If you’re looking for a place to live that’s near the beach and has all of the comforts of home, then look no further. South Carolina is full of great communities with excellent amenities and plenty of sunshine!
In this blog post, we will discuss 12 best places to live in South Carolina where you can enjoy life by the sea.
The Best Places to Live in South Carolina Near the Beach
South Carolina’s coastal communities have drawn a large number of retirees and families looking to establish a life and home near the beach. You’ll feel as if you’re on holiday due to the pleasant weather and beautiful beaches.
Throw in the laid-back small-town atmosphere, when life slows down so you can appreciate the finest things in life – a beach, sea breeze, unobstructed views of the Atlantic, and family and friend time. Let’s look at the 12 best seaside settlements in South Carolina.
1. Hilton Head Island
Hilton Island is a tiny, historic island in South Carolina just 40 minutes from Savannah, Georgia. It’s a popular destination for many retirees. There are several reasons why people choose to live on Hilton Head. The beauty of the sun, sand, and an unbroken view of the Atlantic every day is simply too much to resist.
The weather in Hilton Head is quite nice all year. While the resort town sees a surge of tourists and beach goers during the summer, it maintains a laid-back atmosphere throughout the year. Restaurants, on the other hand, are still available for locals to visit.
As well as a wide range of cultural activities, Hilton Head Island also has a flourishing community of music and theater venues, fine art, and cultural exhibits.
The island’s economy mainly revolves around tourism and hospitality. The local government has established strict restrictions on development so that the environment can be preserved for future generations of residents and visitors alike. Owing to its strong sense of community, Hilton Head is a desirable place for families with children to live.
Hilton Head is an ideal destination for anyone who wants easy access to beaches, fine dining, and shopping in addition to community events throughout the year. The island’s natural beauty combined with its vibrant art scene makes it one of the best places on earth!
2. Kiawah Island
Kiawah Island is another terrific location to call home. It provides luxury living with five-star services and a private island community with world-class recreational resources, such as golf courses and tennis courts, for its residents. There are also restaurants that serve a variety of cuisines, as well as a nature center, spas and fitness centers, and a marina.
Kiawah’s ten miles of beautiful beaches are a must-see. Residents also have access to miles of walking and cycling paths. The sight of the Atlantic is breathtaking, too. Kiawah Island is a paradise for individuals who want to live and enjoy life in the midst of untouched natural beauty with an abundance of possibilities for boundless excitement.
3. Isle of Palms
The Isle of Palms is one of the greatest places to live in South Carolina. It is a suburb of Charleston and one of the finest retirement locations in South Carolina. Families will enjoy living in this pleasant community, which enjoys a high reputation for its excellent public schools. The home of a mega-yacht, Southern Shores is a stunning beach community with mountain views and resort-level amenities. The setting is near Charleston, but it has the ambience of a beach town as well as the benefits of a resort destination.
The public beach, which is 6 miles in length and has restaurants, bars, and other dining choices, is accessible to visitors. Beach volleyball courts can be found throughout the island, making it a popular pastime for locals.
4. Beaufort
Beaufort, South Carolina’s second oldest city, is a lovely little town located about an hour’s drive from Savannah, Georgia. It is the state’s second oldest municipality. Beaufort has a lot to offer. Cultural events and festivals, movie nights, coastal parties, seasonal activities, excellent restaurants, and numerous shopping options are just a few of the reasons to call Beaufort home.
The local farmer’s market features honey, fresh fruit and vegetables, and fine meats from the region’s farmers, while restaurants and beach cafés serve wonderful seafood dishes. Beaufort is a great place to visit with children, as it has many family-friendly activities and attractions. Beaufort is home to numerous family-friendly trails for walking, hiking, and cycling. There’s something for everyone in Beaufort, from families to singles looking for romance.
5. Folly Beach
Folly Beach is one of the finest beaches to enjoy sunsets and sunrises, when the earth is bathed in a gorgeous spectacular display of brilliant hues. The “Edge of America” is how locals describe Folly Beach. It has a variety of surfing spots and has grown in popularity as one of the most popular surfing destinations on the East Coast.
Folly Beach is located on the coast, which makes it a favorite spot for tourists throughout the year. If you want to live an easygoing beach lifestyle with year-round fun and enjoyment, Folly Beach is the place to go.
6. Charleston
Charleston is one of the greatest cities in the world and an excellent location to call home in South Carolina near the beach. Foodies, history enthusiasts, and individuals who enjoy having a good time will find their paradise in this town.
Pleasant weather throughout the year allows residents to enjoy the outdoors, although it’s sweltering hot and humid in the summer. Beautiful beaches are conveniently located nearby, and spending a day at one of them is a popular pastime for locals.
Charleston is a very active metropolis. Take advantage of several different outdoor yoga sessions, surfing, kayaking, paddleboarding, and fishing in the water. There are also numerous locations to learn about the city’s vibrant past.
7. Myrtle Beach
Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, is a popular summer getaway for millions of individuals every year. The beaches, world-class golf courses, amusement parks, and shopping malls are just a few of the activities available in Myrtle Beach. The beautiful weather is an added incentive. There are almost 2,000 restaurants in Myrtle Beach, ranging from inexpensive cafés to high-end steakhouses and eateries. Tourism is the main source of income in Myrtle Beach.
Myrtle Beach is a beach lovers’ paradise. Residents are free to walk on the sand or relax in the sun at any time of day. Because there are other tourist attractions inland, the beaches are never excessively crowded. There are a lot of family-friendly beaches along the Boardwalk and Surfside. When it comes to neighborhoods, you have a wide range of alternatives. There are several subdivisions and master-planned communities with features that inhabitants appreciate.
8. Pawleys Island
Residents of Pawleys Island take pleasure in the ocean air, peace, and laid-back atmosphere. The island has a small-town charm and inviting atmosphere that makes it an attractive place to live. Pawleys Island, which is located in South Carolina’s Southern Strand region, has a subtropical maritime climate. It’s a great spot for outdoor activities because of its tropical coast.
Pawleys Island has a variety of recreational locations, beaches, and state parks that are excellent places to unwind and spend quality time with family and friends. There’s also something for everyone in the mix– from museums to music venues to shopping to top-rated restaurants.
9. Mount Pleasant
Mount Pleasant is one of the finest locations to live in the Charleston region, with a suburban feel and plenty of eating choices, shopping, and parks for residents and visitors. There is simple access to Charleston as well as other beaches.
The low crime rate, as well as the neighborhood’s appeal, has made Mount Pleasant a popular retirement or family-raising destination. The low crime rate is also beneficial! The second-largest public school system in South Carolina is located in Mount Pleasant, and children receive excellent instruction. If you’re looking for a new home, there are many different styles to select from to fit your budget.
10. Seabrook Island
Seabrook Island, located off the coast of Virginia Beach, has beautiful beaches, a picturesque marsh, and a protected natural environment that locals and visitors enjoy. Residents and guests have exclusive amenities at their disposal, such as golf courses and an equestrian center.
On the seaside terrace, you may dine on barbecue food prepared on the beach right next to your room. The oceanfront pool is large enough for many guests, and outside meals are welcome. You may visit Seabrook Island in the off-season as well.
11. Edisto Beach
The Edisto Beach in Colleton County is a quiet, family-friendly haven with a suburban feel. The beach’s beauty, marsh, and woodlands are unrivaled. Life is very simple on the island. Because there are no fast-food restaurants or shopping malls, the inhabitants of Edisto prefer to keep it that way.
There’s also no danger of overdevelopment since islanders have established building rules and restrictions. There’s no such thing as a dull day on the Edisto coast. Locals enjoy a full life. There are several activities to pursue, ranging from trivia nights to spending an evening with pals at a couple of bars and restaurants.
Everyone seems to know everyone. The Edisto way of life includes morning coffee chats and social gatherings at night.
12. Sullivan’s Island
Sullivan’s Island has miles of peaceful sand and rich history, as well as a friendly community. For many Charleston residents, it’s the perfect beach. You should look into Sullivan Island if you want a slower-paced lifestyle with 24 hour access to the beach. With only 10 miles from Charleston, there is a wide range of water sports and beach activities available. There are also historical sights and some of the area’s greatest cuisines to explore. Viewing opportunities for animals abound.
It’s as if you’re living in your own private paradise. The remote island offers sandy dunes and natural vegetation along its wide beach. The island’s environment has been left untouched. Sullivan’s Island is unique among other islands in South Carolina because it lacks commercial development. There are no piers, shops, or businesses along the beach. Only calm and quiet as you watch the sunset over the historic lighthouse.
South Carolina Brief History
South Carolina is a US state in the southern part renowned for its marshlike sea islands & subtropical beaches. Coastal Charleston is a historical city with pastel-colored buildings, Old South plantations, and Fort Sumter, where the start of the Civil War was fired. The Grand Strand, which includes golf courses and Myrtle Beach, is located to the north of South Carolina.
- The oldest state in the United States is South Carolina, which was one of the original thirteen states. The first settlers in the Carolina Province, who arrived at the harbour of Charleston, were wealthy planters mostly and their slaves from Barbados’ English Caribbean colony. In 1712, the European colonies in the South began to plant cash crops such as sugar and cotton. In 1712, Carolina was divided into North and South Carolina.
- The Myrtle Beach area became a major tourist destination, with the tourism industry becoming increasingly important. The state’s tropical climate, low real estate prices, and inexpensive construction, owing to its low pay rates, made it a developer’s paradise.
- The barrier islands, such as Kiawah and Hilton Head, were created as retirement communities for wealthy non-local people. Efforts by the state to regulate coastal development in an orderly and ecologically sound manner have been challenged in court.
- The state of South Carolina, in prohibiting construction on threatened beachfront property, had effectively seized the plaintiff’s property without due process of law, according to the U.S. Supreme Court (in Lucas v. South Carolina Coastal Council).
- The rush to construct beautiful homes along the coast cost billions of dollars in losses when Hurricane Hugo struck on September 21–22, 1989.
- Hurricanes were more common in Charleston, so historical preservation organizations stepped in to start salvage and rebuild the city, resulting in almost complete restoration one year after Hugo.
South Carolina is an excellent location to relocate to now that it has beautiful beaches, gorgeous golf courses, and a fascinating history. The state is popular for its subtropical beaches, making it an ideal place to reside.
There are plenty of places to reside near the sea in South Carolina, from coastal Charleston to Kiawah Island. You will always feel like you’re on holiday with the fresh ocean air and humid climate.
Conclusion
South Carolina’s warm weather isn’t only for beach lovers. People who enjoy active lifestyles will appreciate the pleasant nature and outdoor activities.
In South Carolina, a hectic lifestyle is unheard of. Instead, you’ll spend your days enjoying the sights and sounds of a tiny town by the sea. You’ll certainly enjoy the southern hospitality!
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