Overview
Tega Cay is a master-planned city in Northwestern South Carolina. It is known for its ample boating and fishing along Lake Wylie, as well as its numerous parks and walking trails. Besides this, its proximity to the popular downtown areas of nearby Rock Hill and Fort Mill make it an attractive retirement destination for active adults.
Climate & Geography
Just south of Charlotte on the border of South Carolina, Tega Cay experiences a humid subtropical climate. Summers are hot and humid and winters are cool and dry. There is more than average rain throughout the year and very little snowfall. Residents can expect about 216 sunny days each year.
Tega Cay is on the Carolina Piedmont, a transitional plateau between the Appalachians to the west and the Atlantic Coastal Plain to the east. This area is hilly and densely forested, and the mountains act as a barrier from the extreme cold of northern winter winds.
Recreation, Culture, & Entertainment
Most of Tega Cay’s outdoor recreation is focused on Lake Wylie. From several access points, such as Tega Cay Marina or Catawba Park, residents can boat and fish. Additionally, Windjammer Park and Pitcairn Park are located on the lakefront, offering scenic views and serene areas. Outside of the lake, residents can golf at Tega Cay Golf Club or enjoy the miles of walking trails through the city.
There are local boutiques and restaurants in Tega Cay, but most residents head to nearby Fort Mill, 20 minutes away, and Rock Hill, a half-hour away. Both historic cities have vibrant downtowns, community events, and art centers. For more high-end and large-scale shopping and entertainment, Charlotte is an hour to the north.
Cost of Living & Taxes
The cost of living in Tega Cay is above average because of high housing and health care costs.
South Carolina does not tax Social Security, and it offers large deductions for all other forms of retirement. The state’s property taxes are low, and there is a Homestead Exemption aimed at retirees above 65. Additionally, sales taxes are somewhat higher than average.
Health Care
According to Gallup’s Well-Being Index, the Charlotte metro area ranks in the top 55 communities across the country.
Although there are no hospitals in Tega Cay, the closest facility that is rated high performing by U.S. News is Piedmont Medical Center in Rock Hill. In Charlotte, Carolinas Healthcare System Pineville is also high performing, and Carolinas Medical Center is nationally ranked.