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16 SOLERA DIAMOND VALLEY | NOVEMBER 2018 By Clare Mendez, Resident Like many of us, when my husband and I were looking for a retirement home we weren't thinking of moving to Hemet. Then our real estate agent showed us a couple of houses here in Del Webb and we found exactly what we were looking for. Our small piece of California is a spacious home and a Lodge with many other amenities to keep us entertained. There is no need to venture out. This is why our development is called "The Island." We wanted to know more about the developer and learned that Delbert Eugene Webb (Del Webb) was an American real estate developer and entrepreneur. He was born in Fresno, California and dropped out of high school to become a carpenter's apprentice. He proved to have great vision for designing all-inclusive communities. As a construction contractor he received many military contracts during World War II to build home developments and shopping centers. Then, in 1960, the Del Webb Corporation built the first retirement community just outside of Phoenix, Arizona calling it Sun City. He proposed a master-planned community built specifically for active adults. Webb wanted Sun City, Arizona to be a place where residents could meet all their needs without having to leave its boundaries. The 750 square foot homes sold for $8,500, with an additional $600 for air conditioning. They sold 237 houses that first weekend and by 1970, Sun City had a population of 16,000. It now has 37,000 residents and a sister development with another 25,000 residents next door in Sun City West. Del Webb's designs are for retirement living at an affordable price and for recreation so adults could enjoy their "golden years" playing sports, gathering with friends and neighbors, and enjoying the sunshine. In 2001, the company was purchased by Pulte Homes. In recent years the builder has tweaked its master plans and home designs to appeal to the nation's baby boomers. Baby boomers don't want the same thing their parents did. Residents are more health conscious than ever before and want to have more options for physical activities they can enjoy close to home and places where they feel safe and welcome. Newer homes are larger, ranging from 1,200 square feet to 2,500 square feet, and air conditioning is included in the price of the home. DEL WEBB: THEN AND NOW