Active Adult/Over 55 - Elgin, Mundelein,Naperville

[creston21]

Hi to everyone. Thank you for all the help you gave me here on this board. Sorry for not answering sooner. We were busy with grand children & out looking for homes.

We went to Elgin and looked at the Toll Brothers attached homes and single family. This was probably the best made and nicest laid out community, would have purchased it except for 2 things, no indoor poor in the clubhouse, and it is in Elgin. I have to say the high crime rate in Elgin really turns me off.

Second we went to Edgewater by Del Webb also in Elgin. Also like this development. It is designed very nicely with lots of open space. The homes are selling quickly. But again it is in Elgin and the crime rate is a real turn off for us.

Next we went to Grand Dominion in Mundelein these were very nice but the difference in price here between Edgewater is $80,000 more for exactly the same house. Also some of the surrounding area is a little shabby.

Next we tried Shorewood Glen in Shorewood also a Del Webb. Now these house were $80 - 120,000 less then the same house in Grand Dominion. The layout of the community was very nice, the surrounding shopping seemed good. Super Walmart and Home Depot on the way. This was started in 2004 and is 45% complete. We liked it except that in reading the demographics and population backgrounds we would definitely be in the 0.05 percent to the community makeup and that is also a big consideration. Even with a club house and clubs etc. you do not want to feel isolated in the community.

Next we are going to look at Huntley which seems to have something for everyone.

We also looked at the Cambridge homes in Naperville - which is just getting started. What completed turned off to the Cambridge Homes, Carillon Club is that they do not allow children into the clubhouse AT ANY TIME. I just do not understand it. Del Webb allows the grandchildren in to the indoor or outdoor pool (depends on time of year) for limited hours each day. Like 3 to 5 PM Mon to Fri. or 1 PM to 4 PM on Sat.

Also Carillon Club in Naperville was just started and there were 5 or 6 homes up for resale.

The Carillon at Stonegate was very nice, very nice area and again this is a definite possibility but not allowing the grand kids into the club house is a big turn off. Also some of the materials they use are second rate. Like bi-fold doors on all the closets. I have never meet a bi-fold door that does not break or gives you trouble in a short period of time.

Well that's it for now. Thanks

[DelWebbGuy]

It's great that so many people are chiming in on the active adults communities by Del Webb. While many residents find the quality, selection and price of Del Webb homes an attraction, the benefits of the active adult, managed-community lifestyle (events, clubs and organizations, the Lodge, onsight recreation, like-minded residents, etc.) tends to be an overwhelming factor when it comes to deciding on where to live. For more information about Edgewater in Elgin, be sure to check out their new blog at [url=http://delwebbedgewater.wordpress.com]Del Webb’s Edgewater Blog[/url] or GRand Dominion in Mundelein's at [url=http://granddominion.wordpress.com]Del Webb’s Grand Dominion Blog[/url].

FYI, as far as Elgin's crime rate, take a look at [url=http://www.homefair.com/real-estate/city-profile/results.asp?Zip=60120]HomeFair.com: "Error"[/url]. About halfway down, in the Crime section, you'll find Elgin's ratings for Total Crime Risk, Personal Crime Risk and Property Crime Risk all below both the Illinois and national averages.

And for that comment about Mundelein being shabby, clearly the commenter hasn't been to the community recently -- it's beautiful and full of dynamic, active individuals.

[retiredpatriot]

Two years before I moved out of Sun City I quit going to the indoor pool. Either it was part shut down for classes or it was filled with swimmers. I was surprised when I found out they now have grandchildren in the pool two hours a day when the outdoor is closed.

They cant even accomodate residents who want to swim. It seems many residents do not want an active adult lifestyle themselves they want to entertain grandkids. I say good for you but go to a public pool.

[cubssoxfan]

Originally Posted by retiredpatriot

Two years before I moved out of Sun City I quit going to the indoor pool. Either it was part shut down for classes or it was filled with swimmers. I was surprised when I found out they now have grandchildren in the pool two hours a day when the outdoor is closed.

They cant even accomodate residents who want to swim. It seems many residents do not want an active adult lifestyle themselves they want to entertain grandkids. I say good for you but go to a public pool.

Did you approach management about having a lane or two, depending on demand, for adult only swimmers? Or a section for adults only? I live in an all age association community and they will have 10 minute breaks every hour for the older community members to swim kid free on busy weekends. I also see the older adults using the pool when kids aren't there. I do empathize with the problem & it can be a real problem if co-users are not attentive to the kids, courteous and lifeguards or management doesn't fairly police situations like this.