Energetic empty nesters in search of the active lifestyle and amenities that make retired life an extended vacation, all for an affordable price, have been flocking to Del Webb’s Sun City communities for decades. With the influx of retirees choosing the climate and beauty of the Lowcountry to enjoy their golden years, it’s no surprise that Del Webb’s Sun City Hilton Head has become the destination of choice for many seniors.
Located just 13 miles from Hilton Head and six miles from I-95, Sun City residents enjoy easy access to the island’s attractions as well as historic Charleston and Savannah. The community consists of 5,000 acres, planned and designed with the expertise for which Del Webb is known. “We have a solid awareness of our age demographic and a reputation for providing quality products and services,” said Ken Hull, division president of Sun City. “When people begin looking for the home in which to retire, many will look at Del Webb.”
It’s easy to understand why. Sun City has been likened to a college campus for seniors or a Disneyland for adults; it’s a place where opportunities to engage in existing hobbies and interests, or find new ones, abound. Whether it’s artistic, intellectual, cultural, civic, or the outdoors, residents will find an array of clubs and planned activities in which to participate.
“It’s not shuffleboard and rocking chairs behind these gates,” said Glenda Morgan, vice president of sales and marketing. “People here are active. They were productive in their work lives or raising families. They are not ready to sit back in their retirement.”
There’s always something happening at the Town Square, the hub of Sun City’s social and recreational scene. A clock tower overlooks the 45 acres of small-town charm that is home to state-of-the-art amenities, such as the 77,000- square-foot fitness center, indoor and outdoor pools, fully-equipped crafts center, a tennis center, and outdoor party pavilion. Athletic facilities for softball, volleyball, croquet, bocce, and other outdoor sports are open to residents with a competitive edge.
Over 80 organized clubs, ranging from astronomy to the arts, biking to books, woodworking to Wall Street, or classic cars to ceramics, have use of meeting rooms and lecture halls within the Town Square. A large auditorium, currently under construction, will eventually provide an ideal 3,500-square-foot arena for professional entertainment, lectures, and classes offered exclusively to Sun City residents. The ballroom is the site of annual social events such as the Senior Prom and New Year’s Ball.
Residents who prefer the great outdoors can head to the 20-acre Somerset Lake for fishing and non-motorized boating. A nearby park, with a playground and picnic facilities, provides the perfect place for family outings when the children and grandchildren visit. Freshwater fishing is abundant in the ponds, stocked with bass and catfish, as well as the rivers and tributaries that flow through Sun City. Miles of hiking and biking trails allow ample opportunities for exercise or enjoying wildlife.
What is retirement in the Lowcountry without golf? Sun City boasts two challenging 18-hole courses designed by Mark McCumber. Those new to the sport can partake in Sun City’s “Introduction to Golf Academy,” which includes four lessons and an overview of the game’s basics. The program is so successful it has been profiled in PGA Magazine.
The Okatie Creek Golf Course is home to a clubhouse with a pro shop and the British Open Restaurant and Bar. Opening soon on the Hidden Cypress Course will be the Hidden Cyprus Golf and Recreation Center, which will include a 3,000-square-foot fitness center, pro shop, Azalea Grill restaurant, and outdoor pool.
Potential Sun City homeowners can choose from a variety of home models. There are 18 different floor plans ranging from 1,055 to 2,403 square feet. Home sites offer views of woods, golf courses, or marshes.
Over 3,500 homes have already been purchased and another 3,500 are planned before development is complete.
The new Riverbend section of Sun City is a more upscale community offering lush, wooded homesites upon which owners can build custom-designed homes. Riverbend residents can also enjoy all the benefits and amenities that their Sun City neighbors do.
Sun City is definitely reminiscent of small-town America. You’ll meet neighbors from all over the country and all walks of life. Regardless of different backgrounds or interests, there’s one thing all Sun City residents have in common, the time to act and enjoy their age! And that’s just what Del Webb Sun City Hilton Head provides.
