Best Places to Retire in South Carolina
February 13th, 2018
So maybe you have been thinking about retiring in The Palmetto State – but wondering where are the best places to retire in South Carolina. Here is our Best Places list, formed from 10 years of experience in evaluating places to retire in the United States and across the world.
As always, it is important to recognize that this is our list with our criteria – your idea of the best city or best place to retire in South Carolina state might not be the same.
Here is our criteria:
– High “Popularity” ranking on our annual “100 Most Popular Places to Retire” list
– Be an interesting place to live in retirement – is it pretty, does it have an interesting history, or a vital downtown?
– Things to do there – are there a lot of activities, restaurants, or cultural resources?
– How about places to live – are there different neighborhoods or communities suitable for a retirement lifestyle?
Should you retire in South Carolina?
SC is increasingly a popular choice for retirement, and for many good reasons:
– Mild winter climate
– Varied places to live – from beautiful beaches to lakes to enjoying a drive on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Charming little towns and some interesting mid-sized cities
– Lower cost of living and taxes. South Carolina is a very tax-friendly state with the 9th lowest tax burden in 2011 according to the Tax Foundation. Social Security is not taxable, and people over 65 enjoy favorable tax status . This protection of retirement income makes the South Carolina state a great place for retirees and senior living.
Our Top 5 South Carolina Towns to Retire In
Here is our list of the top 5 best places to retire in South Carolina. All of them made our annual Top 100 list – 6 of them were in the top half (ranking on that list shown in parentheses). Most of these towns have at least 10 active adult or 55+ communities to choose from. ] See why the Grande Dunes community is the perfect place for retirees to spend their golden years. From our world-class amenities, weekly social events, Members Golf Club, you’ll live inspired at Grande Dunes.
- Beaufort, SC. The Old South lives on in the quaint seaside charm of Beaufort, Known as the “Queen of the Carolina Sea Islands”. It lies in the Sea Islands or “Low Country” area of South Carolina, just north of Hilton Head. 304 acres of the town have been designated as a National Historic Landmark. Horse-drawn carriages roll along streets in the town’s charming historic district that are overhung with Spanish moss. The area offers a laid back atmosphere that most people find very relaxing. Beaufort is #6 on our 2016 list.
- Charleston. “The Holy City” is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful cities in the U.S. as well as being one of its top tourist attractions. Located on the coast of South Carolina, until the mid 1800’s it was one of the 10 largest cities in North America. The city and the surrounding area up to Hilton Head is developing rapidly with many upscale communities aimed at retiring baby boomers and others looking for vacation homes. The 55+ housing choices are as ample as anywhere in the country. Charleston is #7 on our 2016 list. Also be sure to check out nearby new homes in Goose Creek, just a short drive from Charleston.
- Myrtle Beach. Myrtle Beach is a favorite beach and golf resort community as it is home to The Grand Strand – one of the world’s longest sections of perfect beach, and boasts over 120 golf courses. There is always something to do for active adult retirees 55+ in Myrtle Beach – from golf to fishing to shopping to more than 1800 restaurants. It also has a reputation as a hot spot for live family entertainment, music, and celebrity concerts. #11 on the 2016 list. If you’re looking for beach and golf, there’s a good chance Myrtle Beach is the best city for your retirement.
- Bluffton. Bluffton, located near Hilton Head Island and the coast, is a charming, walkable, old town on the May River. The area is famous for its Bluffton oysters, and in town the oldest continuous oyster-shucking facility in South Carolina is a local attraction. The University of South Carolina Beaufort-New River campus was a welcome new addition to this area. The area is developing rapidly with many upscale communities aimed at retiring baby boomers and active adults 55+. (#22)
- Summerville. Summerville, “The Flower Town in the Pines”, has a charming downtown with many restaurants and unusual shops. Tourists flock to the area to see its azaleas in season. The popular town of 45,000 has grown by 62% since 2000, it is fast becoming a city and suburb of Charleston. It is near the coast and many tourist attractions. (#26)
Sources: https://www.topretirements.com/reviews/South_Carolina/Beaufort.html
