5 Areas to Consider When Planning Your Move to South Carolina
Lately, interest in South Carolina living has amplified, with the state ranked the fastest-growing in the United States in 2023. Why now? Areas in SC are attracting attention because of the southern state’s advantages:
- By the numbers, South Carolina has the country’s seventh-lowest effective real estate tax at 0.57%; sales tax ranges from 6% to 9%.
- Housing prices run under the national average.
- South Carolina’s climate is a comforting constant, with warm weather prevailing for about eight months. Say goodbye to snow shovels and icy roads and embrace a more relaxed lifestyle.
- The cost of living in South Carolina is 7.3% lower than the national average, stretching budgets further.
- The diverse landscape statewide runs from beaches to the east and mountains to the west. You technically can see both in less than a day’s drive. South Carolina takes the great outdoors to the next level, with 47 state parks covering over 80,000 acres of land.
Where can you live your best life in South Carolina? Hone in on a handful of areas in SC you should consider when you relocate here.
Charleston Metro
Travel + Leisure magazine named the Holy City the Best City in the U.S. from 2016 to 2019. Charleston oozes Southern hospitality and charm at every turn of its historic streets, lovely courtyards, and waterfront parks. The city’s downtown is the hub of world-renowned restaurants that foodies adore. Relax on rooftop bars, indulge in designer shopping, and historic farmer’s markets. The 19th-century buildings are famous for their architecture.
Then there’s all the history to explore by carriage through the antebellum district, by foot along the Charleston Harbor waterfront, or on the boat to Fort Sumter. Those attractions are all near downtown. The city also has a thriving arts scene, with museums and multi-day artistic festivals spread across the year. And who could miss the delicious Lowcountry cuisine like shrimp and grits and fried green tomatoes?
Charleston is the state’s largest city. The metro spills out into surrounding quaint neighborhoods and islands packed with their own set of bars and restaurants, shopping, and historic attractions. Explore suburbs like Mount Pleasant, with its top-rated schools, or North Charleston, with its more affordable cost of living. Look to Isle of Palms, Folly Beach, Sullivan’s Island, and Kiawah Island for beachfront living. Find quiet residential neighborhoods in the Lowcountry, like James Island, Johns Island, and Wadmalaw Island.
Columbia Metro
South Carolina’s capital city charms with classic Southern architecture. Its many historic monuments, state houses, and grand museums add to its character.
But this isn’t a sleepy capital city in the Carolina Sandhills. Columbia packs a punch of activity as the home of the South Carolina State Museum, EdVenture Children’s Museum, University of South Carolina, and home of the Columbia Fireflies minor league baseball team. Pocket parks give families a place to play.
Family fun continues at the nearby Riverbanks Zoo; the fun vibes continue on into Five Points, where metro Columbians and the college crowd gather at bars, restaurants, shops, and nightlife.
Surrounding suburbs are prime real estate, including Forest Acres outside Fort Jackson and Seven Oaks. Other highly desirable areas are near Lexington and the Lake Murray area. All are affordable neighborhoods with a low cost of living. Being a smaller city, commute times are as little as 15 minutes into downtown Columbia.
Spartanburg-Greenville-Clemson
Think of the Upstate South Carolina as a metro meets nature. This thriving area is economically strong thanks to major manufacturers, health care centers, and higher education. Its natural beauty and state parks draw tourists.
The Spartanburg metro region has over 250,000 people who love what it has to offer. In Spartanburg, the thriving economy means there are plentiful job opportunities. A strong manufacturing sector anchors the high-quality jobs found here. It also has some of South Carolina’s top-ranked school districts. The town also has incredible access to outdoor recreation through in-town parks and nearby state parks, like Croft State Park.
Speaking of parks, neighboring Greenville’s beautiful Falls Park on the Reedy ranked among the Top 10 U.S. Parks. It’s the hub of downtown, crossing 32 acres. The showpiece Liberty Bridge is the only single-sided, pedestrian-only suspension bridge in the Western Hemisphere. It overlooks the breathtaking Reedy River Falls below. The park’s walking trails connect to Cleveland Park, where amphitheaters, picnic tables, bike trails, tennis courts, softball fields, and the Greenville Zoo thrive.
Then there’s Greenville’s award-winning Main Street, running from NOMA Square to the city’s west end. The charming, tree-lined hotspot is a hub of world-class restaurants, rooftop bars, art studios, boutiques, coffee shops and more. Greenville, SC, real estate continues to be in high demand as this area has become one of the most desired locations in the state.
Nearby Clemson is also a fun, walkable college town with much to offer in prime real estate. Home to Clemson University, the sea of orange descends on the Tiger Valley Stadium during football season. The expansive Lake Hartwell beckons in summer with its calm waters and fishing spots. The lake shares borders with South Carolina and Georgia.
The Upstate has a low cost of living, which adds to its appeal. Even though temperatures are cooler than the Lowcountry, the winters are still relatively mild.
The Grand Strand
The 60 miles of pristine coastline stretching from Little River south into Georgetown is endearingly called the Grand Strand. Along the endless sands are popular towns like North Myrtle Beach, Myrtle Beach, Surfside Beach, Murrells Inlet, and Pawleys Island. The white sands of the coastal plain have long lured vacationers, while many come to stay for the coastal lifestyle.
There is so much family fun across the Grand Strand, from the beach to the Intracoastal Waterway and beyond. Beaches are only part of its appeal. Because of the challenging and varied layout of courses big and small, South Carolina’s Grand Strand is nicknamed the “Golf Capitol” and “Mini Golf Capitol of the World.” Its courses include resorts hosting PGA tournaments and championships.
Popular bars, restaurants, and attractions in Myrtle Beach are centered around the boardwalk. Visitors flock to Broadway at the Beach and The Market Common for dining options and entertainment. But for more residential neighborhoods, dip further south into Murrells Inlet. The Marshwalk is lined with popular waterfront seafood restaurants. The Brookgreen Gardens is lined with beautiful live oaks and blooms at Huntington Beach State Park. But there’s so much more to see and do if the Grand Strand is your backyard, including theaters and recreational parks. Explore oodles of cozy neighborhoods across Horry County, including the charming small towns inland like Conway and Socastee. The options in living are just a few of the many reasons the Grand Strand towns are among the most sought-after areas to relocate in South Carolina.
Hilton Head Island & the Lowcountry
Island life is the way of life for locals and visitors who are flocking to Hilton Head Island. Surrounded by 12 miles of beaches, the island is ranked #1 in the U.S. and #2 in the world for coastal living. Besides the pristine oceanfront, the island is packed with amenities. Another number to consider with Hilton Head: its on-island 24 golf courses and 40 in greater Beaufort County. Sea Pines Resort hosts an annual PGA tourney. It has over 250 restaurants, including some world-class fine dining. Festivals like the Seafood Festival and Beaufort Water Festival draw thousands every year for their chill vibes and delicious dining.
Then, there are different ways to explore this southernmost slice of land in South Carolina: by bike, by hike, or by boat. Ditch the car and get around by bike or golf cart. Some homes in historic Bluffton and Beaufort date to the 18th century. Tour historical Civil War attractions. Nearby Bluffton and Beaufort’s residential neighborhoods are loaded with historical charm. Browse antique boutiques, coastal gift shops, and maritime museums that showcase the Lowcountry’s history.
Areas in SC
Take your time exploring beautiful South Carolina. There’s a lot to love about the Palmetto State, from its mild winters to its quiet outdoor areas. Its culture embraces unique artistic traditions, a rich history, and southern hospitality. Even the biggest cities still have lower cost of living and charming residential neighborhoods. Let a local real estate agent help you find the right place in South Carolina, and let the Southern lifestyle win you over.
Updated October 2024