Del Webb Rancho Sahuarita 55+ (Tucson, Sun City: real estate, foreclosures, rent)

[BestintheWest]

I am looking for some first hand experience from those that know about the community.

I have done some online homework but would like personal input. The upkeep, the people, the town and what is has to offer. Any thoughts on this Del Webb would be appreciated.

Thanks

[Jukesgrrl]

I can't speak specifically to Del Webb properties, but I had multiple job interviews at Rancho Sahuarita at one time. I found the recreation center and other amenities to be very attractive (great gym, pools, and there's plenty of golf in the area). The management staff I met during my interview process seemed to know what they were doing. The lake is a beautiful centerpiece to RS and the diversity of the communities means you will have families and children to interact with even though you are in a 55+ development.

Have you been to RS yet? If so, you will know that it's rather isolated from Tucson. If not, you need to consider that it's not as if you will be popping into a Whole Foods market or stopping at a mall on your way to something else. For people who don't mind driving to a destination of 15+ miles, it's not an issue, but many of us get more reluctant to drive distances as we age and the fact that the town of Sahuarita isn't exactly a hoppin' metropolis doesn't give you tons of options. You wouldn't really know that from reading the Sun City RS website. There are stores in the area, but they are chains mostly on West Irvington, off I-19 north of RS. For example, I'm pretty sure the closest Target to RS is 10 miles. If that fits your lifestyle, no problem. There are good entertainment options at the nearby casinos. I've seen more concerts at Casino del Sol than anywhere else in Tucson.

A member of my family is a director of an elaborate 55+ community in Green Valley and he says his people really focus on the activities in their development and don't leave the campus all that much even though he classifies them as "more-than-active adults." I don't know if that's true at Del Webb or not. His development is definitely bigger than Sun City RS. For instance, it has its own restaurant, a yoga center, an art gallery, and a meditation garden.

I know a couple of people who live in Del Webb's Sun City Oro Valley (formerly known as Sun City Vistoso) and they really like it. They both have full-sized houses that are indistinguishable from the non-Sun City houses in Rancho Vistoso but they have amenities exclusive to Sun City. Sun City OV has a few single-family homes under $150,000 but is generally pricier than Sahuarita (but is likely to have held its real estate value better, too), mainly because in addition to being closer to Tucson, Oro Valley as a town is much more developed than Sahuarita or Green Valley (for instance, it has a hospital).

[tom4416]

It's one of the places we briefly looked into but did not like the fact that it seemed very isolated to us. There is also an inter-mingling of "active adults" and "regular folk (meaning children)" that is no longer on my wish list. It appeared to very well managed, homes were attractive and nicely landscaped, no one had garbage cans sitting out front, etc.. At least back in June, homes were very well priced to me - plenty right around $100K and hard to spend more than about $150K. Amenities seemed appropriate and again, well maintained. Didn't look at an events calendar or club listings but I'm sure there are the typical things going on all the time.

We were cautioned by some folks about locating south of town. Personally, other than the isolation factor, I didn't see anything that would make me thing there was a crime wave happening in that area. I guess being just that much closer to the border gives some people pause.

We ended up an equidistant north of town but in a more populated and developed area and at probably a 40% price premium. Still need to get in the car to go out to a nice meal but being right off I-10, it's not a long distance to much of anything. Plus, it's a dedicated 55+ community and while grandchildren are welcome, little ones are expected to behave and to only be there temporarily. I must sound like I hate kids, I really don't, I've just raised mine and so don't want to be involved with them on a daily basis.

You really need to visit the area before deciding. There is a distinctive flavor to each area of town and some will suit you and some will not. Before we actually arrived in Tucson, I was convinced I wanted to be in Oro Valley, single family home with a pool and NOT in a planned community. After seeing how active the 55+ communities are and the wonderful amenities, completely changed my mind.

One of things you've got to be careful about in a planned community is golf. If you're not a golfer and land in a community with a golf course, your HOA dues are going to be high to maintain that course. We saw places with dues of $300 a month, ours will be $83 with exactly the same amenities minus the golf, which I don't play anyway. Keeping those courses watered alone is a huge expense and not likely to ever go any direction but up.

All this is just my opinion and we aren't even residents yet, just homeowners. My time in Tucson has been, unfortunately, brief up until now although we leave Thursday for a ten day stint out there to set up the new house (that means I get to pick the big screen TV, my wife gets to pick everything else ). I'm sure that are more seasoned people on this forum you can give you better guidance but I do think you'll love the area.

[jksn75]

If I were you, I would move to one of the 55+ neighborhoods in Green Valley. It's less than 10 min south of Rancho Sahuarita. I lived in Rancho (non-age restricted part) since '03 and recently left. I still own a home there and rent it out. In my opinion, the association fees are too high and the neighborhood has become WAY too big. Traffic sucks and there are a lot unsavory types moving in due to the low prices and foreclosures. Lately, there have been a lot of car break-ins, wheels being stolen, vandalism, etc. Many bored teens roaming around at night who aren't parented at all. Go to Green Valley!! Much, much quieter and peaceful. Plenty of amenities. My parents are relocating out here next year and there is no way I would let them live in Rancho, even though the price is right. There are far better 55+ neighborhoods just a little south in Green Valley. Many more options down there.

[AzHuny]

There is also a Del Webb in Vail. Tucson just doesn't have 55+ communities that are large near shopping. That's also because Tucson didn't allow a lot of commercial to come through when the houses did. Or, the commercial was set up to build, the housing market crashed, so they have been waiting for a change in the economy to build it.

To me, Sahuarita is no longer an isolated community, because it has grown so much. I lived there 2001-2004 and besides the small little Wal-Mart and Bashas, there was nothing. Now, the Super Wal-mart has been built, and so many other stores, furniture stores, Fry's, Safeway, restaurants, etc. I guess everyone has their own idea of what is small and large compared to where they are coming from.

[donfm]

Originally Posted by jksn75

If I were you, I would move to one of the 55+ neighborhoods in Green Valley. It's less than 10 min south of Rancho Sahuarita. I lived in Rancho (non-age restricted part) since '03 and recently left. I still own a home there and rent it out. In my opinion, the association fees are too high and the neighborhood has become WAY too big. Traffic sucks and there are a lot unsavory types moving in due to the low prices and foreclosures. Lately, there have been a lot of car break-ins, wheels being stolen, vandalism, etc. Many bored teens roaming around at night who aren't parented at all. Go to Green Valley!! Much, much quieter and peaceful. Plenty of amenities. My parents are relocating out here next year and there is no way I would let them live in Rancho, even though the price is right. There are far better 55+ neighborhoods just a little south in Green Valley. Many more options down there.

Before considering Green Valley I would do some research on the water supply. I've read of contamination from the mines and it's estimated the supply would run out in 10 years at the present rate of use by the mines and farms. I read as of now they do not have a sustainable water supply and ground water levels are dropping rapidly.

[gomexico]

Originally Posted by donfm

Before considering Green Valley I would do some research on the water supply. I've read of contamination from the mines and it's estimated the supply would run out in 10 years at the present rate of use by the mines and farms. I read as of now they do not have a sustainable water supply and ground water levels are dropping rapidly.

Water and risks posed by the ever-expanding mining operations turned me off to what was an almost sure-bet I'd buy in Green Valley. You can buy a decent/nice place in GV for next to nothing compared to what prices were 5-10 years ago. I think the environmental negatives - water supply (being consumed by the pecan growers and mines) and pollution issues out-weigh any of the positives. What a shame that a community's being destroyed in such a manner.

[whitem3]

Here's some links that might be helpful.

Community Water Company | Green Valley, Arizona

Central Arizona Project : Water for Arizona's Municipal and Agriculture Needs

[donfm]

Originally Posted by whitem3

Here's some links that might be helpful.

Community Water Company | Green Valley, Arizona

Central Arizona Project : Water for Arizona's Municipal and Agriculture Needs

I've looked at both those websites in the past. A lot of propaganda and promises and not much actual facts as to sustainability of the water supply in GV in the future. Oh they have all good intentions but will they be successful is the question.