Baby Boomers looking for warmer climates and lower cost of living are heading to the South Carolina Lowcountry. This retirement region offers a variety of 55+ communities as well as literally hundreds of choices in new and established communities. Major hubs for growth are situated in Beaufort County located in the Southeastern part of the State. They are the City of Beaufort, The Town of Hilton Head Island, the Town of Bluffton, and Sun City Hilton Head.
The region is also attracting new businesses and economic growth in education, health care, financial services, food and beverage, recreation, and technology. One of its major advantages is proximity of location to the I-95 corridor. This allows access to all the surrounding areas for day trips to Savannah, GA or Charleston, SC and easy North/South travel routes.
This part of South Carolina is too large and diverse to cover in one description.
Many folks who have relocated have come down on vacation to explore the rich history and culture, year round recreation, scenic marshes and beaches, and world class resort amenities. Here’s a snapshot of the most popular Boomer places to live:
The Town of Hilton Head Island (www.hiltonheadislandsc.gov) attracts vacation goers and retirees looking for affordable resort living. The Town has close to 40,000 full time residents as well as retired second home owners. There is a diverse mix of condos and homes in vacation and gated communities called Plantations. Over 70% of the Island is comprised of the private communities.
Each of these planned developments has their own amenities and choices for an active lifestyle. For example, Hilton Head Plantation (a luxury gated waterfront community set on nearly 4,000 acres) has bike trails, a private beach park, tennis, golf, and organized clubs.
The Town of Bluffton (www.townofblufftonsc.gov) located just off Island has grown from a “sleepy Town” of one square mile to being one of the fastest growing areas in Beaufort County. It is situated on the headwaters of the May River and often referred to as a “coastal village.” Over 100 new home developments have opened over the last 5 years. Sun City Hilton Head and The Haven at New Riverside are popular 55+ communities with a Bluffton address.
The City of Beaufort (www.cityofbeaufort.org) is located on Port Royal Island in the heart of the SC Sea Islands and the Lowcountry. It is known for its rich history, scenic location, and antebellum architecture. This part of the region has attracted film makers and artists to the community to capture the Historic Landmarks. Beaufort and the surrounding areas offer retirees a “laid back” Southern lifestyle.
The South Carolina state directory page of ActiveAdultLiving.com details no less than 160 communities. Within the Lowcountry there are a total of 22 communities for your consideration including 5 on Hilton Head Island, 4 in the Hilton Head area, 3 in Beaufort and 11 in Bluffton.
Our thanks go out to Real Estate Consultant Kathy Ewell who contributed to this article.
