Home » Best Places » South Carolina active adult retirement communities » Summerville

Summerville : South carolina

What it's Like to Retire in Summerville

The old town of Summerville, South Carolina makes for an interesting retirement community. This charming town of 45,000 has grown by 62% since 2000, it is fast becoming a city and suburb of Charleston. It is near the coast and many tourist attractions. Isle of Palms is a nice but heavily developed barrier island nearby.

Summerville, "The Flower Town in the Pines", attracted wealthy people in the 1800’s. Charleston plantation owners built stately homes here because the area offered relief from the coastal heat and insects, and also because it was believed that the scent given off by the turpentine in the area’s pine trees provided medical benefits to those suffering from lung disorders. The town has a charming downtown with many restaurants and unusual shops. There are many old plantations to visit. Tourists flock to the area to see its azaleas in season.

Summerville is located in the Charleston Metro and Dorchester County.

Where to Retire in Summerville and Home Prices

This fast growing region is also home to many developments designed for active adults 55+ (see link at top right). There are also homes in nice neighborhoods available for purchase. Mt. Pleasant is an adjacent town (nearer the coast) with many attractive developments.
There is a good selection of nice homes in the $100's. Homes over $1million are available as well. According to Zillow, the average home home price was $178,050 in early 2016. The National Association of Realtors reported the median selling price in the Charleston Metro area was $260,100, in the second quarter of 2016

What is special about Summerville

• Flowertown Arts and Crafts Festival • Summerville Azalea Park with many facilities • Summerville High School coach John McKissick – most career wins at any level of football • More than 700 buildings on the National Register of Historic Places • Restored downtown with many shops • DREAMs HollyFest

What is not special about Summerville

Intense growth in the area

Who will like retirement in Summerville

Retirees will like living here in a relaxed setting who like a town with an interesting history. It is an excellent town for gardeners. Follow this link to the Wikipedia page on Summerville

Local economy is driven by

Tourism, services, construction, military

Climate and Physical Environment

Summerville is located near coastal South Carolina in an area called the “low country”. This flat country has many river ways and bodies of water. Summers can be quite hot and humid. The average July high is 91 and the average January low is 35. August is the wettest month.

Restaurants & Cultural Scene

Nearby Charleston is the major source of cultural activities. The Flowertown Festival held every year in the Summerville Azalea Park is the largest arts and crafts festival in South Carolina. Don't miss the Summerville Community Orchestra

Crime

The crime rate is below average.

Medical facilities

There are several major hospitals in nearby Charleston (13-16 miles)

Transportation

Charleston AFB/International Airport is about 14 miles; Amtrak has a station in Charleston as well; Summerville is not a walkable community.

Valuable Links

www.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Summerville,_South_Carolina

What people are saying about Summerville
CONSIDERING SUMMERVILLE SC
My husband and I are considering moving to Summerville SC. We have been doing quite a lot of research and was hoping someone could give us some input as to the pros and cons on Summerville. Kathy
Posted by Jennie on April 30, 2016
55+ communities
My husband and I live in north Florida and are looking to retire in the Charleston area. Can anyone comment on the Del Webb Coastal Carolina community or Pines at Gahagan?
Posted by CathyBee on July 04, 2015

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Summerville Active Communities

Facts about SUMMERVILLE

State: SC
Environment: Urban,Small-mid Sized City,
City Population: 25,001-50,000
Median age of Population: 25-44
Avg Jan Temperature: 41-60
Avg July Temperature: 81+
Median HH Income: 41,001-60,000
Average Home Price (MLS): $100,000-$200,000
Annual Property Tax on a $200,000 house: Less than 2000
Total Crime Index: 91-100 (slightly below average)
Cost of Living Index: 81-90 (low)
Culture Index: 101-110 (slightly above average)
State Sales Tax: Yes
State Income Tax: Yes
Name of the Guide: Boomer1

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

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1. Rating: 2.9/5 ( 24 votes cast)

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2. Rating: 3.0/5 ( 10 votes cast)

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3. Rating: 2.4/5 ( 13 votes cast)

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4. Rating: 2.1/5 ( 8 votes cast)

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5. Rating: 3.2/5 ( 6 votes cast)

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6. Rating: 2.3/5 ( 8 votes cast)

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7. Rating: 2.8/5 ( 11 votes cast)

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8. Rating: 2.6/5 ( 9 votes cast)

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9. Rating: 2.0/5 ( 7 votes cast)

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10. Rating: 2.2/5 ( 6 votes cast)

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