Ventana Lakes

Why Buyers Choose Ventana Lakes

• Nine lakes covering approximately 30 acres, with walking paths and water views throughout the community.

• One of the more affordable established 55+ communities in the Northwest Valley.

• Four community buildings, multiple pools and spas, fitness facilities, sport courts, and hobby spaces.

• An active social calendar supported by a full-time Activities Director and a wide variety of resident-led clubs.

• Convenient Peoria and Sun City location near shopping, healthcare, Loop 101, and everyday services.

Community Overview

Ventana Lakes is a 55+ active adult community located along the Peoria and Sun City border in Arizona's Northwest Valley. The community began development in the 1980s and offers approximately 1,700 attached and single-family homes. Although it is smaller and more modest than some of the Valley's resort-style retirement communities, Ventana Lakes offers an impressive amount of recreation and social activity for its size.

The defining feature of Ventana Lakes is the water. Nine fully stocked lakes wind through the community and cover approximately 30 acres. Most of the lakes are bordered by easy-access walking paths, giving residents opportunities to walk, enjoy the two waterfalls, fish, or simply relax near the water. Barbless catch-and-release fishing and non-motorized boating—including canoeing, kayaking, and paddle boating—are permitted. Swimming, motorized boats, and stand-up paddleboards are not allowed in the lakes.

Ventana Lakes also has a more active social calendar than many buyers initially expect. A full-time Activities Director organizes entertainment, seminars, luncheons, bus trips, art classes, and other events. Residents also lead a large collection of clubs and groups covering fitness, sports, cards, arts and crafts, music, social gatherings, and special interests.

For buyers who want an established 55+ community with attractive water features, plenty of activities, and more approachable home prices than many newer developments, Ventana Lakes can be an excellent option. The community does not have the polished resort atmosphere of communities such as Trilogy at Vistancia, but it delivers a strong combination of lifestyle, location, and value.

HOA Fees:

• $120 per month for the base Ventana Lakes association, commonly billed at about $360 quarterly.

  • Some homes are also located within a sub-association that charges additional dues and may cover services such as exterior maintenance or roofing.

• $4,995 One Time Upfront Fee (also called capital improvement, CARE fund, preservation fee)

Location

1. Distance to Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport: approximately 35–40 minutes

2. Closest grocery store: approximately 5 minutes

3. Nearest emergency room: approximately 10–15 minutes

Ventana Lakes is located near 107th Avenue and Beardsley Road, with portions of the community carrying Peoria addresses and others carrying Sun City addresses. The location provides residents with easy access to grocery stores, pharmacies, restaurants, banks, and everyday services along Bell Road, Lake Pleasant Parkway, and the surrounding Northwest Valley corridors.

Residents are also close to Arrowhead Towne Center, the P83 Entertainment District, Peoria Sports Complex, Park West, and the Westgate Entertainment District. Loop 101 is only a short drive away, making it relatively easy to reach Glendale, Scottsdale, and other parts of the Phoenix metro area.

Healthcare access is another advantage. Banner Boswell Medical Center and Banner Del E. Webb Medical Center are both within a reasonable drive, along with urgent care centers, primary care offices, specialists, pharmacies, and medical services throughout Peoria, Sun City, and Sun City West.

Amenities

Ventana Lakes has four community buildings that support different types of recreation and social activity.

The Landings serves as the central clubhouse and is available to residents 24 hours a day with a community ID and access key. It includes a lounge and social area, library, small conference room, fitness center, spa and sauna, kitchenette, and televisions. A pool and spa are located outside, and the Landings pool is heated during the winter.

Lakeside is located in the same complex and provides space for smaller group activities such as card games, dominoes, and yoga. Edgewater contains multipurpose arts-and-crafts rooms used for activities such as watercolor painting, quilting, and ceramics, with kilns available onsite.

The Yacht Club serves as a center for entertainment events and weekly bingo. It includes a commercial kitchen and café space used during certain events, along with an outdoor pool and spa. Additional pools and spas are located at North Park and the Coves.

Sporting amenities include pickleball, tennis, racquetball and handball, bocce ball, shuffleboard, volleyball, basketball, a putting green, ping-pong tables, and a billiards room. Residents can also enjoy board games and card-playing spaces throughout the community facilities.

Are children allowed at the amenities?

Guests may use certain amenities subject to the association's current guest rules. The HOA specifically states that children younger than four are not permitted in pool or spa areas, and none of the community pools have lifeguards. Buyers should contact the Community Management Office for the current guest hours and complete pool rules before planning a visit with grandchildren.

Clubs & Activities

Ventana Lakes offers a surprisingly extensive collection of clubs and groups for a community of its size. Current options listed by the HOA include art, ceramics, quilting, knitting and crochet, a guitar circle, karaoke, book club, Bible study, veterans club, hiking, gardening, yoga, Strong People Training, water aerobics, and water volleyball.

Residents can also participate in pickleball, tennis, bocce ball, racquetball, shuffleboard, horseshoes, table tennis, and a bowling league. Card and game groups include bridge, bunco, canasta, cribbage, dominoes, Hand and Foot, hearts, mah-jongg, pinochle, poker, Texas Hold'em, and Right Left Center.

Social options include bingo, Coffee Klotch, Social Hour, the Baby Boomers group, the Italian American Club, and the Red Hat Vixens. The association publishes twice-weekly email updates and a monthly Ventana Views newsletter with an at-a-glance activities calendar, helping both full-time and seasonal residents stay informed.

Golf

Ventana Lakes does not have a golf course within the community. 

Golfers still have several courses nearby in Sun City, Sun City West, Peoria, and Surprise. However, these courses are separate from Ventana Lakes, and residents should compare public green fees or outside membership options if golf will be a major part of their retirement lifestyle.

Homes

Ventana Lakes contains approximately 1,700 homes, including detached single-family residences, patio-style homes, townhomes, and other attached options. Most of the community was developed from the mid-1980s through the early 2000s, with a smaller collection of newer homes added between 2017 and 2020.

The variety gives buyers several ways to approach the community. Smaller attached homes can work well for seasonal residents who prioritize low maintenance, while larger detached homes provide more space for full-time living, guests, hobbies, or a home office. Lakefront properties are especially desirable because of their water views and access to the community's signature scenery.

Because construction spans several decades, condition can vary significantly. Some homes retain original kitchens, bathrooms, windows, and mechanical systems, while others have been extensively remodeled. Buyers should evaluate the age of the roof, HVAC system, windows, plumbing, electrical components, and major interior finishes rather than assuming two similarly priced homes are in comparable condition.

It is also important to verify the association structure for each property. In addition to the main Ventana Lakes association, some neighborhoods have sub-associations with separate dues, maintenance responsibilities, and governing documents. An attached home with higher monthly dues may include exterior or roof maintenance that a lower-dues single-family property does not.

Pros & Considerations

Pros

• Nine scenic lakes and approximately 30 acres of water.

• Walking paths, fishing, and non-motorized boating within the community.

• Strong selection of clubs, activities, sports, and hobby groups.

• More affordable than many newer resort-style 55+ communities.

• Convenient access to shopping, restaurants, healthcare, and Loop 101.

• Attached and detached home options for both seasonal and full-time residents.

Considerations

• Many homes are older, and the level of renovation varies considerably.

• Ventana Lakes does not have its own golf course.

• The community is not gated.

• Its facilities are functional and active but do not have the high-end resort feel of newer luxury communities.

• Some properties belong to an additional sub-association, so fees and maintenance responsibilities vary by home.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Ventana Lakes a true 55+ community?

Yes. Ventana Lakes is an age-restricted active adult community. Buyers should review the current governing documents for the precise household and occupancy requirements that apply to their purchase.

Is Ventana Lakes gated?

No. Ventana Lakes is not a gated community.

How many lakes are in Ventana Lakes?

The community has nine fully stocked lakes covering approximately 30 acres.

Can residents fish or boat on the lakes?

Yes. Barbless catch-and-release fishing and non-motorized boating are permitted. Residents may canoe, kayak, or use a paddle boat, but swimming, motorized watercraft, and stand-up paddleboarding are not allowed.

Does Ventana Lakes have pickleball?

Yes. Pickleball is available along with tennis, bocce ball, shuffleboard, racquetball, basketball, volleyball, and other recreational options.

Does Ventana Lakes have a golf course?

No. There is no golf course inside Ventana Lakes, although several golf courses are located nearby.

Are there clubs and organized activities?

Yes. A full-time Activities Director organizes community programming, and residents can participate in a wide variety of sports, fitness, arts-and-crafts, card, hobby, and social groups.

Are all Ventana Lakes HOA fees the same?

No. All properties are subject to the main community association, but some homes also belong to a sub-association with additional dues and services. The full fee structure should be confirmed for the specific home being considered.

Before You Buy

If Ventana Lakes is on your shortlist, I also recommend touring Westbrook Village and Sun City West.

Choose Westbrook Village if you want a similarly convenient Peoria location but prefer to live around two golf courses and do not need Ventana Lakes' extensive waterways.

Choose Sun City West if you want a much larger selection of recreation centers, clubs, and golf courses and are comfortable living in a significantly larger retirement community.

Choose Ventana Lakes if water views, walking paths, a smaller community atmosphere, and value are more important to you than championship golf or luxury resort amenities.

Touring all three will make the differences in size, housing, amenities, and overall atmosphere much easier to understand.

Trevor's Take

Ventana Lakes is one of the more unique affordable 55+ communities in the Northwest Valley. The nine lakes give it an identity that most communities in this price range simply do not have, and the number of clubs and activities is much stronger than many buyers expect before visiting.

I especially like Ventana Lakes for buyers who want attractive walking areas, opportunities to meet people, and an established community without paying for luxury amenities or an onsite golf course. The homes and facilities are older, so buyers need to pay close attention to updates and the exact HOA structure for each property. However, if value and a relaxed waterfront setting are high on your priority list, Ventana Lakes is absolutely worth touring.