1. Leisure World (Mesa)
This gated community in Mesa is all about the golf cart lifestyle. It has two golf courses inside its gates and miles of private roads that are cart-accessible. Residents use carts to get to fitness centers, arts and crafts buildings, or even to visit neighbors. Cars are optional accessories here, not necessities.
Golf carts are so woven into daily life that the community provides specific rules and tips just for cart owners. New residents are often surprised by how essential carts become for getting around. There’s even a community bulletin board just for selling or customizing carts. If you move in without one, you’ll probably own one within a month.
2. Green Valley
Down south near Tucson, Green Valley caters to retirees and snowbirds who love their golf and their carts equally. Many of the neighborhoods are adjacent to golf courses or connected by cart-accessible paths. The community’s layout practically begs you to ditch your car for something smaller and zippier. It’s not uncommon to see carts at the grocery store or parked outside a restaurant.
There are over a dozen golf courses in or near Green Valley, which makes the cart lifestyle feel natural. Many HOAs here even encourage golf cart usage with trail maps and designated lanes. The entire vibe is “designed for leisure,” and carts fit that perfectly. If there’s a town where four wheels don’t have to mean four doors, this is it.
3. Sun Lakes
Just south of Chandler, Sun Lakes is another master-planned community that leans into golf cart culture. It has five separate country club neighborhoods, each with its own golf course, and carts are the preferred method of getting between them. Locals often modify their carts with personalized paint jobs or upgraded sound systems, giving the area a quirky, low-speed charm. Roads here are built with low speed limits and safety features that welcome carts.
Golf carts are so common that you’ll find charging stations in community clubhouses. Residents frequently host “golf cart crawls” for socializing and events. Even people who don’t golf use carts just to bop around the neighborhood. It’s like a suburban theme park designed for people who hate driving but still like wheels.
4. The Villages at Rancho El Dorado (Maricopa)
This neighborhood in Maricopa isn’t as well-known as the retirement giants, but it’s sneakily perfect for golf cart life. Built around a golf course and community lakes, it has wide, quiet streets and a strong cart culture among residents. Many families here use carts for casual rides, taking kids to the park, or getting to the community pool. Even teens (with permits) are sometimes seen driving under adult supervision.
It’s not officially a retirement community, but it acts like one in all the cart-friendly ways. The HOA has relaxed rules on carts, and people decorate theirs for holidays and neighborhood parades. Plus, the local grocery stores and fast food joints are all just a short cart ride away. You could live here for weeks and barely touch your gas pedal.
5. Sun City
Sun City is basically the mecca of golf cart living. Designed in the 1960s as a retirement community, the place was built with wide streets, low speed limits, and golf cart accessibility in mind. You’ll regularly see residents cruising from one recreation center to another in their carts like it’s totally normal—which it is, here. Some homes even come with dedicated golf cart garages.
It’s not just about novelty; Sun City has over 130 miles of golf cart-friendly roads. There’s even a golf cart parade during community events. And yes, local stores have designated cart parking. If you’re over 55 and want to live somewhere your car might actually gather dust, this is it.
6. Fountain Hills
Fountain Hills might not scream “golf cart town” at first glance, but it’s surprisingly accommodating. With scenic roads winding through golf course communities and retirement neighborhoods, it’s easy to navigate the area in a cart. Local events like the Thanksgiving Day parade often feature residents showing off decked-out carts. Some golf communities here even connect directly to downtown via low-speed roads.
The landscape is hilly, but many newer electric carts handle the inclines just fine. Residents use them to get to the grocery store, restaurants, or just to enjoy the views. Parking is easy and plentiful in the cart-accessible areas. It’s a town that rewards those who move a little slower and enjoy the ride.
7. Rio Verde
Tucked away northeast of Scottsdale, Rio Verde feels custom-made for retirees who’d rather drive a cart than a Camry. This community borders the Tonto National Forest and has two golf courses right in the neighborhood. The roads are low-traffic and carts are the go-to way to get around. Even the community mail centers and fitness buildings have cart parking.
Residents embrace a slower, more intentional lifestyle here. Golf carts are often customized and treated like personal vehicles. You’ll even see carts parked at community events and local food trucks. If your dream is to live in an upscale desert village powered by batteries and good vibes, Rio Verde delivers.
8. SaddleBrooke
North of Tucson, SaddleBrooke is another master-planned community where golf carts aren’t just accepted—they’re encouraged. With two championship golf courses and dozens of hobby clubs, there’s always somewhere to go, and carts are the preferred mode of transportation. Even the pickleball courts and dog parks have nearby cart parking. The town’s terrain is mild enough for electric carts to thrive.
The community’s events often feature golf cart parades or themed rides. Many homes here are built with oversized garages just to accommodate carts. The HOA even publishes cart safety tips and organizes maintenance workshops. It’s like a mini-city where combustion engines are welcome, but definitely not necessary.
9. Ahwatukee Foothills (Phoenix)
While technically part of Phoenix, Ahwatukee Foothills has its own laid-back, golf-cart-friendly feel. With multiple golf courses and quiet residential pockets, many residents use carts to shuttle between neighborhoods and clubhouses. Some communities here, like the Ahwatukee Country Club area, are designed with carts in mind. The streets are calm and spacious enough to make driving a cart feel safe and normal.
Local stores and strip malls even get cart traffic from nearby residents. While it’s more mixed-age than the true retirement communities, the cart culture is alive and well. It’s the kind of place where you might see a kid heading to grandma’s house in a cart with a bag of groceries. In a city built for cars, this pocket feels like a charming exception.
This post 9 Arizona Cities That Feel Built for Golf Carts, Not People was first published on American Charm.
