South Carolina in General

[admin]

Here is the place to ask a question or post an opinion about retirement living in this state. Or start a new thread on a specific topic.

[diane]

Note to Visitors: Most of this same post is cross-posted in the "Best Places to Retire" Forum on this site.

I moved from non-affordable Silicon Valley/San Jose In 1997,at age 55, solo, with my canIne companion.

SenIor retirement on a fixed Income Is not a choice In California--anywhere. I researched the possibiliities...artist/writer longIng for the allure of the warmth of the Southern coastline.

I learned quickly via the Internet that my income would stretch farther here. Less stress, easIer cost of living, modestly affordable lifestyle was the maIn attractIon.

FIrst stop--Myrtle Beach. Interesting. Called the Redneck Rivera or yes, golf paradIse. As attractIve as that Is...the outdoors, golf plantatIons, FerrIs wheel rIdes, and much attended famIly attractIons--mInIature golf, water parks, there Is no culture except for one museum that I know of In the south end, F-ChapIn Museum, whIch Is lovely.

It Is not a retIrement town, per se, for single "senior" women but mostly for couples...Great buys In real estate...especIally for Northerners who downsIze. Very affordable. Beautiful condo complexes In the upper $100 Thousands-$300,000 I suppose by now, but stIll so much better than the colder climes up north In the big cities. The perks of friendly weather, affordability and so many thIngs to do, outdoors, vIrtually all year round, make It a terrific destination for home-frIendly retiiees.

But for me, personally, by 2000, I headed out for greener, more culture friendly pastures located In Charleston In 2000. A little cIiy wIih a big heart and many cultural venues. It Is just as affordable. And, we're boomIng wIth senior activities. The coast line and water sports, fishing, yachtIng and everythIng else In between Is fabulous for the migrating snow birds. I love It.

Anywhere In South CarolIna, from HIlton Head, Sun CIty at Bluffton, Beaufort, up the coast to Charleston, Myrtle Beach, to Calabash, Beaufort, and coastal NC, and Inland NC, I admit, I. e. Ashville, are all good choices In affordabIiIty, optimum lifestyles, and friendly, Southern hospitality.

I recommend this city/coastal life for older singles and couples, alIke. Currently we live on James Island wiih my long term significant other. We have the good life, running a maritime gallery.
It's heaven for the arts, history, year round activities and the constant "green" of our lush landscape, archItectsure and luscIous gardens downtown. The list goes.

Charleston Is pack filled with older and newer subdivisions In every prIce range. We love Island living and traveling across the James Island Connector each day...wildlife sanctuary to downtown splendors within mInutes. The harbor scenes beckon us each day, and remind us what we left behind...snow shoveling, high housing costs and heatIng bills, commuter traffic, and locked in winters.

Diane Scher


Pizazz Publicity
Ship Shapes Maritime Arts Center
360 Concord Street, Suite 103
Fountain Walk