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I think often those who bump up old threads are caught up by the topic of the thread, and don't notice the dates. I've come close to doing that myself, but it's not a bad thing if the topic is still relevant.
At the bottom of EVERY thread is a caption called "SIMILAR THREADS.". Many times, posters click on those threads and start them up again.
I really DOUBT that the OP is making a post to advertise Del Webb. They really don't need of as Del Webb is perhaps the largest builder of active retirement communities.
At the bottom of EVERY thread is a caption called "SIMILAR THREADS.". Many times, posters click on those threads and start them up again.
I really DOUBT that the OP is making a post to advertise Del Webb. They really don't need of as Del Webb is perhaps the largest builder of active retirement communities.
I have to admit it never occurred to me that the OP was trying to advertise anything when he/she started the thread again. I just figured he/she was interested in the topic.
I have to admit it never occurred to me that the OP was trying to advertise anything when he/she started the thread again. I just figured he/she was interested in the topic.
OP stands for "original poster" (or original post). It was not the OP who revived this long-dormant thread, but someone who was making his/her very first post. To me, it did seem suspicious. Often a very first post consists of spam and we never see that poster again. Of course that is not always the case; all of us made our very first post at some point.
Well I'm sorry to disagree with the responders so far, but I ACTUALLY LIVE in a Del Webb community, and we love it. We're in CA, at the Sun City Shadow Hills in Indio. We're in the Coachella Valley, about 20 miles from Palm Springs.
We moved here for several reasons. It's a gated community, there is an 18 hole and a 9 hole (soon to also be 18) golf course, tennis courts, two swimming pools (indoor and outdoor), a gym the size of a 24 hr Nautilus, bocce ball courts, putting greens, you name it. Aerobics and Pilates classes. Art instruction, dance instruction, I can't even begin to think of all that is offered. There is a list of perhaps 100 different clubs. I'm not much of a joiner but my wife is, she participates in the Ladies Putters, the Ladies 9 Holers, a couple of Bunco groups, the Ladies Golf Club.
We went to Casino night just last night, put on by the Entertainment Club. The Oak Ridge Boys put on two concerts in our community center on Valentines Day. The Health Club is in the middle of a Fitness Challenge.
If you want something to do here, all you have to do is look. If you don't want to particpate, you don't have to. Some folks tell us the HOA fee is high but coming from the SF Bay Area, it's less than we were used to paying up there.
Oh, we're still building. Phase 1 was completed in 2005, Phase II (where we live) is just completing the last few houses now, and Phase III (the final phase) kicked off last summer and is actively being built now. Of course the economy being what it is these days, DW / Pulte isn't building on speculation, they have to have a deposit on a house before they'll start construction. Some do fall out before building is complete, and to be honest those end up being the best bargains in the community as Pulte doesn't want to hold them.
Funny how everyone that does not LIVE in a Del Webb community bad mouths it, but the two if us that do on this thread (Del Webb Hill Country Retreat for the past 6 yrs) LOVE it! LOL
It is ok NOT to want to live in one, but those of us that do have found our PERFECT spot. BTW, resales here go QUICKLY and I personally would consider what you want in selecting a community. We do not play golf, and did not want to pay for someone elses habit, so selected one that is a golf cart community but NO golf course upkeep/cost. We DO have golf carts tho, and 2 1/2 car garages to keep our cart in!
It is so peaceful here, even last night (New Years Eve) the fireworks were far enough away not to be troublesome...and we have no vandalism and other issues the surround areas deal with. We are a smaller Del Webb community (built out will be 2K homes vs Georgetown which I think has about 6K homes) and REALLY love the peace and quiet here.
I currently live in a DW community....Sun City Carolina Lakes in Indian Land, SC (just south of Charlotte, NC) and really have no major problems with it. Now in the interest of full disclosure, we will be selling and moving soon to DE, but that is to be closer to our daughter. We are moving to another 55+ community, so we do like the lifestyle. And not only are the resale, as well as new, homes selling fast their value has really gone up. We will be able to sell for substantially more than we paid for it. Although we are not continuously active, we do participate in a few things. I am actually not doing anything right now as I'm recovering from hip surgery. But hubby uses the exercise facility a lot as well as the kayak group and woodworkers shop. In fact he just made some bank frames (for stained glass) that are no longer made.
As I have stated many times on here before, a 55+ community is not for everybody, but if you might be interested then you need to rent for a bit and see if the lifestyle suits you. Some people hate the thought of them, but each to their own opinion. We see all kinds of people here from extremely active to more sedate. You do as much or as little as you want. There are tons of people who volunteer in the area for different organizations and participate in lots of "out of community" things. For instance, a small town down the way has parades throughout the year and always asks our convertible club to participate. We do have a privately owned golf course throughout the community, but the residents get somewhat of a discount to use it. We are also a golf cart community and can go not only throughout the community, but also to the adjacent shopping center that included supermarket, bank, library, medical center, and many other small stores and restaurants....even a UPS store. We also got the first Publix opened north of Columbia, and it's wonderful. I will miss it in DE.
You do have to know that you will not get a large lot, but then again you don't have to take care of it! The lawn maintenance is included in the monthly HOA dues. They also take care of any plants or shrubbery that the builder planted (pruning, etc.) but not what the homeowner plants. Most of the people don't want to be bothered by lawn maintenance, even though there are a lot who plant flowers and take care of them.
I don't push any opinions on anybody, you either like it or you don't. The only way to find out is to visit and/or rent. BTW, a little hint. There are 2 designations for Del Webb communities. If it is just "Del Webb" then the community does NOT have a golf course running through it. If it is a "Sun City" by Del Webb then there is a golf course running through it. The course may be private, like ours, or owned by the residents so you would have to check on that. I encourage anyone interested to check them out and not let those who hate the thoughts of 55+ drive them away. Make up your own mind!
Just out of curiosity, how are single people treated in these communities? Are they taken in and included by others in their activites, or are they at a distinct disadvantage from not being part of a couple?
Just out of curiosity, how are single people treated in these communities? Are they taken in and included by others in their activites, or are they at a distinct disadvantage from not being part of a couple?
There are a good number of widows and widowers in every ESTABLISHED over-55 community that I have ever been involved in or visited. They are generally included in activities.
It is like any other social activity. There are those who become very active within the community - single or couple - and those that participate in very little. We walk daily with a couple of widows and a couple of couples.
Just out of curiosity, how are single people treated in these communities? Are they taken in and included by others in their activites, or are they at a distinct disadvantage from not being part of a couple?
I can speak to this. When I first moved to my Del Webb, I was part of a couple. We were here for several years before SO became terminally ill and moved to a care facility. He has since passed on.
Even though I'd never joined any of the groups and just had a few casual acquaintances, I was taken under the wing of quite a few residents. I was amazed, frankly. People I didn't even know heard my story through the grapevine and sought me out to provide support . . . as much or as little as I wanted. I've been included in many activities, seemingly without regard to my "singleness". It's now been two years since SO moved out and approaching one year since he passed. I still am included in new activities and meeting new people. I couldn't have asked for a better place to be when everything fell apart.
The percentage of single residents (overall - not broken down by gender/orientation) in my Del Webb is about 36%. And probably increasing frequently, given the age demographic.
I want to touch on another aspect of Del Webb, too. It's "55+ Active Adult" as opposed to "Retirement Community". That's an important distinction. Many of us have interests outside of the Del Webb groups, many are still working - especially as the Baby Boomers are moving in. That's a good thing in my mind (I'm one of them so I might be biased!) in that it brings a diversity of lifestyles which might have been lacking if it were exclusively older retirees. There is none of that "marching in lock-step to mandatory exercise class or card games" that seems to be a common misconception. You're on your own to get involved or not and no one pressures you to join anything. Invite you, yes, but pressure - no. The realtors I know have mentioned that they frequently get inquiries from younger people looking for a place to warehouse mom or dad. These people will ask if mom or dad will get three meals daily, or transportation, or assistance. No. That's Assisted Living, or CCRC. But the general public doesn't always understand the difference.
So that's my experience. I'll be interested to see if anyone else has anything to share on these aspects of life in Del Webb/Sun City or an equivalent community.
I can speak to this. When I first moved to my Del Webb, I was part of a couple. We were here for several years before SO became terminally ill and moved to a care facility. He has since passed on.
Even though I'd never joined any of the groups and just had a few casual acquaintances, I was taken under the wing of quite a few residents. I was amazed, frankly. People I didn't even know heard my story through the grapevine and sought me out to provide support . . . as much or as little as I wanted. I've been included in many activities, seemingly without regard to my "singleness". It's now been two years since SO moved out and approaching one year since he passed. I still am included in new activities and meeting new people. I couldn't have asked for a better place to be when everything fell apart.
The percentage of single residents (overall - not broken down by gender/orientation) in my Del Webb is about 36%. And probably increasing frequently, given the age demographic.
I want to touch on another aspect of Del Webb, too. It's "55+ Active Adult" as opposed to "Retirement Community". That's an important distinction. Many of us have interests outside of the Del Webb groups, many are still working - especially as the Baby Boomers are moving in. That's a good thing in my mind (I'm one of them so I might be biased!) in that it brings a diversity of lifestyles which might have been lacking if it were exclusively older retirees. There is none of that "marching in lock-step to mandatory exercise class or card games" that seems to be a common misconception. You're on your own to get involved or not and no one pressures you to join anything. Invite you, yes, but pressure - no. The realtors I know have mentioned that they frequently get inquiries from younger people looking for a place to warehouse mom or dad. These people will ask if mom or dad will get three meals daily, or transportation, or assistance. No. That's Assisted Living, or CCRC. But the general public doesn't always understand the difference.
So that's my experience. I'll be interested to see if anyone else has anything to share on these aspects of life in Del Webb/Sun City or an equivalent community.
Very good post.
I live in the original Sun City. There are 27,000 homes and 38,000 people so that shows that there are many singles. I don't really know of anything here that is for couples. Lots of singles in everything that I do.
The Active Adult part is important. We are finally getting basketball and they had to start another softball league. New tennis courts are being built. Baby boomers are changing things. It is mostly accepted by the old but still a few are against any kind of change.
There are lots of misconceptions. I know of someone who was asked how late they are allowed to have company. One person I was showing around was amazed that the music at a pool was Bob Seeger and not Perry Como and that some of the men have pony tails and ride motorcycles. Yes there are lots of misconceptions. We now have a marijuana dispensary. Most are happy about that.
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