Sun City versus Green Valley (Phoenix, Tucson: coop, homes, landscaping)

[Riggo44]

For those that have been to Sun City and Green Valley, how would you compare the two? Which one do you prefer and why?

[AlaskaErik]

Originally Posted by Riggo44

For those that have been to Sun City and Green Valley, how would you compare the two? Which one do you prefer and why?

We looked at both and found Sun City to be quite dated and, of course, it's in the metropolitan area. Green Valley is small and Tucson is just 25 miles up the road. Green Valley is also a little cooler and then there is GVR. While Sun City does have rec centers, GVR has twice as many. Green Valley also looks green and has mountains you can see while Sun City has the same smog issues that plague the entire metropolitan area. Once we visited Green Valley the decision was easy. We should be heading there in less than two weeks.

[GeneR]

I assume you're referring to Sun City Oro Valley. We recently concluded a visit to both areas. SCOV is a gorgeous setting. Much nicer than Green Valley with mountains so close it seems you can reach out and touch them. I think it's the nicest setting of any age-restricted community. The homes and landscaping are immaculate. Very well cared for. We had a very nice tour of the community by a volunteer. People that reside there are older. The amenity facilities, while well cared for, are also older with low ceilings. The people were extremely friendly and welcoming despite it being a well established community. It is also lower cost than the newer communities. But for us we took it off our list because of the age issue.

We visited only one development in Green Valley and that is Quail Creek by Robson. We thought it was also very, very nice. It's a little pricey however. We did not visit the communities that are smaller and make up the Green Valley Recreation coop mentioned above. I think we'll probably revisit that area and check them out. I'm not sure what to think of Rec centers scattered all over the area. I'm not sure if I want to get in a car and drive to some rec center in a neighboring community for some activity. Most of the other communities we visited in both Phoenix and Tucson you could either walk or take a golf car to recreate.

[Riggo44]

Actually, I was referring to the original Sun City in greater Phoenix.

[Jukesgrrl]

Originally Posted by AlaskaErik

We looked at both and found Sun City to be quite dated and, of course, it's in the metropolitan area. Green Valley is small and Tucson is just 25 miles up the road ...

I could never say "just" 25 miles. To me, that's too far for what I consider to be basic amenities. And that's true for me whether you're referring to Sun City Oro Valley or Sun City near Phoenix. I don't mean that as a slam on Green Valley. Obviously, a lot of people like it there. One of my relatives is a manager at one of the development, so I go there a lot and I get why people enjoy it. But very few of the people I meet there go to Tucson that often.

Yes, the original Sun City near Phoenix is dated, but there are plenty of other Sun Cities built by Del Webb in Phoenix suburbs that are not nearly as old. If people want to ensure that their active retirement communities skew younger, then they have little choice but to buy into newish one, which are usually more expensive.

Face it, if people move into an active adult place at age 60, they often have more than 20 years there. So if you move into a 20-year-old development, yes, most of the residents are not going to be your age.

[jlawrence01]

Originally Posted by Jukesgrrl

I could never say "just" 25 miles. To me, that's too far for what I consider to be basic amenities. And that's true for me whether you're referring to Sun City Oro Valley or Sun City near Phoenix. I don't mean that as a slam on Green Valley. Obviously, a lot of people like it there. One of my relatives is a manager at one of the development, so I go there a lot and I get why people enjoy it. But very few of the people I meet there go to Tucson that often.

You would be surprised how many Green Valley residents are NOT running to Tucson more than occasionally. The one exception is for health care and that will be changing gradually as the new hospital is built.

Myself excepted.

[borregokid]

Sun City is going to be a lot warmer than Green Valley maybe too warm. Green Valley will feel more like you are living in the desert. Sun City has grass everywhere and it looks like someones idea of a town in California or the mid-west transplanted to the desert. Green Valley has a lot of stucco over masonry construction whereas Sun City has more brick veneer. Green Valley has flat roofs and Sun City pitched roofs. Sun City is more affordable at least thats what it looks like. Sun City is near Surprise and Peoria so it wont feel like its completely a retirement area. Sun City is also close to two spring training ball parks. I would prefer Sun City to GV just because of the conveniences nearby and the homes are a little less money.