How It Feels to Live Here

Life at Province has an energy that surprises a lot of first-time visitors. People expect a quiet outlying community — and it is quiet, in the sense that Maricopa has a small-town pace that's different from the East Valley. But inside Province, there is always something happening. The club calendar runs nearly every day of the week, from early morning aqua fit in the pool to evening poker, line dancing, bingo, and special events. Residents who want to be busy can be very busy. Those who want to be selectively involved can find their people and show up on their own terms.

The setting plays a big role in daily life. Morning walks along the lake paths are a fixture for many homeowners, while the Model Yacht Group gathers each week to sail on the lake behind the Village Center. Inside the clubhouse, you’ll find everything from photography exhibits and theater productions to chorale performances, writers groups, quilting, hiking clubs, travel groups, and resident-led music sessions through the Blues & Jam Club. Province has the kind of club depth that only develops over time—activities created and sustained by residents around their own interests, not simply a builder’s starter list.

The guard gate adds a sense of privacy and arrival that full-time residents appreciate and seasonal owners value when leaving for extended periods. Coming home simply feels different than driving into an open neighborhood.

Summers in Maricopa are hot, as they are everywhere in Arizona. Many people travel, visit family, or escape to Flagstaff, Pinetop, or other cooler climates during the peak heat. The indoor amenities, pools, and early morning activities keep things comfortable for full-time residents who stay, and the Sunbird Group helps to keep the social energy going during the months when seasonal residents are away.

Province May Be a Great Fit If You…

• Value a social, active lifestyle in a completed, established community where mature landscaping, resident-led clubs, and welcoming neighbors create an easy sense of belonging

• Appreciate the peace of mind that comes with a 24-hour guard-gated community, especially if you travel seasonally or spend part of the year away

• Enjoy lakes, greenbelts, and open space as part of everyday life, as the setting creates a visual warmth that’s uncommon in Arizona’s active adult communities

• Would appreciate Province’s strong Midwest culture, reflected in resident groups like the Backeaster Club, Big Ten Athletic Club, Happy Hoosiers, and Sweet Home Chicago, making it easy for many newcomers to feel at home

• Split your time between Arizona and another home, or live here year-round, and value programs and services like the Snowbird Club, Helping Hands volunteers, home checkers, and airport ride assistance

Province May Not Be the Best Fit If You…

• Prefer a larger-scale resort community with multiple clubhouses, several dining venues, and on-site golf courses

• Rarely use the clubhouse, fitness center, pools, clubs, or social activities and simply want a home with the value that a Maricopa location provides

• View appreciation potential above lifestyle, as Maricopa home prices have experienced periods of slower appreciation and greater volatility than some Phoenix-area markets

• Want a community centered around on-site dining, as buyers seeking a full-service restaurant and bar experience within the gates may find larger communities a better fit

• Need frequent, convenient access to Phoenix, Chandler, or the East Valley, especially during rush hour

What You’ll Pay for a Home

Maricopa Market

Province home values generally move in line with the broader Maricopa market. During strong housing markets, the community has enjoyed meaningful appreciation. When the market softens, outlying areas with significant new construction such as Maricopa often experience the slowdown sooner and recover more gradually than some East Valley locations. For many residents, however, the lifestyle, amenities, and overall value proposition are the primary reasons they choose to live here, not short-term appreciation.

Single-Family Homes

In the first half of 2026, the median sale price for Province’s detached single-family homes was in the mid-$300s. Sales ranged from the upper $200s to just over $700,000. At the entry level, buyers could find homes around 1,500 square feet, built during the community’s early years, and interior locations backing to neighboring homes. At the upper end, highly upgraded waterfront properties commanded premium prices, particularly those offering larger floor plans, private pools, three-car garages, upgraded outdoor living spaces, and well-appointed interiors. The highest sale during this period was a 2,618-square-foot waterfront home built in 2019 that sold for $705,000. Lot location can have a meaningful impact on pricing. Highly coveted homes backing to greenbelts or water often command a premium over similar interior lots, with waterfront typically commanding the highest premium. Buyers can expect to pay tens of thousands more for a comparable home with a desirable greenbelt or water view.

Another factor to keep in mind when comparing sales is that some homes are sold with furnishings included. In a retirement community, it’s not unusual to see furniture, golf carts, and other personal property included in the purchase price, which can affect the overall value received by the buyer. This is often a point of negotiation between buyers and sellers when both parties have an interest in including personal property in the sale.

Villas (Twin Homes)

Province also offers attached villas, sometimes referred to as twin homes, which share one common wall with a neighboring residence. In the first half of 2026, villa sales ranged from the mid-$200s to just under $400,000. Pricing is influenced by many of the same factors as detached homes, including size, age, waterfront or greenbelt location, upgrades, and overall condition. While villas often offer a lower purchase price than similar detached homes, buyers should also factor in the higher monthly HOA fees. Those fees help cover certain exterior maintenance items, creating an option to consider for a lock-and-leave lifestyle.

What to Know Before Buying

The Golf Course is Across the Street, Not On-Site

The Duke at Rancho El Dorado is a public, par-72 golf course located directly across the street from Province. Many residents play there through the Province Golf Club, making it feel like an extension of the community. Because it’s a public course, however, tee times are shared with the general public and aren’t managed by the HOA. Buyers accustomed to private or resident-focused golf communities should keep that distinction in mind.

Living Outside the Valley Core

Province is about 35 miles from Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport and roughly 30 minutes from Chandler. Everyday conveniences—including Fry’s, Sprouts, and Banner Health Medical Center—are just minutes away, but specialty hospitals, major shopping, and many entertainment venues require a drive into the Valley. Buyers who want to be in the middle of everything may find Province farther out than East Valley communities. Buyers looking for a quieter pace with plenty of everyday conveniences often see that as part of the appeal.

Community is Built Out

Meritage completed their final homes in 2025. The first homes were constructed in 2004, as was the clubhouse and they reflect the community’s original era. For older homes, you should consider the age and possible replacement costs of the roof, windows and major systems. Buyers benefit from mature landscaping and a well-established neighborhood while still having newer generation homes available.

The SR-347 Corridor

SR-347 is the primary road connecting Maricopa to the rest of the Valley. Traffic on this road can build during peak hours, particularly in winter months as the Maricopa area has grown significantly. It is worth factoring into your assessment if frequent Valley access is part of your plan, especially over the next few years as it undergoes an expansion.

Villas vs. Single-Family Homes

Province includes both single-family homes and villas. The villa homes carry an additional HOA fee beyond the standard quarterly dues. If you're considering a villa, factor in the combined fee when comparing total cost of ownership.

THE GOOD LIFE AZ TAKE

Province has always stood out to me because it offers a combination that’s surprisingly difficult to find: extensive lakes and greenbelts, a broad amenity package, relatively newer homes, and home prices that remain attainable compared to many Phoenix-area 55+ communities. It feels established without feeling dated, and the natural setting gives the community a warmth that’s uncommon in Arizona active adult neighborhoods.

What I hear most often from residents is how welcoming Province feels. The social calendar is active, but it’s the resident-led clubs, volunteer spirit, and everyday interactions that give the community its personality. Whether you’re interested in pickleball, cards, crafts, fitness, or simply expanding your social circle, it’s easy to find your place here.

Of course, Province isn’t for everyone. Maricopa is farther from the East Valley than communities like Sun Lakes or Trilogy at Power Ranch, and SR-347 can be frustrating during peak travel times. If you’re still driving to Phoenix, Chandler, or Tempe frequently, that’s something you’ll want to consider carefully.

For buyers who are retired, working remotely, or simply don’t need to be in the Valley every day, Province offers a lot of lifestyle for the money. For buyers who are retired, working remotely, or simply don’t need to be in the Valley every day, Province offers a lot of lifestyle for the money. The combination of a guard-gated entrance, lakes, greenbelts, extensive amenities, and relatively newer homes is difficult to find near Phoenix at this price point.

Many buyers considering Province also look at communities such as Sun City Anthem at Merrill Ranch, CantaMia, or Robson Ranch. Each offers a different mix of amenities, location, price, and lifestyle. Finding the right fit often comes down to what you prioritize and where you want to be located.