February 6, 2025
Maricopa's only 55+..
At or near retirement and thinking about Maricopa? Province is the city's one and only 55+ community — gated, built around 30+ acres of lakes, and packed with amenities. I toured three homes across the price range, and at the end I'll explain the loophole that can let you move in as early as 40.
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Province is Maricopa's only 55+ community — and it's a nice one without getting as pricey as some across the Phoenix metro. You get a 24/7 gate guard, 30+ acres of lakes and waterways stocked for catch-and-release fishing, and a genuine laundry list of amenities: indoor and outdoor pools, a workout facility, sauna, steam rooms, billiards, game rooms, a library, music room, ceramic studio, sewing room, and an event center, plus an ongoing calendar of clubs and classes. When I filmed (February 2025), the HOA ran about $285/month (recently bumped) to fund all of it. One thing I noticed at every age-restricted community I visit: people look out for each other — folks stopped to say hi and chat the whole time I was there.
Engle Homes established Province and started selling around 2004, but went under locally in 2008. Meritage Homes then acquired the development and has been the exclusive builder ever since. That's why most homes here are Engle resales, with a limited number of Meritage new builds still available when I filmed (February 2025).
The entry point — an Engle duplex, 2 bed / 2 bath, ~1,466 sq ft, 2-car garage, around $300,000. Older finishes (lots of brown) and a smaller walk-in closet, but reasonably priced for a 55+ community, with green-strip views, direct gate access, and a built-in shower seat for a little extra support.
The high-end I toured — an Engle single-family home, 2 bed / 2 bath plus a bonus room, ~2,243 sq ft, around $510,000. Spacious, with stone counters (the fridge was left for the new owners) and a couple of extra bedroom-sized rooms (no closet/fourth wall) that work great as an office or craft room. The real value driver: it sits right on the waterfront, with a beautiful catch-and-release lake view.
The new build — Meritage's Turner model, 2 bed / 2 bath with additional rooms, 2-car garage, about $399,500. Open and spacious (these homes are built for entertaining), a big island in quartz/marble, an oversized laundry-and-storage room, and a large walk-in shower with a seat. As always, the staged backyard isn't what you'll get — new builds come as dirt.
Here's the part worth sticking around for: Province is 55+, but if you buy a NEW Meritage home, you could move in as early as 40 (the average resident is in the low 60s). The catch is that new-build lots were limited, and the community was heading toward close-out — once that happens, the 55+ rule applies for good. So if a lake-and-amenities lifestyle appeals and you're not quite 55, this is genuinely time-sensitive — let's check what's actually still available. Curious about the builder elsewhere in town? See my Meritage tour, or browse Maricopa neighborhoods.
Yes - Province is Maricopa's only age-restricted (55+) community. It has a 24/7 gate guard, 30+ acres of lakes and waterways stocked for catch-and-release fishing, and a long amenity list: indoor and outdoor pools, a workout facility, sauna and steam rooms, billiards, game rooms, a library, music room, ceramic studio, sewing room, event center, and lots of clubs and classes.
When I filmed (February 2025), there was a loophole: if you buy a NEW Meritage home in Province, you could move in as early as 40 (the average resident age is in the low 60s). The catch is that new-build lots were limited, and the community was heading toward close-out - after which the 55+ rule applies for good. So if this interests you, check current new-build availability with me right away.
When I filmed (February 2025), the HOA was about $285/month (recently increased) and covers the extensive amenities. Homes ranged from an Engle duplex around $300,000 (the entry point) to a waterfront single-family home around $510,000, with a new Meritage 'Turner' model at about $399,500. Prices move - ask me for current listings.
Engle Homes established Province and began selling around 2004, but went under locally in 2008. Meritage Homes then acquired the development and has been the exclusive builder since. Most homes in the community are Engle resales; Meritage still had a limited number of new builds when I filmed (February 2025).
Yes - many Province homes back directly onto the catch-and-release lakes, which adds real value and beautiful views. (There are also lakefront homes elsewhere in Maricopa, like The Lakes at Rancho El Dorado, that aren't age-restricted.)
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