Hill Country Retreat vs. Sun City Texas

Both Del Webb. Both Texas. Both fully-built active adult resort communities. But San Antonio vs. Georgetown is a meaningful lifestyle and financial choice — military community vs. golf community, Bexar County vs. Williamson County, JBSA proximity vs. Austin corridor access.

Have questions about what you're reading? A specialist can walk you through real costs, honest comparisons, and what's actually available right now — free, no obligation.

Talk to a Specialist →

Why Buyers Compare These Two

Texas has two dominant Del Webb resort communities: Hill Country Retreat in San Antonio and Sun City Texas in Georgetown (north Austin corridor). Both are fully built. Both have resort-level amenities. Both attract buyers from across the country specifically looking for the Del Webb model in Texas.

Buyers who are open to either the San Antonio or Austin/Georgetown corridor frequently put these two communities on the same shortlist. They should — they're genuinely comparable in some ways and genuinely different in others. The right choice depends on what the buyer is actually optimizing for.

CategoryHill Country Retreat (San Antonio)Sun City Texas (Georgetown)
DeveloperDel Webb + Village Builders (PulteGroup)Del Webb (PulteGroup)
LocationFar west San Antonio, Bexar CountyGeorgetown, Williamson County (north of Austin)
Total homes1,9049,000+ (one of the largest Del Webb communities in the US)
StatusFully built — resale onlyOngoing resale + limited new phases
CountyBexar — 2025 senior exemptions, school freezeWilliamson — different exemption structure
Price range$250K–$550K+ (resale)$300K–$700K+ (resale and limited new)
HOA$185/month (covers exterior incl. lawn, roof)~$175–$185/month (covers common areas; yard care not included)
GolfCommunity trails, nearby courses4 championship golf courses owned by the community; RCSC model (resident-controlled)
Golf costPay-as-you-play local coursesAdditional monthly golf membership fee (~$50–$150/month depending on usage); courses are resident-controlled
Amenity scale28,000 sq ft Resort clubhouseMultiple recreation centers across 9,000+ home community; Liberty Center, Texas Star, and others
Social scale1,904 homes — resort community, known social life9,000+ homes — the largest social pool; 100+ clubs
Military communityHigh — JBSA proximity 20–25 miles, explicit military cultureModest — Fort Hood ~60 miles, not a defining characteristic
Austin proximity~80 miles from downtown Austin~30 miles from downtown Austin
San Antonio proximityOn the SA west side — full metro access~80 miles from downtown San Antonio
Medical access10–15 min to major SA hospitalsGeorgetown hospital + 30–45 min to Austin major medical
Base access (military)Lackland, Fort Sam, Randolph — 20–30 milesFort Hood ~60 miles, no JBSA equivalent access

The Golf Question: RCSC vs. Pay-to-Play

Sun City Texas's defining advantage for golfers is its Resident-Controlled Sun City (RCSC) model. The community owns four golf courses — White Wing, Legacy Hills, Cowan Creek, and the Legacy Hills Par-3. Residents pay a monthly amenity fee that includes course access. You're not paying $150–$250/round at a public course; you're a partial owner with access at dramatically reduced per-round cost.

Hill Country Retreat has no community-owned golf. The Alamo Ranch Golf Club is nearby but separate. Residents pay public rates. For buyers who plan to golf 3–5 times per week, the Sun City Texas RCSC model saves $2,000–$4,000/year in green fees compared to equivalent play at public courses near HCR.

For buyers who golf occasionally (once or twice a week or less), or who don't golf at all, the RCSC advantage doesn't justify a cross-market move.

🎯
Free · No Obligation · Vetted Agents

Ready to move from research to real conversations about this community?

We connect buyers with agents who know this market from the inside — real cost math, honest comparisons, and what's actually happening right now. Every agent is personally vetted by the Nova55Living founder. No scripts, no pressure.

Monthly Cost at $400K

HCR — $400K, 65+

Property tax (Bexar 65+)$563/mo
HOA (incl. yard + roof)$185/mo
Insurance$155/mo
Utilities$130/mo
Maintenance reserve$200/mo
Monthly total$1,233

Sun City TX — $400K, 65+

Property tax (Williamson Co. 65+)~$550/mo est.
HOA~$180/mo
Lawn service (owner)$130/mo
Insurance$155/mo
Utilities$130/mo
Maintenance reserve$200/mo
Monthly total (no golf)$1,345

Note: Sun City Texas property tax estimate uses Williamson County rates; exact figures depend on specific exemption structure. Confirm current rates with Williamson CAD. Golf membership adds $50–$150/month for regular golfers.

At equivalent home values, HCR's HOA model (exterior maintenance included) and Bexar County's 2025 senior exemptions keep monthly carrying cost slightly lower than Sun City Texas — but the difference isn't dramatic. The choice comes down to lifestyle, not financial advantage.

Scale: 1,904 vs. 9,000+ Homes

Sun City Texas is one of the largest active adult communities in the United States. 9,000+ homes means a social pool so large you genuinely will never run out of new people to meet. 100+ clubs. Multiple recreation centers. More diversity of programming, interests, and social infrastructure than any 1,904-home community can match.

For buyers who want the widest possible social experience, the most activity options, and the highest probability of finding their specific interest group — Sun City Texas wins on scale alone.

Hill Country Retreat at 1,904 homes is large enough to have a full resort social calendar with 80+ clubs and diverse programming. But it's not the same scale. Buyers who find large communities overwhelming may actually prefer HCR's more manageable scale.

Choose Hill Country Retreat if:

  • Military background or JBSA access is meaningful to your daily life
  • San Antonio metro access (dining, sports, medical, airport) is more useful than Austin access
  • True lock-and-leave with HOA covering exterior maintenance is the operational model you want
  • Golf isn't a primary daily activity — or you're fine with pay-to-play courses nearby
  • A community of 1,904 homes feels like the right social scale

Choose Sun City Texas if:

  • Golf is a central part of your retirement lifestyle and the RCSC ownership model saves you money
  • Austin proximity matters — family in Austin, Austin culture, Austin airport access
  • The largest possible social pool and maximum activity variety is the priority
  • Military community culture is not a factor in your decision
  • New construction availability (limited) in the Georgetown/Austin corridor is relevant
Both communities are fully proven at scale. This isn't a comparison between a safe bet and a risk — it's a comparison between two well-established Del Webb communities in different Texas metros with genuinely different personalities. The decision is about your lifestyle priorities, not about community quality.
Free Consultation · Vetted Agents · No Obligation

Ready to take the next step on
the right 55+ community?

Connect with a specialist who knows this market from the inside — real cost math, honest community comparisons, and what's actually happening right now. Every agent is personally vetted by the Nova55Living founder.

Connect with a Specialist →
Personally vetted by the Nova55Living founderNo scripts. No pressure.Always free