Retirement Reimagined

BizTUCSONApril 20, 2026

4 minutes read

Passion Meets Purpose at La Posada Pusch Ridge

By Loni Nannini

La Posada at Pusch Ridge is redefining retirement in Southern Arizona and beyond with a newly constructed, luxury “Life Plan” community in an unparalleled setting in Oro Valley.

The multi-phase, resort-style community at 11050 N. Avenida Posada de Oro is also helping to fill a growing gap in retirement industry resources and services nationwide, according to Joni Condit, president and CEO of La Posada Communities.

“Statistics predict that by 2030, seniors over the age of 65 will be the largest cohort in the U.S. La Posada’s mission is to maximize the well-being of seniors, and with more seniors turning 65 every day, our board and leadership team felt that it was time to expand our service area,” said Condit.

“We believe that everyone deserves to age with joy, purpose and dignity. Our nonprofit, Life Plan community in Oro Valley on 80 acres has phenomenal views of the Catalina Mountains and a team dedicated to enriching the lives of older adults through exceptional services, meaningful relationships and innovative programs.”

The 2025 completion of Phase I of the state-of-the-art campus, built exclusively for those ages 62+, segued with Oro Valley’s designation as the Most Livable Retirement Town in the West by Travel & Leisure magazine. The project holds another distinction: In 2025, the National Investment Center for Seniors Housing & Care reported that new construction of independent living units constitutes less than 1% of inventory nationwide.

“You don’t see a lot of new builds like ours in senior living; many properties are acquisitions. This is a brand-new product to Tucson, which is a big asset. . .we are also locally governed and managed and that distinguishes La Posada and puts us in a unique position to serve seniors in the Oro Valley/Tucson area,” said Alexis Martinez, executive VP of La Posada at Pusch Ridge.

Tucson’s Resort-Style Life Plan Community: A Continuum of Caring

The resort-style community is designed to meet the heightened holistic expectations of baby boomers and other retirees for social, emotional, physical, intellectual and philanthropic engagement across the aging spectrum.

“When we think about aging, what you need in your early 70s is much different than what you may need in your late 80s and 90s through becoming a centenarian. We have a solution for you depending on where you are on the arc of your aging journey. You can enjoy vibrant, resort-style living and activities that can pivot to more health-centric services should you need it,” said La Posada CFO Chris Simon.

The personalized lifestyle begins with beautifully appointed independent living apartments that include integrated health and wellness services referred to as Posada Life At Home.

The resort-style amenities include a dining room with chef-curated menu and a cafe/coffee bar; a library; multiple meeting and gathering spaces; an outdoor swimming pool and spa; a table tennis and gaming room; a dance floor and a parking garage with a charging station for electric vehicles. The Viva Center offers a modern fitness center, professional salon and an arts and crafts room with a kiln.

Phase II is in development and will complete the continuum of care with assisted living and memory care, to be followed by single-family homes with garages.

“We like to say, ‘The right service at the right time.’ Our residents are able to live out their lives at the community they have grown to love and call home,” said Martinez.

“They have a network of friends and staff who care about them and when the need arises, we are able to support them through the continuum to provide the care they need, bringing peace of mind to them and their families.”

Residents access the Life Plan model through an entrance agreement for housing priced from $400,000 to $1 million (a significant portion of which is refundable to the resident’s estate when they leave) and a monthly service fee for living expenses.

The average monthly service fee for a single person is $6,500 and covers dining; utilities; weekly housekeeping; maintenance; routine transportation; availability of an RN navigator; and access to extensive campus amenities, classes and clubs. There is a second person fee for couples. Many residents are able to utilize long-term care policies as the need for care progresses.

The Nonprofit Difference — Community Takes Priority

“In Southern Arizona, there are very few nonprofit senior living communities with continuums. Most of them are only assisted living, only independent living, or only skilled nursing—and most of those are for-profit,” said Condit.

“As a nonprofit, we have a different philosophy: The money we make stays in the community for the betterment of the community. It isn’t distributed to shareholders. That is the No. 1 difference.”

La Posada’s tried-and-true business model was implemented in 1987 in Green Valley. The Green Valley campus has since expanded to serve about 750 residents through the continuum of care.

Residents reap multiple benefits from La Posada’s nonprofit reinvestment of excess funds in its communities, particularly the comfort and security of a “life lease” if they outlive their resources through no fault of their own.

“This is super powerful. Once you become a resident, we look at you as a partner and want to foster that through your lifetime. This guarantees that you are always going to have a home, with the caveat that you don’t gamble your money or gift it all away,” said Simon.

Condit said the nonprofit status also promotes a strategic outlook “less tied to market volatility, which provides long-term stability in the local economy.”

That strategy supports a growing regional workforce of 690+ including sales counselors, security, nurses, caregivers, dining staff, maintenance teams, fitness and activity staff, and leadership.

Additionally, La Posada Communities promote collaborations with city, county and state entities and private enterprise. Partners include Sundt Construction; Gensler, a global architecture and design firm; Ziegler Financing Corporation; U.S. Foods; Shamrock Farms; local healthcare organizations and many more. First responders such as Santa Rita and Golder Ranch Fire Districts are also key partners and Simon credits them with “respecting and caring for residents every day.”

The nurturing of relationships and outreach to build civic engagement and strengthen community identity is grounded in old-school wisdom, according to Condit.

“You have to really listen to your customers and engage with them. What people expected years ago is different than the generations of today.”