Sun City, SC Real Estate and Community Information

Sun City is a gated community of more than 8,000 homes for residents 55 years of age and older. It has grown to become the largest active adult community in South Carolina's Lowcountry. Although many residents are retired, some maintain home-based businesses and others still work full or part-time.

Sun City is conveniently situated near Interstate 95, 20 miles north of Savannah, Georgia, and 12 miles west of Hilton Head Island. The master-planned community covers about 10,000 acres in Beaufort and Jasper counties. In the 1980s, Del Webb Communities purchased large tracts of land from the Argent Lumber Company in Beaufort County. Development spread into Jasper County in the early 2000s when Pulte Homes acquired Del Webb.

Things to do at Sun City

The 45-acre Village Center hosts many Sun City activities. The 17,000 sq-ft Pinckney Hall includes a full ballroom. Magnolia Hall is a 16,000 sq-ft performing arts center with stadium-style seating for more than 500 guests. Residents also enjoy a dozen Har-Tru tennis courts, dog park, ball field, pickleball facilities and bocce courts.

The Purrysburg Fitness Center is a state-of-the-art facility that includes weights, treadmills and an aerobics studio. There are fitness centers in three clubhouses, and Sun City offers residents two indoor and four outdoor pools. The community also provides miles of hiking and biking boardwalks and trails that make their way through wetlands and stands of sprawling oaks and towering pines. Sun City's Lake Somerset offers anglers 20 acres of catch-and-release fishing opportunities. The operation of remote-controlled sailboats is another popular pastime on the lake.

Golf At Sun City

Avid golfers can play three different courses within the Sun City community. Hidden Cypress Golf Club is a championship layout that opened in 2000. It was designed by PGA touring pro Mark McCumber. From the back tees, the course measures 6,946 yards long, although four other sets of tees address the needs of every skill level. From the longest tees, the course maintains a respectable 133 slope rating. The par-3 12th requires a good iron shot over a pond framed by Baja grass. The 18th is a short par-4 with water on the right and a large tree in front of a green completely surrounded by sand.

Okatie Creek Golf Course became the first course in Sun City when it opened in 1996. It's a fun layout for enjoying a casual round with friends. It's also a fine course on which to practice and master some of the nuances of the game. Okatie Creek is certified as an Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary due to the degree to which the natural surroundings have been preserved.

In 2012, a new Course, Argent Lakes, opened in Hardeeville. It is the first 18-hole executive course in the Lowcountry. The par-61 layout features a dozen par-3s, five par-4s and one par-5. The shorter layout is perfect for those wanting to perfect their iron play, and for those learning the game.

Hilton Head Attractions

The resorts of Hilton Head Island are just east of Sun City, including Sea Pines Resort and Disney's Hilton Head Island Resort. Disney's Tuesday-night fireworks in the summer are always an attraction. Any time you're in the mood for golf beyond Sun City, take on one of the world-class courses at Hilton Head. The Golden Bear Golf Club at Indigo Run and the Robert Trent Jones Golf Course are just two of 23 courses on the island.

Those that live in proximity to Hilton Head, one of the nation's most popular playgrounds, enjoy easy access to tremendously diverse recreational opportunities, from whale watching to zip lining. The island offers 13 miles of broad, white sand beaches. Coligny Beach is a popular destination for visitors and locals alike. Close-in parking makes it easy to the clean, wide swath of sand. In addition to playing in the surf and sand, you can hike, bike and play on swings suitable for both kids and adults. Anglers can choose from deep sea charters or pond fishing from piers. If you like playing in the water, choose from canoeing, kayaking or stand-up paddle boarding.

Nature lovers can select from a number of Eco-tours offered in the Hilton Head area. At the Pickney National Wildlife Refuge, hikers and bikers can enjoy miles of trails. You might even see a baby alligator along the way. The salt marshes are a popular haven for many bird species, so birdwatchers and nature photographers frequent this wildlife sanctuary.

If you enjoy theater, attend the dinner theaters or performances at the Arts Center of Coastal Carolina. Enjoy Broadway-style plays in an intimate venue, then take a short stroll to one of the restaurants at Shelter Cove Marina. The marina offers a variety of shopping experiences in a quaint setting.

Bluffton Attractions

Nearby Bluffton offers residents an opportunity to visit a farmers market that may be one of the best in the Lowcountry. Live music often fills the air as vendors offer fresh produce, eggs, baked goods, nuts, honey and more. In Old Town Bluffton, a wide variety of boutiques, art galleries, restaurants and wine bars beckon. Artisans display everything from pottery to metal sculptures. Step back in time during a visit to Rose Hill Plantation and its antebellum mansion. During the tour you're served wine and various treats.

Active adults seeking the good life will find it at Sun City. Whatever your sport, hobby or other avocation, you'll most likely find what you seek at this premier 55+ community. Sun City is also an idyllic home base from which you can venture out to enjoy this semi-tropical paradise.

I'd welcome the opportunity to share more with you about this haven for recreation and leisure in the Lowcountry. Please contact Rita Cymbalista at your earliest convenience.