Best South Carolina retirement communities

Overall
If you are thinking about the best places to retire in South Carolina this website is your source for information and insight into South Carolina retirement communities. The Palmetto State is many people's first choice for retirement. This state of 4.3  million people has a mild winter climate, low cost of living, and plenty of recreational activities. There are 4 regions in the state: Low Country near the ocean, Sand Hills, Piedmount, and Upstate - which contains an escarpment of the Blue Ridge Mountains. It also has southern charm and history. The Wikipedia entry for South Carolina has more facts.

Traditional Town of Charleston SC

Best retirement towns in South Carolina
Here are some of the top retirement towns in South Carolina:
- Beaufort
- Bluffton
- Charleston
- Hilton Head Island
- The golfing capital of the world - Myrtle Beach
- the college town of Clemson etc.
- Aiken
- Summerville

Many national and local builders are busy building active adult communities for active adults over 50 in  towns all over South Carolina.

South Carolina Climate
The South Carolina climate is called humid-sub-tropical. Summers are hot and humid and winters are mild.It is a bit cooler near the ocean and in the western mountains.

South Carolina Taxes
South Carolina is a very tax-friendly state.  Homeowners 65 and over have an exemption for the first $15,000 of income, regardless of source. Social security and most disability payments are not taxable. People over 65 can exclude $50,000 of market value from property taxes. State sales tax is 6%, local communities can additional sales taxes up to 2.5%. Income tax ranges from 3% - 7%, with the highest bracket kicking in at just under $13,000.  This link goes to a tax guide for new residents of South Carolina.

SC Cost of Living and Economy
Living in South Carolina is less expensive than many other states. Inflation adjusted 2007 per capita income of $22,560 is well below the national average. Median home prices ($122,600 statewide average) are $60,000 below  the national average, but can be higher in selective active adult communities like Hilton Head and the Cliffs. In Columbia the 1st quarter 2009 median home selling price was $134,000 whereas the median price in the Greenville area was $142,000 (Source: NAR). Cost of living in Greenville was 86, below the national average of 100. In the Charleston Metro median selling price was $188,200, down 7%.

Certified Retirement Communities
South Carolina does not have a certified retirement community program.

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Click on the South Carolina Retirement Community reviews on the right. Or to find other guides to the best retirement states