Community Overview
Sun Lakes is not a single community — it's a collection of five distinct 55+ sub-communities developed by Robson Communities starting in the 1970s along the Sun Lakes / Chandler corridor. Together they represent one of the largest and most diverse active adult developments in Arizona, with multiple golf courses, recreation centers, and thousands of homes across a range of price points and amenity levels.
The location in the Chandler corridor gives Sun Lakes residents access to Chandler Regional Medical Center (Level I Trauma), Banner Desert Medical Center, and the East Valley's best dining and retail infrastructure — advantages that newer communities in Maricopa or Buckeye can't match.
The Five Sun Lakes Sub-Communities
Sun Lakes Country Club
Original development. Golf, clubhouse, established resale market. $250K–$480K.
Oakwood Country Club
Golf, two clubhouses, larger lots. $280K–$550K. Strong resale.
Palo Verde Country Club
Golf, social clubhouse, active programming. $260K–$500K.
Iron Oaks
Non-golf option. Lower HOA. Active social scene. $220K–$420K.
Cottonwood
Golf, resort pools. Mix of attached and detached. $240K–$460K.
Amenities Across Sun Lakes
Sun Lakes vs. Leisure World Chandler
These are the two major gated golf 55+ options in the Chandler corridor and the most frequent comparison buyers face.
Sun Lakes wins on: More sub-community variety, wider price range ($220K–$550K vs $250K–$550K), more golf course options, and a longer resale history that gives buyers better market data.
Leisure World Chandler wins on: Single gated community with one HOA, easier to navigate, slightly newer construction in some sections, and a more cohesive community identity.
Both sit close to Chandler Regional. For buyers who want golf variety and price flexibility, Sun Lakes is hard to beat in the East Valley at these price points.