About Sun City
Sun City Arizona is where the active adult community concept was born. Del Webb broke ground in 1960 on what was then a radical idea: a community designed entirely for retired adults, with no children, built around recreation and social engagement. The experiment worked beyond anyone's expectations — Sun City was a phenomenon, attracting national media coverage and tens of thousands of buyers. Today it has approximately 27,000 homes built between 1960 and 1978 and remains the largest RCSC (Recreation Centers of Sun City) community in the Phoenix metro.
The RCSC model is what distinguishes Sun City from most active adult communities. Residents pay an annual fee (currently ~$575–$650/year) for access to 8 recreation centers, 11 golf courses, hundreds of clubs and activities, and the full Sun City amenity infrastructure. This is dramatically cheaper than The Villages' monthly lifestyle fee model — the trade-off is that Sun City homes are smaller, older, and require more individual maintenance budgeting.
Sun City Key Facts
| Location | Sun City, AZ — northwest Phoenix metro |
| Built | 1960–1978 (Del Webb) |
| Homes | ~27,000 homes |
| Price Range | $175K–$380K (resale) |
| Annual RCSC Fee | ~$575–$650/year |
| Golf Courses | 11 included with RCSC membership |
| Age Requirement | 55+ (at least one resident) |
| Gated | No — open community |
| County | Maricopa County |
| New Construction | No — resale only |
Pros & Considerations
Advantages
- Most affordable major 55+ community in Phoenix — entry-level prices under $200K
- RCSC annual fee is among the lowest of any amenity-rich 55+ community
- 11 golf courses included — golf value is exceptional
- Established community with 60+ years of resident culture
- No CDD bond — straightforward purchase
- Central Phoenix metro location with excellent freeway access
Considerations
- 1960s–1970s construction — homes are small (typically 1,000–1,800 sq ft) and require updates
- Not gated — open community with public road access
- Older infrastructure — some systems need replacement budget
- No pickleball-first design (added over time, not purpose-built)
- HOA/RCSC has age verification requirements that can complicate some resales