Aiken : South carolina

If you like horses and an easy-going, warm weather climate you might want to think about making Aiken, South Carolina your retirement community. This town of almost 30,000 in western South Carolina’s Sand Hill country grew up as a healthy retreat where the wealthy could escape from hot weather. The “Winter Colony” as it is called has always been popular with the horsy set for fox hunting, steeplechase, and polo horses. Many people come here to either raise their horses or watch them race in steeple chases - the Imperial Cup each March and the Holiday Cup in October. Both of these steeplechase races are sanctioned by the National Steeplechase Association. The Aiken Thoroughbred Racing Hall of Fame and Museum is a local a tribute to the famous flat racing and steeplechase Thoroughbred horses that have trained here.

The town’s infrastructure supports active adults 55+.There are restaurants and shopping nearby. The mountains and beaches are not far away and neither are Augusta and Atlanta. Aiken won the All-America City Award in 1997. For more information about how to retire in South Carolina or towns like Myrtle Beach , Charleston, or Orangeburg. Photo of downtown Aiken courtesy of Wikipedia and Festiva76 (public domain).

There are many active adult communities in the area with a wide variety of facilities, as well as areas within town in nice neighborhoods.
According to Zillow, the median home value was $194,174 in early 2021, with home prices on the rise the last few years. These prices can be deceptive as there are many homes and estates on the market for millions of dollars, whereas some condominium prices may be far less.

Named by Southern Living Magazine as the 2018 “South’s Best Small Town.” Said Southern Living: “Spend a weekend in this town, and you’ll see what makes it so special.”

Aiken Tennis Club (court tennis);  University of South Carolina at Aiken; Steeplechase and Thoroughbred racing;  Aiken Thoroughbred Racing Hall of Fame and Museum at Hopeland Gardens; Aiken Polo Club's Sunday afternoon matches; Hitchcock Woods (trails); Many active adult developments. Woodside Communities has prepared an excellent article about Aiken, "101 Reasons Why We Love Aiken.

People who like horses and who like to be active. Many active adults here live in developments built around golf or other activities.

Savannah River Site - srs.gov; Tourism; Mining; Education; Equestrian activities

Aiken is located on the west-central edge of South Carolina. The average July high is 94 and the average January low is 33. June is the wettest month of the year.

University of South Carolina;  Aiken Academy for Lifelong Learning offers many full time classes;  Outdoor concerts; Ballet and symphony; Good amateur theatre; most fast-food chains