Skip to Content

22 Best Places to Retire in South Carolina

22 Best Places to Retire in South Carolina

South Carolina is a great place to retire, with many different options for your retirement years. Whether you want the peace and quiet of an inland home or prefer living on the coast, there are plenty of choices for you in this beautiful state. Here are some of the Best Places to Retire in South Carolina!

This blog post will highlight some wonderful places to live in South Carolina if you’re planning on retiring there. There’s something here for everyone- whether you want peace and quiet or year-round activities, coastal breezes or inland lakeside communities – so take a look at our list below!

South Carolina

South Carolina may not conjure up images of snowy mountaintops and ice fishing, but you will find plenty of them along with all the other options. The state has many attractions for retirees, because it is one of the best places to retire that are close enough for an easy trip back “home” if necessary.

If you cannot tolerate even a few days of sub-freezing temperatures, then South Carolina may not be your best option because this is definitely a warm-weather state. But if you are looking for both warm weather, good value and easy access to the north, South Carolina may be your perfect retirement home.

Here are some great reasons to live in South Carolina:

  • South Carolina is highly ranked for its health care, with several hospitals and clinics throughout the state.
  • The cost of living in South Carolina is below average when compared to other states, which means you’ll spend less money on your everyday needs.
  • South Carolina has many historical attractions – including landmarks like Fort Moultrie and the South Carolina State House – so if you enjoy learning about history, this state is for you!
22 Best Places to Retire in South Carolina

22 Best Places to Retire in South Carolina

  1. Lake Keowee

Lake Keowee is a man-made lake located in the foothills of South Carolina, so it offers both peaceful scenery and year-round activities. You can enjoy boating, water skiing, fishing, hiking and cycling during the summer months, while the colder seasons are perfect for taking picturesque walks by your cabin or condo.

There are several towns on the lake that offer all the amenities you need, so if you’re looking for a lakeside retirement home in South Carolina, Lake Keowee is a great option!

  1. Sumter County

Sumter County has been ranked one of the best places to retire by U.S. News & World Report. The area is rich with history and culture, and combines the small town feel of a southern community with all the amenities you could need.

One of the main attractions to Sumter County is that it’s home to Ruby Falls – an underground waterfall that’s spectacularly beautiful!

  1. South Carolina Lowcountry

If you’re looking to retire along the coast in South Carolina, the South Carolina Lowcountry is a great choice. This coastal community offers all the amenities you could need and also an abundance of historical attractions and activities – whether you prefer hiking through forests or oyster-shucking on the pier.

The area isn’t as crowded as other major cities and beach towns along the coast, so it’s a wonderful place to relax and enjoy your retirement!

  1. Garden City Beach

Garden City Beach is a wonderful community located along the South Carolina coast. This area offers all the amenities you could need, along with gorgeous views of the beach and Atlantic Ocean. If you want to relax in your retirement years without compromising on location, Garden City Beach might be for you!

  1. Mount Pleasant

Mount Pleasant is a small, but popular community located just minutes away from the coast. It offers close proximity to serene beaches and all the amenities you could need, as well as many theaters and festivals that you can enjoy. Additionally, the area is home to a fantastic library and historical sites for exploring.

  1. Isle of Palms

If you’re looking for a beach retirement in South Carolina, Isle of Palms is a great choice. This charming and family-friendly island offers both the peace and quiet of an inland location with the amenities of a nearby beach resort.

There are plenty of shops, accommodations and nightlife to enjoy here, so if you’d prefer to get away from the quietness of a lakeside retirement community, Isle of Palms is a great choice!

  1. Bluffton

Bluffton is another wonderful coastal community to consider when it comes to retiring in South Carolina. It has all the charm of a small town, but still offers lots of amenities including its own private marina!

This area has been recognized by several major publications as one of the best places in the country to retire, so Bluffton might be a great choice for anyone looking to spend their retirement years in a rural seaside community.

  1. Lexington County

Lexington County is a fantastic area to consider as you’re looking for a rural retirement in South Carolina. It’s rich with history, culture and natural beauty. The picturesque scenery and cozy atmosphere of the area have earned it a place among the top retirement destinations.

If you want a tranquil, rural retirement community in South Carolina, Lexington County might be right for you!

  1. Columbia

Columbia is the capital city of South Carolina, so it’s no surprise that its residents are proud to call it home! This historic city is where you’ll find the state’s main cultural attractions and historical sites.

It’s also within driving distance of major coastal communities, so if you love being near the water for most of your daily activities, Columbia might be a great place to retire after you’ve spent your working years enjoying the coast!

  1. Little River

Little River offers an amazing community feel within its picturesque setting. This location has been dubbed one of the greatest in South Carolina since it is home to a variety of outdoor activities as well as all the comforts you could desire.

It’s a fantastic place to retire if you want the peace and quiet of a rural area, but also enjoy being close enough to shopping and nightlife.

  1. Georgetown

Georgetown is a fantastic community located in the foothills of South Carolina. It’s close enough to the coastal communities to provide great access to an oceanfront lifestyle, but it still offers all the amenities you’d need for a quiet country retreat.

Georgetown has been recognized as one of the finest locations to retire due to its ideal situation and warm environment.

22 Best Places to Retire in South Carolina
  1. Conway

If you’re looking for a lakeside retirement in South Carolina, Conway might be the perfect place for you to retire! This charming town is known as a hub of outdoor activities, wineries and festivals.

It’s also a great area if you plan on regularly traveling to visit friends and family in nearby areas. Conway has been recognized as a top area for retirement because of its welcoming community and close proximity to the coastal areas!

  1. Kiawah Island

If you’re looking to live in one of the most luxurious retirement communities in South Carolina, Kiawah Island might be the perfect location for you. This private island offers gorgeous landscapes and a cast of luxury amenities that you’d need to spend your retirement years in style.

  1. Suwannee River

Suwannee River is an awesome choice for retirees who want to live in a rural location with plenty of scenic outdoors activities. This area has been dubbed one of the finest places to retire due to its proximity to nature and luxury facilities.

  1. Hilton Head Island

Hilton Head Island is one of the most popular areas for retirees looking to spend their retirement years on the water. It’s also a fantastic place if you’re hoping to live near plenty of golf courses, shopping and restaurants.

This beautiful region has been recognized as one of the best places to retire for its spectacular vistas, proximity to oceanfront living, and warm, welcoming atmosphere.

  1. Okatie

If you’re looking for a country retreat in South Carolina that’s still close enough to enjoy city amenities on occasion, Okatie might be just what you’re looking for!

This location has been recognized as a great spot to retire due to its beautiful setting and proximity to wineries, shopping, and casinos.

  1. Greenville

Greenville is a lovely community rich with education, health care and entertainment. It’s been designated one of the finest locations to retire because of its beautiful scenery and friendly atmosphere.

This area is known for boasting plenty of nightlife and outdoor activities, so it might be a great choice if you want to stay active in your retirement.

  1. Beaufort

Beaufort is one of the best places in South Carolina to retire, according to its local culture, outdoor activities, and community feel. This beautiful city has plenty of historical sites, shopping options and great restaurants for you to enjoy.

It’s also close enough to the coastal cities that you could easily live there while you still enjoy your retirement years near an oceanfront area.

  1. Summerville

Summerville is a friendly community that offers plenty of outdoor recreation and entertainment opportunities. It’s also close enough to popular coastal areas, so you could still enjoy regular trips to the beach if it’s important to your retirement plans!

  1. Charleston

If you’re looking to live in one of the most historic cities in South Carolina, Charleston might be a perfect location for your retirement plans. This beautiful city has plenty of museums, historical sites and upscale amenities that will wow you.

It’s also conveniently located near several popular seacoast destinations, so you may still enjoy frequent excursions throughout your retirement years!

  1. North Myrtle Beach

If you’re looking for a retirement community with plenty of entertainment and local culture, North Myrtle Beach might be your perfect location! This beachside city has been recognized as one of the best places to retire because it’s known for its lively atmosphere and stunning beaches.

It’s also close enough that you could spend your days enjoying the beautiful coastline while you retire near one of South Carolina’s most popular beach destinations.

  1. Greenwood

If you’re looking to spend your retirement years in a friendly and welcoming community, Greenwood might be the perfect location for you! This city is known as an ideal place for retirees because it has great educational facilities and plenty of outdoor activities.

If you want to keep active in your retirement, this region is known for having a lot of nightlife and outdoor activities, so it may be an excellent option.

Conclusion

South Carolina is a very beautiful state, and there are many great places to retire in the area. Whether you want to live along the coast or inland among mountains, there’s something for everyone!

You can also take advantage of all the amenities that come with living in this wonderful place – so why not explore some retirement communities in South Carolina today.


Please consult a licensed real estate agent or appropriate professional
Information changes almost daily. None of the authors, contributors, administrators, or anyone else connected with RealEstateZing, in any way whatsoever, can be responsible for your use of the information contained in or linked from these web pages.