How to get acquainted with Phoenix area and 55 Communities (Scottsdale: sales, real estate)

[Perplexed gardener]

Hi,

Does anyone have knowledge of a kind of personalized touring service that would spend a few hours driving potential newcomers around Scottsdale and Phoenix and the numerous 55 retirement communities in surrounding areas? Kind of an overview, but with specific details and understanding of the areas.

I think a service of this kind might be available in the million dollar plus market, but what about those interested in half that or less, or even at the lower end, such as manufactured home parks. My husband and I are open to several different ideas re retirement living in the Phoenix area, and we just don't know where to begin without a bit of nuanced direction.

I dislike to use a real estate agent's time if we are all over the map in terms of location, don't wish to feel obligated, and even, at this point, we're undecided about price (i.e. full-time living larger, or winter only, smaller). The thought of driving all over while attempting to get the 'feel' of an area seems exhausting and overwhelming. Wouldn't necessarily need to be a ' touring van' but simply a reasonable fee and knowledgeable 'tour' of areas of interest for retirees like my husband and me.

Getting into gated communities might be problematic (I think) if this driver were not a real estate agent, as we'd wish to see amenities, club houses, etc., rather than just a drive-by, but I'll leave it to anyone who might have information about this kind of service to share ideas.

Thank you for your suggestions!

[Jkgourmet]

I don't know of any service like this - but I do have a suggestion. Find the posts written by member GeneR about his multi-year adventure looking at 55+ plus communities in the area. https://www.city-data.com/forum/membe...r-1704789.html

Great read, great information, objective and informative. Heck, you might even send him an DM and ask if he will drive you around (for a fee, of course).

[Perplexed gardener]

Thank you jkgourmet; I will look into GeneR's research.

And NateSimon, I appreciate the helpful tip, and will check out Cindy. Good luck on your trip to Scottsdale; you must be excited.

Am always stuck by the kindness of strangers on this site.

[auto camper]

Visited lifelong friend seven or eight times over a 25 year span. They'd relocated to the Valley shortly after earning a college degree, moving from the Midwest. Spending 16 years in central FL to close out work life research had been in motion for many years. I would settle in the area as well.
Where To Retire bi-monthly magazine had coverage of the region and was very informative. Sales rep who was extensively quoted captured my interest. Looked them up, made connections and for an approaching trip west, made a side visit for one purpose: real estate tour.
Upfront with my intent, information gathering as being zipped around in places never previously seen it was an experience of the positive. Toured seven homes on the market on the west side, functions of each were detailed (as HOA, fees, tax situations, etc) as received particulars for each property (which movement could be followed on-line).
With this education it became clear these locations weren't favored and I purchased in an over 55 on the
PHX/Scotts border. Never once have I questioned this because there was long time preparation which also finds me within a ten minute walk of my childhood friend.
Realtor tour was productive. Intent made, far in advance and agreed upon, having lunch with the individual resulted in a casual but enlightening enhancement in these 4.5 hours.

[Vision67]

This looks like an unfilled business opportunity. "Geezer Tours"

Get a big Mercedes transporter bus, offer free wine, do guided tours.

I'll bet there's an aspiring entrepreneur in Phoenix willing to develop that idea.