Although roads have become more clogged and developments have replaced large pieces of open desert during the past decade, many retirees have avoided some of the negative aspects of growth by moving to planned retirement communities. After falling in love with the desert, the Kingstons left Encino and bought a home in Del Webb s Sun City Palm Desert. The community, which boasts 17 different house models and a wealth of services and activities, is home to about 5,000 residents 55 and older. Bob Kingston isn t thrilled with all the growth but says he knows progress can t be stopped. Sari Kingston sees the benefits of growth, even if it brings more people to her retirement paradise.
Growth brings new roads, redevelopment.
To me, it s positive. Competition to attract retirees is high among developers and rental companies around the country, Van Dijk said. Both Del Webb and Dowler s rental company advertise in Los Angeles and Orange counties as well as nationally, often competing with other traditional retirement communities that are also growing fast, such as Scottsdale and cities in Florida s Miami-Dade and Broward counties. Missing the good old days Locally, most retirees say the rapid growth didn t deter them, but some do lament it. In the summer, it s so quiet, there s no traffic.