Beaufort : South carolina

What Beaufort is like for active adults
The Old South lives on in the quaint seaside charm of Beaufort (pronounced b'yoofurt), South Carolina. Known as the “Queen of the Carolina Sea Islands”, this popular retirement community was discovered by the Spanish in 1514 and chartered by the British in 1711. 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. That history is reflected in the horse-drawn carriages that 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.

There are 3 major military installations here that provide a solid economic underpinning and a lowering of the average age in the area. Those include the U.S. Marine Corps Recruitment Depot at Parris Island, the Naval Air Station, and the Beaufort naval hospital. Population is just under 13,000, and many of those people are in retirement.

The area has developing rapidly with many upscale communities aimed at retiring baby boomers and young adults 55+ looking for vacation homes. Most of these new planned communities are heavily oriented towards golf. The housing crunch has slowed the pace of development here considerably. The Zillow Home Value Index was $193,500 in July 2009.

Beaufort is located in Beaufort County. Savannah is 39 miles away. Here is more information about what it is like to retire in South Carolina.
Edit  |  History
What is special about this retirement community
• Charming old town in the Low Country • Proximity to Hilton Head Island and Savannah • Luxurious golf course communities • The town has 304 acres designated as a National Historic Landmark • Milder winters
Edit  |  History
What is not special about this retirement community
• It can be over run by tourists in season • Not for people in the fast lane
Edit  |  History
What kinds of people like retiring here
Beaufort attracts a community of people who either want to live in a charming old river town or expensive new golfing communities. The presence of so many military personnel creates a younger and more diverse atmosphere than in some comparable communities.
Edit  |  History
Local economy is driven by
Tourism, the military’s 3 installations here, and real estate are important to the economy.
Edit  |  History
Physical environment
Beaufort is located on Port Royal Island and the Beaufort River. This area is often referred to as the Sea Islands or Low Country because it has so much water and so little elevation. This diverse city has a mild climate in the winter.
Edit  |  History
Cultural environment
Hilton Head Island has cultural opportunities, as does nearby Savannah. Beaufort has many art galleries. Additionally there is the Arts Council of Beaufort County, the Beaufort Orchestra Society, and the Penn Center.
Edit  |  History
Medical facilities
Beaufort Memorial Hospital. Hilton Head Hospital is 17 miles away
Edit  |  History
Transportation
Savannah/Hilton Head International (42 Miles), and 2 smaller airports are closer
Edit  |  History
 
Was this review helpful? Yes No

Please share your opinions on this community in the Forum
Register
to become a Site Guide to Edit these sections or Add a Community If you have suggestions on how Topretirements.com could improve these reviews, contact us.
Suggest a community we want to know about your top retirement spots

Please note that all contributions to Topretirements may be edited, altered, or removed by other contributors. If you don't want your writing to be edited mercilessly, then don't submit it here. By submitting content and/or photographs here you agree to give Topretirements.com the rights to use them in any manner without cost or attribution.You are also promising us that you wrote this yourself, or copied it from a public domain or similar free resource (see Project:Copyrights for details). DO NOT SUBMIT COPYRIGHTED WORK WITHOUT PERMISSION!
Forward to a Friend | print
Bookmark and Share
Facts about BEAUFORT
  • State: SC
  • Environment: Coastal,Small Town,
  • City Population: 10,000-25,000
  • Median age of Population: 25-44
  • Avg Jan Temperature: 41-60
  • Median HH Income: 41,001-60,000
  • Average Home Price (MLS): $200,001-$300,000
  • Annual Property Tax on a $200,000 house: NA
  • Total Crime Index: 81-90 (low)
  • Cost of Living Index: 91-100 (slightly below average)
  • Culture Index: 81-90 (low)
  • State Sales Tax: Yes
  • State Income Tax: Yes
  • Name of the Guide: jb

Can you add to or correct these Facts? Or do you have a photo of this community we could use? If so, please click on Edit these facts

Vote on the Ratings for Beaufort
Update Your Ratings
1. Overall Retirement Ratings Discuss

1. Rating: 2.6/5 ( 7 votes cast)

2. Expense:
Inexpensive to Luxury Discuss

2. Rating: 3.0/5 ( 2 votes cast)

3. Taxes:
Inexpensive to Expensive Discuss

3. Rating: 3.0/5 ( 1 vote cast)

4. Culture:
None to Cosmopolitan Discuss

4. Rating: 3.0/5 ( 1 vote cast)

5.Recreation:
None to Summer camp Discuss

5. Rating: 4.0/5 ( 1 vote cast)

6. Transportation:
Boondocks to World Hub Discuss

6. Rating: 3.0/5 ( 2 votes cast)

7. Security:
Dangerous to Ft. Knox Discuss

7. Rating: 3.0/5 ( 2 votes cast)

8. Medical Facilities:
None to Excellent Discuss

8. Rating: 2.0/5 ( 1 vote cast)

9. Political Situation:
Conservative to Liberal Discuss

9. Rating: 2.0/5 ( 1 vote cast)

10. Environmental:
Oblivious to Ultra-Green Discuss

10. Rating: 3.0/5 ( 1 vote cast)