This planned community offers single-family homes (five floor plans) and town homes (three floor plans).   Great care has gone into the development's design, ensuring that open space and desert vistas are not compromised.  Homes are clustered in groups of four, with a single driveway into each cluster to ensure privacy and some spectacular views.  Town homes are limited to four to six units per building, and each unit has a patio and garden.  Single family home prices begin at $304,000 (the Palo Verde) for 1,680 square feet, two bedrooms and two baths.  The higher end floor plan is the Sobino with 2,675 square feet, three bedrooms and 2 1/2 baths for $399,000. 

Town homes (the Rincon) begin at $179,000 for 934 square feet, one bedroom and one bath.  This includes a large patio.  The Catlina floor plan offers 1,241 square feet, two bedrooms and two baths for $224,000.  The most expensive town home is the Santa Rita (always an end unit) with 1,443 square feet, two bedrooms, two baths, a study and great room for $254,000.

The construction process, including selecting a floor plan and a lot, meeting with the designer, builder and landscape architect (all supplied by The Village), takes roughly five to six months.  264 homes are planned; 100 have been sold so far.  The HOA fee is $275 a month, plus an additional $75 a month for access to the Community Center.  For information, call 520-647-7777 or visit www.theacademyvillage.com

Life at The Village revolves around two groups, the Arizona Senior Academy and the Homeowners' Association, both of which bring a variety of activities and opportunities to residents.  The Arizona Senior Academy is a non-profit organization that emphasizes cultural and educational involvement and presents concerts, symposiums and a variety of 5 and 10 week courses on everything from the history of science to the role of the United States as a superpower.  It also provides opportunities for residents to work with local youth through school presentations and mentoring programs.  

The Senior Academy is complemented by the Homeowner's Association, which, in addition to providing trash removal and general maintenance, offers wellness and fitness programs at the Community Center.  Health professionals are available five days a week and offer health education, blood pressure checks and flu shots, as well as arrangement of in-home skilled nursing and custodial care services as needed.  Fitness classes include yoga, pool aqua aerobics and circuit training.   The state-of-the-art fitness center provides a heated pool and lighted tennis courts, all with a gorgeous view of the Rincon Mountains.

Tucson (population 800,000) is just a seven minute drive to the west and is home to museums, ballet, opera, art galleries, shops, outstanding restaurants and twenty golf courses.   The University of Arizona also brings live theater, dance and music shows to campus each year.