Province

Province is a gated, guard-attended 55+ active adult community sprawling across roughly 1,400 acres on the northwest edge of Maricopa, Arizona, about 38 miles southeast of downtown Phoenix. Originally launched by Engle Homes in 2004 and taken over by Meritage Homes in 2010, the community is planned for 2,217 single-family and attached villa homes and is still actively building out new neighborhoods like The Preserve at Province II. Roughly 30% of the master plan is dedicated to open space, including nearly 50 acres of lakes and waterways and 125 acres of landscaped parks and greenbelts, giving Province an unusual oasis feel in the middle of the Sonoran Desert. The heart of the community is a 32,000-square-foot Italian Villa-inspired clubhouse with Tuscan architecture and old-world detailing. Inside, residents have access to a state-of-the-art fitness center with computerized aerobics and strength equipment, an indoor pool, a separate indoor lap pool, aerobics and dance studio, ceramics studio, sewing and quilting studio, arts and crafts room, billiards room, card rooms, library, lounge, café, grand ballroom, computer lab, and conference rooms. Outside the clubhouse sits a 5,000-square-foot heated resort-style swimming pool and spa, an 18-hole putting green, pickleball and tennis courts, bocce ball, shuffleboard, basketball, an amphitheater, and miles of walking and biking trails that weave throughout the community. All of the community lakes are stocked for catch-and-release fishing, and no license is required. Social life is coordinated by a full-time activities director who programs events, classes, and ongoing clubs across a broad range of interests — Golf, Bridge, Bunco, Canasta, Pinochle, Poker, Book Club, Craft Group, Wheel Crazy (antique cars), Aviation Group, ceramics, quilting, sewing, and regular community dances and showtime performances. Residents describe an engaged, friendly social scene, though popular events can fill up fast. Homes come in roughly ten model collections, mixing attached villa-style duplexes (originally four Engle plans, now built out by Meritage) with a wide range of detached single-family floor plans. Newer Meritage homes (roughly post-2015) come standard with energy-efficient and water-efficient features including spray-foam insulation, ENERGY-STAR appliances, Low-E windows, and weather-sensing irrigation. Some detached homes include private backyard pools, and premium waterfront lots are available throughout the community. Note that for new Meritage purchases, the minimum age drops to 40, though the community is otherwise deed-restricted 55+. Province sits just off Highway 347 (John Wayne Parkway) and West Smith Enke Road, putting grocery stores, pharmacies, shopping, and casual dining within about a one-minute drive. The Duke at Rancho El Dorado golf course is less than five minutes away and offers Province residents annual memberships and discount cards without adding to the HOA fee. Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport is roughly 40 minutes north, and major shopping malls and national-chain restaurants are 30–35 minutes away. Home prices at Province are generally more affordable than comparable 55+ communities closer to Phoenix, which is a significant part of its appeal.