New Members Introduce yourself Start A New Thread

Discussion in 'Sun City New Members' started by admin, Sep 21, 2012.

  1. Kim-Sandy Kline

    Kim-Sandy Kline New Member

    I am a clinical social worker in my small private practice.

    My background here in Alaska has been military (specializing in those suffering from PTSD), Hospice, State Long Term Care Ombudsman, Hospital Rehab, and work with children. I just ended longer term side position as a mental health social worker in the Army Reserves. So, my hope is once settled and comfortable to work (not much) with some military in AZ. My license will transfer and services to military seem to be a fairly necessary one.
     
  2. BPearson

    BPearson Well-Known Member

    Hey Kim; good stuff. It clearly appears you are comfortable writing and talking about yourself, not everyone is.

    Boards like this and i guess most of social media operates off the theory, less is better. I've never been able to get my head around that. Yesterday we met at the Museum to work on the 5 year strategy to take the it to the next level. It was fascinating because i've tried to stay away from Facebook and Twitter but clearly there is a need for a strong social media presence. I would also love to integrate a message board into a heightened Museum site, but that is a ways down the road.

    We (Sun City) turns over more than 2000 homes per year. Our ability to reach those newcomers (many with advanced computer skills) is essential to building a more cohesive community. At the same time the long range planning committee is trying to encourage the RCSC to enhancing their world view of technology. Right now they are virtual Luddites compared to some other age restricted communities. Imagine combining far reaching technological changes while at the same time growing the population of knowledgeable new home buyers.

    So much to do, so little time (said with a smile).
     
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  3. LilC

    LilC New Member

    Silly new member question: people are warning me about scorpions. Don't know if they're exaggerating or if it's a real concern in Sun City. Should I have house exterminated prior to moving in? I'm more worried about my dog than me. I know nothing about scorpions (from Miami... flying roaches, but no scorpions).
     
  4. Kim-Sandy Kline

    Kim-Sandy Kline New Member

    What do you consider average costs for yard maintenance? And, monthly costs for pest control? Are there any other maintenance items that are common or necessary in Arizona?
     
  5. Kim-Sandy Kline

    Kim-Sandy Kline New Member

    It sounds as though, and based on this website, you are very involved with many things that contribute to some of the reasons Sun City is a great place to live. Seems volunteering truly is practice. Thank you for all the great information. Hoping to find my niche at some point post move in.
     
  6. pegmih

    pegmih Well-Known Member

    Please explain why/how Alaska pays people to live there. Sounds like a good deal.
    Thank You.
     
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  7. Kim-Sandy Kline

    Kim-Sandy Kline New Member

    Oil money, we live in the dark several months out of the year, we only have one road system out, to get to the next state we have to drive through a foreign country and about 2,600 miles, it as close to living on an isolated island as you can just about get... oil revenues. I don’t think the additional taxable paycheck of $1,000.00 to $1,600.00 makes much difference to most unless you have children. I do believe it will go away or decrease substantially soon. Our state government is not the greatest at budget and finance.
     
  8. BPearson

    BPearson Well-Known Member

    Sun City for years had entry signs that read, "City of Volunteers." Powerful proclamation and a boast that was easily substantiated. Millions of hours per year have been donated since our inception to building an infrastructure to contain costs and keep residents engaged.

    In 1964 in the New Yorker magazine sent Calvin Trillin to live in Sun City, he was around 30 at the time. His near on 30 page article spoke glowingly of the community. In the end, he predicted Sun City would fail. He was convinced those living here would grow weary of such a hedonistic lifestyle. He knew people needed more than lazing about. What he didn't factor in, was our growth would force us to become a community of volunteers.

    I'm one of those oddities who bought into the structure of self-governance. Before we purchased our home at the age of 51, i saw the potential of a community where if i didn't like something, i could raise my hand and try and fix it. I've had the good fortune of serving on the board's of the Visitor Center (before the RCSC took it over), the Sun City Home Owners Association (where we rebuilt it from the ground up), The Del Webb Sun Cities Museum (easily my favorite gig), the RCSC (where i spent most of my time arguing over stupid), the president of the Sun City Foundation (they pay rec fees for residents who have outlived their resources), did all the writing for the 50th anniversary and have written 5 magazines on Sun City (2 for SCHOA and 3 for the RCSC).

    I tell you those things, not to brag, but simply state, hundreds of folks over the years have done all that and more. Sun Citians a history of being involved and giving back. Don't get me wrong, played golf, lawn bowl, work out a lot, joined clubs and done the fun stuff. The end game is we need people to be involved, without it, we change. We become like every other age restricted community. I won't argue better or worse, just different. People these days volunteer less and in wholly different ways.

    My goal on this site and virtually everything i have done, said or written was about helping those who may buy here know what they are buying into. It is a very special place and one that only stays that way when we take ownership.

    When i tell people buying here they are looking at one of the most significant life changing experiences ever, i'm not blowing smoke. Sun City is unlike anywhere you have ever lived. Some come here and ignore it, i beg folks to immerse themselves in all it has to offer. It's that darned good.
     
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  9. Cheryl

    Cheryl Member

    Hello all! My husband and I just closed on our new home on Wednesday, we are so excited to join the community and explore all that Sun City has to offer!

    I would love to get involved with learning and helping to preserve the history of this wonderful community. I remember being 9 and my grandma talking to her friends when they returned to Minnesota after a vacation to this community about how she loved her visit and all the people and amenities. She yearned to be here however stayed in Minnesota because of us girls.

    The home we purchased just feels "like home". I love the architectural era of phase 2 and 3 and am hopeful I can get involved in many activities! If you had told me 10 years ago that I would have spent a year looking for the perfect home in Sun City I would have thought you were mad!

    Thank you to the creators of this forum, it contains so much history! Is there a facebook equivalent?

    Cheryl!
     
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  10. LilC

    LilC New Member

    Welcome, Cheryl! I closed on a house in Phase 2 last month and will be moving in this week. I’m totally in love with the house. Needs a little work, but who doesn’t?! Just so you know, people on this forum have been extremely helpful with whatever questions I’ve had. Very knowledgeable.
    Welcome to Sun City!
     
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  11. BPearson

    BPearson Well-Known Member

    Hey Cheryl, welcome. Lots of us Minnesotans here. The site is laden with articles, not so much on Facebook yet. Lilc is right, questions? Ask away.
     
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  12. pegmih

    pegmih Well-Known Member

    Welcome to Sun City. It is truly a GREAT place.
    I made a webpage about Sun City with lots of information about it and the surrounding area.
    Please take a look. Suggestions and comments are welcome.
    https://pegmihedu.webs.com/Suncity.htm
     
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  13. Kim-Sandy Kline

    Kim-Sandy Kline New Member

    Welcome! We closed on our home just a few weeks ago. We are starting to get several needed projects and updates started. It will certainly be an ongoing process. Super excited for you. This truly is a great forum with many knowledgeable and interesting folks.
     
    Cheryl likes this.
  14. David Martin

    David Martin New Member

    New resident, hopefully soon. I'm a City of Phoenix retiree with Hoosier roots and California Beach seasoning. A widower after 40 years.

    I'm focused on the older Condos. I'm severely downsizing from the 40 years of "stuff" accumulation that I'm sure most have suffered through.
     
    Last edited: Jul 31, 2019
  15. Kim-Sandy Kline

    Kim-Sandy Kline New Member

    Hi David,
    Welcome... Very sorry to hear about your wife’s death. That is a great many years of sharing your life with another.
    We are in the process of downsizing from our Alaskan home to our new Sun City home. We are remodeling the house in Sun City and trying to prepare our properties to sell in Alaska, the task is a hefty one. I have lived in Alaska for thirty-five years so tying to weed through things is overwhelming. We have been visiting frequently and love Sun City. We have the nicest neighbors, started using the rec centers and libraries and are so very excited about the various clubs. My hope is to find a volunteer group and make a solid contribution there too. It is all very exciting for us.
    I wish you the best in your move.
    This group is a nice help with lots of knowledge on Sun City. It sure has helped give me info.
     
    David Martin likes this.
  16. pegmih

    pegmih Well-Known Member

    Welcome to Sun City.
    It is truly a wonderful, friendly place.
    BTW. All the condos are "older"! Some are just older than others.
    I live in Phase II that is in the middle of SC and very convenient to everything.
    Just don't get too small a place.
    Who knows, you might have house guests sometime.
     
    David Martin likes this.
  17. David Martin

    David Martin New Member

    Sept 2020 update

    I made it! After a lot of work I'm temporarily learning about my future in the SunCity area. I'm renting a twin home here in SCW.

    I'm not sure where I will eventually find my next home but I'm loving it so far.

    The frustrating part for me is that I underestimated the effect that Grand Avenue and the RR's have on the vicinity, then they have tossed the residential streets into the mix. Thank heaven for the GPS system.
     
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  18. David Martin

    David Martin New Member

    Another step forward in my life. Since landing here in SCW in September I'm starting to get the hang of things here. Definitely not as GPS dependent, happily.

    After a renovation of my house of 30 years, with the usual surprises I was fortunate to have multiple bidders and it went to escrow within 2 days.

    Soon, I will be happy to say that it's done and over while I am enjoying my own place
     
  19. carptrash

    carptrash Active Member

    And welcome to this little part of the greater Sun City Metropolitan Area, find, or start, something of interest and jump right in.
     
  20. George F

    George F New Member

    Hello. My name is George and I moved to Sun City in December. My sister recommended this website. Cheers.
     

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