How It Feels to Live Here

Life at Encore doesn’t end at the clubhouse. One of the things that makes the community feel different is its connection to Eastmark. Residents enjoy the social benefits of a 55+ neighborhood while remaining connected to parks, trails, restaurants, and the everyday activity of one of Arizona’s premier master-planned communities. Mornings often begin at the Proving Ground Café with coffee and a conversation with neighbors before heading to a fitness class, pickleball, or a walk along the Eastmark trails. The Encore Club is active without feeling overly scheduled. Whether you’re looking for a workout, a club meeting, or a quiet afternoon in the library, it’s easy to participate at your own pace.

Afternoons tend to be more relaxed, while evenings bring the community back together for club meetings, themed events, holiday gatherings, or simply catching up with neighbors on the patio. The social calendar offers enough variety to stay engaged without feeling like you need to participate in everything.

One thing buyers often notice after visiting Encore is how connected it feels. You’re in a 55+ neighborhood, but you’re also right next door to the broader Eastmark community—with parks, restaurants, families, and everyday activity just beyond the neighborhood. For buyers who want the social connection of a 55+ community without feeling removed from everyday life, that balance is one of Encore’s biggest strengths.

Like most Arizona communities, Encore’s energy changes with the seasons. Winter and spring are the busiest months as seasonal residents return and the social calendar fills up. Summers are quieter, but the clubhouse, fitness center, and early morning activities help keep full-time residents active and connected year-round.

Encore at Eastmark May Be a Great Fit If You...

• Want an active, social 55+ lifestyle with modern amenities and a welcoming neighborhood feel rather than a large resort-style campus

• Want to stay close to children or grandchildren in Eastmark or the broader Southeast Valley, making family visits easy and convenient

• Desire a newer home with modern floor plans, energy-efficient construction, and finishes that require little or no updating

• Value convenient access to Mesa Gateway Airport for seasonal travel or visiting family and friends

Encore at Eastmark May Not Be the Best Fit If You….

• Are looking for a large, destination-style community with a more extensive amenity package

• Have golf as your top priority and want a course located within the community

• Want multiple on-site dining options beyond a café serving coffee and light fare

• Prefer a completely stand-alone active adult community rather than one integrated into a larger master-planned neighborhood

What You’ll Pay for a Home

Encore at Eastmark offers some of the newest resale homes in Arizona’s active adult market, with floor plans ranging from approximately 1,300 to over 3,200 square feet. Home prices typically range from the upper $300s to the low $800s, depending on size, location, upgrades and outdoor living features. The median home price is generally in the low $500s, where buyers can often find a well-appointed home of around 1,800 square feet with modern finishes and low-maintenance living. At the upper end of the market, buyers will find larger floor plans with upgraded interiors and beautifully designed outdoor living spaces. Compared to many active adult communities in the Valley, Encore offers one of the better opportunities to purchase a relatively newer home with modern design at a competitive price point.

What to Know Before Buying

The Pool

The Encore Club pool is currently being rebuilt and is expected to reopen by the end of 2026. No special assessment to homeowners is anticipated. This is worth knowing if the pool is an important part of your lifestyle, as it won’t be available during the reconstruction period. However, the rebuild should result in a refreshed facility once complete.

Property Taxes

Property taxes at Encore at Eastmark tend to run higher than at many nearby 55+ communities, due to Eastmark's assessment areas and CFD-related charges. This is something I always point out to buyers, because the tax rate can vary from one community to the next. I recommend pulling the specific tax record for any property you're seriously considering, not just the general area rate.

Lot Sizes

Homes at Encore are built on smaller lots, consistent with a modern planned community. If a larger yard or greater privacy between homes is important to you, this is worth considering. The tradeoff is lower maintenance and a more connected neighborhood feel.

HOA Review

HOA guidelines cover the typical items you'd expect in a planned 55+ community — landscaping standards, guest policies, age qualifications, and so on. As with any community, I encourage buyers to read the CC&Rs during escrow and ask questions about anything that's unclear.

Airport Proximity

Airport proximity is a major convenience for many residents, particularly seasonal homeowners. However, buyers should also be aware that parts of Eastmark experience occasional aircraft noise due to nearby Mesa Gateway Airport. The level of impact varies by location within the community, so I always recommend spending time at a specific home at different times of day if this is a concern.

THE GOOD LIFE AZ TAKE

What sets Encore apart is its location within Eastmark, a 3,200-acre master-planned community often described as a “city within a city.” Beyond the Encore clubhouse, residents are surrounded by parks, trails, schools, and employment centers that create a vibrant, connected environment. Combined with newer, modern homes and convenient access to Loop 202, US-60, Loop 101, and Mesa Gateway Airport, Encore offers a lifestyle that is both connected and convenient. For those who want the benefits of a 55+ community while remaining connected to the energy of a larger all-ages master-planned community, Encore is a compelling option.

Buyers considering newer 55+ communities often compare Encore at Eastmark with Ovation at Meridian. Many are drawn to Eastmark’s larger scale, established amenities, and reputation as one of Arizona’s premier master-planned communities, while others prefer Ovation’s Queen Creek location, slightly newer construction, and more intimate feel.