8 Finest Locations to Retire in South Carolina

Greenville

Situated within the northwest nook of the state, Greenville is a improbable vacation spot with just a little little bit of every thing.

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

The 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 wish to trip via downtown whereas trying out the world’s retailers and eating places, there’s a free, open-air trolley (that’s even wheelchair accessible).

Thirty-seven parks are positioned 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 programs, Bon Secours St. Francis and Prisma Well being, which provide places all through the town.

For retirees who like to journey, Greenville-Spartanburg Airport (GSP) gives over 100 day by 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 course of the state, Columbia is South Carolina’s capital metropolis. Whereas it could be often called a school city, Columbia has lots to supply retirees.

The town has main healthcare programs, together with Prisma Well being, Lexington Medical Heart, and the Medical College of South Carolina (MUSC).

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

Congaree Nationwide Park is lower than 20 miles outdoors of the town. This 26,000-acre park, excellent for mountaineering, chicken watching, kayaking, and extra, is dwelling to a number of the oldest timber in jap North America.

Columbia can also be a fantastic spot for stay leisure. It has quite a few theaters, together with Trustus Theatre, Columbia Marionette Theater, and City Theatre, one of many oldest repeatedly operated group theaters within the nation.

Camden

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

“Camden is the oldest inland metropolis in South Carolina and gives a mix of historic attraction 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,” stated Jenny Parrish, govt director of the Olde English District Tourism Fee.

Certainly, Camden gives a mix of historical past and outside actions that can attraction 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 crops).

Historical past buffs will benefit from the excursions and reenactments on the Historic Camden Revolutionary Battle web site, whereas artwork and theater lovers will flock to the performances, reveals, and live shows on the Arts Heart 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 group. Journey + Leisure even named Anderson, South Carolina, top-of-the-line locations to retire within the U.S. in 2022.

Outside lovers will take pleasure in Sadlers Creek State Park, an expansive area with biking and strolling trails, fishing, tenting, boating, and swimming. Lake Hartwell, positioned simply outdoors of Anderson on the Georgia-South Carolina border, gives 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 particularly good for fishing.

Downtown Anderson gives procuring, eating, and group occasions all year long.

Anderson’s housing market could also be particularly engaging to retirees. In response to Could 2024 information, dwelling costs have been down 3.3 % from the earlier 12 months. With a median sale worth of $250,000, Anderson, South Carolina, is an reasonably priced 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 finest metropolis within the U.S. by T+L readers 12 months after 12 months. It’s a captivating, historic metropolis filled with pure magnificence, artwork, eating, and outside recreation.

Johns Island County Park gives 20 miles of trails for walkers, runners, and horseback riders, whereas Cooper River County Park gives 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 also be dwelling to quite a few spas and golf programs.

On the subject 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 a lot 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 stay music at Credit score One Stadium, Charleston Jazz, or the Charleston Symphony Orchestra. The world can also be dwelling to a lot of annual festivals and occasions, together with the Charleston Jazz Pageant, Charleston Meals & Wine Traditional, and Charleston Carifest.

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

Beaufort

For those who’re in search of a seaside vacation spot for retirement, try Beaufort, South Carolina, a city that gives scenic views and a slower tempo of life. Residents have quick access to close by seashores, together with Sands Seashore, Lands Finish Seashore, and Searching Island State Park.

Beaufort is positioned 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, retailers, and eating places line the downtown streets, making this space a fantastic 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 in search of a small-town life-style 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,” stated Jenny Parrish.

Outside fanatics will love Anne Springs Shut Greenway, a nature protect that’s over twice the dimensions of Central Park in New York Metropolis. Along with mountaineering 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 gives a decrease value of residing with loads of facilities that talk to a retiree. Just some of our facilities embody nice climate, world-class path programs, ample waterways, a thriving arts and tradition scene, rising downtown with nice retailers, eating places, and a Minor League Baseball stadium,” stated Billy Dunlap, chief tourism growth officer for OneSpartanburg, Inc.

This metropolis, positioned 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 mountaineering and biking trails, a playground, and two lakes for boating and fishing. Hatcher Backyard is a 10-acre free public backyard positioned within the coronary heart of Spartanburg.

Retirees who take pleasure in exploring by bike ought to think about Spartanburg since The League of American Bicyclists named this metropolis the primary bicycle-friendly group within the state. Those that desire automobiles to bikes will likely be delighted to know that Spartanburg is dwelling to a BMW museum (the one one in North America), the BMW Efficiency Driving Faculty, 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 gives free health courses every week for seniors over 50.