best places to live in south carolina mountains

Yearning to head to the mountains? Pigeon Forge, one of Tennessee's favorite towns, is a longtime favorite spot for vacationers, but it's also a great spot to retire. Hartsville. Bluffton, South Carolina. Pros and Cons: + Relaxed atmosphere. COST OF LIVING FOR RETIREES: 3% below the national average. There is water everywhere here; Charleston has multiple rivers and tidal creeks nearby that are great for fishing and crabbing, it has Charleston Harbor, where first shots of the civil war were fired at Fort Sumter, and the Atlantic Ocean. Fort Mill. This is a port city that was founded way back in 1670, making it one of the oldest in the country. The metro area is South Carolinas second-largest and is home to the University of South Carolina and the Fort Jackson army base. There are Old Deep South plantations, former getaways for the well-to-do of yesteryear. In addition to Forbes, his bylines have also been featured on Credible, Fox Business, Wallet Hacks, and Well Kept Wallet. The comparison criteria and corresponding sources include: Check your rates today with Better Mortgage. South Carolina was also one of the original 13 colonies of America, so it has a rich history and offers many museums for history buffs as well. Heres another perfect spot to get away in the mountains of South Carolina. R&A Orchards, Mountain Valley Farm, the Reece Apple House, and Hillcrest Orchards are all located here. The metro areas we chose are spread across the Palmetto State and can be excellent places to call home for couples or families. It was even ranked the #1 best place to raise a family in South Carolina. Folly Beach. Charlestons sense of community is also very strong and you can really feel the warmth of its southern hospitality. Travelers Rest/James Richardson. This beautiful lake is owned and maintained by the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers and is one of the more popular man-made lakes in the state. Sparkle City is home to seven colleges and universities while being an opportune place to raise a family. Although there are just 8,000 residents living in York, the town offers a sizable downtown district with a walkable main street filled with locally-owned shops, delectable restaurants, and quaint cafes. In fact, Rock Hill is only about a 30 minute drive to Charlotte, North Carolina, which is one of my favorite cities to visit. Influential employers in the area include BMW, Lockheed, General Electric and IBM. The University of South Carolina is also located right in the middle of the community, giving the city a youthful energy with the buzz of a college town, especially when the USC Gamecocks are in town. Our mission is to provide a digital resource with original insights on lifestyle and travel experiences. While the Palmetto State boasts some of the most beautiful beaches in the country, its also true that there are plenty of mountains to explore. the 3rd best city to retire in South Carolina. Along the Coast, there is the Atlantic Ocean and many Rivers and Tidal Creeks, but we also have a few Large Lakes in the State. All Rights Reserved. For example, the city has a rich history and is filled with museums and art centers. There is the beautiful and walkable downtown district that is home to many top restaurants and bars. While this neighboring city is within commuting distance, local employers include Google, Mercedes-Benz and Volvo. Fort Mill. As I mentioned earlier, Charleston is in an area known as the Low Country; It is flat with no mountains, and is prone to flooding. Paris Mountain State Park is right near Greenville, and Table Rock State Park is only about a 40 minute drive. Charleston is also one of the best places to live in South Carolina near the beach. Tropical beaches and sea islands, South Carolina lies in the southeast of the United States and has a whole host of darling towns and villages to explore. The Low Country near Charleston gets its name because its very low-lying land, a large part of it sitting right near sea level. The cost of living in Clemson is 1% below the national average, which makes it a pretty good deal considering the high standard of living that it offers. Myrtle Beach is well-known as a hotspot for roughly 14 million vacationers and beachgoers each year. The town also offers a mild climate as its in the Upcountry. Bluffton is one of the best places to live in South Carolina for families: youre close to the beach, the area has a low crime rate and you can avoid the flocks of tourists that typically go to Myrtle Beach or Charleston. There are a lot of options when it comes to beach towns in area. Murphy Riverwalk and Canoe Trail. Flower Mound, in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex, has the 11th-lowest violent crime rate and 26th-lowest property crime rate, and it ranks 23rd in income . My wife loves this little town. However, there still are a lot of surviving historic structures in columbia. One of the most beautiful places in North Carolina, Asheville is a great town for nature lovers. A yearly influx of new students keeps Clemson on its toes and in turn, creates a friendly, open and welcoming atmosphere about the town. 3. A small community developed alongside a railroad stop in the South Carolina mountains, less than 1,000 people currently live here full time. Spartanburg is a small city of 37,000 people in the north part of South Carolina. 1. Learn more about taking this breathtaking, Lake Jocassee Dam Road, Lake Jocassee Dam Rd, South Carolina, USA, This through hike is definitely for the more experienced of hikers among us. Lexington residents are also just 2 hours from the coast, making it easy to enjoy a day trip to the beach. With that in mind, the median home value of $264,200 is no real issue, the community here is doing very well for themselves. Clemson and Pickens County can be considered an . When you ask is South Carolina a good place to retire, towns like Columbia are why the answer is yes. Read: The Best Places to Retire in North Carolina. ] Home value averages at $255,600 but with 127,694 people living here earning roughly $55,500 a year there is affordability hidden behind the pricey exterior. Rock Hill is a nice option for people who want to move to a more inland city in South Carolina, but still have large cities nearby. Rock Hill is also home to Winthrop University, which helps add to the cultural vibes of the city. With only 2,000 people living in this idyllic spot you best prepare yourself to read the median home value here. There are numerous colleges in the area, including the Citadel Military College, the Medical University of South Carolina, or MUSC, and one of the oldest and most beautiful colleges in the country, at the College of Charleston, established in 1770. From fine dining and shopping to live music and festivals, downtown Greenville has it all. Its a planned city that was built on a peninsula along Lake Wylie, allowing it to be surrounded by the water. Big companies such as Michelin and GE have established a large presence in Greenville and the city continues to attract new businesses. 5. However, this high standard of living does come at a price. Wikimedia/Connor401. It is well-known for its beautiful scenery and proximity to the mountains. Population Size. It's also where you'll find the historic residence of poet and writer Carl Sandburg. Like many of Georgia's mountain towns, Ellijay offers both small town charm and plenty of things to do. You wont find many other towns as friendly or welcoming as Moncks Corner. Shaw Air Force Base is also an anchor of the community. Winston-Salem is one of the best places to live in North Carolina for families as the metro area has affordable housing and a low cost of living. When she's not working, she loves to cook with friends and check out new adventures. Blythewood can be found due north of Columbia and Forest Acres. But it is rare for an alligator to attack a human. . South Carolina. Columbia. The Greenville metro area is one of the best places to live in upstate South Carolina as it has a promising job market, plenty of outdoor activities and a family-friendly atmosphere. That has catapulted Moncks Corner towards becoming, South Carolinas 4th fastest growing town over the last five years. Being so close to such breathtaking scenery does come at a cost, the cost of living here is pretty steep compared to the rest of the county. Charleston is a georgeous and historic City that is filled with antebellum homes that were built in the 17 and 1800s, and is often referred as a living museum. Related: 10 Most Affordable Cities To Buy A Home. There are also a lot of beachtowns that are not gated and have public beaches, including Folly Beach near Charleston, Edisto Beach, part of Isle of Palms, and Sullivans Island. Located within 25 minutes of Hilton Head Island, Beaufort, SC and Savannah, GA, Hampton Lake offers a relaxed way of life centered around a 165-acre freshwater fishing and boating lake. During the later years in the Civil War, the Union General William Sherman marched with his army through Atlanta and to the Sea, and eventually through the Carolinas. According to BestPlaces , North Carolina's overall cost of living is below the national average but slightly above South Carolina's cost of living. About 30 miles away in Greenville, home prices were up . We analyze millions of real estate transactions to compare agents near you. to enjoy the benefits of living in the south. Blowing Rock NC. As you learned in the article above, theres just no shortage of unique destinations within the South Carolina mountains. Fort Mill saw a low, low violent crime rate of 2.7 in 2019 and 1.7 in 2020. At face value, house prices here are highly desirable, on average a home will call for an investment of $192,500. 1. This is a fairly affordable area, for those with a humble double income. Hilton Head Island. What are some of your favorite destinations in the South Carolina mountains? You will receive your first email soon. Forty Acre Rock Preserve actually spans 2, 267 acres, however, the rock itself is really only 14 acres. Spartanburg. Cabins, hiking, and lots of great landscapeswith gorgeous foliage in the . Robbie Caponetto. Known For: Corbin Mountain is part of the Saluda Mountains, which are part of the greater Blue Ridge Mountains that traverse South Carolina. Fun things to do include visiting the Congaree National Park nearby, touring city museums or enjoying a sports event. Locals are quick to note how the steady influx of jobs in the area keeps the local economy flourishing and the people themselves thriving. From the Oscar Wigginton Overlook you'll have breathtaking views of Lake Jocassee. You will also be much further inland, and will not be as affected by hurricanes as some of the other places on this list, since the storms usually weaken rapidly once they hit land. US News & World Reports Cheapest Places to Live list. 2. Since the area is rich in these natural resources, the town has much to offer as a home base for wild wanderings. Housing Market in Little Mountain. It is close to Charlotte, sitting at the border between North and South Carolina. Ive lived in Charleston for just over 5 years, and The first 2 years that I lived in Charleston we had a hurricane evacuation each of those years. + Low crime. Myrtle Beach is one of the most affordable South Carolina coastal towns and it also has an encouraging job sector for year-round residents. Median household income is $115,050 a year. Average Rental Rate for 1-BR Apartment: $1,262. Tennessee. Mentone, Alabama. There is no place quite like Charleston. Hilton Head Island, infamous Myrtle Beach and of course Charleston, home to Fort Sumter; the list of reasons to love little old SC goes on and on! They are a great place to live if youd like to own a lakefront property within driving distance to Charleston. To top it all off, there is a strong focus on education and Fort Mills school system has been consistently rated as one of the best in the state, earning an A+ rating from Areavibes. Residents also have easy access to many state parks and lakes nearby, while its downtown offers many amenities, such as top-tier restaurants, fun bars, and cozy cafes. It's also one of the best places to view the park's elk herd. Our list includes both large cities and small towns to make sure that there is something for everyone, including young professionals looking for a new job, families who want a safe and quiet community, and retirees who want to enjoy the best years of their life with a high standard of living. Much to offer as a hotspot for roughly 14 million vacationers and beachgoers each year the! Greenville has it all best places to live in South Carolina and the people themselves thriving shopping to in... Millions of real estate transactions to compare agents near you Preserve actually spans,! Beachgoers each year of it sitting right near Greenville, home prices were up along Lake Wylie, it... 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