Sun City Center, FL

[ronat1]

My brother, still living up north and about to retire, is trying to gather some info about the Sun City Center retirement community just outside of Tampa. Does anyone have any info about the housing, amenities, costs, living, golf and/or community in general? All information whether it be good, bad or indifferent would be of a help. He has already reviewed the website but would like something from personal experiences before visiting. Thank you in advance.

[Phanatic Luvr]

Tell him also to look into Valencia Lakes. Very close proximity.

[Indy-Guy]

These three articles will let you know a lot about Sun City Center.

Sun City Center golf courses see declining interest, business | Tampa Bay Times (http://www.tampabay.com/news/aging/lifetimes/sun-city-center-golf-courses-see-declining-interest-business/990700)

Sun City Center homeowners look for help to repair Chinese drywall | Tampa Bay Times (http://www.tampabay.com/news/growth/sun-city-center-homeowners-look-for-help-to-repair-chinese-drywall/1082520)

http://www.kpscc.com/07_22-Contaminated%20Drywall.pdf

[Bonnevie]

Having lived in St. Petersburg I always thought I'd move to Sun City. My mother had a house their long ago. However, when I was ready to retire I went there a few times and was struck by how deserted it looked most of the time. There just didn't seem like a lot going on...not like this place. However, you can get resales there very inexpensively. Had I not been single I still might have considered it. But it just didn't offer the opportunities this place does.

I worked with a women who's in-laws lived there and they didn't have much to do activity wise.

The location is excellent and it is much cheaper to live there.

[2newyorkers]

Having lived in St. Petersburg I always thought I'd move to Sun City. My mother had a house their long ago. However, when I was ready to retire I went there a few times and was struck by how deserted it looked most of the time. There just didn't seem like a lot going on...not like this place. However, you can get resales there very inexpensively. Had I not been single I still might have considered it. But it just didn't offer the opportunities this place does.

I worked with a women who's in-laws lived there and they didn't have much to do activity wise.

The location is excellent and it is much cheaper to live there.

Deserted is a good way to describe the area. The business area is slightly depressed and you do not have very many different restaurant choices other than the chain restaurants.

[Chi-Town]

Checked out Sun City Center for two days in '08 due to its prime location. One day for new homes, one day for existing. A visit there is probably the best Villages sales aid there is.

[keithwand]

My parents lived there from 1992 until they passed in 2010.
They loved living on a lake and had great views.
They were not real active or social so it worked.
My wife and I hated the place which clouded our views of TV before ever visiting.
Within a few hours of being in TV we knew this place was SO different and built and moved here in 2012.
In 1992 they paid $145 for 2,000sf 2 bed, 2 bath, 2 car and double lot. In 2010 the house sold for $180.
Not much for appreciation like TV.

[justjim]

We took a quick look at Sun City prior to retirement and all I can say about it is---it's no Villages!

[Bonnevie]

I also looked at Valencia Lakes. beautiful houses. but the same thing--went to their rec center and there were a few ladies playing cards. no activity around.

so it depends on what he wants. Even though I don't participate in a lot here, it's a lot more than what I'd be doing there.

[Investment Painting Contractors]

My brother, still living up north and about to retire, is trying to gather some info about the Sun City Center retirement community just outside of Tampa. Does anyone have any info about the housing, amenities, costs, living, golf and/or community in general? All information whether it be good, bad or indifferent would be of a help. He has already reviewed the website but would like something from personal experiences before visiting. Thank you in advance.

Mary and I looked a Sun City in 2007 before buying here. We noticed that most or the homes needed to be painted the landscaping was sparse the club house was sad and the TOPPER was a traffic jam at the gate complete with a fist fight between the people trying to get out to go to church. We bought our house here and we're glad we did.

[keithwand]

The gated part of SCC is even worse than the rest. It's better to go 2 more lights and turn right. You are right about the lack of restaurants. My parents had jump on 75 to go to a movie or HD.
There is now a HD and Walmart a bad a fairly crappy hospital.
We should be grateful for the TV hospital.

[DBroughton]

There are very few gated communities and very little new construction. Amazon has built a very large distribution center in the area and should bring more life to the area. We lived in Apollo Beach and decided it was where we would retire, until we made a trip to check out The Villages (just to cross it off the list). We are very happy to have made the trip here. Love it here.

[Erijo]

If I may respond about retirement localities. We are now living here 2 years and have looked in many areas in preparation for our retirement.
Sun City Center, Tampa. Pretty place, but very little to do. We were there approximately 2010 looking around in the newer area, where all the new construction was going on. Very pretty, villas attached to one another, so 2 units lived under one roof. The rec centers were empty and dreary looking. I'm remember the halls of the rec center being painted a dark brown. The people by the pools were just sitting there, as though waiting for the grim reaper. No music, not reading, no socializing just staring into space. I could not picture us living there.
Valencia lakes, Tampa. ( we looked here in 2010-2011). Beautiful! Homes were beautiful. Lots of Forrest area with gorgeous greenery behind the homes. We were told that this view was not promised, that future homes would be built there. We saw only one Rec center to be used by all. It was brand new and still under construction. Again, I could not picture us living there, to much was not finished with no guarantees or promises.
Ocala. Just did not like it. As we walked around the community, we saw no activity. I felt as though everyone just stayed inside. Not our cup of tea.
We looked at the Villages a couple of times, although about 8-10 years apart. The difference between the two visits was night and day. Obviously, we could picture ourselves living here! I am not being negative about other retirement communities, just a honest opinion. Hope this helps your brother. That being said, he needs to go look at these places himself and decide what is best for him socially and financially. Best of luck and happiness to him.

[golfing eagles]

If I may respond about retirement localities. We are now living here 2 years and have looked in many areas in preparation for our retirement.
Sun City Center, Tampa. Pretty place, but very little to do. We were there approximately 2010 looking around in the newer area, where all the new construction was going on. Very pretty, villas attached to one another, so 2 units lived under one roof. The rec centers were empty and dreary looking. I'm remember the halls of the rec center being painted a dark brown. The people by the pools were just sitting there, as though waiting for the grim reaper. No music, not reading, no socializing just staring into space. I could not picture us living there.
Valencia lakes, Tampa. ( we looked here in 2010-2011). Beautiful! Homes were beautiful. Lots of Forrest area with gorgeous greenery behind the homes. We were told that this view was not promised, that future homes would be built there. We saw only one Rec center to be used by all. It was brand new and still under construction. Again, I could not picture us living there, to much was not finished with no guarantees or promises.
Ocala. Just did not like it. As we walked around the community, we saw no activity. I felt as though everyone just stayed inside. Not our cup of tea.
We looked at the Villages a couple of times, although about 8-10 years apart. The difference between the two visits was night and day. Obviously, we could picture ourselves living here! I am not being negative about other retirement communities, just a honest opinion. Hope this helps your brother. That being said, he needs to go look at these places himself and decide what is best for him socially and financially. Best of luck and happiness to him.

Well said!!!:bigbow:

[Erijo]

Forgot to mention, Solivita in Poincianna. Nice place. We were not shown any model homes. Very cute town center. The outskirts were not nice. It was 20-30 minutes from Disney which dictates your driving patterns. The tourists and the parks traffic was a bit much.

[ronat1]

Thank you to all that responded and I'm sure your insight will be beneficial. I will copy and forward all responses and he can use them as he likes. Thanks again.

[LI SNOWBIRD]

Forgot to mention, Solivita in Poincianna. Nice place. We were not shown any model homes. Very cute town center. The outskirts were not nice. It was 20-30 minutes from Disney which dictates your driving patterns. The tourists and the parks traffic was a bit much.

Solivita--ugh. we looked there but didn't like it.There were signs everywhere that said things like "Future home of Movie Theater" which s it turned out never materialized. Also do not like the surrounding area due to (as i have heard) drugs and gangs.
we are so glad we bought in TV

[Villager Joyce]

I went with my parents and grandparents in the mid-60's. My comment was I couldn't wait to get old so I could live there. Things changed, sort of. I spent my 50th birthday in The Villages and moved here the very second we could.