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Are you considering retiring in South Carolina? You’re not alone. South Carolina is one of the most popular states for retirees, and for good reason. From its warm climate and beautiful beaches to its favorable tax benefits and rich history, South Carolina offers a lifestyle that many retirees dream about.
Here are 16 compelling reasons to retire in South Carolina:
1. Weather.
The weather in South Carolina is excellent most of the year, allowing you to enjoy the outdoors and nice weather at just about any time. The weather near the coast, especially in the southern part of the state, is warmer than in the upstate. For example, average high temperatures near Charleston are usually in the 60s during the winter months.
The northern part of the state is slightly cooler, but its winters are relatively mild. If you enjoy seasonal changes, this area may be ideal for you. Summers in South Carolina can be hot and humid, but there are still several things that you can do this time of the year, including going boating, swimming, or going to the beach, where there is usually a cool breeze
2. No social security tax
South Carolina, like most states, does not tax Social Security benefits, but there are still about nine states in the country that do. South Carolina also offers other benefits to retirees, including tax deductions on certain retirement income, such as 401(k) plans, IRAs, and more. It also provides a homestead exemption on property tax that I will go over in more detail later.
3. History
Charleston is the oldest city in South Carolina. Founded in 1670, and it is sometimes referred to as a living museum, it is one of the most well-preserved historic districts in the country with many homes that were built in the 17 and 1800s, cobblestone streets, and historic churches. South Carolina played a pivotal role during the founding of the country and was the site of over 200 battles and skirmishes during the Revolutionary War.
It was also the first state to secede from the Union in 1860, and you can visit the location where the first shots of the Civil War were fired at Fort Sumter, located in Charleston Harbor. The state also boasts numerous historic plantations that are open to visitors, as well as many historic cities, sites, and homes throughout the state, including Beaufort, Georgetown, Aiken, Spartanburg, Camden, and others.
4. Great food
South Carolina is renowned for its exceptional cuisine, with numerous excellent restaurants throughout the state. There’s something for everyone here. You can eat fresh seafood in Murrells Inlet, which some people call the seafood capital of South Carolina, or in Shem Creek and Mount Pleasant, in several other locations along the coast.
There are award-winning barbecue restaurants, steak houses, oyster roasts, and a lot more. It won’t take you long to find a great restaurant while you’re here.
5. The Beaches
If you’re interested in moving near a beach town or want to visit the beach for the day, South Carolina has some of the best beaches in the nation. The northern part of the state features the Grand Strand area, which boasts over 60 miles of beaches, including Myrtle Beach, Garden City Beach, Cherry Grove Beach, Surfside Beach, and more.
Further south in the Low Country, the Charleston metro area also has several beaches, including the Isle of Palms and Sullivan’s Island to the north of Charleston, and Folly Beach, Kiawah Island, and Seabrook Island to the south. Further south, there’s Edisto Beach, beaches on Hilton Head, and more.
Another great thing about the beaches in South Carolina is that there are several campgrounds along the beach where you can bring an RV and go camping.I recommend reserving these campsites well in advance, as they fill up quickly, especially on weekends.
6. Free College Tuition
Senior citizens aged 60 and older who meet the South Carolina residency requirement may be able to attend classes at our state universities and technical schools tuition-free. It is never too late to chase your dreams and get that degree that you have always wanted. Therefore, be sure to verify the current information on attending college for free in this area.
7. The Water
There is water everywhere near South Carolina’s coast, making it a great place to own waterfront property, go boating, fishing, or enjoy a stunning water view. South Carolina boasts the Atlantic Ocean, an intercoastal waterway, Charleston Harbor, large rivers, tidal creeks, and several large lakes scattered throughout the state, offering a variety of options for those who prefer to live a bit further inland.
If you enjoy getting out on the water, there are many areas to go boating, saltwater fishing, freshwater fishing, and crabbing. There are also several campgrounds along the lakes, rivers, and beaches.
8. Healthcare
South Carolina has several great hospitals. I live in Charleston, where we have the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC), Roper St. Francis Hospital, a VA Hospital, and MUSC Shawn Jenkins Children’s Hospital. Additionally, there are several great hospitals throughout the entire state.
9. Historic plantations and gardens
Several historic plantations and beautiful gardens can be visited in South Carolina, including near Charleston at Magnolia Plantations and Gardens, Boone Hall Plantation, and Middleton Place. If you visit these gardens in the spring, you will see the gorgeous flowers blooming.
One of my favorite places to visit is Cypress Gardens in Monk’s Corner. Here you can take a relaxing swamp boat ride, see some alligators, and enjoy the beautiful scenery. Scenes from several movies have also been filmed here, including scenes from The Patriot and The Notebook.
10. Hunting and fishing in South Carolina
Residents 64 and older are currently eligible to purchase a lifetime license for hunting and fishing for $9. There are specific regulations, and no tags are included with this lifetime license. Therefore, please check with the South Carolina DNR for current regulations.
11. The Parks
I love all the parks in this area. They are a great place to bring the family. I bring my kid and dogs to one of these parks almost every week. South Carolina has 47 state parks, ranging from a few along the coast to parks in the mountains of the upstate. There are also several county parks and city parks with a wide variety of activities for everyone, including kayaking, walking and biking trails, camping, disc golf, fishing and crabbing, playgrounds, sprinklers, and much more.
12. Variety of neighborhoods
I’m originally from Montana, where there were few communities with amenities like those in South Carolina. This area has several beautiful subdivisions. Some communities offer amenities such as neighborhood pools, tennis courts, pickleball courts, walking and biking trails, a neighborhood clubhouse, and more.
If you enjoy getting out on the water, several communities offer a dock and boat ramp, and some even provide boat storage. South Carolina also has several 55+ active adult communities.
13. Golf
With over 350 golf courses, South Carolina is one of the best golfing locations in the country. Due to the numerous golf courses, some refer to the Myrtle Beach and Grand Strand area as the golf capital of the world. Several excellent courses are also near Charleston, including the Ocean Course on Kiawah Island, where Phil Mickelson won the 2021 PGA Championship.
There are also several beautiful golf courses throughout the state. You can view the golf communities near Charleston here.
14. The Lakes
Several large lakes are scattered throughout South Carolina. So, even if you don’t live near the coast, you can still get out on the water. These lakes include Lake Marion and Lake Moultrie, located near Charleston; Lake Murray, near Columbia; Lake Keowee, near Greenville; Lake Wylie, near Rock Hill; and several others. The lakes are great for fishing, boating, or owning a lakefront property.
My family and I love to go camping at several different sites along Lake Marion, including Rocks Pond Campground and Marina, and Palmetto Shores RV Resort. There are some massive catfish and other fish in these lakes.
15. Low property tax
South Carolina has one of the lowest property tax rates in the nation for primary residences, making it an appealing location for many people, including retirees. Many counties here have a tax estimator website, and you can get an idea of what you’d be paying on property taxes in some of these areas. Select the 4% rate if it’ll be your primary residence and the 6% rate if it’ll be a second home.
There is a property tax exemption for senior citizens. The homestead exemption is for people aged 65 and older and is a complete exemption on taxes on the first $50,000 in fair market value on a property for a primary residence.
16. Low cost of living
South Carolina has a relatively low cost of living compared to many other states. Unfortunately, our wages are also relatively low. The low cost of living is another reason the state has attracted many retirees. You can get a relatively affordable home near the coast, not far from the beach, especially compared to many other states. And there’s a good chance you will be paying significantly less in property taxes as well.
Thanks for reading. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to call or text me at 843-769-1836 or email me at markgarrisonrealestate@gmail.com.