WHERE IT ALL BEGAN

When people think of Huntley, Illinois today, Del Webb Sun City often comes to mind first. This isn't just another subdivision, it's the community that truly put Huntley on the map and transformed a quiet village into a destination for active adults from across the Chicago area.

The Community That Changed Everything

Del Webb Sun City Huntley opened its doors in 1998, and by the time construction wrapped up in 2013, it had become one of the Midwest's most significant 55+ active adult communities. Spanning 2,300 acres with 5,481 homes across 41 neighborhoods, this development didn't just add houses to Huntley, it brought a whole new energy and economic boost to the area.

The numbers tell the story. What was once a small farming community suddenly had thousands of new residents, all looking for services, shopping, dining, and yes: reliable transportation to Chicago's airports. Local businesses flourished, new services emerged, and Huntley found itself on the radar of retirees from across the region.

A Personal Connection from Day One

"When I started Huntley Hills, I first offered the service to the residents of Del Webb," says Michael Caserno, President of Huntley Hills Airport Transportation. "I know they need a reliable and dependable service that is affordable and I knew I could provide that."

This wasn't just a business decision: it was recognizing a real need in the community. Del Webb residents travel frequently, whether visiting grandchildren across the country, taking those long-awaited vacation trips, or maintaining connections with family and friends. They needed transportation they could count on, and Michael saw an opportunity to serve his neighbors right from the start.

The community itself is built around an active lifestyle. The Prairie Lodge serves as the heart of Del Webb with its 94,000 square feet of amenities, including fitness centers, indoor walking tracks, and pools. Add in the 18-hole Whisper Creek Golf Course, miles of walking trails, and over 80 different clubs and interest groups, and you have a population that's anything but sedentary.

The Del Webb Difference: Word-of-Mouth That Matters

What makes Del Webb residents unique isn't just their active lifestyle: it's how they communicate with each other. Michael learned this early on: "The one thing about Del Webb is they are always talking to each other, and this has been a recipe for success there. If you do a great job, they will remain very loyal and tell everyone about you. However, this goes the opposite way. If you screw up, they will tell everyone about it."

This tight-knit communication network is both a blessing and a responsibility. In a community where neighbors know each other, where people gather at the Prairie Lodge or chat on the golf course, word travels fast. A great experience with airport transportation doesn't just stay with one customer: it gets shared at book club, discussed over dinner, and mentioned during morning walks around the 14-acre fishing lake.

The flip side is equally true. One bad experience can ripple through the community quickly. But for a business owner who genuinely cares about service, this creates the perfect environment for building lasting relationships.

Making Things Right: A Different Approach to Business

This word-of-mouth reality shaped Michael's entire business philosophy, leading him away from corporate structures toward a more personal approach. "In my business I try to always make everything right. Of course I do whatever I can to get it right the first time, but if I fall, I will jump through hoops to make it right."

The key difference? No bureaucracy. "One of the reasons I went self employed many companies have processes. I don't want a process. If you do wrong, you make it right. That's it. You don't go to other departments. You don't run things up the flagpole. You take action. It shows you care. And if you have a passion to do everything the right way, it speaks volumes."

This approach resonates particularly well with Del Webb residents, many of whom spent careers dealing with corporate red tape and lengthy processes. They appreciate straightforward service where problems get solved immediately, not transferred to different departments or lost in systems.

Beyond Transportation: Understanding the Community

Serving Del Webb residents means understanding their unique needs and schedule patterns. These aren't just customers who need rides to O'Hare: they're people with active social calendars, medical appointments, family obligations, and travel plans that matter deeply to them.

Many residents have given up driving long distances but aren't ready to give up their independence. Airport transportation becomes a bridge that keeps them connected to the wider world. Whether it's a trip to see grandchildren in California, a cruise departure from Florida, or a visit to old friends in another state, reliable transportation makes these connections possible.

The community's layout also creates specific service considerations. With 41 neighborhoods spread across 2,300 acres, pickup coordination requires local knowledge and attention to detail. Understanding which entrance to use, knowing the quickest routes during different times of day, and being familiar with the community's rhythm all contribute to better service.

The Ripple Effect on Huntley

Del Webb's impact on Huntley extends far beyond its property lines. The community brought thousands of residents with disposable income, creating demand for restaurants, medical services, retail establishments, and service providers like airport transportation. Local businesses that might never have existed in old Huntley now thrive because of this active adult population.

The economic impact ripples through everything from property values to municipal services. Huntley transformed from a quiet farming community into a destination, with Del Webb serving as the catalyst for that growth.

For service providers, this created both opportunity and heightened expectations. Del Webb residents often come from suburban Chicago areas where they were accustomed to quality services. They expect professionalism, reliability, and attention to detail: expectations that push local businesses to raise their standards.

Building Loyalty Through Consistency

The combination of Del Webb's word-of-mouth culture and residents' high expectations creates an environment where consistency wins loyalty. When Michael talks about making things right, he's responding to a community that values follow-through and personal accountability.

This loyalty, once earned, runs deep. Del Webb residents who find a service provider they trust tend to stick with them and actively recommend them to neighbors. It's not uncommon for one satisfied customer to generate dozens of referrals within the community, simply through casual conversations and personal recommendations.

The community's social structure supports this kind of relationship building. With organized activities, neighborhood associations, and shared amenities, residents interact regularly and share experiences naturally. A positive relationship with one household often leads to relationships with their friends and neighbors.

Looking Forward

Today, Del Webb Sun City Huntley continues to shape both its residents' lives and the broader Huntley community. As the area continues to grow and evolve, the foundation laid by this pioneering development remains strong.

For businesses serving this community, the lessons are clear: deliver quality service consistently, take personal responsibility for problems, and understand that every interaction ripples through a network of connected neighbors. It's an environment where genuine care for customers isn't just good business: it's the only way to succeed.

Del Webb didn't just put Huntley on the map: it created a model for how active adult communities can transform entire areas while fostering the kind of close-knit relationships that make both business and community thrive. For those of us serving this remarkable community, that transformation continues every day, one satisfied customer and one personal recommendation at a time.