8 Greatest Locations to Retire in South Carolina

Greenville

Positioned within the northwest nook of the state, Greenville is a unbelievable vacation spot with a bit little bit of all the things.

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

Town’s walkable downtown is anchored by Falls Park on the Reedy. This centerpiece park includes a waterfall, gardens, public artwork, and Liberty Bridge, a pedestrian-friendly suspension bridge. For many who want to journey by downtown whereas trying out the world’s outlets and eating places, there’s a free, open-air trolley (that’s even wheelchair accessible).

Thirty-seven parks are situated all through Greenville, providing residents inexperienced areas, strolling and biking trails, disc golf, mini golf, tennis, and playgrounds.

Greenville is residence to 2 main healthcare programs, Bon Secours St. Francis and Prisma Well being, which supply places all through the town.

For retirees who like to journey, Greenville-Spartanburg Airport (GSP) provides over 100 day by day nonstop flights to 23 locations throughout the U.S. Not solely that, however Greenville is a good spot for street trippers. Coastal cities, together with Charleston, Savannah, and Myrtle Seaside, are lower than 4 hours away.

Columbia

Positioned 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 so much to supply retirees.

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

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

Congaree Nationwide Park is lower than 20 miles exterior of the town. This 26,000-acre park, excellent for mountaineering, fowl watching, kayaking, and extra, is residence to among the oldest bushes in jap North America.

Columbia can be an amazing spot for reside leisure. It has quite a few theaters, together with Trustus Theatre, Columbia Marionette Theater, and City Theatre, one of many oldest constantly operated neighborhood theaters within the nation.

Camden

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

“Camden is the oldest inland metropolis in South Carolina and provides a mix of historic allure and trendy 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, government director of the Olde English District Tourism Fee.

Certainly, Camden provides a mix of historical past and outside actions that can enchantment to many retirees. Goodale State Park is a good spot for kayaking and canoeing (there’s even a three-mile paddling path that winds by cypress bushes and aquatic crops).

Historical past buffs will benefit from the excursions and reenactments on the Historic Camden Revolutionary Conflict website, whereas artwork and theater lovers will flock to the performances, displays, and live shows on the Arts Middle 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 neighborhood. Journey + Leisure even named Anderson, South Carolina, probably the greatest locations to retire within the U.S. in 2022.

Outside lovers will get pleasure from Sadlers Creek State Park, an expansive house with biking and strolling trails, fishing, tenting, boating, and swimming. Lake Hartwell, situated simply exterior of Anderson on the Georgia-South Carolina border, provides much more alternatives for outside recreation. This 56,000-acre lake, which is residence to striped and hybrid bass, largemouth, crappie, bream, and catfish, is particularly good for fishing.

Downtown Anderson provides purchasing, eating, and neighborhood occasions all year long.

Anderson’s housing market could also be particularly engaging to retirees. Based on Might 2024 knowledge, residence costs have been down 3.3 % from the earlier yr. With a median sale value 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 perfect locations to retire in South Carolina — it has been voted the greatest metropolis within the U.S. by T+L readers yr after yr. It’s an enthralling, historic metropolis stuffed with pure magnificence, artwork, eating, and outside recreation.

Johns Island County Park provides 20 miles of trails for walkers, runners, and horseback riders, whereas Cooper River County Park provides quick access for boaters. Artwork lovers will get pleasure from 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 be residence to quite a few spas and golf programs.

In terms of nightlife, Charleston has one thing for everybody. Breweries, wine bars, high quality 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 reside music at Credit score One Stadium, Charleston Jazz, or the Charleston Symphony Orchestra. The realm can be residence to a lot of annual festivals and occasions, together with the Charleston Jazz Competition, Charleston Meals & Wine Traditional, and Charleston Carifest.

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

Beaufort

For those who’re on the lookout for a seashore vacation spot for retirement, try Beaufort, South Carolina, a city that provides scenic views and a slower tempo of life. Residents have quick access to close by seashores, together with Sands Seaside, Lands Finish Seaside, and Looking Island State Park.

Beaufort is situated 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 constructions, has been designated a historic district by the Nationwide Belief for Historic Preservation.

Artwork galleries, outlets, and eating places line the downtown streets, making this space an amazing 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 Competition, Beaufort’s Worldwide Movie Competition, and A Style of Beaufort.

Fort Mill

Fort Mill, South Carolina, is a good place to retire for these on the lookout for 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 scale 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 perfect place to retire in South Carolina by U.S. Information & World Report in 2024.

“Spartanburg provides a decrease price of residing with loads of facilities that talk to a retiree. Only a few of our facilities embody nice climate, world-class path programs, ample waterways, a thriving arts and tradition scene, rising downtown with nice outlets, eating places, and a Minor League Baseball stadium,” stated Billy Dunlap, chief tourism improvement officer for OneSpartanburg, Inc.

This metropolis, situated 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 situated within the coronary heart of Spartanburg.

Retirees who get pleasure from exploring by bike ought to think about Spartanburg since The League of American Bicyclists named this metropolis the primary bicycle-friendly neighborhood within the state. Those that desire vehicles to bikes will probably be delighted to know that Spartanburg is residence to a BMW museum (the one one in North America), the BMW Efficiency Driving College, and the one BMW manufacturing plant within the U.S. (you’ll be able to even take a manufacturing unit tour).

Along with outside actions, pure magnificence, nightlife, and historical past, Spartanburg is a sensible selection for retirees who need quick access to healthcare. Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System has a number of places all through the county and even provides free health courses every week for seniors over 50.