The Best Walkable Places to Retire in South Carolina
Category: Best Retirement Towns and States
March 1, 2023 — A few years back one we featured the Best Places to Retire in South Carolina in one of our Blogs. Not only were they attractive places to retire, but most had the added advantage of being very walkable towns. The piece prompted a lot of interesting discussion and Comments. It even inspired one of our Members, Judith, to go and visit many of them on a two week trip. Happily for Topretirements, she then reported back to the Blog on her experiences.
We have reprinted her trip report below. Even better, when we contacted Judith about this article, she reported that she had gone back to many of the same towns a few years later She provided us with her notes on that tour, which are in bold below. We added a few additional details to some of those places to retire (they are in italic). Here goes:
Judith’s Trip Report to SC Best Places to Retire
I did a two week tour of South Carolina from Sept. 21 to Oct. 6 (2016). It’s a quiet Saturday morning now, and I have time to put down my thoughts, for those who asked.
Comments on "The Best Walkable Places to Retire in South Carolina"
Patrick says:
Great article Judith! I'm originally from SC and looking to move back after 20+ years. I'm finding the same as you with my trips back. Areas that look great the first trip are quickly becoming overpriced and/or crowded. I'm also expanding my search to nearby states. Hope we both find a great place to settle in soon.
Jem says:
I love when people comment on personal experiences of towns visited, and appreciate Judith taking the time to share her opinions. I agree with Patrick, it is a great article. We have visited a few places in SC, mainly just from driving through on our way to Florida. I thought Greenville was a great town, I think mainly because of the downtown where we had a fun day and enjoyed a great lunch. As for Aiken, we did not visit and I know nothing about it, but I'm not sure I would write off a town or community that I liked due to no-see-ums. (Trust me, I hate those little bugs, but they are everywhere and I fight them off summer evenings at our home in Pennsylvania). Nevertheless, I wish more people would give their opinions and comments about towns they visited or live in -no matter what state. It is helpful and nice to read an inside scoop. Maybe there are some hidden gems in SC that Judith doesn't know about ?
SandraF says:
I think I have decided on SC too but can't decide where. I've taken one trip but need to go back soon and make a decision. I'm pretty sure I want to be around Charlotte, whether it be NC or SC. SC is less expensive, for sure. LOTS of 55+ communities. I'm looking at Del Webbs, Cresswinds and a Trilogy. I just don't want to be out in the boonies. It is SO beautiful there, so much to do, and will be such a nice change from southern California.
Sam says:
I really enjoyed the overview of all the South Carolina towns. Sandra Have to admit though a little prejudice/no a lot prejudice ( NO .....NOT TALKING ABOUT RACE or RELIGION) . Went to college in Charleston "The Citadel" and lived in Denmark, SC for a few years. So, I really like the Low Country part of SC . My experience form researching places in and around Beautiful Charleston is - that area too is quite pricey. I liked Beaufort and much of the surrounding area after a visit in Nov. 2022. I would like to hear comments from others about the cities in the Northern Costal areas, North of Charleston to up to Myrtle Beach . ( including Costal NC )
Also , as far as walkable cities go- Both my wife and I are Handicapped . Information about accessible cities with GREAT healthcare would be most appreciated.
I presently live in Southern NJ ,( The actual Garden Spot of the Garden State and a Great place to live -GO PHILLIES!. - GO EAGLES ! BUT even here the lower NJ taxes and high car insurance are still quite high.
Debra says:
No-see-ums are in most of these places with the exception of upstate SC.
Sandra Warwick says:
Sounds like Judith should look for a retirement home closer to where she lives now.
So many people who decide to move south for better weather and lower cost of living give up after a few years and “move back” to familiar climes
Larry says:
Sandra, you are quite right. Although Judith has done a great job of research to find a home, her journey could be titled, "Perfect, the Enemy of Very Good." I have been to all the towns she visited, and seemed to like, and they are substantially as she described them (although I was bitten by Aiken's charms, not its bugs). Of course, each place has some little flaw; it even rains in San Diego occasionally, but that doesn't keep the city from having the generally accepted "best" weather in the U.S. Judith started her explorations in 2016 and, six years later, she has basically written off an entire state and is ready to expand her search to three other states where she can count on ever-increasing real estate prices and some little thing wrong with every town. If we do the math, that's another 18 years of exploration (3 states x six years each). Judith, if you own your home in California, its value has risen in tandem with prices in the areas you are looking at. If that is the case then price increases for a retirement place should not deter you. (The history of real estate is that prices do rise over time.) If you are a current renter, then Sandra's advice is right on; consider staying where you have been most comfortable -- and travel for pleasure rather than research.
Judith Masc says:
Yes, Sandra you are quite right indeed.
Laura says:
The article is very good but I'm still confused. I don't know what to choose.
Hjack says:
We live in Summerville. We moved from suburban DC. We chose Summerville because we wanted a smaller town near a larger city. Why? Greater choice of wonderful restaurants, shopping, etcetcetc. We don’t shop anymore but window-shopping is very inexpensive for us but friends and guests love to go to the “City.”
The greater reason is the larger area of superb Doctors. The Medical University of South Carolina along with the Roper/St Francis medical system gives us the very best. My doc at MUSC is a Harvard Med graduate. My cardiologist is from U/Penn medical school. My Internist is from UNC/Chapel Hill. I am 80, spouse is 70.
Lived here since 2016. Could not be happier. Our doctors seriously watch out for us.
Yes, this place has GROWN. Yes, this place has gotten more expensive. Yes, traffic is crazy. We leave our house after 9 am and return around 3:30 the latest. But, you tell me if the same hasn’t happened everywhere.
We could not be happier. We have friends in Naples, Fl, St Augustine, Del Ray Beach, Fl, Sarasota, Even our friends in the mountains above Blacksburg, VA complain about traffic, prices, etcetcetc. Ya gotta bite it!
Frankly, I would suggest you stay where you are. Make the most of it. The move across the country will kill you.
All the best!
Diane says:
Thank you Judith, your comments were very helpful. We’ve been looking at SC for over 2 years, thought we settled on Aiken, did the discovery tour of Woodside and were ready to pull the trigger. Then we discovered the Savannah River Site Disposal Facility for Radioactive Waste, 15 minutes outside the gates of Woodside. How is it that no one even mentions this? It’s been there since the 1950s and has just been re activated to create weapons. Where is the bright side of this that make it ok? I’m really disappointed. All ears if someone can explain how this is ok. Cheers, Diane
Admin says:
Such a good idea to go on your own discovery trips. It is one thing to read about a place or hear someone else's description - but when you see it with your own eyes and talk with the people who live there - a whole other world opens up.