When it comes to active adult living, there is perhaps no name that carries more prestige than Sun City. The Sun City communities have a lineage that traces back to the year 1960 when the Phoenix-based developer Del Webb completed construction of their first age-restricted community. Sun City Arizona was the first of its kind, setting the benchmark for modern 55+ communities. Del Webb has continuously cultivated that legacy with the founding of over 50 communities.
Today, Sun City communities are some of the most popular retirement destinations for 55+ homebuyers. There are many reasons to consider moving to one of these communities. Del Webb’s constructions are highly customizable and fitted with modern features, energy-efficient designs, and comprehensive warranties. Del Webb also fosters communities where residents can participate in a variety of clubs and build meaningful connections. Let’s take a look at Sun City locations across the U.S.
Arizona
Sun City Festival – Buckeye, AZ
High $300ks – Low $1Ms
Sun City Festival is located on the western edge of the Phoenix metro area, about 40 minutes from downtown Phoenix. This community features a variety of modern amenities situated in two spacious recreation centers, with some of the highlights including state-of-the-art fitness facilities, a grand ballroom, dining options, and a 9,000-square-foot craft studio where residents can exercise their creativity. Those who enjoy spending time outdoors will find plenty of opportunities at the community’s sports complexes, with space for softball, tennis, pickleball, bocce ball, basketball, and a 27-hole championship golf course.
Sun City Oro Valley – Oro Valley, AZ
Low $300ks – Mid $700ks
Situated just north of the city of Tucson, Sun City Oro Valley provides breathtaking mountain views of the Santa Catalina Mountain range. Oro Valley allows residents to get outside and enjoy a round of golf on the semi-private, 18-hole championship course at The Views Golf Club. There are also three recreation centers full of resources to participate in a variety of crafts, hobbies, and social activities.
Sun City West – Sun City West, AZ
Low $200ks – High $900ks
Sun City West is located in the northwestern Phoenix metro area. Residents will find no shortage of ways to fill their idle time in this community, with seven golf courses and four sprawling recreation centers featuring dozens of amenities. Designed to be its own self-sufficient community, Sun City West allows residents to travel by golf cart to retail stores, shopping centers, and restaurants.
The Grand – Surprise, AZ
High $300ks – Low $1Ms
Nestled in Phoenix’s Northwest Valley region, The Grand offers an array of housing options for every budget: from cozy condos up to luxurious single-family homes. There are four championship golf courses and amenities catered toward fostering a vibrant social scene. It also has own learning academy and artisans community that provides opportunities to learn new skills and hobbies.
Sun City – Sun City, AZ
Below $100k – Low $1Ms
The original Sun City community has been setting the standard for active adult living since the 1960s. Despite its long legacy, this community is anything but dated–having continued its development over the years to ensure that its amenities and experiences are on par with even the most modern Sun City locations. It has more recreation centers than any other 55+ community in the country, and over 120 social clubs and activities to participate in, which has earned it the nickname “The Original Fun City.”
Sun City Anthem at Merrill Ranch – Florence, AZ
Low $300ks – Mid $600ks
Sun City Anthem at Merrill Ranch provides residents with a more relaxed, secluded 55+ living experience thanks to its location on the outskirts of the Phoenix metro area. While this community offers a more low-key lifestyle, it still has all the top-quality Sun City amenities and experiences homebuyers expect. This includes an 18-hole golf course, a 48,000-square-foot clubhouse, and activities coordinator to facilitate activities, classes, and events year-round.
California
Sun City Apple Valley – Apple Valley, CA
Mid $300ks – Mid $700ks
Sun City Apple Valley is located in the Inland Empire region of California, a geographical area nestled between the Coachella Valley and San Bernardino Mountains, northeast of Los Angeles. Situated away from the bustling metropolis, this community is a quiet desert retreat with a strong sense of community. With over 40 social clubs and a full-time activity director, residents will find no shortage of fun activities at the community’s two recreation centers.
Sun City Lincoln Hills – Lincoln, CA
Mid $400ks – Mid $1Ms
Sun City Lincoln Hills features two 18-hole golf courses and 27 miles of scenic walking and cycling trails, creating the perfect environment for residents to get outside and enjoy the beautiful Northern California weather. The popular community also features a 68,000-square-foot recreation center and a second recreation lodge with exercise facilities and an indoor pool and spa. There is plenty to do within the community–with over 80 special interest clubs to choose from. Plus, the city of Sacramento is less than an hour away.
Sun City Shadow Hills – Indio, CA
High $300ks – Low $1Ms
Situated right in the heart of the Coachella Valley, Sun City Shadow Hills is a veritable desert oasis. This community features affordable single-family homes, with scenic views of the nearby San Bernardino, San Jacinto, and Santa Rosa Mountain Ranges. Among the resort-style amenities, residents have access to an 18-hole championship golf course and two large clubhouses. Sun City Shadow Hills is also conveniently located near Palm Springs and the Joshua Tree National Park.
Sun City – Menifee, CA
Low $200ks – Mid $700ks
This community was the first Del Webb Sun City location built in California–founded in the early 1960s near the city of Riverside in the Los Angeles metro area. Just like the original Sun City in Arizona, this legacy community is still highly regarded for its world-class amenities and bustling social calendar, with three community centers and plenty of outdoor facilities suited for active adult recreation. It is also known for its wide range of affordable housing options, with over 4,500 attached and single-family homes that range in price from the low $200k to the mid $700k.
Sun City Roseville – Roseville, CA
High $500ks – Mid $900ks
The major highlights of Sun City Roseville include a 52,000-square-foot amenity center–where residents can participate in over 50 social clubs and interest groups–and 27 holes of golf between the Timber Creek and Sierra Pines golf courses. However, the community is also renowned for its well-maintained nature preserves and meticulously landscaped grounds, which can be taken in while exploring the miles of walking and biking trails found throughout the community.
Sun City Palm Desert – Palm Desert, CA
Mid $300ks – Mid $1Ms
Luxury amenities are the defining experience at Sun City Palm Desert. There are three separate clubhouses–adding up to over 110,000 square feet of space for stimulating and leisurely activities. Residents have access to state-of-the-art fitness facilities, craft rooms, game rooms, a movie theater, exclusive dining options, and even a full-service post office. The community also has two 18-hole golf courses, providing the perfect opportunity to get outside and enjoy the year-round sunshine.
Florida
Sun City Center – Sun City Center, FL
Below $100k – Low $800ks
Sun City Center is the epicenter of active adult living in West-Central Florida. This massive community in the Tampa Bay Area comprises a mix of 9,500 attached and single-family homes, and functions as its own self-contained village. In addition to the world-class amenities and active social scene, the community has its own retail stores, dining options, worship centers, and medical facilities–and with golf-cart friendly streets, it’s beyond easy to get around and enjoy everything on offer.
Georgia
Sun City Peachtree – Griffin, GA
High $200ks – High $500ks
Nestled near a rural city about an hour south of Atlanta, Sun City Peachtree provides top-quality amenities and an active social scene, with an added dash of quaint Southern charm. The community is built on 1,700 acres of wooded land, and features a 45,000-square-foot amenity center with indoor and outdoor facilities designed for fitness, leisure, and entertainment. Residents of the community can also become members of the Sun City Peachtree Golf Club, which has its own private clubhouse and an 18-hole golf course.
Illinois
Sun City Huntley – Huntley, IL
High $200ks – Mid $600ks
The Midwest’s largest Sun City location–Sun City Huntley offers four-season recreation and a variety of indoor amenities. The community contains two separate lodges, with over 100,000 square feet of amenities, including two fitness centers, hobby and craft rooms, a woodworking shop, and a grand ballroom. Over one-third of the community grounds are made up of protected natural spaces, such as a wildflower park and a fishing lake, accessible via miles of walking and biking trails.
Nevada
Sun City Aliante – North Las Vegas, NV
High $300ks – High $400ks
Situated within the Aliante master-planned community (MPC), Sun City Aliante residents have access to all of the Aliante MPC amenities, as well as their own exclusive clubhouse and social activities. With a desirable location just north of Las Vegas, residents enjoy easy access to the Las Vegas Strip and all of the exciting entertainment options there, as well as stunning mountain views right from their own backyard.
Sun City Summerlin – Las Vegas, NV
Low $300ks – High $1Ms
If you want to be close to where the exciting Vegas action is, you can’t do much better than Sun City Summerlin. This premier 55+ community has a prime location less than 30 minutes from The Strip, and plenty more to do right in the community. With four clubhouses, three golf courses, and a plethora of amenities and social clubs, there are endless opportunities for leisure.
Sun City Anthem – Henderson, NV
High $300ks – High $1Ms
Sun City Anthem is one of the top-rated 55+ communities in Nevada with plenty of reasons why many retirees would choose this location. The variety of different housing options can fit any budget and there’s over 130,000 square feet of luxurious indoor amenity space. Sun City Anthem is also home to the Revere Golf Club, where residents can hit the links surrounded by the scenic backdrop of the nearby McCullough Mountain Range.
Sun City MacDonald Ranch – Henderson, NV
Mid $300ks – High $600ks
With just 2,500 homes, Sun City MacDonald Ranch is an intimate 55+ community compared to many other Sun City locations. This smaller community is focused on golf and relaxation as the home of the Desert Willow Golf Course. Despite its size, it still has the typical Sun City variety of resort-style, indoor and outdoor amenities centered around a 36,000-square-foot clubhouse.
Sun City Mesquite – Mesquite, NV
Low $400ks – Mid $800ks
Sun City Mesquite is an ideal option for homebuyers looking for a tranquil Nevada community away from Vegas. This community is located along the eastern edge of the Mojave Desert, near the Arizona and Utah borders. The scenic community contains a 30,000-square-foot clubhouse and an outdoor sports pavilion. The Conestoga Golf Club ensures that residents always have plenty of opportunities for fun and relaxation at hand.
South Carolina
Sun City Hilton Head – Bluffton, SC
Mid $300ks – High $2Ms
The largest active adult community in South Carolina, Sun City Hilton Head features homes for a wide range of budgets and resort-style living. Plus it’s all in a convenient location just north of Savannah, Georgia about 30 minutes from the Atlantic Coastline. Amenities in the community include a village-style town square, multiple amenity centers and clubs, plenty of outdoor recreation, and 54 holes of golf on three courses.
Sun City Carolina Lakes – Indian Land, SC
Mid $300ks – Low $1Ms
Sun City Carolina Lakes is situated near the border to North Carolina, about 30 minutes south of Charlotte. This community has a vibrant social atmosphere, with over 140 social clubs and interest groups for residents to join. Two clubhouses hold 68,000 square feet of amenity space. Another highlight of the community are the natural spaces, including 10 scenic lakes, miles of walking and biking trails, and an 18-hole golf course.
Texas
Sun City Texas – Georgetown, TX
High $200ks – Low $1Ms
Located in the beautiful Texas Hill Country, Sun City Texas is a sprawling community of nearly 10,000 homes. Homebuyers can find a variety of floor plans and pricing options here. The amenities match the proportions of the community with more than 86,000 square feet of amenity space across several clubhouses, over 50 chartered clubs, and three 18-hole championship golf courses.
Let 55places Help You Find Sun City Locations
With such an abundance of amazing options to choose from, how does one find the right Sun City community? Here are some common factors many retirees consider when deciding where to purchase their next home:
- A location near necessities, family, and preferred surroundings
- A favorable climate
- Amenities that match their favorite activities
- Home styles that suit their lifestyle needs
- A community that fits within their budget
But the best way to find out if a community is the right fit is to experience it yourself. Many 55+ communities offer “stay and play” programs allowing you to tour or live in the community before you make your decision. Del Webb and the Sun City brand have created the gold-standard recipe for an ideal active adult community. This includes abundant resort-style amenities, active social engagement, and high-quality homes to fit many budgets.
