Moving to Sun City AZ

[Trinibeens]

Originally Posted by Peggy

Any hints about what it is like in Sun City AZ?

As Mike mentioned there are several Sun Cities, and they're all quite different. For the past several years I've been looking at both new homes and resales in Active Adult communities in the Phoenix area.

Where you might want to live, in my opinion, depends first on your age. Since the oldest Sun City was built quite a while ago, the average age there is probably about 75, with many over 80. This might not be your cup of tea if you're only 55 or so. That said, the homes are on much larger lots than any newer community recently constructed, but the floor plans are older style--kitchens not 'open' to living areas, etc.

The recreation area at Sun City Grand is just gorgeous--looks like a resort hotel, and the golf course is beautiful, but the homes are mostly 'cookie-cutter' on smaller lots. Since this is a newer community the average age is probably around 55-60. Home prices are about $300K +.

If you're looking for something a little less expensive and less 'resort-like' than SC Grand, try 'Arizona Traditions'. It's also in Surprise and a gated community that's less expensive. You can get resales as well as new construction there.

Sun City Festival is just under construction. When I drove past and saw the enormous power lines running right behind the community, I opted not to even go in. Plus it's about 20 minutes futher out than Sun City Grand, in other words, in the middle of nowhere.

Trini

[Sean_Harrington]

Originally Posted by marmih

I am wondering what you do not like about Sun City. I fell in love with the place last year & can hardly wait to move from the cold Pacific Northwest.

I write this as someone who recently escaped from the dead, dry, polluted horror that is Arizona. I can say from experience, when it's 116 degrees in sun city, and 85 year olds are divebombing you in their Mercury Marquis, with the blank stare of those cataract sunglasses, dry boney knuckes gripping the wheel, you'll have a tender tug at your heart for the "cold Pacific Northwest".

[sablebaby]

Originally Posted by marmih

I am wondering what you do not like about Sun City. I fell in love with the place last year & can hardly wait to move from the cold Pacific Northwest.

It's much different to live out here then to visit. Coming from the cold into the HEAT is something to get used to. I'm getting the impression that people think it's going to be warm here and don't realize that it's down right HOT. Sun City is so much different than most areas of the country. It's hard to describe, but you'll understand when you move here.

[azloafer]

Sun City is so large because so many people love it there, inspite of the heat. I have friends there and have visited Sun City and Sun City West many times. In fact I am going to a 60th wedding anniversary party this weekend in SC West. I laughed at the post from Harrington because there is a little truth in that humerous story. I used to laugh at old people and their driving too, but NOW I ARE ONE!

[azloafer]

Originally Posted by azloafer

Sun City is so large because so many people love it there, inspite of the heat. I have friends there and have visited Sun City and Sun City West many times. In fact I am going to a 60th wedding anniversary party this weekend in SC West. I laughed at the post from Harrington because there is a little truth in that humerous story. I used to laugh at old people and their driving too, but NOW I ARE ONE!

We just got back from a visit with friends in Sun City West. We drove around in that section and Sun City itself. It is just as neat and clean as it has always been. We stayed in a hotel in Surprise. We went to visit friends in Surprise Farms also. This was our first trip to Surprise Farms and we were really impressed. That is one of the nicest areas that we have seen since we moved to Arizona twenty-one years ago. The builder seems to have taken great care to give the houses some character and not just build boxes. All the colors used are varying degrees of earth tones. The landscaping in the common areas is the best that we have seen anywhere. If you are ever in that area it would be worth it to take a look at Surprise Farms!

[irishgal53]

Does anyone have any opinions/experience with retirement in AZ vs. New Mexico? Thinking mainly of southern NM, comparing the lifestyle to the Sun Cities of AZ.

[ibarrio]

Thinking mainly of southern NM, comparing the lifestyle to the Sun Cities of AZ.

Life would be enjoyable in either area but the Sun Cities will offer more things to do. If you are more into arts and history then Las Cruces/Mesilla would be the way to go.

More restaurants in Sun City...better tasting food in Las Cruces.

Both have hot summers but Arizona summer is on a different level. Las Cruces is colder in the winter.

Las Cruces is a college town and who knows when the last beer kegger has happened in Sun City...if ever

[azloafer]

I happened to come across this picture in a magazine...