3 Cool Things About Living in the Tampa Suburb of Sun City Center, Florida

The town of Sun City Center, Florida is a growing Tampa suburb in southern Hillsborough County, and is attracting homebuyers of all types, from young families to empty-nesters. 

So what makes Sun City Center, FL so popular? Here are three reasons:

1: Sun City Center, FL has a small-town vibe, yet it’s close to everything

Sun City Center, FL has a small-town, family-friendly feeling, which makes it particularly attractive for families with younger kids. Sun City Center is known throughout Tampa Bay for its wide range of recreational and social amenities for seniors. 

Family-owned, local restaurants are plentiful, like Sun City Cafe, a great breakfast place; BubbaQue’s, which has a real pit barbeque; and the Old Castle Tavern, serving outstanding German food and beers.

A short 30-minute drive from this small-town vibe are all the Tampa Bay area’s entertainment and activities. Catch home games for the Bucs, the Rays, and the Lightning - all within 45 minute drive. International Plaza in Tampa features 200 specialty stores and 16 restaurants, plus Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom, and Dillard's. Fun educational opportunities are also nearby in Tampa, such as Lowry Park Zoo, voted the “#1 Family Friendly Zoo” in the U.S. by Parents Magazine; and the Glazer Children’s Museum, where children play in an interactive learning environment. 

2: Cool annual events

There are plenty of events outside in the sunny weather. Three popular annual events at nearby E.G. Simmons Park in Ruskin are the Apollo Beach Manatee Festival of the Arts, the Ruskin Seafood Festival, and Ruskin Tomato and Heritage Festival.

The Apollo Beach Manatee Festival of the Arts, held in March, is a showcase of arts and crafts that draws talented artists from around the U.S.

The Ruskin Seafood Festival -- south Hillsborough County’s largest community event with more than 15,000 people attending last year -- is held in November and features live music, arts and crafts, educational displays, and entertainment for kids.

The Ruskin Tomato and Heritage Festival, an annual spring event, began in the 1960s, and features live music, great food and beer, the crowning of “Tomato Queens,” and, of course, tomato-eating contests.

3: Three great beaches within an hour’s drive 

St. Pete beach is the easiest beach to get to, a quick 30-45 minute drive depending on traffic and if in-season. No draw bridges, and a great view crossing the Skyway Bridge. Pass-a-Grille beach is awesome!

Bradenton Beach, about 45 minutes away, has beautiful white powdery sand and a multi-use trail system – perfect for morning walks!   

Ranked the #1 Beach in the U.S. in 2020, Siesta Key is about 1 hour from Sun City Center. Quartz-crystal powdery sand and gentle warm waves make this outstanding beach loved by locals and tourists!

Sun City Center, FL also offers a big “bang for the buck” for homebuyers

New-home communities are popular in the Sun City Center FL area which offers tremendous “bang for the buck.” For example, William Ryan Homes’ La Paloma in the Villages at Cypress Creek, offers the Executive Series homes that come with luxury inclusions, such as paver walkway and lanai; a 3-car garage; hurricane impact glass; 10' masonry block walls, first floor (per plan); gorgeous kitchens with Granite countertops and spa-worthy bathrooms. Pricing starts in the low $400s, and floor plans range from 2,549 to 3,103 square feet.

All the homes have 3-car garages, and many have room for backyard pools. There’s flexibility in the floor plans such as a multi-generational home with two master suites, first and second-floor bonus rooms, lofts, pocket offices, drop zones and more.

At the William Ryan Homes Tampa gated-community of Villa d’Este in the Villages at Cypress Creek, homebuyers are getting new single-family homes with prices ranging from the mid $300s to low $400s, and floor plans from 1,896 to 3,270 square feet. This community has a pool, and golf view homes.

Driving into town, you feel a sense of calm compared to the high-traffic areas north of town. Residents of Cypress Creek -- a master-planned golf course community of which Villa d’Este and La Paloma is a part – can relax by playing a round of golf, having drinks at the bar, or dining in one of the restaurants.