If you’re thinking about moving to Charlotte, North Carolina, you might want to consider moving to Fort Mill, South Carolina instead. Just 18 miles south of the biggest city in the Carolinas, it’s close to Charlotte but offers perks you won’t find in North Carolina.
Fort Mill is a fast-growing town. Though it’s in South Carolina, it’s considered a suburb of Charlotte. It’s noted for new home developments, many unique shops and restaurants, and a mild climate. Other communities nearby with similar benefits are Rock Hill, Tega Cay, and Lancaster.
Plenty of Outdoor Recreation
If you’re an outdoor enthusiast, Fort Mill has a lot of outdoor recreation opportunities, like the Anne Springs Close Greenway, a 2,100-acre nature preserve that offers hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, and kayaking.
Tax Breaks for Retirees
Probably the most enticing reason to move to Fort Mill is the abundance of tax breaks the state gives to retirees. Not only are Social Security benefits exempt from state income tax, but any person age 65+ can also deduct another $15,000 of income from any source, even after counting their federal tax deduction.
Also, homeowners 65+ don’t have to pay property tax on the first $50,000 of the value of their legal residence after applying for the Homestead Exemption. Not to mention, the reduced vehicle-registration fees, discounted park passes, and lifetime hunting and fishing licenses for $9.
Attractive 55+ Communities
All of these benefits are just a few minutes away from North Carolina. Even better, residents of Fort Mill and its surrounding communities are always just a short drive away from all the entertainment Charlotte has on hand.
Here are a few active adult communities in the area that may help tip your decision in favor of this small yet charming town:
Grayrock Village at Lake Ridge – Fort Mill, SC
High $400s – Low $1Ms
Located next to Lake Wylie, Grayrock Village—one of eight villages situated throughout the master-planned community of Lake Ridge—has 14 one- and two-story floor plans available for resale and new builds.
The community of Lake Ridge provides a mature, natural environment with resort amenities such as a swimming pool, tennis courts, and paved walkways. The community is also located near city parks, a marina, and plenty of golf.
Four Seasons at Gold Hill – Fort Mill, SC
Low $300s – Low $400s
Four Seasons at Gold Hill offers the perfect blend of the small community feel with big community amenities. Among the 301 low-maintenance homes, Four Seasons at Gold Hill offers plenty of options in style, size, and finishes to fit your every need.
The community clubhouse is the central hub for all community social and fitness activities. It includes a fitness center, hobby rooms, a library, a billiard room, an outdoor pool, and a spa. A tennis court, a putting green, a swimming pool, and a patio with a grilling area surround the clubhouse.
Carolina Orchards – Fort Mill, SC
High $300s – Low $700s
This 55+ neighborhood has 722 single-family homes with three design collections available. All 11 models in Carolina Orchards feature open floor plans perfect for entertaining, first-floor master suites, and plenty of options for customization.
At the center of this thriving community is a lavish clubhouse with meeting rooms where residents can host a variety of clubs, activities, and neighborhood events. There’s also an indoor swimming pool. Outside of the clubhouse are tennis and pickleball courts, gardening plots, a dog park, and another swimming pool.
Sun City Carolina Lakes – Indian Land, SC
Mid $200s – Mid $600s
This active adult community features 3,160 homes with expansive great rooms, open gourmet kitchens, and ample outdoor living space. Buyers can choose from single-family homes, villa townhomes, and carriage homes.
Spread across more than 1,500 acres of rolling hills and lush forests of pine, maple, oak, and purple plum trees, Sun City Carolina Lakes has world-class amenities such as a 55,000-square-foot clubhouse and recreation center that has a state-of-the-art fitness center, an indoor lap pool and spa, an aerobics and dance studio, and an indoor walking track.
