Sun City at it's Best - - since the 60's - still going strong !

My parents were one of the first to retire here in Sun City - - in the Sun City - Phase II -- in the early 70's. It was their Paradise - they absolutely loved all Sun City had to offer. They were very bold to leave their home-town of Omaha....and retire here - - leaving their families back in the cold Midwest. I was fortunate to also move to AZ - - living in a near-by city. Parents both passed near 20 yrs. ago - - but when I became of age -- I retired here - - to their paradise --- and I love it !
This is a Retired Person's Perfect Place ! If you get bored -- it is your fault ! -- Bravo to Del Webb !

 

After 6 years I don't think I have heard anyone say they do not like living in Sun City.

 

My neighbor and I were talking to the gal that checks people in at the pool and she seemed a bit down. She told us she had just had a very uncomfortable run in with two people who were going to the pool who went on and on about how they hate all Sun City has....they are miserable here. They are building a home up in Peoria and I said wait till they get their HOA bill and then their property taxes..pftttt. This is the only time I have heard of unhappy people here. They are welcomed to leave and take any other grumps with them.

Suffice it to say that some people put more importance on looking wealthy rather than on being happy/busy/content.

 

It's hard to evaluate such a statement unless they specify what they don't like. I read some online comments somewhere, I forget where, about people who don't like it either. Maybe it was on city-data forum site. They also were not specific.

 

Let's be blunt, Sun City isn't for everyone. As a community we have lots of things going for us, but there are those who moved in expecting something far different. I'd blame both the realtor who didn't bother to find out what the buyer wanted and the buyer who didn't bother to find out what they were buying into.

I tell people on 55Places all the time to do their research but even more importantly, figure out what it is they want as they head off into retirement.

 

What do you think people expect that they don't get? I expect a city of retired people that has a few services that might help me when I need them. And hopefully make a few friends because its quite hard in a large city to make any friends, or even good acquaintances, now. Plus amenities of the rec centers, but not so fancy. I don't expect a resort. In fact, one of the things I like about it (reading only of course) is that it seems more like a city than a resort. I understand why people might like that treatment but it's not something i want.

 

Today I went to the Bell Visitor Center.
I asked the volunteers if they had ever heard anyone say they did NOT like Sun City Original.
They said no.

I told them we were #2 on list of Sun Cities and they asked who was #1.
I told them Florida. One of the volunteers had been there and said it is huge.
Maybe a bit too big. Several shopping centers.

 

I don't think they mean the Sun City in Florida which is Sun City Center is huge. It is smaller than AZ. I know because for the past 5 years I had intended to move to Sun City Center in Fl so I know a bit about it. It's 30 minutes south of Tampa, a bit rural and hey have very little shopping there, if fact that is one of the complaints about it. They do have a Walmart close to to and a Home Depot. Maybe they meant the Villages? Villages is not a Sun City it's a different organization. But many people do say they like it. The Villages is huge with many different areas and shopping centers and Village Square type of place. Again this is only from my research, I didn't visit, because I had planned to move to Florida.

 

AGREE - -if folks do not like it here in our wonderful Sun City - - they should hurry - -- FAST - - get out ! ! ...

 

AGREE - folks need to research any where when it comes to re location of any type...
.especially in their older years when they would in hopes -- never have to re-locate again !

 

Like any place you live, it becomes what you make of it. So often people move thinking that the place they live, the change of house and environment will make them happy. If that is their expectation, then neither Sun City, nor anyplace else will fulfill their desires......Sun City is your blueprint....it gives you every opportunity to create a full and meaningful life. You can be as involved, or as un-involved as you wish.....you can fill your days with activities, or with close friends, or even live a hermit like life.....whatever suits you. The beauty of Sun City is it gives you everything you need to succeed at retirement.....and you get to pick and choose how much or how little you will avail yourself of the opportunities. What could be better than YOU being in control of your retirement?

 

True archer. I've lived in 4 states and 2 countries. I find I did adapt after a while to any place, except the cold weather. I was raised in Chicago and left at 21 then I tried to live in the cold of Colorado 10 years after that and found I can't. I don't like cold winters, I end up doing a lot of complaining in those places.

 

We're trying to do the best of two places.....Colorado and Arizona.....different lifestyles, different climates. I find I like them both for very different reasons, but we will continue our migrant life as long as it suits us. Like you, I have lived many different places.....2 countries, 6 states....each had something to offer and I tried to take advantage of whatever opportunities came along unique to that location. The only place I remember complaining about and wanting to move out of was Texas.....

oops...make that 7 states, I actually left out Texas when I counted

 

Geez, I hate to burst people's bubble, but there are and always have been folks buying here that didn't like it. People who find they need younger people around; people who think their grand kids should have equal access to the pools and other amenities. People who hate the heat, hate the handful of crabs that make life miserable. People that need to be closer to their families or that grow tired of a community that enjoys such a hedonistic lifestyle.

Don't get me wrong, it doesn't get any better than this...but never assume everyone that buys here loves it. People move out of the community every day. Yes there's lots of reasons, but if it were that perfect no one would ever leave until they were rolled out on the gurney to the morgue.

 

Please, to those who hate it...move out now. I'm looking to buy and need more choices. (hehe)

 

You hit the nail on the head. I walked with a gal in my former neighborhood who expected to be treated like some kind of royalty by the HOA staff simply because she lived there. She was a miserable soul overall and after a few years she was not happy any day we walked, only moaned and groaned about things and people who did not lock step in line with her thinking. I pray she does not move here hahahahah. I am just glad we are content with where we are.

 

Funny about Sun City. We used to visit my parents who would come for six months every winter. I said, "I'll never live in Sun City!" Guess what--when we wen to purchase a house in Phoenix (2005 -- bad timing), we ended up in Sun City because it was about $100,000 less to buy the same size home. I am so glad we ended up here, as just a neighborhood in Phoenix doesn't begin to compare with what we have here to keep us young.

 

The Villages in FL is where I have a friend. It is huge, but keeps the community spirit up in smaller subdivisions, each of which is a village. I like the concept as it reminds me of neighborhoods in NYC, my old stomping ground. Some of that concept is something I think is worth exploring some more in SC....

 

Hey - Gilmark....When my parents lived here - - I saw the lifestyle they totally enjoyed -- that was early 70's ! !...
I always said "when I get old enough - -I want to live there !" Hooray !!! and I now do ! ...
They had to sell their place in the early 90's due to medical issues hit them both - -but while they were here near 20 yrs..
they loved it !

 

I love the way Sun City is moving toward energy efficiency. What a better way to use the sun, which we have an unending supply, than to capture it!