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We chose a place further north than Green Valley as it is too close to the border for our tastes.

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I'm assuming you know it's an older retirement community.  There's a lot of older condo/townhomes if you're looking to downsize.  But there's also newer homes.  There's not much shopping south of continental, and that Safeway shopping center caters to the seniors that live there (think old).  Quail Creek as mentioned is probably one of the nicest 55+ communities I've ever seen.  But it's kind of away from GV proper (which is good).  Snow Locust flock into the area during the winter and clog-up the local area.  Probably a good time to visit to see if you like it.  No real chain restaurants, as per the mayor of Sahuarita, they can't really make it during the slower summer months. But there are some decent local eats.  And Tucson proper offers everything.

I lived in QC when I first moved here, but I was just too young at early 50's. It's more 65+. It's also more expensive, as your Assoc. Dues subsidize the golf courses.  And any entertainment or classes is an extra fee. If you move to GV, they offer several GV rec centers you pay into (pools, clubs, gyms, actives). Not sure if you can opt out?  

I ended-up in Rancho Sahuarita which is a planned community offering a lake, pools, clubhouse & organized activities (like the firework show). The second clubhouse is under construction.  It's more family oriented but still has seniors living here. This area caters to a lot of Law Enforcement (Fed & local), Raytheon, & Military.  There's also a large Hispanic population here. Most of the neighborhoods are nice, but you really need to do your research before moving in.  It really depends on who your neighbors are. GV proper is still too old for me in my mid 50's, and I like the activities and younger crowd my area offers. You also don't pay extra to take classes or attend events (Bingo, bunco, women & wine, yoga, other workout classes, good size Gym, water park pool, etc.)

The main shopping is off Duvall Mine (2-3 files So. of RS) with Wal-Mart, Safeway, Sprouts, and a few other stores.  You can also travel the 15 miles up the 19 fwy to Tucson and the Tucson Spectrum (Target, restaurants, movie theatre, JC Penny's, etc.).

There's also the Desert Diamond Casino right next to Rancho Sahuarita.  They offer gambling and cheap food.  They also host popular cover bands for free which is popular with the older crowd (just saw the fake Beatles there). And they bring in real bands/entertainment for a price.

If my wife didn't like all the amenities here, I like the Oro Valley area better.  It's just nicer, but more expensive. But RS is the only place in the area that offers the planned community amenities my wife wants.

The good thing is Sahuarita and Tucson are separated by several miles of Indian Res.  So Tucson can't just creep in on Sahuarita like it can in other neighboring cities. But the 19 fwy is also a smuggling corridor from Mexico. I was followed all the way home from Madera Canyon one night by a Game & Fish Warden on a "fishing expedition" trying to figure out if I was a smuggler or up to no good.   I guess smugglers come up over the hill up there?  But it's a great place to hike, see real trees, turkey, and deer. And it's only a 15-20 mile drive from Sahuarita or GV.

If you're interested, my good friends are realtors who have been selling out here for 10+ years (I bought and sold through them). Send me an IM if you want there contact info.