My wife and I recently decided to move to Pebble Creek,an "active adult" community in the West Valley of metro PHX in Goodyear, AZ and leave Philadelphia. We rented in this community for 3 winters and got to know many people here and finally decided to "take the plunge." We actually like the weather here and decided to escape those hazy,hot and humid summer days in Philly for just hot summer days...plus no snow or ice and very little rain and, of course, those prime weather months of January to June and September(overseeding month) to December. Usually, December & January are cooler during the day (mid 60s) and colder at night (mid 30s to 40s)
The community is gated with 2 clubhouses,2 fitness centers, 2 outdoor pools, 1 indoor pool, about 20 tennis courts,bocce courts, Pickleball courts, 45 holes of golf with 9 more on the way and lots of activities. The most important factor was that the people here are ultra friendly.
Since we're both golfers, the cost of golf was a factor. There are no initiation fees here. Basically, one buys a debit card:
http://www.pebblecreekhoa.org/picture/golf_fees_2012.pdfAlso, there are no "trail fees" for those who buy their own golf cart. Walking is permitted at any time but not many do.
Nearby is the Wigwam Resort with its 3 classic golf courses and good restaurants. Also nearby are Raven at Verrado and GC at Estrella,2 quality courses. There are many other courses nearby as well- Hillcrest, Falcon Dunes at Luke AFB, Trilogy at Vistancia,Coldwater(Forrest Richardson) and Tres Rios(Red Lawrence) plus the 4 courses at Sun City Grand, the 5 courses at Sun City West and the 4 or more courses at the original Sun City. Blackstone(Engh) although private usually has SWPGA Pass day. Quintero is a little bit farther out but is doable but pricey.
We're about a half hour to the airport and downtown PHX via freeway and about 45 minutes to Scottsdale.
What I like about the courses here at Pebble Creek is that they are "senior friendly"- no tree lined fairways, just a few forced carries and not too difficult greens. Here are the numbers from the Blues:
Tuscany Falls(27 holes)
Falls/Palms about 6200y 67.7/119
Palms/Lakes about 6300y 68.6/124
Lakes/Falls about 6100y 67.5/120
Eagle's Nest(18 holes)
6150y 69.0/119
This past winter I had 2 nines that added up to a 72. Unfortunately, they were not on the same day.
There are forward tees for the older guys and back tees for those single digit guys.
I will miss the classic courses of the Philly area but we felt it was time for a change to "The Valley of the Sun." I will return to spectate at Merion next June and will probably be resident at the NJ shore during August so "I Shall Return."