Is the Sun Setting On Sun City?

This article was on the back page of a magazine i wrote while serving as an RCSC board member. It was titled The Best of Sun City Arizona 2013/2014. 10 years after the fact, i still feel the same way.

Is the Sun Setting on Sun City AZ?

Above is a question I am asked often by media people. Coupled with these facts: people are working later in
life, Sun City AZ is the oldest age restricted community in the country and there are 1000s of senior communi-
ties competing for that niche market, the question is well warranted.

My answer never waivers when asked and perhaps the question itself is one of the key reasons for producing
this magazine. We all know talk is cheap, and on the previous 23 pages we have taken you on a visual journey
of Sun City AZ; past, present and future. Does it look like we are dying?

The history of the community speaks for itself. It is steeped in tradition, value and values. From its beginnings
we know it was all about seniors coming here to play their lives away. Calvin Trillin wrote in the April 1964
issue of the New Yorker the one problem he foresaw was seniors would get weary of a life filled with nothing
but leisure.

He was right. What he didn’t see was the community coming together to take ownership of a process of self-
governance. One that would create a setting where those living here would give back millions of hours of
service a year; where life was as much about playing as it was about building a sense of community that would
set us apart from the countless others that tried to replicate us.

Having read any number of the oral histories at the Del Webb Sun Cities Museum, there is one theme repeated again and again in those interviews: “I love Sun City.” Consequently when those moving here are asked about how they feel about the community, the answer most often is, “what’s not to love?” After 53 years it’s still
that same love affair.

Sun City AZ is that kind of a place. The magic of what makes us special isn’t one thing; it is the combination of
hundreds of things. The RSCS’s role/goal is to help maintain a lifestyle that residents love. At times it is daunt-
ing but as long as people are willing to participate in our governance, Sun City AZ will remain a great place to
live. While we will always have those awesome sunsets as witnessed on this page, we will never see the sun
set on this community; those living here won’t let it happen.

The Best of Sun City AZ 2013 | 2014 is a tribute to each and every one of you who were smart enough to buy
in what we see as the best value in age-restricted communities across the country.

Congratulations for buying here and helping keep Sun City AZ a special place with a very special way of life.

 

The Best of Sun City AZ 2013 | 2014
You can read the whole publication, 24 pages, HERE

 

I get it, but I can't also not stop thinking about what I see happening to our beloved Sun City.

I see and read articles every week from residents who talk about underage children who are apparently living with a grandparent and being driven back and forth to school every day. Other occasions where the 90 day limit has been exceeded. Or the group-homes and halfway houses that are being built in many areas when we're suppose to be a community of single-family homes! How is that even allowed without a variance or violating our corporate documents?

I don't know how it will end but I can see the camel has gotten his nose under the tent and it isn't going to get any better unless and until SCHOA or whomever starts to push back. As the inner city is allowed to continually creep ever closer to Sun City you will see more special-homes and accommodations made for those who were never intended to be here.

Sorry, but that's how I see it and we need to start pushing back on group-homes, giant garages and underage children, or as Ronald Reagan once implied, you will someday be telling your children and your children's children what it was once like to live in Sun City!!!!

I came because my parents loved it so much, but what will I be telling the next generation?

 

Corporate documents mean anything when it comes to federal law. The county is ok with the group homes. All SCHOA could do is enforce the CC&Rs against these homes but without the ability to fine good luck with that. The county doesn't care what the CC&Rs say so you won't get any help from them on not granting permits.
The only thing that can change things is to get our property values higher so the investors in group homes go where property is cheaper.

 

Tom (FYI) and i disagree on some of this and here's why. As much as i don't like the idea of group homes in Sun City, as old and tired pointed out, these are federally mandated changes and they are happening everyone around the country. He/she is also correct, the best way to avoid them being bought up is to increase property values. While many applaud being cheap, this is one of the many downsides to it.

As far as how many children are living in Sun City, there as always been a handful who try and skirt the rules. Over time they are found out and invited to leave. That's one SCHOA should not waffle on or play games with. I know the one raised a stink a few years back but it truly was a unique case. Historically removing children here has been done time and time again. The halfway houses are more problematic but i suspect the recent spate of lawsuits over that issue have helped tamp down that trend; senior group homes. not so much.

The "giant garages" are more interesting. Legally there is nothing SCHOA can do, the current CC&R's do not prevent them from being built. There are set backs that must be met and that's what the county looks at (mostly). I have no idea what a very large garage in one's back yard does to a neighbors property value, but the general rule of thumb was that anyone putting in expensive improvements to their home increases the properties values around them.

Sun City is evolving, and while many want to see the glass half empty, i think Sun City is perfectly positioned to keep moving forward. We've outlived the tragic mistakes of the past 15 years, now it is time to retool and restore the incredible amenity package we have and start marketing Sun City for all it has to offer.

 

I'm not so much against the assisted living group homes as long as they are all of age, but still wonder how a home with 10 nonrelated residence can be considered "single family"?

I am more against the underaged group home/halfway houses.

 

It makes a difference if you care about the future of Sun City. Apparently you only care for the here and now and for yourself?

 

Very well written, Bill!

 

Thanks Janet, it was a blast writing it. History has taught many of us a lesson hopefully no one ever forgets: This community only survives the trials and tribulations when we take ownership and solve problems, not bitch about them.

 

What a great piece, Bill. That's the kind of piece every new resident should be handed! I know - everyone uses an electronic device. I still think it's great to have a reference piece for newcomers during that first year to browse and refer to from time to time. Your piece is similar to the one we created annually at our Chamber (not as in depth) for visitors and we also placed it in new resident packets for our realtors. We'll done!

 

Thanks Carol, not sure how much longer i am inclined to do this.

 

I’m still interested in this topic!

 

Me too eyesopen. In fact, it would be fun to explore the differences between boomers and the greatest generation. We know the greatest generation were interested in ownership, responsibility and accountability. It appears as if many of the boomers only care about what's in it for them. Me, me, me is often their mantra with absolutely no concerns about their community or what goes on other between their own ears. Too bad eh.

 

The sun isn't setting, in fact, it's on the verge of exploding in ways no one can even begin to imagine.

 

Good to see the local hater is playing to keep up. Odd how they proclaim they just want to snuggle with their pets but waste their life doing what they complain others do.

 

I should go pull some of your past posts. It would tell a wholly different story wouldn't it? It's almost laughable to read your new persona when your old one is bouncing all over the net. I've been sober some 48 years now and the one most valuable lesson i learned in treatment and AA was this simple: "To thine own self be true."

 

The sun will never set on Sun City. It's not just a place; it's an idea, it's a vision and it has been a dream location for more than 100,000 seniors who adopted it and loved it as if they were born and raised here. Beautiful.

 

Nearly 100 posts by the troll just this morning. Quite ambitious by anyone's standards.

 

Funny how badly someone wants to shut down this site.