View Map. Some of the Beaches in South Carolina draw in many more tourists than others, so if youre considering moving to a beachtown, you will need to decide what area is right for you. 3. Rock Hill is a nice option for people who want to move to a more inland city in South Carolina, but still have large cities nearby. Meanwhile, there are tons of parks and public plazas in and around Rock Hill that make it an outdoor lovers dream. There are still some antebullum homes still standing in Columbia. The city also has an affordable cost of living. The overall cost of living is almost 30% higher than the rest of the US. Here, you have your choice among numerous tree-lined residential neighborhoods that offer quiet, yet tight-knit communities. Ooh and aah your way across this 13 mile jaunt from just north of the Town of Walhalla to the North Carolina state line. And it also has some of the lowest property taxes in the nation. Tega Cay truly is a delightful place to live, close to the water with a community of just 8000 people, there is a small town feel to this suburb of Charlotte city. Winston-Salem also ranks 28th out of the 150 most populous metro areas in the U.S. for its low rates of property crime, violent crime and murder, based on data from the Federal Bureau of . Pigeon Forge, one of Tennessee's favorite towns, is a longtime favorite spot for vacationers, but it's also a great spot to retire. Median household income is $115,050 a year. This is an ideal place to take a farm tour and celebrate the seasons with family festivities. 4. From fine dining and shopping to live music and festivals, downtown Greenville has it all. When you ask is South Carolina a good place to retire, towns like Columbia are why the answer is yes. High Hampton Resort in Cashiers has recently celebrated its 100th anniversary, and it continues to be one of the best luxury resorts in North Carolina. More than 100 feet of cascading water descend across various rock formations at the zenith of this short 1.5-mile hike. Lake Murray, the Jewel of South Carolina, offers boating, world-class fishing, golf packages, and many more fun and free things to do for anyone of any age. Median Monthly Rent. There are also several state parks in the area to enjoy the Blue Ridge Mountains and youre only four hours from the beach. Telluride, Colorado. Related: South Carolina Income Tax Calculator. Thank you in advance for your support! We have discussed suburbs of this thriving city already and although coming in 15th on our list, Greenville is certainly worthy of its place here. Related: How To Get A Business License In South Carolina. Lying on the banks of Lake Murray in Lexington County we find Irmo, a northwestern suburb of state capital Columbia. 11. Lexington, South Carolina is a small, tight-knit community of 20,000 residents and is a suburb of Columbia that is only 20 minutes away from the state capital. The home value here is $179,000 on average and looking at whats available on the market right now youd surely get change from that investment. Charleston. It offers small town charm with easy access to the big city, as Charleston is just a 45 minute drive south, while Columbia is about 1 and a half hours northwest. Myrtle Beach. They are a great place to live if youd like to own a lakefront property within driving distance to Charleston. The towns in South Carolina truly defy the idea that the United States of America is a 'new country' - some of the settlements here date back well into the 18th century. This thriving suburb could very well be classed as a small town in its own right for 16,185 people call this neighbourhood home. Homes here are lavish and elegant, every property can boast its mansion status proudly. Insurance, software and biotechnology are pivotal industries in Columbia. Its proximity to Charlotte and relaxed living right on the water make Tega Cay one of the most desirable small towns to live in South Carolina. Lying just east of Tega Cay is the next suburb of Charlotte to feature on our list, Fort Mill. 27 homes $189,000 - $899,900. The Greenville metro area is one of the best places to live in upstate South Carolina as it has a promising job market, plenty of outdoor activities and a family-friendly atmosphere . or in one of the local bars throughout the year. According to BestPlaces , North Carolina's overall cost of living is below the national average but slightly above South Carolina's cost of living. You would think that being so close to the waters edge that house prices would be sky high; youd be wrong! Median Home Price. Housing prices are roughly 30% lower here compared to the rest of the US, and even 10% lower than the rest of South Carolina. 1. Rock Hill is also home to Winthrop University, which helps add to the cultural vibes of the city. Median Annual Income. 5. If access to healthcare is your top concern, Columbia is one of the best areas to live in South Carolina. Asheville, North Carolina. Ive lived in Charleston for just over 5 years, and The first 2 years that I lived in Charleston we had a hurricane evacuation each of those years. Our mission is to provide a digital resource with original insights on lifestyle and travel experiences. From the Sandburg home, it's an idyllic one-and-a-half-mile trek to the top of Big Glassy Mountain . Forty Acre Rock Preserve actually spans 2, 267 acres, however, the rock itself is really only 14 acres. 7 Best Cities and Areas to Living in South Carolina! However, Hilton Head Island, which is just across the bridge, is a popular beach getaway and retirement community. We analyzed cities by pulling recent data on key lifestyle factors such as the areas median home price, personal income per capita, and the unemployment and crime rate. This state once thrived on agriculture and natural resources but in more modern times there is a big industry for steel and machinery production, meaning jobs are in no short supply. 1. It would be incorrect to say that the Isle of Palms is the poor mans Sullivans Island as house prices here are still near the one million dollar mark and edging closer each day. A lot of the people that contact me about moving to South Carolina, want to live near the beach, or at least within a reasonable driving distance to the beach. Columbias relatively low cost of living, especially for a state capital, makes it quite an attractive place to live. During the Revolutionary War, people mined this mountain for iron ore to make cannonsand later, it may even have been a stop on the Underground Railroad. This is, compared with the rest of the country, quite an affluent area. The cute little restaurant dishes up some signature sandwiches and the ice cream shop scoops up plenty of friendly smiles to go with your dessert. Charleston County has some of the most expensive real estate for sale in South Carolina, but you will be able to find more affordable options in Dorchester County and in Berkeley County, in cities like Summerville, Hanahan, and Goose Creek. You can also watch my video about the 5 best beaches near Charleston, and Ill put a link in the description below. At Devils Fork State Park you can also opt to just sit along the shore and gawk all day long if you want. Lake Hartwell is near Anderson, in the Greenville area. The Asheville average home price is $349,800, which is fairly affordable for such a beautiful place. Or, they can take advantage of the towns easy access to the outdoors and go relax on Lake Moultrie, which is just 5 minutes from the center of town. 8,653. But it is rare for an alligator to attack a human. Tropical beaches and sea islands, South Carolina lies in the southeast of the United States and has a whole host of darling towns and villages to explore. Although not on the top of a mountain, the rolling hills of this small city in South Carolina make it easy to view the surrounding mountains. I mentioned Myrtle Beach and the Grand Strand Region of South Carolina earlier in the video, but there are many other popular beachtowns in South Carolina. , which houses a 500+ seat theater and a historical center. Hilton Head Island is not just for tourists and vacationers. From endless miles of hiking trails to local art shops to award-winning restaurants, these eight towns along the Blue Ridge Mountains make the perfect day-trip for anyone visiting the area. 10. Check Rates: Official Site. The falls sit amid 40,000-acres of the Mountain Bridge Wilderness. York is a small town in South Carolina having little more than 6000 inhabitants. The median home price in Little Mountain is $244,600. And with 42% of existing residents living in rented properties, there is more than ample choice out there. We compared the various South Carolina metropolitan areas using data from several platforms to measure variable criteria for home affordability, healthy employment and population growth. This mountain sits near the border of South Carolina and North Carolina. Whatever you do, don't forget you've got nothing but time on your hands. The best places to retire in South Carolina have plenty to offer from pristine lakes and mountains to historic sites that date back to the Revolutionary War. Most noteworthy, people are flocking to these 5 best southern states to live in. This community of 12,000 residents sits right in the heart of South Carolinas Lowcountry. Folly Beach is a small, relaxed beach town community of under 3,000 residents that is just 20 minutes from downtown Charleston. The university provides a strong lift to the local economy and offers tons of things to do, including a great nightlife scene and excellent amenities for a town this size. In the end, it's one hike you'll never forget. This area is known as the Tri-County area, and includes Charleston County, Berkeley County, and Dorchester County. Columbia is the the capital of South Carolina, and is centrally located in the State. Charleston was not hit directly by either of those hurricanes. The strong job market around Mount Pleasant and Charleston has attracted many young professionals, while the above-average school system makes it a good choice for families. It was even ranked the #1 best place to raise a family in South Carolina. Clemson is home to the Fort Hill Plantation and the South Carolina Botanical Garden, with that in mind the town motto of 'in season, every season' makes a little more sense. There are many locally-owned stores and a small town feel, but also with enough big city amenities, with large chains like Walmart, The Home Depot, Starbucks, and Chick-fil-A all present within the city limits. 3. Certainly an island in terms of geography, Sullivans Island is hardly that far removed from South Carolina; so no real island vibes here! The city is located on the inland May River and you can be to one of Hilton Head Islands beaches within 30 minutes. Should you have under $100k to play with, perhaps looking elsewhere should be advised, for although the average house price is under $200k the properties that come on the market are often upwards of $450K. The Upstate region of South Carolina does have a small section the Blue Ridge Mountains, which is part of the Appalachian Mountains. Clark Hills lake is not far from Augusta Georgia and Aiken South Carolina. A true South Carolina small town, Ridgeway closes down shop at 17:00 besides a restaurant or two, and nothing is open on Sundays. Blowing Rock NC. Mentone, Alabama. Region. The Innovation Quarter business . If so, feel free to share your recommendations with us in the comments below. The region features a unique blend of historic preservation and new Spartanburg is known for its beautiful scenery and rich past. Get more stories delivered right to your email. Hartsville. For example, there is the, that is located right in the heart of downtown as well as the. Lake Murray is a 50,000-acre manmade lake located in the Midlands of South Carolina. Thanks for watching my video. Seven Oaks is our most affordable area on the list to date. Another big selling point for the city is the cooler mountain like weather. There is also ample green space across the city, most notably Falls Park on the Reedy, which includes a waterfall of the Reedy River that runs through the city. Weekend home on Sullivans Island we hear you jest. Community amenities such as outdoor activities, public transit and healthcare access also play a factor. Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. But first, let's touch on each one. Here is our privacy policy that outlines how we handle your data. The areas primary employment industries are healthcare, logistics and manufacturing. South Carolina was also one of the original 13 colonies of America, so it has a rich history and offers many museums for history buffs as well. 10 Niche users give it an average review of 4.2 stars. This is a port city that was founded way back in 1670, making it one of the oldest in the country. Its a planned city that was built on a peninsula along Lake Wylie, allowing it to be surrounded by the water. Nathanael Hovee/EyeEm/Getty Images. The average home here costs just $124,700, not only this but there is great value for money in Irmo too. For those with upwards of $300,000 Mauldin offers you that chance of invest in a charming 3-bedroom mansion style home with double garage to match. I am originally from Montana, and I definitely miss the Mountains, but there are also a lot of pros of living in the Low Country as well, that I will get to shortly. However, there still are a lot of surviving historic structures in columbia. Clemson is also home to the South Carolina Botanical Garden and is close to Lake Hartwell and many local parks. Speaking of old there is a yesteryear charm to Charleston with its cobbled streets and antebellum houses painted pastel hues of yellow and grey. Although the median household income is a punchy six-figures there remains a diversity within the residence, both in terms of ethnicity and economic background. While there, visit nearby Mingus Mill - a grist mill dating back to 1886. Before we go over each City, let me give you a brief description about South Carolina. Famous University. May, October and September are the most pleasant months in Mauldin, while July and January are the least comfortable months. To top it all off, there is a strong focus on education and Fort Mills school system has been consistently rated as one of the best in the state, earning an A+ rating from Areavibes. If youre looking for a small town with an abundance of culture, then look no further than this charming community located in the northern part of the state. Earning upwards of $95,000 per household annually, there is a community feel but with private driveways and such high fences you wont get anyone nipping round to borrow a cup of sugar thats for sure! Columbia has a large downtown area with some of the tallest skyscrapers in the South Carolina. 80 on the overall Best Places to Live list for 2022-2023. Shaw Air Force Base is also an anchor of the community. This area of the State will also have colder winters than the coastline. In fact, Rock Hill is only about a 30 minute drive to Charlotte, North Carolina, which is one of my favorite cities to visit. Enjoy! The best part about this small town is its affordability. 55.2" 36. Influential employers in the area include BMW, Lockheed, General Electric and IBM. 5. Plan your travels with our list of the best small towns in South Carolina. Features. 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