Sun City Festival

Sun City Festival

Why Buyers Choose Sun City Festival

• Newer Del Webb homes with modern floor plans.

• Spectacular White Tank Mountain views and desert scenery.

• Resort-style recreation centers with outstanding fitness and pickleball facilities.

• Excellent value for the home prices and HOA fees. 

Community Overview

Sun City Festival appeals to buyers who want the Del Webb lifestyle in a newer community. Located in the northwest corner of Buckeye, near the White Tank Mountains, it combines modern homes, excellent recreational amenities, and beautiful desert surroundings in a setting that feels noticeably less crowded than many of Arizona's older retirement communities.

The amenities are top-notch at Sun City Festival with some of the most impressive resort style pools, fitness centers, and club rooms that you will see. Residents enjoy golf, pickleball, fitness classes, clubs, walking trails, and a full calendar of community events. At the same time, the atmosphere is relaxed enough that homeowners never feel pressured to stay busy. Whether you're hoping to meet new friends or simply enjoy Arizona's sunshine, the community makes both easy.

If you're comparing active adult communities in the West Valley, Sun City Festival is often a great option for buyers who prioritize newer homes, scenic surroundings, and resort-style amenities over being close to the center of Phoenix.

HOA Fees:

• $168 - Monthly cost

• $2,460 One time upfront fee (also called capital improvement, CARE fund, preservation fee, etc.)

Location

1. Distance to Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport: 50 minutes

2. Closest grocery store: 15 minutes

3. Nearest emergency room: 20 minutes

Sun City Festival is located northwest of Surprise at the base of the White Tank Mountains which is technicially in Buckeye. While it's one of the Valley's more remote active adult communities, many buyers specifically choose it because of its peaceful location and impressive scenery. The community is about a 15-20 minute drive to anything you would need on a daily or weekly basis. There is a large shopping mall just 20 minutes away along with grocery stores and dozens of restaurants. 

The community feels more remote than it actually is. Just a 15-20 minute drive is not too long, but the community is about 15 miles outside of the town of Surprise which is where all of your daily things would be at. A majority of that 15 mile drive is open desert, so the community is only surrounded by open desert and not surrounding communities. This makes it a huge pro for many buyers or a dealbreaker because of the remote location. 

Amenities

The Sage Center serves as the heart of community life and offers a well-rounded collection of amenities designed for active adults. Residents enjoy a modern fitness center, indoor walking track, resort-style swimming pool, pickleball courts, tennis courts, bocce ball, and meeting rooms for clubs and community events. There are also hobby spaces, arts and crafts rooms, and outdoor gathering areas where neighbors regularly meet throughout the year. The pool itself may be the most stunning I have seen in Arizona. It has a luxury feel as if you were at a 5 star beach resort. 

My personal favorite thing about the community is the extremely organized and detailed art studio. It has a massive woodworking shop with every tool you could imagine, a dedicated ceramics studio equipped with anything you need, and other art rooms that are constantly in use. The chartered clubs is a huge highlight to Sun City Festival.

Fitness plays a major role in everyday life at Sun City Festival. From yoga and strength training to water aerobics and cycling classes, there are activities for nearly every fitness level. Pickleball has become especially popular and continues to attract both experienced players and newcomers. The community also has a softball field with regular leagues and games being played on it. 

The community also offers numerous clubs and social groups covering everything from travel and photography to gardening, cards, quilting, and volunteer work. It's a community where it's easy to become involved without feeling overwhelmed by the number of activities.

Golf

Golfers enjoy convenient access to Copper Canyon Golf Club, a 27 hole championship course located within the community. The course takes advantage of the area's natural desert terrain and mountain backdrop, creating an enjoyable golf experience with beautiful scenery throughout the round. Practice facilities, lessons, leagues, and tournaments make it easy for golfers to stay active and meet fellow residents.

The golf course is open to the public, but there are also options for annual passes. View their website here. 

Homes

One of Sun City Festival's biggest advantages is its selection of newer homes built by Del Webb who has now joined with Pulte Homes for their builds. Buyers can choose from a wide range of floor plans designed with today's lifestyles in mind, including open living areas, spacious kitchens, generous primary suites, and covered outdoor patios. 

Homes generally range from approximately 1,100 square feet to more than 3,500 square feet, making the community attractive to both seasonal residents and full-time homeowners. Because construction is much newer than many traditional Del Webb communities, buyers often find homes that require little or no remodeling before moving in. The home prices are unbeatable for the age of homes you can get in a 55+ community in the Phoenix area. 

Pros & Considerations

Pros

• Newer homes with modern layouts.

• Scenic desert setting.

• Strong recreation and fitness programs.

• Beautiful golf course.

• Friendly community atmosphere.

• Great value compared to some luxury communities.

Considerations

• One of the Valley's more remote active adult communities.

• Shopping and dining require a slightly longer drive.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Sun City Festival gated?
No. Sun City Festival is not a gated community.

Does Sun City Festival have pickleball?
Yes. Pickleball is one of the community's most popular recreational activities.

Is there a golf course within the community?
Yes. Copper Canyon Golf Club is located within Sun City Festival.

Are the homes newer than Sun City West?
Yes. Sun City Festival features significantly newer homes with more contemporary layouts and finishes.

Is Sun City Festival good for full-time residents?
Absolutely. While many seasonal residents own homes here, the community also has a strong year-round population.

Before You Buy

If Sun City Festival is on your shortlist, I also recommend touring Victory at Verrado and Sun City Grand.

Choose Victory at Verrado if you prefer a gated community with a more upscale resort atmosphere and access to the larger Verrado master plan.

Choose Sun City Grand if you want additional recreation centers, more golf courses, and a larger selection of clubs and activities.

Touring all three communities is a great way to decide whether your priority is newer homes, extensive amenities, or a quieter setting.

Trevor's Take

Sun City Festival is one of the communities I recommend to buyers who want a newer home but don't necessarily need to be in the middle of the city. The combination of modern homes, mountain views, incredible amenities and a relaxed lifestyle is a big draw, and I think it's a great fit for retirees who enjoy outdoor recreation and don't mind driving a few extra minutes for shopping in exchange for a quieter place to call home.