Fountain of the Sun

What Kind of Place Is This?

Fountain of the Sun occupies 582 acres on what was once a cotton farm in East Mesa, roughly 30 miles east of downtown Phoenix. Developed by UDC Homes between 1975 and 1987, the community holds 2,296 residences behind a guard-gated entrance at Broadway Road and 80th Street. It is one of the larger 55+ communities in the East Valley, though it flies under the radar compared to the Sun City brand.

The setting is flat desert terrain softened by mature landscaping, scenic ponds, and a central lake with a fountain that gives the community its name. Streets are wide and quiet. The 18-hole executive golf course threads through the interior, giving many homes either course or water views.

The Physical Environment

Housing stock is a mix of three types: manufactured homes (approximately 1,100 to 1,900 square feet), townhomes and condos (1,000 to 1,500 square feet), and single-family detached homes (1,220 to 2,100 square feet). Most homes feature two or three bedrooms, two bathrooms, and either an attached garage or covered carport. Construction dates span the full 1975-1987 build-out period, so finishes and floor plans vary considerably. Lot sizes are compact throughout -- patios are close together in many sections, which is typical of Arizona retirement communities built in this era.

The architectural style leans toward 1970s and 1980s Southwest ranch, with stucco exteriors, low-pitched roofs, and desert-adapted landscaping. Because the community is fully built out and nearly 40 years old, buyers should budget for updates on most homes. Roofs, HVAC systems, and plumbing are common renovation items at this age.

Who Thrives Here?

• Residents who want affordable 55+ living with golf access: With homes starting in the low $100s for manufactured units and an executive golf course with memberships from $550 per year, Fountain of the Sun delivers golf-community amenities at a fraction of what Scottsdale or even Chandler communities charge.
• Someone who prefers a packed weekly calendar of clubs and classes: Over 50 organized activities range from quilting and lapidary to softball leagues and water aerobics. The monthly Sun Times newspaper lists enough events to fill every day of the week.
• Residents who want guard-gated security without a premium price tag: The 24/7 staffed gate provides a level of access control that most sub-$400K communities in the East Valley do not offer.
• Someone who values on-site convenience: A post office, restaurant, fitness center, and multiple craft studios mean many daily errands and hobbies can be handled without leaving the gate.
• Residents who plan to split time between Arizona and another state: The seasonal population is significant here. Approximately 40-45% of homeowners maintain primary residences elsewhere, which means the community infrastructure is built to accommodate part-time occupancy.

Who Should Look Elsewhere?

Honest assessment: Fountain of the Sun is not the right fit for every retirement lifestyle. Here is who should keep looking.

• If you want newer construction with modern finishes: Homes here were built between 1975 and 1987. Even updated units show their age in floor plans and layout. Consider Encore at Eastmark or Ovation at Meridian for new-build 55+ options in East Mesa.
• If you prefer walkable access to restaurants, shopping, and services: Fountain of the Sun has a Walk Score of 16. A car is required for virtually all off-site errands. The nearest grocery store is roughly 1.5 miles away but there are no sidewalks connecting to it. Dobson Ranch or Springfield in Chandler offer better walkability.
• If you want a full-length championship golf course: The on-site course is an 18-hole executive layout at par 63 (par 62 from men's tees / par 63 from women's tees), measuring 4,224 yards from the longest tees. Serious golfers who want a regulation par-72 course should look at Sun Lakes or Leisure World.
• If you want a year-round community that does not thin out in summer: Seasonal departures are significant. Expect reduced programming, quieter common areas, and fewer neighbors from May through September. Communities with higher owner-occupancy rates like Sunland Village East maintain more consistent year-round activity.
• If manufactured homes are not your preference: A substantial portion of the housing stock consists of manufactured homes. If site-built construction is important to you, inventory will be more limited and priced higher.

Social Temperature

Fountain of the Sun reports over 50 organized clubs, classes, and activity groups. Categories span sports (golf leagues, softball, bocce, water aerobics), creative arts (pottery, lapidary, woodshop, quilting, ceramics, stained glass), card and board games (bridge, bunco, bingo), spiritual groups (Bible studies), and general interest (AARP chapter, computer classes). The community publishes a monthly newspaper, The Sun Times, which serves as the primary calendar and communication vehicle.

The clubhouse hosts regular dances, performances, and community dinners in its ballroom/auditorium. Card rooms and the billiards room see daily use during peak season. The softball team competes against other East Valley 55+ communities.

Newcomer Integration

There is no formal new-resident orientation program documented in publicly available materials. Integration appears to happen organically through club participation and neighbor introductions. The guard-gated layout and compact lot sizes create frequent casual interactions. Residents who join clubs early tend to build social connections faster, which is typical of communities this size.

Seasonal Dynamics

Approximately 40-45% of homeowners maintain primary residences elsewhere, making Fountain of the Sun a heavily seasonal community. Peak occupancy runs from October through April. During peak season, clubs are fully active, the golf course books up, and the ballroom hosts multiple events per week. From May through September, many clubs suspend meetings, the pool sees lighter use, and the social calendar contracts substantially. Prospective buyers should visit during both seasons to understand the difference in community energy.

Governance Reality

Why this matters: HOA governance is the #1 source of complaints in communities -- and the topic almost nobody covers honestly.

Fountain of the Sun Association is self-managed with an on-site general manager (currently Blake Frey) and a volunteer board of directors (currently led by President Betsy Wergin). Self-management keeps costs lower than communities that contract with professional management firms, but it also means governance quality depends heavily on volunteer leadership.

HOA Fee Structure

Monthly HOA fees range from approximately $110 to $300, depending on property type and neighborhood within the community. The average is around $250 per month. Fees cover common area maintenance, landscaping, security staffing at the guard gate, pool maintenance, clubhouse operations, and access to recreation facilities. A one-time capital improvement fee of approximately $2,025 and a transfer fee of approximately $200 are charged at the time of purchase. Golf club membership is separate and optional.

The Activity Center Controversy

The most significant recent governance issue has been a multi-year dispute over replacing the existing 15,000-square-foot Activity Center with a proposed 26,000-square-foot facility. The board estimated the project cost at $9.1 million with a special assessment not exceeding $3,500 per home. Opponent Sue Galvin cited an independent architect's estimate suggesting the true cost could reach $12 million, and potentially up to $16 million with change orders. The proposal failed to secure the required two-thirds supermajority in a first vote in 2024, falling short by 124 votes out of 1,891 ballots cast. The board subsequently brought the measure back for a second vote, which also failed -- this time by just 48 votes out of 1,882 valid ballots (1,207 yes votes, or 64.1%, short of the required two-thirds). The protracted dispute further divided the community, with local media documenting instances of heated exchanges at meetings and reports of intimidation between residents on opposing sides of the issue.

Reserve fund data was not publicly available at the time of this review. Prospective buyers should request current reserve study documents during the escrow process.

Fee Trajectory

Quick Stats

Amenities

Location & Medical Access

Medical Access Assessment

Fountain of the Sun has strong proximity to hospital systems. Banner Baywood Medical Center is approximately 1 mile west of the community -- a 3-5 minute drive. HonorHealth Four Peaks Medical Center (formerly Mountain Vista Medical Center) is within 6 miles. Banner Desert Medical Center, a Level I Trauma Center, is approximately 5 miles away. Mayo Clinic's Scottsdale campus is roughly 25 miles north, a 30-40 minute drive depending on traffic. For routine medical care, multiple urgent care and family practice offices operate within a 2-3 mile radius along the Broadway Road and Southern Avenue corridors.

Walk Score & Accessibility

Fountain of the Sun has a Walk Score of 16, which classifies it as "car-dependent." Almost all errands require a vehicle. Internally, the community has flat terrain and paved streets suitable for golf carts and walking. However, there is limited pedestrian infrastructure connecting the community to surrounding commercial areas. The nearest grocery stores (Fry's and Walmart) are approximately 1.5 to 2 miles away. Superstition Springs Center, the closest regional mall, is about 3 miles west. Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport is approximately 25 miles and 30-35 minutes by car via US-60.

Summer Reality Check

The honest answer to the question you are afraid to ask: What does July actually feel like in Fountain of the Sun?

Mesa averages 106-108 degrees Fahrenheit in July, with overnight lows around 83-85 degrees. From June through September, daytime highs regularly exceed 100 degrees. The community sits at approximately 1,200 feet elevation with no mountain shade, so heat exposure is direct and sustained.

Approximately 40-45% of homeowners leave for the summer months. The practical impact: the golf course shifts to earlier tee times (dawn start), several clubs suspend operations, and the social calendar thins out considerably. The pool remains open and sees some of its highest per-capita usage from remaining residents. The on-site restaurant at the country club (Birdies Bar & Grill) typically maintains service year-round but may reduce hours.

Electricity costs for a typical Fountain of the Sun home run $200-$350 per month during peak summer, depending on home size, insulation quality, and thermostat settings. Manufactured homes, which make up a significant portion of the housing stock, tend to have higher cooling costs than site-built homes due to insulation differences. SRP (Salt River Project) is the primary electric utility, with rates around $0.15 per kWh as of 2026.

The First Summer vs. The Second Summer

First-summer residents often describe a shock at the combination of extreme heat and reduced community activity. The community that felt vibrant in February can feel sparse in July. By the second summer, most year-round residents have established routines: early-morning golf or walks before 7 a.m., midday indoor activities, and evening pool sessions after sunset. The key adaptation is schedule shifting -- outdoor activity moves to dawn and dusk, and indoor amenities (billiards, card rooms, fitness center, craft studios) become the social hubs. Residents who build summer-specific routines report much higher satisfaction than those who try to maintain a winter schedule.

Best For

Best for residents who want affordable golf-community living with 50+ clubs and activities behind a guarded gate.

Fountain of the Sun delivers a combination that is difficult to match in the East Valley: guard-gated security, an 18-hole golf course, over 50 organized activities, and home prices that run 40-60% below comparable amenity-rich 55+ communities in Scottsdale or Chandler. The trade-off is older housing stock (1975-1987 construction) and a heavily seasonal population. For residents who want maximum programming and recreation access per dollar spent, and who either embrace the seasonal rhythm or plan to be seasonal residents themselves, this community represents strong value.

Frequently Asked Questions

Compare Fountain of the Sun

See how Fountain of the Sun stacks up against comparable communities in the Phoenix metro:

• Full comparison table: All communities rated and compared
• Leisure World — Larger gated 55+ community in Mesa (2,664 homes) with similar amenities but slightly higher average prices around $375K
• Dreamland Villa — Older Mesa 55+ community (est. 1959) with lower prices but no guard gate and fewer amenities
• Sunland Village East — Newer Mesa 55+ community (1984-1994) with 2,437 homes, 18-hole golf course, and higher year-round occupancy
• Apache Wells — Smaller Mesa 55+ community with similar price points and golf but fewer total amenities and clubs
• Velda Rose — More affordable Mesa 55+ option with manufactured homes and lower HOA fees but no golf course
• Sun Lakes Country Club — Premium Chandler-adjacent 55+ community with multiple golf courses and newer homes at higher price points

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Last updated: March 7, 2026 · Data sources: Maricopa County Assessor, ARMLS, community records, resident forums, Google Reviews (18 sources total)