Sun City Grand??? (Phoenix, Sun Lakes: home, neighborhood, movies)

[TootsieWootsie]

Anyone know the real scoop on SC Grand? I have friends there; but all they say is it's all so great, and I feel that I never get a really straight answer from them as they are always building it up. So, if anyone really knows this property I could use some straight talk.

1. The singles group there is mostly women? True?
2. That SC Grand has the demographic as the wealthiest 55+ community in Phoenix? True or not?
3. That SC Grand has a slew of active clubs there for a variety of interests. Yes, I have seen the glass class, the sewing class, the ceramics room, but are the clubs there really active much other than these hobby rooms?

What are the CONS of living in SC Grand? Anyone on this board know?

[AksarbeN]

A friend of mine lives out there and says the same thing. He loves it. However, after all of times I’ve visited the area, gone out to do things together with him, I only see “old” people. It’s spooky seeing all the seniors in one area of the valley. I always feel refreshed and enjoy coming back to my home in Phoenix with a mixed neighborhood. I smile when I watch the younger kids playing in the yard across the street or see what the rest of society looks like when I go out in my area for restaurants and shopping. I simply don’t want to end up looking like another old senior waiting to die out there. Life is good but it takes all types of families to make our life enjoyable. “Now get off my lawn and stay off!” “Or I’ll call your parents.” lol

My wife and I went to a party out there with him and found it was nothing but old people talking about old things that they remembered, nothing new and interesting. I hated every minute of it and couldn't wait to get home.

Oh,, and where I'm at is in the center of all the things I need, shopping, doctor, dentist, etc. I have no desire to drive more than a 1/2 hour to anyplace need to go and from where he lives it's 45 min to an hour (worse with traffic) just to get back and forth to visit him. No thanks.

[AZgarden]

I think you will find this at most of the senior communities, not just Sun city Grand. After all, everyone there moved there to be with people their own age and now that age is up there, so what else can you expect? I had a repair man from Sun Lakes, where I had considered moving to, and when I asked him if he liked it, he said "yes, but we wish they weren't all so old". Hah ! I don't know how you can live in a senior community and not experience old people, but they have SO Many activities and clubs, its unbelievable !!!

[mjd2k]

I'm not in SC Grand but I guess it depends on you if you want to get involved with the community or not. The "old" part is not a problem for most people. If you don't want to associate with the older folks, then don't. I know people that bought in SC grand when they were 55 and they love it. They're wealthy by my standards but I think many are not. I"m assuming you are around 55 or you wouldn't be looking there.

I'm a 56yr/old snowbird and I bought in a 55+. My thinking is that its not much different from a single family neighborhood. Many in SF areas are to busy for neighbors but in the 55+, at least you have the option of interacting. The 55+ wont stop you from doing anything you could do in a SF. Our kids and friends love the pool. We have a gym but I go to another fitness club just to keep motivated.

My neighbors belong to clubs but we too busy so far. Baseball, hockey, biking, hiking, golfing, eating out, movies etc. We go on our own or with friends and relatives. But we also do stuff with our neighbors. Its great to have neighbors to chat, coffee, drink, golf or whatever with.

If you are looking for easy access to lots of social interactions and activities, then you will only find that in a 55+. You can enjoy the advatages of 55+ without the involvement.

[TootsieWootsie]

It's those "social interactions" that keep people alive--especially after 55.

I fought going to a 55+, but a girlfriend talked me into it; and, I admit, I had a hard time adjusting to all the "old" when I got there for a few months. But, when I joined some groups outside that community with mixed aged people, I realized very quickly that people younger than me just did not want anything to do with people much older than they were. I really think it has to do with the fear of death which none of us escape. So, after awhile, I decided maybe being with people for the most part my own age is better since, at the very least, I would have someone who didn't mind going out with me or any of my friends that were "old."

Granted, not everyone is this way, but a shocking number of people are; but, for example, I met someone who had so many interests in common with me who was 52, I'm 67 but she thought I was about 55 (thanks, Grandma, for the good skin gene). When she found out I was that much older than her the relationship changed pretty quickly to a more distant relationship. And, unfortunately, it's not that uncommon.

Just my observation.

[AZgarden]

Yes, Tootsie that's why I don't tell people my age. It's none of their business.

[COKids]

My understanding is that SCG is 45+ now....

[wit-nit]

Information regarding Sun City Grand:

Sun City Grand Information - Sun City Grand

Recreational Facilities & Activities - Sun City Grand

[Desertspiritsteve]

I think that many people move there to get away from the noise and blight of the city. If someone sprays graffiti on your wall, you will it least know they had to be in their 60's. You should have everything an older person needs right there. If you don't mind driving along way to the symphony or ballet there are probably old folk's mini buses that can take you. I'm not ready for that yet. It would be the last nail in the coffin for me. I still enjoy seeing the light rail every day when I drive and having the Phoenix Zoo and Botanical Gardens just minutes away. If there were a Sun City Arcadia, I'd be moving there tomorrow.