New member coming to visit in May

Discussion in 'Sun City New Members' started by CathyL, Jan 3, 2016.

  1. CathyL

    CathyL New Member

    I'm coming to visit Sun City in early May. I'm recently retired, and my plan had always been to sell my home here in Ohio and move to Florida. However, after learning about the retirement communities in central Arizona, particularly Sun City, I've decided to come out and investigate.

    Patio or Gemini/Twin homes look like good choices for me. I'm somewhat concerned about having common walls, but freeing myself from at least some exterior maintenance obligations is very appealing.

    I'm an avid recumbent cyclist and will miss the wonderful trail system we have here in southwest Ohio. I've learned a little bit about paved trails in the Phoenix area and hope to check them out in May. If anyone who rides the trails could share information about the biking experience out there, I'd much appreciate it.

    Thanks for reading.
     
  2. Cynthia

    Cynthia Well-Known Member

    From what I understand Del Webb did it right and used 6 inch concrete blocks between common walls to keep things quiet.
     
  3. pegmih

    pegmih Well-Known Member

    I have a Gemini Twin - D35. I never ever hear my neighbors.

    When you visit, be sure to go to the Visitor Center across from the Bell library.
    They have bus tours but they fill up fast.
    You can sign up online at
    Bus Tours | SUN CITY, ARIZONA

    You can also request a packet of information but I could not find link to it.
    I will be working there in a couple of weeks and try to get link.

    The Visitor Center has information about bike trails and many, many free brochures of places to go and things to do.
    You can also get free maps. A plus about biking here is that you can do it year round!


    BTW. Sun City Original was recently rated the best retirement community in the country.
     
    Last edited: Jan 3, 2016
  4. aggie

    aggie Well-Known Member

    I hope you have a great visit and allow enough time to fully explore Sun City. It's a wonderful place to pick your pace to live by!
     
  5. sussea

    sussea Member

    I have a condo and am on an end unit. I never heard the person living next to me.
     
  6. CathyL

    CathyL New Member

    Thanks to all for the feedback regarding common walls. Depending on what's on the market in May, I do hope to go through a few units.

    I've been in touch with the Visitor Center and an information packet is on the way. I appreciate the tip to register early for the bus tour. The tour definitely sounds like a "must do."
     
  7. 3rdGen

    3rdGen Member

    Welcome to the forum CathyL
     
  8. J_and_V

    J_and_V Member

    CathyL -
    I grew up in N. KY and I know what you mean about the wonderful bike trails in that area, as well as anticipating retiring to FL.

    We bought our home in Sun City in August, and have less than a month until we relocate (from Seattle, WA). I can't wait.

    For taking the tour, call the Visitor Center. We signed up online and never received a confirmation, things happen. A friend of ours who already lives in Sun City, called the Visitor Center (without knowing we had signed up online) and got us on the list. It's a great tour, you will learn a great deal.

    I haven't been on any of the bike trails in AZ (yet), but our realtor and one of our new neighbors have raved about them.

    This forum was/is invaluable for Sun City AZ information.

    Give a shout if you need a realtor - a good one is invaluable. Many folks on this board can give recommendations, you could start interviewing them and have them dedicate some time to showing you the different models while you are here.
     
  9. Fiona

    Fiona New Member

    Welcome soon Cathy.
    My husband and I were planning on moving to Florida back around 03 when the big hurricane hit and we lost touch with our realtor there. We were already packed so we decided to make a trip to AZ and get off the plane and explore. We fell in love with AZ. We moved to Sun City in 2011 after camping in Vistancia for 8 years. We have no regrets choosing AZ over FL.
     
  10. CathyL

    CathyL New Member

    I much appreciate the additional comments!

    This forum is a wonderful resource. Also, my morning mail included a very impressive packet of information from the SC Visitor Center.

    Congratulations J_and_V on your upcoming relocation. Save travels. A friend of mine who retired and moved to Chandler, AZ a couple years ago assures me I will like the bike trails in Phoenix.

    Fiona, I have never been to Arizona but think I, too, will love it. I just haven't felt as excited as I think I should about moving to Florida. Maybe Arizona will prove to be my best destination.

    :)
     
  11. Cynthia

    Cynthia Well-Known Member

    You were camping for 8 years? Is this a joke I don't get or something I haven't hear of before?
     
  12. Mullet

    Mullet Member

    CathyL. Welcome to the forum. We bought a condo in phase 2 in August and are spending our first winter here. We had concerns about shared walls (remembering apartment living nightmares from my youth) but so far, no problem. It's not that we never hear a neighbor, it's just not disturbing.

    Regarding cycling. I bike regularly and ride the trails often. It's a nice system with miles and miles of trails. I've ridden as far as central Phoenix but from what I understand you could go nearly anywhere in the valley by mostly trail. There's good, safe, surface street access to the trail system from anywhere in Sun City. One can also put on some safe miles just riding Sun City streets. We have a Sun City group ride every Thursday that does a moderately-paced forty miles or so if that kind of thing interests you. Lastly, riding conditions here are outstanding. Flat with little wind predominate. One can find elevation changes to ride it you want to but everything in the Sun City area is flat. Obviously, it can get really hot in the summer but the conditions this time of year make up for it. There's a very active biking community in the Phoenix area. I think it's a great area to ride (or hike if you enjoy that).
     
  13. Mullet

    Mullet Member

  14. CathyL

    CathyL New Member

    Mullet, just what I wanted to hear!

    I've looked at the Phoenix area trail system on Google maps and liked what I saw. I'll check out the parks and recreation link you have shared.

    To have safe road access from my home to a paved trail would be grand.

    Thanks for the comments. It's good to know I would be able to easily get to trails as well as make new biking buddies.

    I'll be curious to find out if there are many recumbent riders in the area. I ride an ICE Sprint recumbent trike. Generally, when I ride with friends, we'll bike 35 - 40 miles and will average 10 - 12 mph. I started riding recumbents about 15 years ago, and at that time I was a bit of an oddity on the Ohio trails; however, the number of recumbent riders here has steadily grown, and I'm guessing this is also the case in the Phoenix area.
     
  15. Mullet

    Mullet Member

    You do see recumbent riders. The percentage is still fairly low. One gentleman in our local group rides a recumbent though he hasn't ridden for a while. There are lots of options here regarding what, where, when and with whom you ride.
     
  16. Fiona

    Fiona New Member

    We had never planned on retiring in Vistancia so we thought of it as an extended vacation. We lived there, not camping lol. But we love it here in SC
     
  17. CathyL

    CathyL New Member

    I'm on the last day of my visit here and have to say that I'm very impressed with Sun City.

    I took the bus tour, which was great, and I've also been able to use the rec centers on a free three-day pass that I got at the Visitors Center. The rec centers I've seen (Bell, Fairway, and Lakeview) are just wonderful.



    I also visited with a lady representing the Garden Club at the Farmer's Market yesterday as I was interested in how the Sun City community garden works. Everyone I've interacted with here has been friendly and informative. I've looked at several homes and do feel like Sun City is the place for me. As I move forward in the relocation process, I may revisit this board with questions. :)
     
  18. J_and_V

    J_and_V Member

    Cathy, *
    Glad you have enjoyed your visit. *You may have noticed that the board has slowed down. *This is sad, in my opinion, because it was invaluable to us when we were making our decision/plans to move to Sun City.
    Please do revisit, and ask as many questions as you can come up with. *If the board is slow in getting you answers, I have some email addresses of folks who know more than I do and I'm not afraid to reach out and drag them back to get better info.
    Safe travels and I hope to hear from you again.
     
  19. CathyL

    CathyL New Member

    Thank you. :)
     
  20. pegmih

    pegmih Well-Known Member

    Glad to hear you took the bus tour. I volunteer at the SC Visitor Center and the SC Posse.*
    You might consider doing so when you live here.

    I have been a regular poster on this site and enjoy giving people information.*
    Guess that's one of the reason I do my volunteering.

    I live in a condo called a Gemini and like it very much:semi-twins:
     

Share This Page