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Old 09-15-2007, 07:59 AM
 
611 posts, read 2,309,932 times
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ConeyIsBabe, there are many people who don't golf here that drive golf carts to do their daily errands like grocery shopping or going to activities and events in their neighborhoods. This is mainly in senior citizen communities; however, you'll also see families drive golf carts in master planned communities. I know because we have people drive them within Vistancia. It's a fun and alternative fuel way to get around. The carts run off batteries, not gas. To use a cart though, the cart must be registered with license plates and the driving person must have a driver's license. Carts are treated like regular cars for legal and safety purposes. Carts can be driven on any road as long as the posted speed limit is 45mph or lower.

If 100 degrees in the summer bothers you, then agree with the others here that all areas of Phoenix (which includes Scottsdale) wouldn't work for you. Due to the land elevation change, any city north of Phoenix would work for you if you want a cooler climate. And, you'll see lots of beautiful mountains covered in green pine trees. Phoenix has beautiful mountains too, but they're rock sprinkled with cactus.

One thing to consider about temps is that if you haven't been to AZ, I think 100 degrees is actually a very comfortable temp in the summer because there is very little humidity here. And, winters in Phoenix are very nice (70s). So choosing a cooler climate north of Phoenix will give you your desired cooler summer, but it will also give you a cooler winter. A lot of the retirees that come to Phoenix spend fall, winter, and spring here, but go to other areas throughout the US in the summer.

Just another quick note, if you haven't seen a 55+ subdivision here or in Florida, I highly recommend visiting at least one. Since my parents are retired, I've seen some absolutely amazing ones. It's something that is not found in many (all?) of the northern US states due to the sheer numbers of retirees that come to AZ and FL in the fall, winter, and spring.

Good luck in your search!
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Old 09-15-2007, 09:40 AM
 
Location: Sarasota Florida
1,236 posts, read 4,052,212 times
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GREAT JOY...... Thank you for that most informative reply! Of course I will have to visit AZ to see for myself but I value everyone's opinion based on their personal experience.
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Old 09-15-2007, 10:07 AM
 
Location: Oxygen Ln. AZ
9,319 posts, read 18,763,880 times
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When it drops down to 100, we throw all our windows open.
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Old 10-27-2007, 04:30 PM
 
Location: Gilbert - Val Vista Lakes
6,069 posts, read 14,791,633 times
Reputation: 3876
Quote:
Originally Posted by ConeyIsBabe View Post
I'm considering Sedona or Scottsdale but really want to live in a community that offers the most, based on a senior citizen's needs; that is a safe place to walk around in the evening, opportunities for meeting others in my age bracket, perhaps not as hot in the summer as other AZ towns, close to a town with good restaurants and LOTS of Thrift Shops (my idea of having fun).
Sun City is the oldest community and it is pretty far to the west north west of Phoenix. It would not fit the needs you are describing. They are self contained, but it's a long drive into the city.

Sun Lakes is my personal choice. It is a large community with several sub-divisions in the Chandler area. Some are golf communities because many retirees play golf, but there are so many other activities there for seniors so you don't have to play golf.

The people are all very friendly, and you can get a golf cart to drive around the community in, so as to save gas. The people do a lot of walking in the communities.

Sun Lakes is so much closer to everything, and that's why it's my personal choice as a senior community.

Phoenix has 3 hot months, and after that the weather is ideal. You'll love it. The heat is dry (most of the time), so 110 degrees with 20% humidity is not as bad as 80 degrees with 90% humidity. The excellent weather that we experience the other 9 months of the year is well worth living through the 3 months of heat. I've been here for 4 years and I got used to the heat the first summer.

Bill
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Old 11-08-2007, 01:48 PM
 
682 posts, read 2,568,355 times
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Captain Bill,

What types of housing are available at Sun Lakes and at what price? Are there new home builders there or is the area built up?
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Old 11-08-2007, 01:59 PM
 
Location: Sonoran Desert
39,106 posts, read 51,313,080 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Captain Bill View Post
Sun City is the oldest community and it is pretty far to the west north west of Phoenix. It would not fit the needs you are describing. They are self contained, but it's a long drive into the city.

Sun Lakes is my personal choice. It is a large community with several sub-divisions in the Chandler area. Some are golf communities because many retirees play golf, but there are so many other activities there for seniors so you don't have to play golf.

The people are all very friendly, and you can get a golf cart to drive around the community in, so as to save gas. The people do a lot of walking in the communities.

Sun Lakes is so much closer to everything, and that's why it's my personal choice as a senior community.

Phoenix has 3 hot months, and after that the weather is ideal. You'll love it. The heat is dry (most of the time), so 110 degrees with 20% humidity is not as bad as 80 degrees with 90% humidity. The excellent weather that we experience the other 9 months of the year is well worth living through the 3 months of heat. I've been here for 4 years and I got used to the heat the first summer.

Bill
I think the reason that your "personal choice" is Sun Lakes is that you sell real estate out that way. Let's give some unbiased advice here. Sun Lakes is OK, but it is no Sun City. The Sun Cities are the premiere retirement area in Maricopa County by a very long shot. The amenities exclusively for seniors in Sun City greatly exceed those in Sun Lakes from banks to doctors to hospitals to activities to transportation to meeting special needs. As for entertainment, did Bob Dylan play Sun Lakes?

Note: I don't sell real estate and don't live anywhere near Sun City.
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Old 11-08-2007, 02:03 PM
 
682 posts, read 2,568,355 times
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Do any of the Sun City type of over-55 areas have some type of apartments for visiting family members? Most of the houses I have seen are too small for visitors.

The smallness is a real turn off for me and yet I don't want to have to buy a large house with a lot of upkeep if I don't have to.
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Old 11-08-2007, 04:33 PM
 
611 posts, read 2,309,932 times
Reputation: 132
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ponderosa View Post
I think the reason that your "personal choice" is Sun Lakes is that you sell real estate out that way. Let's give some unbiased advice here. Sun Lakes is OK, but it is no Sun City. The Sun Cities are the premiere retirement area in Maricopa County by a very long shot. The amenities exclusively for seniors in Sun City greatly exceed those in Sun Lakes from banks to doctors to hospitals to activities to transportation to meeting special needs. As for entertainment, did Bob Dylan play Sun Lakes?

Note: I don't sell real estate and don't live anywhere near Sun City.
Ponderosa, I wondered that too about his being biased about southeast Phoenix.

Captain Bill, since you've joined CD, I've thought your posts have been very helpful. I think you're a good addition to this site. In your defense, maybe you haven't seen much of the Sun Cities area or spent much time there? Yes, there are some older areas; however, there are many new ones too. There really are so many nice neighborhoods, beautiful amenities, and there is so much to do there with activities, shopping, restaurants, etc.

Note: I'm not a realtor or have real estate in the Sun Cities area either.

Quote:
Originally Posted by altus2006
Do any of the Sun City type of over-55 areas have some type of apartments for visiting family members? Most of the houses I have seen are too small for visitors.
Altus2006, I'm sure others that live there will be able to help you better, but I believe many residents there have a guest bedroom for visitors to stay. I would imagine some use that nice new hotel along Grand Ave too.
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Old 11-09-2007, 05:21 AM
 
Location: Gilbert - Val Vista Lakes
6,069 posts, read 14,791,633 times
Reputation: 3876
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ponderosa View Post
I think the reason that your "personal choice" is Sun Lakes is that you sell real estate out that way. Let's give some unbiased advice here. Sun Lakes is OK, but it is no Sun City. The Sun Cities are the premiere retirement area in Maricopa County by a very long shot. The amenities exclusively for seniors in Sun City greatly exceed those in Sun Lakes from banks to doctors to hospitals to activities to transportation to meeting special needs. As for entertainment, did Bob Dylan play Sun Lakes?

Note: I don't sell real estate and don't live anywhere near Sun City.
Ponderosa, I appreciate your providing me with the opportunity to clarify my position. My opinion on Sun City vs Sun Lakes is not based on where I sell real estate because I sell all over the valley. I do have a listing in Sun Lakes, and a listing in Surprise, and will help to sell my neighbors home in Porta Bella.

My personal opinion is based on my life style. I am also a senior, but choose not to live in a senior community because my wife and I prefer to be around people of all ages. We would not be content living in either Sun Lakes or Sun City.

We prefer to be closer to where we can have access to a large range of cultural activities, and large selection of good restaurants, and those activities for us are in central Phoenix and the east valley. Such as the theaters in Mesa, Phoenix and the Gilbert Play House; the horse shows in Scottsdale, the Casinos with their food and entertainment; Tempe lake with the various activities there including the 4th of July fireworks and Christmas boat parade, and many others.

Sun Lakes is close to all of that, and for me would be the personal choice if we wanted to live in a senior community. I believe the the op was asking for personal opinions.

I was not giving advice as a realtor. As a realtor I determine the needs and desires of my clients and help them to find the area, and then the home that would fit their needs, without interjecting my personal choice; unless specifically asked.

Bill
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Old 11-09-2007, 05:52 AM
 
Location: Gilbert - Val Vista Lakes
6,069 posts, read 14,791,633 times
Reputation: 3876
Quote:
Originally Posted by altus2006 View Post
Captain Bill,

What types of housing are available at Sun Lakes and at what price? Are there new home builders there or is the area built up?
Altus2006, the prices in Sun Lakes range from $99,000 for some manufactured/mobile housing to $750,000 for a 3200 sf home with a view of a lake and fairway. So there are homes there to fit most any budget. A quick glance shows that more of the homes are in the mid range of around 250 to 350k.

There are also new homes in Sun Lakes.

Bill
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