Single-Story Homes in 55+ Communities
One-level living is the quiet standard in Phoenix active adult communities, and for good reason. The right single-story floor plan is not just easier today. It is the home that still works for you at 80, which is exactly how I want my clients thinking about it.
When buyers tour active adult communities here, they notice pretty quickly that almost everything is single-level. That is not an accident. Decades of building for active adults has taught the builders what actually works, and one-level living is at the top of the list. After more than 20 years helping people through this decision, the framing I keep coming back to is simple: buy the home that fits the energetic 60-year-old you are now and the 80-year-old you intend to become. A thoughtful single-story floor plan does both, and this guide walks through why, what to look for, and the trade-offs worth weighing.
Why single-story homes work so well for 55+ buyers
The safety case is the one I take most seriously. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, falls are the leading cause of injury for adults 65 and older, and about one in four older adults falls each year. Stairs are a major part of that risk. Taking them out of daily life removes one of the most common hazards in the home, and it keeps you in control of your routine even if mobility changes later. A walker, a cane, or a scooter moves through a one-level home with open layouts and wider hallways far more easily than up and down a staircase.
Beyond safety, single-level living is simply easier to live in and maintain. Many homes in Valley active adult communities run smaller than the long-time family house people are leaving, often in the range of 1,200 to 2,400 square feet, which means fewer rooms to clean, less exterior to maintain, and smaller or HOA-managed yards. Everything sits on one plane, so bedrooms, bathrooms, kitchen, and living areas flow without fatigue, which also helps enormously if a partner is ever helping with daily tasks. And in Arizona's long cooling season, a smaller single-level home with a modern HVAC system is usually cheaper to cool than a large two-story.
What good single-story design actually includes
Not all single-story homes are created equal. The ones that serve you best over time are built with what designers call universal or aging-in-place principles, often so subtly you would not notice until you needed them.
The established communities are worth seeing too, for a different reason. Walking through Sun City or Sun City West, you can see how single-story homes have actually supported residents across multiple decades of retirement. When an entire community is single-level, neighbors age together in similarly functional homes, which is a subtle but real advantage.
The trade-offs to weigh
Single-level living is not a perfect fit for everyone, and I would rather you go in with eyes open.
- Storage. Smaller footprints often mean fewer closets, less attic space, and no basement. Decluttering before the move and smart storage afterward become more important.
- Fewer bedrooms. Some floor plans offer two bedrooms plus a den, which can feel tight if you want multiple guest rooms or dedicated hobby spaces.
- Older floor plans. In classic communities, some homes still reflect the design of their era and may need kitchen, bath, or flooring updates to feel open and current.
- The emotional shift. Moving from a large two-story family home into a single-level space can be a real adjustment, even when it is clearly the right practical choice.
For many buyers, the safety and ease of one-level living outweigh these. For others, the pull of more square footage wins. There is no wrong answer, only the one that fits your life. If downsizing is part of your move, my downsizing guide walks through making that transition smoother.
How to shop a single-story home for the long run
The trick is to evaluate the home not just for today, but for the years ahead. Here is how I have clients do it.
- Check the bathrooms for low or zero-threshold showers, and room to add grab bars or a bench later.
- Look at the kitchen layout and whether you could work from a seated position if you ever needed to.
- Note where the primary suite sits relative to the main living areas.
- Confirm the closets, pantry, and garage storage fit what you actually plan to keep after downsizing.
- Look beyond the house at how flat the neighborhood is, sidewalk access, and the distance to the clubhouse and mailboxes.
It also helps to visit long-established single-level communities such as Westbrook Village or Ventana Lakes and notice how comfortably long-time owners move through their homes and streets. That is the clearest preview of how a floor plan ages.
Common questions about single-story homes
Why are most homes in 55+ communities single-story?
Because decades of building for active adults has shown that one-level living works best for the long run. Removing stairs reduces fall risk, makes the home easier to navigate with mobility aids, and supports aging in place. Builders in Valley active adult communities design predominantly single-level for exactly these reasons.
What aging-in-place features should I look for in a single-story home?
Look for minimal-step or zero-step entries, low-threshold or curbless showers, wider doorways and hallways, lever-style handles, and a primary suite near the main living areas. Newer communities tend to build these in, while older homes can often be modified, so check whether bathrooms have room to add grab bars or a bench.
Are single-story homes more expensive than two-story homes?
Not necessarily. In active adult communities, single-story is the norm across price points, from modest lock-and-leave homes to larger properties. Pricing depends more on the community, age, size, and finishes than on the number of stories. A smaller single-level home can also cost less to cool in Arizona's long summer.
What are the downsides of single-story living?
The main trade-offs are storage, since smaller footprints often mean fewer closets and no basement, and sometimes fewer bedrooms. Older floor plans may need updating, and moving from a large two-story home can be an emotional adjustment. For many buyers the safety and ease outweigh these, but it is worth weighing honestly.
My take after 20+ years in the Valley
If there is one piece of advice I give nearly every active adult buyer, it is to choose the home that will still serve you when your needs change, not just the one that looks great on tour day. Single-story is the foundation of that. It is why these communities are built the way they are, and why I rarely steer a 55+ buyer toward stairs. Walk the home as the person you will be in fifteen years, look for the quiet design features that make daily life easy, and you will end up with a home that feels like independence for a very long time.
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Looking for the Right Single-Story Home?
After more than 20 years helping active adults across the Valley, I can point you to the communities and floor plans that genuinely support aging in place, and flag the ones that only look the part. The first conversation is just to answer your questions. No pressure.
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