South Carolina 55+ Active Adult Retirement Communities

12 Active Adult Communities in South Carolina

Much like other southeastern coastal states, South Carolina was passed over for many years by retirees who instead chose to settle farther south in places like Florida. More recently, however, the state has received much acclaim from the retirement crowd as a great place to live in retirement. Retirees praise South Carolina for many great reasons, such as low tax burdens, affordable housing, low cost of living, legendary golf courses, great beaches, a laid-back lifestyle and all-around Southern charm.

Taxes certainly rank at the top of many retirees list for choosing South Carolina for retirement. The state levies some of the lowest overall tax burdens of any state in the country. In fact, the 2008 book "Americas Best Low Tax Retirement Towns" consistently ranked several South Carolina cities near the top in a variety of their "Tax Heavens" categories. The book ranked towns based on a variety of income brackets and home prices. Based on their findings, several of South Carolinas towns consistently scored in the top 10 of over 200 towns surveyed.

The South Carolina and North Carolina coasts combine for over 500 miles of coastline along the Atlantic Ocean. Unlike the heavily business-influenced North Carolina, South Carolina retains a more laid-back lifestyle and the state is less industrialized. Many of South Carolinas retirees remark that the state is more reminiscent of the Old South. The people are warm and friendly and out-of-state retirees are usually welcomed with open arms and even dinner invitations.

Retirement Real Estate & Active Adult Communities

South Carolina is divided into three regions. The coastal region spans the entire eastern part of the state and includes all beach towns and cities near the ocean. The coastal plain gives way to the Piedmont in the central part of the state, which encompasses nearly two-thirds of the state and stretches all the way to the Blue Ridge Mountains in the "upstate" region of the state.

Most of the retirement population chooses one of the retirement communities along South Carolinas coast. Golf course communities in Myrtle Beach and Hilton Head have drawn a large number of retirees. In additions, new age-restricted active adult communities and active retirement communities have opened in places like Charleston and Beaufort. Del Webbs Sun City Hilton Head is South Carolinas largest active adult community and has over 8,000 homes and two 18-hole golf courses. Del Webb at Charleston has been attracting retirees who want the acclaimed Del Webb lifestyle near the culture and charm of Charleston.

Active retirement communities in South Carolina are not limited to the coast. Other active adult communities are underway in the north near Charlotte, North Carolina and in areas of upstate South Carolina. Sun City Carolina Lakes has emerged as a very popular active adult community just outside of Charlotte in Fort Mill, SC.

Aiken, located near the Georgia border in the center of the state, consistently ranks as one of Americas top retirement destinations. In addition, many retirees are electing to retire in one of the many small towns in upstate South Carolina where prices are very affordable and residents can enjoy the proximity of the Blue Ridge Mountains. If you choose to settle in upstate South Carolina, active adult retirement communities are few and far between. However, numerous great options exist for finding quaint communities with sizeable retirement populations.

Climate

South Carolinas climate is humid subtropical, though temperatures and weather vary by your location within the state. Areas along the coast are more humid and experience warmer temperatures than places further upstate that are closer to the Appalachian Mountains. Most of the state experiences July highs in the 90s and lows in the 70s. In the winter, places along the coast can typically climb into the 60s during the day and 40s at night, but areas further inland tend to get colder. The state experiences around 43 inches of rain annually. Snow is rare along the coast, but areas in the western part of the state can experience up to 6 inches a year.

Recreation and Culture

Golf is the favorite pastime of many of South Carolinas residents and tourists. The state is home to hundreds of golf course communities. In fact, Myrtle Beach proclaims itself as the "Golf Course Capital of the World," since it has more golf courses per square mile than anywhere in the world. However, golf is not the only recreational activity in the state. There are also numerous great beaches and the miles of coastline and tributaries that make for excellent fishing. On the western part of the state, residents can enjoy a variety of outdoor activities offered to them by the Blue Ridge Mountains, such as hiking, biking and camping. As one of the original thirteen colonies, South Carolina is rich in history and tradition. Some of the homes date back to the early 1700s. In addition, Charleston competes with Savannah as the "cultural center of the South."

Taxes

The overall tax burden in South Carolina is one of the lowest in the country for retirees. The state income tax is graduated from 0 to 7 percent, depending on your income bracket. The state allows a retirement income deduction of $10,000 per resident as well as an age deduction of up to $15,000 for residents over the age of 65. Property tax ranges from .4 to 1 percent of the homes value. The state has a sales tax of 6 percent, but local governments sometimes add to that amount. Groceries, prescription drugs and medical services are exempt from sales tax.

Continuing Education

Continuing education is an area of growing interest among active retirees. Many of the popular retirement destinations have nearby universitys and community colleges that offer a variety of classes that are appealing to older adults. The state colleges in South Carolina waive tuition for residents 65 and older when class space is available.

Learn more about the regions of South Carolina:

Hilton Head Area

Charleston Area

Charlotte, NC Area