8 Finest Locations to Retire in South Carolina

Greenville

Situated within the northwest nook of the state, Greenville is a improbable vacation spot with a bit of little bit of all the pieces.

​​”Greenville provides retirees a dynamic mix of small-town allure and big-city conveniences, with a wealthy cultural scene, farm-to-table eating, and vibrant neighborhood occasions,” mentioned Sean Hartness, CEO of Hartness Growth, the corporate chargeable for Hartness, a 449-acre master-planned residential neighborhood in Greenville.

Town’s walkable downtown is anchored by Falls Park on the Reedy. This centerpiece park encompasses a waterfall, gardens, public artwork, and Liberty Bridge, a pedestrian-friendly suspension bridge. For many who want to trip via downtown whereas testing the realm’s outlets and eating places, there’s a free, open-air trolley (that’s even wheelchair accessible).

Thirty-seven parks are situated all through Greenville, providing residents inexperienced areas, strolling and biking trails, disc golf, mini golf, tennis, and playgrounds.

Greenville is dwelling to 2 main healthcare techniques, Bon Secours St. Francis and Prisma Well being, which supply places all through the town.

For retirees who like to journey, Greenville-Spartanburg Airport (GSP) provides over 100 every day nonstop flights to 23 locations throughout the U.S. Not solely that, however Greenville is a good spot for highway trippers. Coastal cities, together with Charleston, Savannah, and Myrtle Seashore, are lower than 4 hours away.

Columbia

Situated proper in the midst of the state, Columbia is South Carolina’s capital metropolis. Whereas it could be referred to as a school city, Columbia has rather a lot to supply retirees.

Town has main healthcare techniques, together with Prisma Well being, Lexington Medical Middle, and the Medical College of South Carolina (MUSC).

Because of the realm’s gentle local weather, there are actions accessible all 12 months spherical for retirees who need to keep lively. Three rivers meet in Columbia — the Broad, the Saluda, and the Congaree — making it a sizzling spot for water actions like kayaking, canoeing, and tubing.

Congaree Nationwide Park is lower than 20 miles exterior of the town. This 26,000-acre park, good for mountain climbing, chook watching, kayaking, and extra, is dwelling to a few of the oldest timber in japanese North America.

Columbia can be an excellent spot for reside leisure. It has quite a few theaters, together with Trustus Theatre, Columbia Marionette Theater, and City Theatre, one of many oldest constantly operated neighborhood theaters within the nation.

Camden

Simply 35 miles exterior of Columbia lies the small city of Camden, South Carolina.

“Camden is the oldest inland metropolis in South Carolina and provides a mix of historic allure and fashionable facilities. The city hosts quite a few occasions all year long, such because the Carolina Cup and Irish Fest, and has well-preserved structure,” mentioned Jenny Parrish, govt director of the Olde English District Tourism Fee.

Certainly, Camden provides a mix of historical past and outside actions that may enchantment to many retirees. Goodale State Park is a good spot for kayaking and canoeing (there’s even a three-mile paddling path that winds via cypress timber and aquatic vegetation).

Historical past buffs will benefit from the excursions and reenactments on the Historic Camden Revolutionary Conflict web site, whereas artwork and theater lovers will flock to the performances, reveals, and live shows on the Arts Middle of Kershaw County.

Anderson

Not removed from the Georgia border, about midway between Atlanta and Charlotte, lies the small city of Anderson. Nicknamed “The Friendliest Metropolis in South Carolina,” Anderson is a spot the place retirees can plant roots and construct a neighborhood. Journey + Leisure even named Anderson, South Carolina, the most effective locations to retire within the U.S. in 2022.

Outside lovers will take pleasure in Sadlers Creek State Park, an expansive house with biking and strolling trails, fishing, tenting, boating, and swimming. Lake Hartwell, situated simply exterior of Anderson on the Georgia-South Carolina border, provides much more alternatives for outside recreation. This 56,000-acre lake, which is dwelling to striped and hybrid bass, largemouth, crappie, bream, and catfish, is very good for fishing.

Downtown Anderson provides buying, eating, and neighborhood occasions all year long.

Anderson’s housing market could also be particularly enticing to retirees. In accordance with Might 2024 information, dwelling costs have been down 3.3 p.c from the earlier 12 months. With a median sale value of $250,000, Anderson, South Carolina, is an inexpensive place to purchase a house.

Charleston

It’s no shock Charleston is on our checklist of the most effective locations to retire in South Carolina — it has been voted the greatest metropolis within the U.S. by T+L readers 12 months after 12 months. It’s a captivating, historic metropolis stuffed with pure magnificence, artwork, eating, and outside recreation.

Johns Island County Park provides 20 miles of trails for walkers, runners, and horseback riders, whereas Cooper River County Park provides quick access for boaters. Artwork lovers will take pleasure in First Friday ArtWalks, a month-to-month occasion hosted by the Charleston Gallery Affiliation (CGA), a collective of dozens of galleries all through the town. Charleston can be dwelling to quite a few spas and golf programs.

In the case of nightlife, Charleston has one thing for everybody. Breweries, wine bars, fantastic eating, rooftop bars, and native eating places line the downtown streets. After grabbing dinner and a drink, residents have plenty of choices for leisure. Attempt a present at one of many space’s theaters, together with Pure Theatre, Charleston Stage Firm, or The Black Fedora Comedy Thriller Theatre, or hearken to reside music at Credit score One Stadium, Charleston Jazz, or the Charleston Symphony Orchestra. The realm can be dwelling to plenty of annual festivals and occasions, together with the Charleston Jazz Pageant, Charleston Meals & Wine Basic, and Charleston Carifest.

Charleston is a wonderful vacation spot for retirees who like to journey. Charleston Worldwide Airport is the state’s largest and busiest, with service from 13 airways providing direct flights to over 45 locations throughout the U.S.

Beaufort

Should you’re searching for a seaside vacation spot for retirement, try Beaufort, South Carolina, a city that provides scenic views and a slower tempo of life. Residents have quick access to close by seashores, together with Sands Seashore, Lands Finish Seashore, and Looking Island State Park.

Beaufort is situated on Port Royal Island, one of many state’s largest Sea Islands, on the Atlantic Coast. Its well-preserved downtown, which boasts over 50 historic buildings, has been designated a historic district by the Nationwide Belief for Historic Preservation.

Artwork galleries, outlets, and eating places line the downtown streets, making this space an excellent spot for residents and vacationers alike.

If that’s not sufficient, there are enjoyable festivals and annual occasions all year long, together with The Annual Beaufort Oyster Pageant, Beaufort’s Worldwide Movie Pageant, and A Style of Beaufort.

Fort Mill

Fort Mill, South Carolina, is a good place to retire for these searching for a small-town way of life close to big-city conveniences.

“Fort Mill’s proximity to Charlotte [North Carolina] means retirees can simply entry city facilities whereas having fun with a quieter, extra relaxed tempo of life,” mentioned Jenny Parrish.

Outside fanatics will love Anne Springs Shut Greenway, a nature protect that’s over twice the scale of Central Park in New York Metropolis. Along with mountain climbing on 40 miles of trails, kayaking, paddleboarding, fishing, and horseback driving, there are organized occasions, together with live shows, yoga, and even Sunday brunch.

Locals love Fort Mill Golf Membership, an 18-hole championship course, and Springfield Golf Membership, a closely wooded 6,906-yard, par-72 course designed by Clyde Johnston.

For these retirees who like to journey, Charlotte Douglas Worldwide Airport (CLT) is simply half-hour away. Over a dozen airways fly from CLT, providing nonstop service to 186 locations, together with 39 worldwide places.

Spartanburg

Spartanburg was named the most effective place to retire in South Carolina by U.S. Information & World Report in 2024.

“Spartanburg provides a decrease price of residing with loads of facilities that talk to a retiree. Just some of our facilities embrace nice climate, world-class path techniques, ample waterways, a thriving arts and tradition scene, rising downtown with nice outlets, eating places, and a Minor League Baseball stadium,” mentioned Billy Dunlap, chief tourism improvement officer for OneSpartanburg, Inc.

This metropolis, situated close to the South Carolina-North Carolina border, boasts pure magnificence and plenty of outside actions. Croft State Park covers over 7,000 acres and has over 20 miles of mountain climbing and biking trails, a playground, and two lakes for boating and fishing. Hatcher Backyard is a 10-acre free public backyard situated within the coronary heart of Spartanburg.

Retirees who take pleasure in exploring by bike ought to contemplate Spartanburg since The League of American Bicyclists named this metropolis the primary bicycle-friendly neighborhood within the state. Those that desire vehicles to bikes will probably be delighted to know that Spartanburg is dwelling to a BMW museum (the one one in North America), the BMW Efficiency Driving College, and the one BMW manufacturing plant within the U.S. (you may even take a manufacturing facility tour).

Along with outside actions, pure magnificence, nightlife, and historical past, Spartanburg is a sensible alternative for retirees who need quick access to healthcare. Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System has a number of places all through the county and even provides free health lessons every week for seniors over 50.