Looking to retire in Arizona with sun and water (Phoenix: real estate, new home)

[brushforfun]

My husband and I are looking to retire in Arizona. We'd like affordable housing, water (lake), sunny and warm with little crime. Which city or cities would meet this this criteria?

[nitram]

There are several retirement communities in AZ with lakes and waterfront propery. Expect to pay in the $400,000 and up price for waterfront property with homes. Crime is relevant. It is everywhere. Though most retirement communities have low crime rates within the community.

[Dangerous Dave]

You may check Idaho or Utah instead.

Also some nice places in the San Antonio, TX area... within an hour. Check La Vernia and Buda. Small, but everything you need and affordable.

[Badland wonder]

Camp Verde, right off of I-17, about 30 miles south of Flagstaff, is becoming a retirement community area. Not really lakes, but the Verde River, Clear Creek, and Beaver Creek converge there and always have water and nice places to be by the creek. Housing costs are still affordable in the $200,000 range.

[Havasu]

Lake Havasu might a good place to consider check this website my Home

[MotleyCrew]

If you want to drive to a lake, then you might want to look into Trilogy/Vistancia in N. Peoria. The Trilogy there is within 20 min or so of Lake Pleasant. This is a golf course community and has some of the most fantastic ammenities we have come across. They have two restaurants and an indoor pool/spa with a massage service available. www.trilogy.com. Shea Homes is the developer. You can also go to New Home Builder - Welcome to Shea Homes! Caring Since 1881

[esselcue]

For the amenities you are hoping to find you will probably have to look at a golf or retirement community, and "affordable" is sort of a relative term. Depends on what your idea of affordable is. There are some truly beautiful lake-side communities, though, if you can afford the housing.

[Hassayampa Slim]

A lot depends on what you are really looking for when you say "amenities" and "affordable". Most of the "Retirement Communities" in the Phoenix and Tucson areas are centered on a golf lifestyle and "affordable housing" will be in the $300K range, with property next to the golf course or a man-made water feature, starting in the $400K and going on up into the million dollar range if you want.
As for water/lakes, remember Arizona is a desert location. There are no significant natural lakes or waterways, except for the Colorado River. There are man-made lakes running from a handful of dammed reservoirs, to small community ponds (usually used as golf water hazards).
You do not mention what kind of weather you are looking for. Arizona heat, especially in the Phoenix/Tucson metro areas can be a significant factor. If you have not visited between June and September, I would recommend you do so before making any commitments.
Beyond that, you might try using real estate sites like Realtor.com or the For-Sale-By-Owner sites, to get a feel of what's available. Good luck to you.