[WorldKlas]

We are here in LV looking at rental houses in 55+ communities. We have found houses we like in both Sun City Summerlin and in Sun City Anthem. Just can't decide where we would be happier! We tend to prefer the Anthem community because the facilities are newer. We tend to prefer the terrain and views in Anthem, too. But we like Summerlin's more "in town" feeling. Anyone with input, would love to hear what you think. Our plan is to buy after a year of renting.

[Tek_Freek]

Summerlin has more facilities. Four spaced throughout the area. Speaking of newer facilities they are updating everything here. It's a slow process by it's nature, but it's getting done. They are also taking out grass at the facilities and parts of the golf courses. It's greener overall if that's important. When we looked we were really interested in Anthem for a number of reasons, but...

We are not fans of Eastern for a way to get in and out of where we would live. It's a mess 24/7 as far as I can tell. On the other hand there's plenty of shopping there, and there are back ways out. They're longer of course.

When it comes time to remodel Anthem is better. All those places you look for tile, countertops, flooring, etc are in that corner of town. We did a lot of driving when we redid our house.

It's warmer in Anthem if I remember correctly. We are high up on the western hills and get shaded during the hottest part of the day in summer.

The last trip we compared the cost of houses and ended up in Summerlin.

We rented for three weeks in Anthem and met a lot of really nice people there.

Take a look at the Link. It lists clubs, etc. We belong to the Boomer Connection, which is a collection of things to do, and there are plenty. I don't know how (or if I can) to upload a PDF file to here so I captured the TOC of the BC newsletter.

Edit: The BYOB club is amazing. Once a month someone opens their house to people for a party. The largest so far was about 75. Too many! Most are between 25 and 35. The owner decides how many can attend, and two volunteers come early. They bring paper plates, plastic dinnerware, plastic cups, napkins, and a lot of organization. After everyone leaves they help clean up. Everyone brings what they want to drink and can either share or not. They also bring something to eat. We held one last May and will probably do another in 2017. A great way to meet a lot of people.

[SportyandMisty]

Originally Posted by Tek_Freek

When it comes time to remodel Anthem is better. All those places you look for tile, countertops, flooring, etc are in that corner of town.

Really? I think they are all east of 15 -- say between Dean Martin and Decatur, and between Russell and Flamingo.

[MediocreButArrogant]

Originally Posted by SportyandMisty

Really? I think they are all west of 15 -- say between Dean Martin and Decatur, and between Russell and Flamingo.

Fixed that for you.

[ragabnh]

Anthem is close to Airport and strip if that means something to you and you avoid the Spaghetti Bowl the biggest traffic jam in the valley. Traffic on Eastern is Manageable as long as you avoid rush hours in the morning and evening.

[WorldKlas]

Originally Posted by ragabnh

Anthem is close to Airport and strip if that means something to you and you avoid the Spaghetti Bowl the biggest traffic jam in the valley. Traffic on Eastern is Manageable as long as you avoid rush hours in the morning and evening.

This is big for us.

[Tek_Freek]

Originally Posted by SportyandMisty

Really? I think they are all east of 15 -- say between Dean Martin and Decatur, and between Russell and Flamingo.

Originally Posted by MediocreButArrogant

Fixed that for you.

Fascinating. I did directions in maps and there's only a couple of minutes difference. Surprised me.

[bayview6]

Sun city anthem is closer to the airport than Summerlin. Anyway you slice it.

[lvmensch]

Originally Posted by bayview6

Sun city anthem is closer to the airport than Summerlin. Anyway you slice it.

Nope. It is faster than some places in Sun City Summerlin some times. For instance from Teks place to the airport runs 18 minutes. From anywhere in the back half of Sun City Anthem it runs 18 minutes or more. As the crow flies of course you are right...but that is only for crows.

In fact it is not really a variable between the two. The times are too close and variable to be a factor.

Anthem is newer and more expensive. Summerlin is cheaper and has more local services. Eastern is a bi*tch. Soon you will be able to use the back entrance to Anthem and it will get a little better but that basically dumps you onto 15 at the Casino. No real significant shopping or anything that way.

I would pick the house I liked better. Also add Siena which has nicer homes than either.

[DoggieMatic]

Sure, traffic on Easter Ave is "manageable" -- you have to "manage" your expectations (hint: unless you keep vampire hours, expect moderate to heavy traffic). You'll have plenty of time to "manage" your anxiety if you get caught at one or more of the 90-second long red lights (Eastern & Horizon Ridge). That's how Henderson seems to manage traffic on Eastern Ave -- make the red lights longer.

Taking the back-route out of Anthem is fine -- if you're wanting to go to the M Resort, or head S on I-15, but as you're doing so, pay close attention to that new little neighborhood called Inspirada. Look at it on a map, and your see that it's two main feeder streets will soon mitigate this Anthem "back-route" as being a short-cut, especially when you factor the new Costco opening along St Rose Parkway & Henderson Executive Airport Drive, *and* all the new apartments/condos being built along St Rose. Henderson seems to be pushing for more revenue via population growth rather than balancing population with existing infrastructure.

Positives:

The Sun City Anthem Center is utterly amazing.
Even with heavy traffic & red lights, I can be on the LV Strip (Anthem --> Eastern-->I-215-->I-15-->Flamingo Ave-->LVB) in under 30 minutes -- about a 12 mile drive.

My impression is that Anthem is a quiet, affluent bedroom community with limited shopping within & lots of shopping just outside the Anthem Northern boundary (which is viewed as the waterfalls), whereas Summerlin is a more trendy & chic mix of residential & commercial space.

Everything else being the same, you may want to investigate pros & cons of residing in the City of Henderson (Sun City Anthem) vs unincorporated Clark County (Sun City Summerlin), and/or, maybe the HOAs are different enough (doubtful...) to give the advantage to one.