Barbara and Mike Rechcygiel from Boulder had no intention of actually moving out to Nevada, until they saw the view of the Virgin River Mountains from a home site in Sun City Mesquite, off I-15 near St. George, Utah. Now they call themselves ‘reverse snowbirds’ – not only having bought a Del Webb ranch there, but twice opting to move up to larger ones, while getting themselves a ski condo at Brian Head, two hours north, for times when they need a Rocky Mountain fix.
Del Webb will put you up for two nights at Mesquite’s Eureka Casino Resort for $130, just for driving out to see the views and their age-50-plus community wrapped by seven golf courses, that lures Coloradans looking for ranch living at reasonable prices.
Actually, it was congestion rather than low prices, that convinced the Rechcygiels to pick up stakes in Boulder and head ten hours west. The last straw, Mike Rechcygiel recalls, was when the city approved a large-scale townhome project that threatened to block their home’s view of the Flatirons. “I was tired of the traffic, too,” he says, from their ‘Serenity’ 3-bedroom ranch at Sun City — over 2,300 square feet finished, with a price from the $320s.
“Whatap traffic like in Mesquite? Barbara laughs and says residents joke that when all three lanes of Sun City’s interchange at the freeway have a car, they call that a traffic jam. The Rechcygiels not only liked the views in Mesquite, but have turned into virtual ambassadors for the Sun City’s community life. The larger ranch plan allows Mike to have a ‘music room’ to practice guitar — sometimes for solo gigs, others with ‘Split Rail,’ a country-rock band he’s formed with other boomer-aged residents. The garage has room for a Harley and for an ATV – items he never imagined owning until starting to pal around with the locals here (there are seven national parks and monuments within four hours).
“We see our friends from Boulder more now than we did when we lived there,” says Barbara, noting that they get frequent visits. All that, Mike adds, makes carrying a calendar a must at Sun City, to keep up with golf, car shows, dinner invites, and events at the rec center — including community trips into Vegas, 90 minutes south.
New single-family ranches at Sun City Mesquite start from $211,990 – low enough that a steady stream of buyers arrives from the Mile High City to explore possibilities. Eureka Casino Resort, where Del Webb will book you the $130 stay (two nights max) has 1,100 slots, tables, sports betting, and a good steakhouse the Rechcygiels say is part of a growing restaurant scene. You’ll see the clubhouse and pool and tour Del Webb’s three model collections.
Make your 2-night visit on weekdays rather than over a weekend and Del Webb can arrange a stay for $120. Sun City Mesquite is 660 miles west of Denver on I-15 at Mesquite’s south exit, Falcon Ridge Parkway. Phone 702-345-4187 and ask for the Explore Del Webb special, including lunch at the club with a Resident Ambassador. Or visit SunCityMesquite.com.
The news and editorial staffs of The Denver Post had no role in this postap preparation.