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Explore Sun City Vistoso, Tucson's
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Location
Sun City Vistoso, located in the town of Oro Valley (estimated 2007 population 46,000) is an active adult retirement community located approximately 14 miles northwest of Tucson, Arizona. It is part of Rancho Vistoso, a 7,750 acre master-planned area with two major shopping centers, banks, churches and medical and professional offices. The elevation is close to 3,000 feet, which makes the climate a few degrees cooler than Tucson and Phoenix. Views of the Santa Catalina and Tortolita Mountain ranges can be seen from most lots in the community. Rolling terrain and terraced lots make this one of the most beautiful of the Del Webb active adult retirement communities.History and Management
Sun City Vistoso was started in 1986, with the first residents occupying their homes in June, 1987 on Chalk Creek Drive alongside the brand new Greg Nash designed 18-hole championship golf course. Initially, Del Webb Corporation appointed one of the residents to the newly formed nine person Board of Directors of the Sun City Vistoso Community Association. Since then, Del Webb gradually brought more residents into increasing responsibility on the board, initially appointing them, and then by elections. By the time 75% of the community had been built-out (in approximately 1995), Del Webb had relinquished all of its positions on the now 7 person board to the residents. From the beginning, day-to-day management has been by a professional staff hired by the Community Association. As the golf course and recreational facilities were completed, ownership was turned over to the Community Association. Sun City Vistoso is not a gated community, since this would have involved more expense to the residents in the way of road maintenance. Roads are maintained by the Town of Oro Valley. A 600+ volunteer neighborhood watch group called the "Posse" patrols two shifts each night in two vehicles, which has been successful as a crime deterrent. At one time, attempts were made to expand the size of the community. When those were unsuccessful, Del Webb completed its project as originally designed for under 5,000 residents.Although Sun City Vistoso is a Del Webb built community, you will not find it or several other Del Webb communities mentioned on their advertising or website. Del Webb advertises only their communities in which new houses are still being sold.
A vote taken by the residents in 2002 favored reducing the minimum age to 45 (for up to 15% of the community) from 55. This meets HUD requirements for an age restricted community for seniors.
Size and Types of Homes
The community comprises 1,000 acres with a population of nearly 4,400. The golf course uses 150 acres, 350 acres are left as "green" or natural area and the balance of 500 acres are built with homes.There are approximately 2,448 home sites in Sun City Vistoso which was completed in 1996. Ranging in size from 1,035 square feet to 2,750 square feet, there are 92 free-standing patio homes (not part of a condo association), 80 townhouse units (served by two condo associations) and approximately 2,275 single family homes. All homes are one story in height, have two to three bed rooms, a garage, are well insulated and contain gas forced air heat, gas water heater, and central air conditioning. Prices currently range from the mid $200,000's to over $400,000 depending upon location, size and amenities.
Recreational Facilities
The $17 million community-wide assets incorporate an 18-hole
golf course, three separate recreation centers that include a
multipurpose auditorium, card rooms, dance studio, billiard room, arts and crafts, sewing and
woodworking shops. The sports complexes includes one large, and one
smaller heated pool and a large indoor spa, with
handicapped access, exercise rooms, a racquetball court, a
nine-hole miniature golf course, eight tennis courts (six are
lighted), two lighted shuffleboard courts and seven lighted
bocce ball courts. The Vistoso Center is an 11,000 sq. ft. building formerly used by the Del Webb
sales organization that was purchased and renovated. It includes a
computer classroom, extensive library (hard cover, paperbacks, audio & video
tapes CDs, DVDs, large print books, reference) , Sun City Vistoso Community
Association offices, genealogy room and
conference rooms. A horseshoe pit and croquet court are also
provided. A picnic area is located adjacent to the main
recreation center. Click here on
Activities and Clubs in Sun City Vistoso
for more detailed information.
Homeowners Association Fee
The annual homeowners association fee for the period July 1, 2006 through June 30, 2007 is $1,216. This pays for maintenance and upkeep of all Sun City Vistoso common areas and recreational facilities as well as salaries of Community Association employees. The Cafe is self supporting. Sun City Vistoso has received no developer subsidy for several years. Renters who wish to use the association facilities can purchase a Renters Pass for $40. A one-time Capital Contribution Fee equal to one years' association fee is charged to new buyers at time of purchase. This is to be used for improvements and updating the community.Golf Information
The Sun City Vistoso Golf Course is a private golf course open to all residents of Sun City Vistoso. The 18-hole par 72 championship golf course will play at 5,100 to 6,723 yards and includes multiple tee placements accommodating all skill levels. A computerized tee time program is used for scheduling. Golf fees pay for upkeep and maintenance of golf course and salaries of employees. All golf courses in Oro Valley will be converted to recycled water by 2008. The Sun City Vistoso course has been converted. Residents can also play The Golf Club at Vistoso, a public course designed by Tom Weiskopf in Rancho Vistoso at a discounted fee of 30-45% by buying a Vistoso Resident Card for $125. This includes green fees and cart rental. Click on More Golf for additional information.Commercial Facilities
The Mountain View Plaza, located in Sun City Vistoso, has the Vistoso Properties offices, the Bank of the West , a hair salon, professional and medical offices (including vision and hearing specialists, chiropractor and a dentist), an interior decoration center, a lawyer, an accountant, A.G. Edwards broker and a pet grooming shop. A large shopping center at Oracle Road and Rancho Vistoso Boulevard (two miles from Sun City Vistoso) includes a major grocery store, Walgreen's, veterinarian, travel agency, dry cleaner, two beauty salons, UPS store, a women's clothing store, an Italian restaurant, a Chinese restaurant, a Sub sandwich shop, Chase Bank (formerly Bank One), Oro Valley Bicycle, and a Ford auto service center. A gas station is located across the street. A Safeway, Bank of America and other stores are located at the south end of Rancho Vistoso. Within a 10 minute drive from Sun City Vistoso (south on Oracle Road), there is a large shopping center which has a Target store, Fry's grocery, Petsmart, Office Max, Payless shoe store, several other shops, several restaurants plus a Home Depot and Albertson's.Medical Facilities
A fire station is on site with ambulance and paramedic services staffed 24 hours a day. There are eight large hospitals in Tucson. A new hospital built within Rancho Vistoso and located about three miles from Sun City Vistoso called Northwest Medical Center--Oro Valley opened in January, 2005 (for more details see Health Care section in Retirement Living in Tucson on this website). An office building for doctors is located next door to the hospital.Five minutes away from Sun City Vistoso, Northwest Medical Center has a 50,650 sq. ft. urgent care facility just north of the shopping center mentioned above at Oracle Road and Rancho Vistoso Boulevard. This facility has physicians' offices, diagnostic services (such as radiology, mammography, ultrasonography, cardiac diagnostics, and CT), an urgent care area, lab and an ambulatory surgery center.
Religious Facilities
Several worship centers are currently located in the immediate area surrounding Sun City Vistoso. The Vistoso Community Church is located in Sun City Vistoso on Rancho Vistoso Boulevard.Sun City Vistoso is a retirement community. At least one resident living in Sun City Vistoso must be 45 years or older and no one under 19 years of age is permitted as a permanent resident.
Vistoso Properties
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Vistoso Properties
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