Sun City has been described as its own little city in the hills above Lincoln, and rightfully so - it’s sprawled over 2,900 acres and surrounded by 500 acres of open space and protected wetlands. It has its own golf course, two lodges and a sports complex. And though it’s strictly an “active adult retirement community,” there’s more hustle and bustle there than a college campus.

The community has more than 6,700 homes and 80 condominiums, ranging in size, style and price. While the homes, sidewalks and streets are pleasant (note the lanes designated for bikes and golf carts), it’s the amenities and activities that draw retired homebuyers to this place in the sun.

There are more than 75 resident groups, ranging from arts and billiards to veterans and woodcarvers. They meet regularly at either the Orchard Creek Lodge or Kilaga Springs Lodge. Orchard Creek is the larger of the lodges with restaurants and sport bar, ballroom, solarium, community rooms, and multipurpose room (used for art, ceramics, dance, and sewing). The on-site fitness center has indoor and outdoor pools, hot tub, indoor walking track, and exercise room.

Kilaga Springs Lodge has more community rooms, lending library, and a day spa, which offers a wide variety of fitness classes and events. Residents wishing to stretch their legs outside can walk or jog any of the 19 different trails covering 27 miles throughout the neighborhood. 

For organized sports, there’s the Sports Plaza – home to a regulation softball field with lighted scoreboard, bleachers, and announcers box. The field hosts various leagues throughout the year. Lighted tennis courts, pickleball courts, bocce ball courts, a basketball half court, horseshoe pits, and an area for volleyball round out the recreational opportunities. There’s also a covered picnic pavilion with shades and misters, barbeque area, and a “tot lot” for visiting grandchildren.

The lifestyle of a retiree just isn’t complete without golf and fishing. There are two courses in Sun City, including the Lincoln Hill Golf Club (not covered in association amenities) and a catch and release fishing pond stocked with large mouth bass, red eared sun fish, blue gill, catfish and minnows.

Though it may be a world of its own, the shopping and everyday amenities are not far away. Numerous shopping centers are just a five-minute drive while the commercial mecca of Roseville is about 15 minutes away.