Sun City on the Way to Sin City!

On our way to Las Vegas, we got off the freeway in Hesperia on our way to Apple Valley.  Very dry.  Very hot.  Tattoo parlors, check cashing, and bars.  Suddenly we were in Apple Valley and you could smell the property values rising.  Shopping centers replaced strip malls.  Then we turned down Apple Valley Road and suddenly we were in the suburbs:  gated communities, tiled roofs, golf courses and a nice community church.

We pulled up to the gate of Sun City Apple Valley, and the guard pointed us in the right direction.  The builder was just getting ready to open a new selection of five floorplans, so parking was in the construction zone.  The very large community center was on the other side of the Ashwood 27-hole golf course.  Canada geese lined the water hazard.  Fore!

At 10:00 am, the temperature was already triple digit, so we ran into the air conditioned showroom.  Empty, completely empty.  There were offices and hallways and a reception desk, all empty.  Finally, we walked past the fountain down a few hallways calling, “Hello,” and a sales representative appeared and apologized for no receptionist.

He showed us the two lot plan models and where the new floorplans would be.  We asked him the “What is the difference between a Del Webb Sun City and a non-Sun City neighborhood?” question. See my previous blog for the noncommittal response.

He did notice I was carrying a floorplan I had printed out at home and asked me what I liked about it.  It was the Magnolia model with an entry courtyard and circular entrance.  I had seen these features only -twice, once in a no-longer-available Animations model at SunRiver St. George, Utah, on the 55places.com website.  The other was here in Apple Valley.  I couldn’t wait to see it.  Of course, the floorplan was discontinued here, too, but I could still view the sold out model.

Both my husband and I loved the entry courtyard.  I saw just were we would put the fountain.  The door opens to the cute, but small circular entry with a niche.  I’m guessing the plan is discontinued because the entry takes up too much of the limited 1,500 square feet, but it’s so adorable and makes a huge statement in a small home.  The rest of the house was lovely with ten-foot ceilings which my husband loves.  Almost all communities have a plan with a kitchen sink on a diagonal counter looking into the great room.  That’s what I want.  We have a great room now, and I enjoy the large family room/dining room combination.  We hardly ever use our formal living room, so why get one?

The garage was huge with a golf cart or workbench area between one of the parking spots and the in-house laundry room.  The oddest thing to me was the master bedroom was directly off the kitchen; I think I’d rather have it off the great room.  Both the kitchen and the front hallway looked into the courtyard which was a great feature and felt like an atrium.

The Celebration floorplan with the “snore” room was under construction and it was too hot to go in to find our guide and a hardhat.   Instead we said thank you and goodbye and went for a short drive around the neighborhood.  Lots of for sale signs, though the sales rep had said they had a very low vacancy, foreclosure, and short sale rate.

One thing we noticed driving around was the lack of parks.  You aren’t allowed to go for walks on the golf course, so most people just walk their dog on the dry river bed behind the neighborhood.  Right now we live in a neighborhood surrounded by a 300+ acre park.  A dry river bed a half mile from the house just doesn’t fit the bill, but that’s why we’re starting the search early.

My favorite photo opportunity, which appealed to my sense of humor, was the golf cart lane on the street, not next to the bike lane, but instead of it.

First Tour to Answer My Retirement Community Frequently Asked Questions?

We’re taking our first official neighborhood tours this week, and what happens in Vegas won’t  stay n Vegas.  I’ll tell all… well, all about the communities.

Del Webb is the top retirement community developer, but what is the difference between a Sun City neighborhood and a non-Sun City neighborhood?  We’re going to visit both, ask both, and share both replies.  And, no, we are not going to tell the sales reps our dual visit plans.

I’ve searched and searched for the answers online, but I haven’t really found them.  On the Del Webb website (Del Webbsite?), it says:  “Since 1960, when we built the first-ever retirement community, active adults have found a place to belong with Del Webb. From our grand Sun City communities, to our smaller more intimate settings, the Del Webb family now numbers more than 50 communities in 20 states.”  I think I need a better definition than “grand.”  That seems like a fairly subjective term.

We’ll also find out the answer to our new biggest question, “What is a snore room?”  There is a floor plan we’ll see with an optional Snore Room off the garage.  There is a door from the master bedroom closet to a small room.  Is that where I can put my husband when he snores?  I am laughing so hard right now.

Okay, Del Webb, what is a Snore Room?

So what are some other questions we want answered?

Money… what are income taxes, property taxes, Homeowners’ Association fees, expected utilities?

Neighbors… what are the community center, the neighborhood, and the Homeowners’ Association like?

Amenities… what is nearby for shopping, medical care, culture?

I’ll research as much as I can ahead of time, so I’ll know several answers, but the sales reps won’t know that I know.