Sun City Center, FL 55+ Active Adult Retirement Communities

Overview

Located in the Tampa Bay area, Sun City Center is an age-restricted, active adult community originally founded in 1961, designed to provide retirees with many big city amenities and a long list of activities for residents within the community.

Climate & Geography

Most of Central Florida experiences a humid subtropical climate with two seasons throughout the year: a hot, wet season in the late spring through the fall months, and a mild, dry season through the winter and early spring months.  Residents of Sun City Center can expect more than 50 inches of rainfall, mostly during the wet season's summer months, and more than 200 sunny days each year.

The surrounding terrain, like much of Florida, is primarily made up of low, flat wetlands. Tampa Bay is just a few miles west, followed by the Gulf of Mexico a bit further, and these large bodies of water combined with the subtropical temperatures are one of the key factors in the region's heavy rainfall and humidity. The southern edge of Sun City Center follows Little Manatee River and Cypress Creek runs throughout Sun City Center. There are scenic ponds and trees planted throughout the community's many neighborhoods, while the northern and southern ends are densely forested. 

Recreation, Culture, & Entertainment 

Within the community there are more than 60 clubs and activities for retirees to join, including arts and crafts, fitness, civic and social, dance and music clubs, and more. 

For activities outside of the community, active adults can visit Little Manatee River State Park which offers an array of outdoor recreation, catch a movie at Ruskin Family Drive-In Theater, and annually residents can visit the SouthShore Seafood and Arts Festival. The festival hosts vendors who serve seafood and other specialty items, there is an arts and crafts show, live entertainment, and boats on display. 

Fore more recreation and entertainment options, Sun City Center is located less than an hour from Tampa, Sarasota, and St. Petersburg. 

Cost of Living & Taxes

Florida is considered one of the most tax-friendly states for retirees. Florida is one of the few states in the country where the state does not tax on income, including Social Security benefits and other forms of retirement income. The cost of living in Sun City Center is lower than the state and national index. The combined sales tax in the community is 8.5 percent. 

Health Care

Florida consistently ranks in the top 20 U.S. States according to Gallup's Well-Being Index.

South Bay Hospital is located directly in Sun City Center, and is rated high performing by U.S. News. Nearby, Tampa General Hospital is nationally ranked and also rated high performing, while St. Anthony's Hospital in St. Petersburg and Brandon Regional Hospital in Brandon are both rated high performing.