City: Tucson, AZ

Category: Retirement

Telephone: (520) 777-1413

Address: 2001 W. Rudasill Rd.

Description: It would be possible to live here and never leave the 16 acres of grounds, so complete are the services and amenities at the Fountains. It also happens to be a beautiful setting—Southwestern-style buildings surrounded by the natural beauty of the desert and enhanced by lots of greenery, trees, flowers, and fountains of course. Living here is not cheap, but if you can afford the best, this is one place to find it. You can choose from over 300 apartments, including 1- and 2-bedroom apartments and casitas.The clubhouse is elegant, the corridors are wide, and pets are not merely allowed, they’re absolutely encouraged. That’s because the Fountains subscribes to the “Eden alternative,” which seems to prove that pets are indeed a boon to the elderly, emotionally as well as physically. But even if you don’t have a furry friend, there’s lots going on at the Fountains. In addition to all the standard amenities, there’s a dance floor and stage, on-site banking, wellness clinic, art gallery, spa and pool, library, beauty salon, outdoor gardening, and an on-site home-health agency.Rents at this award-winning community are monthly for independent-living apartments or casitas. The Fountains also has assisted living, called the Inn, and an Alzheimer’s unit called the Gardens, with monthly rates. The Fountains at La Cholla was built in 1987 and is owned by Watermark Retirement Communities. It’s in the northwest of town, with 2 hospitals and 2 nursing homes about a block away.