Active Adult Living
The definitive guide to active adult retirement in Georgetown, Sun City Georgetown, and the best 55+ communities in Central Texas. Everything you need to know to find your perfect next chapter.
Get Lisa Copeland's Complete Downsizing Guide โ everything you need to know about selling your home, moving to a 55+ community, and building wealth in your next chapter.
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Overview
Georgetown, Texas has earned its reputation as the "Retirement Capital of Texas" for good reason. Located just 30 miles north of Austin along the I-35 corridor, Georgetown offers retirees an unbeatable combination of mild weather, exceptional healthcare, no state income tax, and a cost of living that makes retirement dollars stretch further than in Florida, Arizona, or California.
At the heart of Georgetown's 55+ appeal is Sun City Georgetown, the largest active adult community in Texas. Spread across 5,300 acres of rolling Texas Hill Country, Sun City is a Del Webb master-planned community that has been setting the standard for active adult living since the first residents moved in during 1996. With over 7,500 homes, three championship golf courses, eight swimming pools, four fitness centers, and more than 100 social clubs, Sun City is a world-class retirement destination unto itself.
But Georgetown is more than Sun City. The city has been named the fastest-growing in America by the U.S. Census Bureau multiple years running, with a population that has surged past 100,000. Its historic downtown square, anchored by the stunning Williamson County Courthouse, offers over 90 locally owned shops and restaurants. Lake Georgetown, the San Gabriel River, and miles of Hill Country trails provide endless outdoor recreation. And the city sits within minutes of world-class healthcare, shopping, and Austin's cultural attractions.
By The Numbers
Deep Dive
Sun City Texas (also known as Sun City Georgetown) was developed by Del Webb, the legendary builder who created the original Sun City in Phoenix, Arizona, and pioneered the active adult community concept nationwide. Del Webb purchased over 7,000 acres of ranch land on Georgetown's western edge in 1994, and home construction began in October 1995. The first residents moved in by spring 1996.
Today, Sun City Georgetown spans 5,300 acres and contains more than 7,500 single-family homes and attached duplex residences. The community is one of the largest age-restricted (55+) communities in the United States and is widely regarded as one of Del Webb's flagship communities. It is governed by the Sun City Texas Community Association, which manages the common areas, amenities, and community programs.
The community is not gated in the traditional sense, but its entrance features a distinctive entry monument with native Texas stonework and landscaping that signals arrival into a distinct, resort-style environment.
Single-family homes and attached duplex residences ranging from approximately 940 to over 3,000 square feet. Dozens of floor plan series have been offered over the years. Architecture incorporates stucco, limestone, and granite elements reflecting Texas Hill Country character. Average home size is approximately 2,000 square feet.
New construction homes start from approximately $340,000. The median sold price for resale homes is approximately $382,000 to $400,000. Resale prices range from roughly $228,000 to over $1.7 million depending on size, location, and features.
The median lot size in Sun City is approximately 6,534 square feet. Larger lots are available in specific neighborhoods and along golf course fairways. Many homes feature landscaped yards with automatic irrigation systems managed by the community.
Resort Living
Sun City Georgetown offers amenities that rival a five-star resort. With 86,000 square feet of indoor amenity space spread across multiple recreation centers, three championship golf courses, eight swimming pools, and 28 miles of walking and biking trails, you will never run out of ways to stay active, social, and engaged.
Three championship 18-hole golf courses: Cowan Creek, Legacy Hills, and White Wing. Each course offers a unique layout and playing experience, with rolling Hill Country terrain, water features, and well-manicured fairways. Golf memberships are available separately from the HOA.
Over 86,000 square feet of indoor recreation space across multiple amenity complexes. These centers house the fitness facilities, meeting rooms, ballrooms, arts studios, libraries, and social gathering spaces that form the heart of the community.
Eight resort-style swimming pools, including indoor and outdoor options with hot tubs. Lap swimming, water aerobics classes, and casual swimming are all available. Pools are located at the various recreation centers throughout the community.
Four state-of-the-art fitness centers featuring cardio and weight equipment, aerobics rooms, yoga studios, a dance studio, indoor walking and cycling tracks, and personal training. Classes include Pilates, TRX, Zumba, and senior fitness programs.
Dedicated studios for woodworking, stained glass, ceramics and pottery (Creative Clay & China Club), fabric and fiber arts, painting and visual arts, and photography. These fully equipped studios allow residents to pursue creative passions in a community setting.
Pickleball and tennis courts, bocce ball courts, horseshoe pits, a softball field, a disc golf course, and a dog park. With 28 miles of walking and biking trails winding through the community, staying active is effortless.
Active Lifestyle
Sun City Georgetown is home to more than 100 chartered clubs and special interest groups. Whatever your passion, there is a group of neighbors who share it. The social calendar is packed year-round with events, classes, tournaments, volunteer opportunities, and celebrations.
Get Involved
Multiple book clubs meet regularly, including groups within the Solos club and standalone special interest groups. The community library is entirely volunteer-staffed by residents.
Duplicate Bridge Club, Social Bridge, Mah Jongg Club, Dominoes, and a Billiards Club known as "The Rack Pack" keep card and game enthusiasts engaged year-round.
Ballroom Dance Club, Country Western Dance Club, Country Line Dancing, Georgettes Jazz Dance, Sun City Cloggers, Tap Group, and the Sundancers Square & Round Dance Club.
The Solos group includes Solos Day Trippers and Solos Travelers for organized excursions. Wine Tasting SIG, Supper Club, and a current events discussion group offer additional social connection.
Women Helping Others (WHO) is a prominent club that raises funds for Meals on Wheels and local nonprofits. Other groups support Helping Hands, Head Start, CASA, Faith in Action, The Caring Place, and the Georgetown Project.
Aviation Club, Amateur Radio Club, Computer Club (with Apple and AI subgroups), Garden Club, Hiking Club, Cycling Club, Nature Club, Pet Club, and the Actors & Theatre Arts Guild. Over 100 groups in total.
Financials
The Sun City Texas Community Association (SCCA) manages the community. Annual HOA dues are approximately $1,200 to $1,535 per year (roughly $100 to $128 per month). New construction home buyers pay a one-time working capital fee of approximately $650 to $1,000 at closing. Fees may vary and should be verified with the SCCA or current listings.
HOA fees cover: access to all community amenities (excluding golf), maintenance of all common areas, landscaping and lawn care in common spaces, common area insurance, and operation and maintenance of the community's three amenity complexes including the fitness centers, pools, and recreation spaces.
Golf memberships are separate and provide access to the three championship courses. Multiple membership levels are available for full golf, limited play, and social memberships.
Texas has no state income tax, which is a major advantage for retirees. Property tax rates vary depending on specific taxing entities (school district, special districts) that apply to a given property. The over-65 exemption can significantly reduce school district taxes for homeowners who qualify.
Healthcare
Access to quality healthcare is a top priority for retirees, and Georgetown delivers. The city and surrounding area offer comprehensive medical services from primary care to specialized geriatric medicine.
Georgetown is home to 17 geriatricians with an average 4.3-star rating. The city offers a range of senior living facilities, memory care centers, and in-home care services including Georgetown Nursing and Transitional Care, Grand Living at Georgetown, The Delaney at Georgetown Village, and Caring Senior Service of Georgetown.
Lifestyle
Georgetown offers a vibrant mix of historic downtown charm and modern retail convenience. From the courthouse square's locally owned boutiques to major shopping centers just minutes from Sun City, everything you need is close at hand.
The Williamson County Courthouse anchors one of the most beautiful town squares in Texas, surrounded by over 90 locally owned boutiques, art galleries, coffee shops, and restaurants. A true gathering place for the community and a weekend destination.
A major retail hub just minutes from Sun City, featuring Target, Walmart, Kohl's, TJ Maxx, Ross, and a variety of dining options including Olive Garden, Chili's, and local favorites. The Wolf Ranch Farmers Market runs seasonally.
Monument Cafe (farm-to-table comfort food), Tony And Luigi's (Italian), Blue Corn Harvest Bar & Grill (Southwest), Dos Salsas (Mexican), and Mikey V's Tacos are local standouts. Juniper Cocktails & Kitchen and Goodfolks offer craft cocktails and nightlife.
Located just 10 minutes south on I-35, this outlet center features over 100 brand-name stores including Coach, Nike, Michael Kors, and Under Armour with significant discounts. A favorite shopping destination for Sun City residents.
Georgetown Palace Theatre (live performances and Broadway shows), Film Alley Georgetown (modern cinema), and Lucky Strike Georgetown (bowling and entertainment). The Red Poppy Festival each April draws crowds from across Texas.
Downtown Austin is a 30-minute drive south, giving Sun City residents access to world-class dining, live music on Sixth Street, the Austin Symphony, the Blanton Museum of Art, and major sporting events. The best of both worlds: quiet community living with big-city access.
More Options
While Sun City is the largest and most well-known, Georgetown offers several other excellent 55+ active adult communities for those seeking different sizes, styles, and price points.
A gated 55+ community of approximately 417 homes built by Jimmy Jacobs Custom Homes (2004 to 2016). Located near Lake Georgetown, Heritage Oaks offers a quiet, established neighborhood atmosphere with a community center and pool. Homes feature Hill Country and traditional architecture.
Approximately 150 condo-style homes built by Epcon Communities, located just 3 miles from downtown Georgetown. Low-maintenance living with attached garages, community landscaping, and a private clubhouse. Ideal for those who want to be closer to the historic square.
A newer 55+ active adult neighborhood offering single-family homes with modern floor plans and low-maintenance living. Located near University Boulevard with convenient access to shopping, dining, and medical facilities.
Additional age-restricted communities in Georgetown offering a range of home styles and price points. These smaller neighborhoods provide a more intimate community feel while still offering active adult amenities and age-restricted living.
For those not ready to buy, Georgetown also offers age-restricted rental apartment communities:
Why Georgetown
Georgetown's total population has surged from 67,176 in 2020 to over 101,000 today, growing at approximately 7.65% annually. The median age is 42.6 to 44.3 years, significantly higher than the Texas state median of 35.9. Over 37,000 residents are aged 55 and older, representing approximately 37% of the total population. This includes roughly 10,700 residents aged 55 to 64 and over 26,500 aged 65 and older.
Georgetown enjoys a humid subtropical climate with 228 sunny days per year. Average annual temperature is 66.7 degrees Fahrenheit. Spring (March to May) and fall (September to November) are the most pleasant seasons, ideal for golf, hiking, and outdoor activities. Summers are warm with highs in the mid-90s, perfect for poolside living. Winters are mild with highs in the 50s and 60s. Annual precipitation is approximately 37 inches with virtually no snow.
Georgetown offers a compelling value proposition for retirees. While the cost of living index (116.9) is above the national average, this is primarily due to housing costs driven by the booming Austin metro. The key advantage: Texas has no state income tax, meaning Social Security, pension income, and retirement account withdrawals are not taxed by the state. Compared to popular retirement destinations in Florida (The Villages: 97.9 index) and Arizona (Surprise: 107.6 index), Georgetown offers superior access to Austin's amenities with the benefits of a smaller community. The over-65 property tax exemption further reduces the tax burden for qualifying homeowners.
Location
Sun City Georgetown sits at the perfect crossroads of Central Texas. You are close enough to enjoy everything the region offers while far enough from the congestion to enjoy peaceful, active adult living.
Why Lisa
Most real estate agents can sell a house. Very few understand what it means to guide a woman through one of the most significant transitions of her life. That is where I come in.
I am an award-winning entrepreneur, real estate leader, bestselling author of Lioness Unleashed, and founder of the Lioness Movement. I have built a career helping women over 50 build wealth, embrace reinvention, and step boldly into their most powerful chapter. I am a certified Accredited Senior Agent (ASA), a Relocation and Military Relocation Professional, and a Divorce Specialist. I know what you are going through because I have walked this path with hundreds of clients.
I founded the Lioness Movement to teach women over 50 to R.O.A.R.: Restore, Overcome, Achieve, Rise. My mission is helping families build generational wealth through real estate, and I bring decades of financial expertise, a deep understanding of the downsizing and transition process, and a network of trusted resources to every client I serve.
Whether you are looking at Sun City Georgetown for your active adult retirement, downsizing from a family home into a 55+ community, or helping a parent navigate this transition, I am the agent who understands the financial, emotional, and practical dimensions of your move. I do not just find you a house. I find you your next chapter.
Questions
Absolutely not. Some of the most successful real estate investors and entrepreneurs started their most profitable chapters after 50. Your experience, wisdom, and assets are your greatest advantages. Moving to a 55+ community like Sun City Georgetown is not an ending. It is a beginning.
For many homeowners, downsizing is the single most powerful financial move available. Selling a larger home and purchasing in a 55+ community can unlock hundreds of thousands in equity, eliminate or reduce your mortgage, lower your monthly expenses, and free you from the burden of maintenance. Georgetown's 55+ communities offer the ideal setting for this transition.
Your home equity is likely your largest pool of untapped capital. By selling your current home and purchasing a more affordable 55+ home, you can redirect that equity into investments, rental properties, or a cash reserve that generates income for decades. I help my clients model these numbers so they can make informed, confident decisions.
Sun City Georgetown resale homes range from approximately $228,000 to over $1.7 million, with a median around $382,000 to $400,000. New construction starts from approximately $340,000. Other 55+ communities like Heritage Oaks and Oaks at Wildwood offer different price points and home styles, providing options across the market spectrum.
Texas has no state income tax, which is a major advantage for retirees. The effective combined property tax rate in Georgetown is approximately 1.39% to 1.55%. Homeowners aged 65 and older can file for an over-65 exemption that freezes school district taxes at the amount owed in the year they qualify, providing significant long-term savings and predictability.
Professional Affiliation
Licensed Member of the Williamson County Association of Realtors
Lisa is an active, licensed member of the Williamson County Association of Realtors (WCAR), serving Georgetown and all of Williamson County with full access to the local MLS and adherence to the National Association of Realtors Code of Ethics.
Your Next Chapter Starts Here
Whether you are exploring Sun City Georgetown, downsizing from a family home, or helping a parent transition to active adult living, Lisa Copeland is the expert who understands your journey. With over 20 years in real estate, 200+ homes sold, and a mission to help women over 50 build wealth and reinvent their lives, she is the partner you need.
Contact Lisa Copeland - the #1 55+ Living Expert in Georgetown and Central Texas
Whether you are buying, selling, investing, or exploring options, the best negotiator in Central Texas is ready to put $5B+ in career experience to work for you.
Office
Lisa Copeland
210 E. Central
Belton, TX 76513
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TX Salesperson #733507
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