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I read that they will be building a Del Webb community in Port St Lucie, FL. and I am wondering if it is something that I may want to consider in a few years. These places come with a built-in social life, or so I'm told, and I was wondering if anyone reading this who happens to live in one of them can tell me what the pros and cons are.
I don't live in one but it is a community that I would not have trouble fitting in. Currently no plan to move so....
Pro
Community center
Limited access
Nice layout of grounds
Well kept
Services included
Decent amount of space on each lot
Con
Limited style in construction
Houses look a lot alike
Restrictions on exterior of property
There is an HOA and that comes with fees but that can be a pro and con. The HOA does take care of the property. If you do no changes to the grounds they will mow and trim your lawn and brush. Also all trash. recycle are dealt with. Also leaf and brush removal is done. The HOA is not Del Webb as once the homes are 90% or more owned the home owners become the HOA. Del Webb is the construction company (Pulte is the company that builds the houses).
The best thing you could do is visit any of them. They have many along the east coast states. Pick one. Call for a visit and see for yourself. Then watch them as they build in Port St Lucie, FL.
No personal experience. My mothers cousin and his wife bought in one, or something similar in one of the Carolinas They eventually sold and moved to a regular house in northern FL. My mother and cousin were (deceased now) german immigrants of blue collar backgrounds. Accents. He didn't feel like he fit in and was being judged. Granted he could be a little loud in a slightly obnoxious way (like the stereotype of a NJ Italian) but he was a nice guy who would go out of his way to be helpful. I think these places are great if you fit the profile of everyone else who lives there, whatever that might be.
I'm a military vet with a few conservative views. I also have many progressive views. I would not feel comfortable in the Villages.
I have visited a few. They are quite sterile, tend to attract more conservative folks and frankly, lots of obese people. Their ads always show youngish active retirees, but it's not one I have seen. Have visited friends at Del Webb sites in VA. They like it well-enough (their words) but thinking of selling (both couples) but because it is still being built out, they know their chances of a resale are slim unless they take a loss.
I have visited a few. They are quite sterile, tend to attract more conservative folks and frankly, lots of obese people. Their ads always show youngish active retirees, but it's not one I have seen. Have visited friends at Del Webb sites in VA. They like it well-enough (their words) but thinking of selling (both couples) but because it is still being built out, they know their chances of a resale are slim unless they take a loss.
Seriously? Obese people?? Having lived in a Del Webb community in AZ for two years we constantly marvel at the fantastic shape of most of the people we see around here. Every morning the sidewalks are filled with walkers, the roads with bikers and the gym is filled to capacity every morning at 7:30. Pickleball is a huge activity here and obese people do not play pickleball.
Honestly, I can think of only one person I have seen who could be classified as obese. This is an active adult community...with emphasis on ACTIVE. Average age is probably right around 60.
As for re-sales, we bought a spec home two years ago and sold it (at a profit) a year later to build a new construction. We sold it at our first showing. Also, homes around here that go up for sale are on the market for only a few days before offers are accepted. And this is a community that is still probably only 50% built out, so competing with new construction is NOT a problem.
No personal experience. My mothers cousin and his wife bought in one, or something similar in one of the Carolinas They eventually sold and moved to a regular house in northern FL. My mother and cousin were (deceased now) german immigrants of blue collar backgrounds. Accents. He didn't feel like he fit in and was being judged. Granted he could be a little loud in a slightly obnoxious way (like the stereotype of a NJ Italian) but he was a nice guy who would go out of his way to be helpful. I think these places are great if you fit the profile of everyone else who lives there, whatever that might be.
I'm a military vet with a few conservative views. I also have many progressive views. I would not feel comfortable in the Villages.
What does the community of "The Villages", a well known extremely large community do to compare to the smaller and well kept Del Webb Communities. The OP is asking about Del Webb. The Villages was not started or even associated with Del Webb.
The other thing about this post is that we are bringing in an old story of just about 5 years. Kind of old news to base a feeling on without visiting.
My wife and I have been visiting some Del Webb communities out west. We are looking for that small town feel where neighbors actually talk to each other. The people have all been very friendly and helpful at each of the communities we have visited. It is probably different from community to community, but the one thing that has stood out was how quiet it was. That may not be appealing to some, but to us it was relaxing.
I have read some posts on this forum about these types of communities being populated by old people waiting for the grim reaper. We have found the exact opposite to be true. At 64 we were probably older then most people we saw. Maybe the old old people do not get out.
I have never lived in one, but lived near one. I heard complaints about the lawn police getting excited if a leaf were to be on the lawn for too long. Since woman generally live longer than men, the surviving women will flood a new widow with all sorts of baked goods trying to find a breathing male! I also heard complaints that if the grandkids were there for too long they would also get hassled. I love my sfh without a HOA fees or the social police.
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I live in the original one.
