When moving to escape the harsh winter weather, South Carolina is at the top of the list for many snowbirds. The Palmetto State offers mild winter temperatures, hundreds of miles of beautiful coastline, and a wide variety of active adult communities.
Winter months can be harsh and unpredictable. So, it’s no surprise that many active adults prefer to escape somewhere warmer as soon as the temperatures drop. South Carolina’s mild winter weather makes it a popular destination for those snowbirds who want to flee the cold and snow to soak up the sun in cities like Myrtle Beach, Hilton Head, Pawley’s Island, and Charleston.
Here are the 15 best communities in South Carolina for snowbirds:
Myrtle Beach, SC
Experience the coastal lifestyle in Myrtle Beach. This popular South Carolina beach city and its surrounding small towns create the perfect retreat with plentiful golf, shopping, dog parks, water sports, and more.
In addition to its many attractions and beach living, Myrtle Beach communities are among some of the most affordable retirement communities in coastal South Carolina—making snowbird rentals in Myrtle Beach extremely popular. Discover the perks and amenities at four of our Myrtle Beach communities below.
1. Cameron Village
Mid $200s – High $400s
Experience community living right in Myrtle Beach at Cameron Village with easy access to beaches and outdoor activities. The active lifestyle community offers residents single-family homes with attached gardens. Floor plans range from 1,446 to 3,179 square feet. They feature two to four bedrooms, two to four bathrooms, and attached one- to two-car garages.
This coastal community includes features like low homeowners association (HOA) fees, a community clubhouse, an outdoor pool, tennis and basketball courts, a walking trail, and a playground.
2. Bridgewater
Low $300s – High $600s
Located 20 miles north of the Myrtle Beach area, the Bridgewater community offers snowbirds the convenience of living close to the popular vacation destination without having to live directly in its busyness. The expansive neighborhood is spread over 950 acres and features attached and single-family homes. Floor plans range from 1,454 to 3,349 square feet. They offer two to five bedrooms, two to four bathrooms, and attached one- to three-car garages.
In addition to the community’s variety of homes and desirable location, there are several amenities for residents to enjoy, including a clubhouse, a fitness center, two resort-style pools, a dog park, community gardens, and a fire pit.
3. Waterside Pointe
Mid $600s – Low $1Ms
Discover fine living directly in Myrtle Beach at the new custom home community Waterside Pointe. Floor plans of this brand-new luxury 47-home community have yet to be released. The community’s location along the Intracoastal Waterway will provide residents access to day docks at the Del Webb Myrtle Beach clubhouse.
Residents will also have access to two private clubhouses—the 15,000-square-foot Del Webb Myrtle Beach clubhouse and the 25,000-square-foot Grande Dunes. The first offers residents luxury amenities, including a state-of-the-art fitness center, indoor and outdoor pools, and a card room as well as bocce, pickleball, and tennis courts. The latter provides residents with access to the coast, a ballroom, an outdoor pool and patio, a private beach, two golf courses, and a restaurant and bar.
4. Myrtle Trace
High $200s – High $300s
Snowbirds who are on a budget and looking for affordable options should consider Conway’s Myrtle Trace. The development boasts 518 single-family homes. The ranch-style homes offer two to three bedrooms, two to two-and-a-half bathrooms, and attached garages.
There are several amenities within the neighborhood for snowbirds to take advantage of, including a clubhouse that serves as the prime social hub. The clubhouse features a hobby and game room and a multipurpose room with a catering kitchen. Outside the clubhouse, residents will find a pool, bocce ball courts, horseshoe pits, and shuffleboard courts. Staying social is a breeze with a myriad of clubs and interest groups, from a bowling league and book club to garden clubs and game nights. Along with its amenities, Myrtle Trace gives snowbirds easy access to Myrtle Beach and some of the state’s most popular beaches.
Hilton Head, SC
Discover Southern charm in one of the most popular snowbird locations—Hilton Head. Long known as a luxurious beach vacation destination and famous golfing spot, the island is becoming increasingly popular for active adults looking to escape to warmer weather during winter months.
Here, you’ll find some of the best South Carolina communities with waterfront homes for sale so you can relax with a gorgeous view of the Atlantic and plenty of activities to keep you busy all winter long. Explore five of our Hilton Head communities for snowbirds below:
5. Indigo Run
Low $300s – Mid $2Ms
Indigo Run should be at the top of every snowbird’s list who likes to golf. The gated golf course community features two championship courses designed by Jack Nicklaus and his son. If the enviable location in Hilton Head and the golf courses aren’t enough to pique interest, the resort-style amenities are sure to impress. The list includes several clubhouses, a pool and whirlpool spa, an onsite restaurant, tennis courts, and so much more.
Homes within Indigo Run are a mixture of attached and single-family floor plans that range from 1,450 to 5,800 square feet. They offer three to five bathrooms, two to six bathrooms, and two- to four-car garages.
6. Hilton Head Lakes
Low $300s – High $800s
Another golfing community located within 15 miles of the Hilton Head Island resorts is the Hilton Head Lakes community. The lakefront property houses an 18-hole, par 72 golf course designed by Tommy Fazio and a 36-acre golf practice facility. Other amenities for residents include a beach-entry outdoor pool, a state-of-the-art fitness center, a yoga and pilates studio, walking and biking trails, and various clubs and activities hosted at the 14,000-square-foot clubhouse.
Explore three collections of single-family homes ranging from 1,298 to 2,375 square feet. They offer two to four bedrooms, two to three-and-a-half bathrooms, and an attached two-car garage. Many houses inside Hilton Head Lakes also feature covered porches and walk-in closets.
7. Hilton Head Plantation
Low $600s – High $5Ms
With 4,000 acres on Hilton Head Island, Hilton Head Plantation is one of the largest and most scenic communities for active adults. Residents have access to four golf courses—including Country Club of Hilton Head designed by Rees Jones—and plenty of on-site amenities. These include a marina, fishing lagoons, walking and biking trails, gardening areas, two nature conservancies, and state-of-the-art fitness centers.
Hilton Head Lakes will boast 4,278 homes upon completion of all builds and has a variety of housing options to choose from. Single-family homes in the community range from smaller villas to larger estate homes with water views. Condos and townhouses are also available as well as open lots to build your dream getaway.
8. Latitude Margaritaville Hilton Head
Mid $300s – Mid $400s
Located only 18 miles from Hilton Head Island is the new Latitude Margaritaville Hilton Head community. Relax in the surroundings and amenities inspired by Jimmy Buffet’s music catalog, complete with a Town Center to make your oasis feel like its own world. Residents will enjoy a resort-style outdoor pool, indoor lap pool and spa, a state-of-the-art fitness center, performances and banquets in the Last Mango Theater, the Barkaritaville Pet Spa, lawn games, pickleball and tennis courts, and a bar and restaurant.
There are 3,000 homes planned for the community, with several collections to choose from. These single-family and attached homes range from 1,210 to 2,392 square feet. They offer two to three bedrooms, two to three-and-a-half bathrooms, and an attached two- to three-car garage.
9. Sun City Hilton Head
High $200s – Low $2Ms
Sun City Hilton Head is a favorite among active adults for many reasons. However, snowbirds who want to spend the winter being active and outdoors will particularly love the community. The outdoor amenities range from more than a dozen Har-Tru tennis courts to a 20-acre fishing lake and three 18-hole golf courses. The community’s indoor amenities are also impressive and include a social hall, a ballroom, and a state-of-the-art fitness center.
Sun City Hilton Head also offers snowbirds a wide variety of housing options, whether they want to downsize or have extra square footage and plenty of space for guests to visit. There are several dozen floor plans to choose from that range from 1,039 to 3,728. These homes for sale have one to five bedrooms, one-and-a-half to five-and-a-half bathrooms, and two- or three-car garages. Several of the plans also include den areas.
Pawley’s Island, SC
During the summer months, Pawley’s Island is a popular tourist destination. However, during the winter months, this island becomes the ideal South Carolina snowbird community with less than 150 year-round residents.
Active adults can partake in recreational activities like golfing, crabbing, kayaking, birdwatching, and more in a secluded location 20 miles from the popular city Myrtle Beach. Discover this beautiful island through our community for snowbirds below:
10. River Club
Low $500s – Low $600s
Directly on Pawley’s Island, you’ll find the River Club community. This gated residence area contains 272 single-family and attached homes within a resort-like space. Homes range from 1,250 to 5,000 square feet, featuring two to four bedrooms, two to four bathrooms, an attached two-car garage, fireplaces, walk-in closets, and outdoor decks.
The resort-style amenities within the River Club community include a golf course, outdoor pool, private beach, clubhouse, bar, and restaurant. Enjoy hassle-free living with the community’s HOA, which handles lawn care, exterior home maintenance, and common area maintenance.
Charleston, SC
Step into the Old South through snowbird communities in the Charleston area. This idyllic city provides residents with classic Southern charm you can’t find in other locations. Active adults can immerse themselves in the historic streets of the downtown area, sample Southern cooking, and partake in many recreational activities throughout the city and its surrounding areas.
Our Charleston communities blend the best of the old and new to offer residents a uniquely South Carolina snowbird experience. Learn more about four of our Charleston area communities for snowbirds below:
11. The Elms of Charleston
Low $300s – High $300s
Located in the city, The Elms of Charleston is a great community for active adults age 55+. Offering new and resale single-family and attached homes, the community has 325 single-floor homes within the community. Most homes are on cul-de-sac streets, ensuring limited traffic. An annual HOA fee covers the cost of community maintenance and exterior home care, including lawn maintenance and annual home power washing.
The community’s amenities include a clubhouse, card and game rooms, an outdoor pool, a tennis court, walking paths, shuffleboard, and lawn croquet. There’s also a full-time social director on staff who plans clubs and activities for all community residents.
12. Del Webb at Cane Bay
Low $300s – Mid $600s
Summerville’s Del Webb at Cane Bay will appeal to snowbirds looking for an age-restricted, gated community with a resort-style feel. Spread over 360 acres lush with vibrant florals, wetlands, and landscaped terrain, Del Webb at Cane Bay delivers scenery and amenities. There’s a 20,000-square-foot clubhouse and recreation area with a state-of-the-art fitness center, an indoor pool, a sundeck, and a fire pit.
Del Webb at Cane Bay is also within a 30-minute drive of Charleston, making it easy for residents to explore the historic city. The community has a variety of home models available that range from 1,109 to 3,800 square feet. They offer one to four bedrooms, one-and-a-half to four bathrooms, and two- to three-car garages.
13. Cresswind Charleston
High $300s – High $700s
Cresswind Charleston is another age-restricted community in Summerville that should be on snowbirds’ radar. The development will feature 600 single-family homes upon completion. Home models within Cresswind Charleston range from 1,454 to 2,570 square feet. They offer two to four bedrooms, two to three-and-a-half bathrooms, and attached two- or three-car garages.
Notable amenities include a clubhouse, a fitness center, athletic courts, an event lawn, and an outdoor amphitheater. The community’s convenient location near Charleston offers snowbirds lots of things to do outside throughout the winter. History buffs can visit one of the area’s many historical sites, like Fort Sumter, while beach lovers can spend plenty of time on one of Charleston’s scenic beaches.
14. Del Webb Charleston at Nexton
Mid $400s – Low $900s
Finishing off the list of the best communities in South Carolina for snowbirds in the Charleston area is Del Webb Charleston at Nexton. The gated and age-restricted neighborhood offers its residents a myriad of resort-style amenities, a wide selection of floor plan options, and plenty of ways to stay social and active through organized clubs and community events ranging from guest speakers to seminars. Homes for sale within the community range from 1,262 to 3,810 square feet. They offer two to five bedrooms, two to four bathrooms, and two- or two-and-a-half-car garages.
Columbia, SC
The Columbia area is another region of South Carolina offering a mix of historic Southern charm with modern-day conveniences. Here, you’ll be in the heart of South Carolina with all the state has to offer in just a short walk or drive away.
Discover our Columbia area community for snowbirds below:
15. Savannah Lakes Village
High $200s – High $1Ms
Savannah Lakes Village is another great option for snowbirds who want to spend the winter in South Carolina. The resort-style community is made up of condos, apartments, and single-family homes. The community offers its residents desirable amenities as well as an HOA that takes care of maintenance like lawn care.
Savannah Lakes Village will have a total of 4,800 homes and offers options ranging from 833 square-foot condos to 2,688 square-foot single-family homes. Noteworthy amenities include a 71,000-acre lake as well as two golf clubs and a multitude of athletic courts. There’s also a 23,000-square-foot recreation center with a ballroom, a fitness center, an aerobics studio, and an indoor pool.
Why Active Seniors Should Snowbird in South Carolina
The American snowbird is someone seeking warmer weather and an escape from harsh winter conditions. Snowbird rentals and home purchases have become especially popular for active adults who want to be outside year-round. Since snowbirding is an annual occurrence, looking into the different communities can help you decide where to spend about half of the year.
When looking at North vs. South Carolina for settling in the winter, South Carolina has undeniable perks, with tax exemptions, a low cost of living, a variety of activities, and a nearby coast. As you consider snowbirding and possibly retiring to South Carolina, work with one of 55places’ reputable real estate agents to discover which of the best communities in South Carolina for snowbirds is right for you.
