Leisure World Realty in Mesa, AZ

Pros

• The people are nice.
• Residents love living here.
• The community is friendly and welcoming.
• The amenities are fantastic.
• The homes are lovely.
• The location is beautiful.
• The grounds are immaculately kept.
• The guard gate staff are friendly and helpful.
• The pool, gym, and golf courses offer abundant activities.
• It is a great place to live.
• The community is gated and secure with good safety.
• There are many activities and social opportunities for residents.

Cons

• The administration in recent years is disappointing.
• It is a bit tricky to navigate due to road construction.
• The guard at the Power Rd guardhouse was very rude to visitors.
• It would not be a good place to live for someone who dislikes rules, restrictions, and HOAs.
• The reviewer would not visit again after getting a parking ticket and dealing with unclear curb markings and green fire hydrants.
• For non-early risers, the community is not suitable because of early morning noise from yard work, road work, and jackhammering.
• There are a lot of old white people in the community.

Review

Leisure World in Mesa, AZ, is best suited for active, independent seniors who want a built-in, socially dense retirement. The community offers a wide menu of amenities and a busy calendar of activities - tennis, pickleball, swimming, golf, theater, and fitness - designed to keep residents engaged with peers. Security and convenience come via a gated layout, visible upkeep, and staff at the guard gates who generally project reliability. This is especially appealing to retirees who value routine, companionship, and a sense of belonging within a large, self-contained ecosystem. Visitors consistently report a welcoming atmosphere, and the location near Power Road makes shopping, dining, and services easily accessible. In short, Leisure World targets those who seek an active, maintenance-free lifestyle surrounded by like-minded neighbors.

Those who should consider alternatives are individuals who prize minimal governance, quieter mornings, or lower costs. Some reviews describe the HOA-like atmosphere as restrictive, with a cadence of yard work and street cleaning that begins early. Monthly dues, cited at around $500 or more, can be a budget hurdle for some households. Early risers and light sleepers may struggle with noise from roadwork and maintenance chatter before sunrise. A few visitors encountered rude or opaque interactions at the gate, and some residents feel administration has not kept pace with needs in recent years. For families seeking a simpler, less rule-bound, or less expensive option, it pays to compare other 55-plus communities before committing.

The upside is substantive. The amenities - the two golf courses, multiple pools, large gym, and a theater network - provide constant recreation and meaningful routines. A broad slate of clubs and classes, from jewelry making to pottery, keeps daily life varied. Ground maintenance is consistently praised, and the security posture is reassuring. Front-desk support and gate staff tend to be described as helpful and friendly, easing navigation of services. Some residents also reference on-site medical touchpoints and nursing staff as a practical assurance for aging needs. Taken together, these advantages give tangible value that often justifies the dues, even when administration isn't perfect. The combination of activity, safety, and social life is the core why people stay.

Yet the cons deserve straight talk. Administration receives mixed reviews, and that inconsistency can affect satisfaction. The resident base can feel homogeneous to outsiders, which may be a deterring factor for those seeking diversity. Morning noise from lawn care and road maintenance remains a real irritant for some, and a few gate experiences leave visitors frustrated. Parking enforcement quirks and unclear signage at times add to a sense of disorganization. On the flip side, the security framework remains robust, and the community layout supports easy access to venues and parking. For many, these trade-offs - cost and rules against the benefits of security, activity, and social ties - are acceptable, but not universal.

For families evaluating long-term quality of life, Leisure World often delivers dependable results. Residents speak of long tenures and active seniors who golf, bridge, or participate in fitness routines into their 90s, a testament to the environment's stickiness. The two golf courses, the pools, and the theater network foster a sense of continuity and belonging that's hard to replicate. The on-site ecosystem - plus proximity to shopping and services - reduces friction and supports ongoing independence. Healthcare-related offerings, even if vary, provide practical reassurance as needs evolve. Overall, the community's energy, safety, and social infrastructure make it a compelling choice for those who want structured, socially-rich retirement living.

Bottom line: Leisure World is a strong fit for those who value an active, connected, amenity-rich lifestyle within a gated Mesa community and accept the governance and dues that come with it. The strengths - security, well-kept grounds, abundant recreation, and a solid social fabric - often outweigh the drawbacks for many residents. However, visitors and buyers who crave quiet mornings, minimal rules, or tight budget flexibility should compare alternatives carefully. Before deciding, spend time at different hours to gauge noise, chat with current residents about administration responsiveness, and confirm exactly what the dues cover and what healthcare on-site looks like now. For the right buyer, Leisure World stands as a confident, sustainable retirement option; for others, it may require exploring other paths to fit expectations.

Located in Mesa, Arizona, this area boasts a variety of amenities within close proximity. Residents can enjoy a range of dining options including The Cheesecake Factory, McDonald's, and Olive Garden, as well as popular cafes like Over Easy and Starbucks. For healthcare needs, there are multiple physicians' offices nearby such as Banner Imaging East Mesa and Valley Endocrine Associates. Additionally, there are several pharmacies like CVS Pharmacy and Walgreens for convenient access to medication. Outdoor enthusiasts will appreciate the nearby parks such as Greenfield Park and Skyline Park for leisurely strolls or picnics. Transportation is easily accessible with Falcon Field Airport located just 4.7 miles away. With its convenient location and abundance of amenities, this area of Mesa would be an ideal choice for senior living.

Restaurants

• The Cheesecake Factory (0.5 miles)
• McDonald's (0.5 miles)
• Freddy's Frozen Custard (0.5 miles)
• Chipotle Mexican Grill (0.6 miles)
• Applebee's (0.6 miles)
• Olive Garden (0.7 miles)
• Red Lobster (0.8 miles)

Cafes

• Over Easy (0.5 miles)
• The Human Bean (1.2 miles)
• Starbucks (2.4 miles)
• Dutch Bros Coffee (3 miles)
• Starbucks (3.1 miles)
• Panera Bread (4.3 miles)
• McDonald’s (5 miles)

Physicians

• Banner Imaging East Mesa (0.9 miles)
• Valley Endocrine Associates (1.1 miles)
• Cvam (1.4 miles)
• Allen Family Medicine (1.4 miles)
• Reddy GI Associates (2 miles)
• East Valley Pediatrics (2.3 miles)
• Parikh, Simul Banner Md Anderson Cancer Center (2.3 miles)

Theaters

• Superstition Springs 25 (0.9 miles)
• AMC Superstition East 12 (5.2 miles)

Pharmacies

• CVS Pharmacy (1.1 miles)
• Walgreens (1.2 miles)
• Walgreens (1.3 miles)
• Walgreens (1.6 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2.5 miles)
• Walgreens (2.9 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (3 miles)

Parks

• Greenfield Park (3.1 miles)
• Riparian Preserve at Water Ranch (3.7 miles)
• Skyline Park (4.2 miles)
• Finley Farms Park (5 miles)
• Ashley Heights Park (5.5 miles)

Places of Worship

• Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (4.4 miles)
• Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (5.1 miles)

Transportation

• Falcon Field Airport (MSC) (4.7 miles)