this district, Pearce is largely considered a ghost town. Its main thoroughfare, in fact, is Ghost Town Trail. Still, the area gets passing tourists off U.S. Highway 191, and some ranchers have taken up residence nearby. The Pearce General Store opened in 1896, and its original owners, Soto Bros. & Renaud, are still advertised on the storefront. The Pearce Jail was constructed down the street in 1915, and this small building has only two cells. Made of old wood and sheet metal, Old Pearce Pottery is both an art gallery and studio, and it sells plates, necklaces, pots and more. Remnants of the Commonwealth Mine are in the hills outside of town, about a mile south.
Pearce Elementary and Valley Union High
Next to Pearce’s historic buildings, Pearce Elementary serves about 140 students in kindergarten through eighth grade, and it scores a B from Niche. Valley Union High is about 20 miles south on Highway 191. Niche gives it a C, and it has roughly 100 students and 10 teachers. These students come from five different elementary school districts and many communities across the Chihuahuan Desert.
Sipping at Pearce Wine Festival, Willcox Wine Festival
Evelyn Williams Memorial Park is on the neighborhood’s south side, and its field hosts the Pearce Wine Festival in October. Some local wineries offer tastings, and live music is provided. In the same month, the Willcox Wine Festival is a bigger event with roughly 10 participating vineyards. It’s about 25 miles north in Willcox, a town known for its wine. This town and the wider region — sometimes called Willcox Wine Country — produce about 75% of the state’s wine grapes.
