The economy has also been experiencing a boom, with several large corporations setting up offices in or around the area, such as BMW and Dennys. If youre considering relocating to South Carolina, but are not sure where you want to live, this video is for you. Although not on the top of a mountain, the rolling hills of this small city in South Carolina make it easy to view the surrounding mountains. And with 42% of existing residents living in rented properties, there is more than ample choice out there. 5: York. But, it does come at a price. But, the town has still retained its quaint and wholesome character. Coming back down to earth with a cushty soft landing is the suburb of Forest Acres, a humble group of 10,545 people live here and the cost of living too has returned to earth and is near perfect for the average working family. What are some of your favorite destinations in the South Carolina mountains? Asheville. The city is routinely named as one of the safest in South Carolina, while it features home prices that are 12% lower than the US average. Related: South Carolina Income Tax Calculator. (Clemson, Easley) Expand. Not too far from Charleston you have Lake Moultrie and Lake Marion. If you do want to live near the coast in South Carolina, you are going to be more affected by Hurricanes than the areas that are inland. 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. It is also just 40 minutes to Savannah, Georgia and 1.5 hours away from Charleston, giving you the choice to enjoy a bigger city and its amenities or to relax on the waterfront at home. Yearning to head to the mountains? Sounds like a nice place to live, right? Geographically, it is located right on Lake Murray, giving residents easy access to boating and fishing, while it is also just a short drive away from the mountains. Robin Jarvis is a travel writer and editor for OnlyInYourState.com with a bachelor's degree in Journalism. Sumter is very affordable and conveniently located near the center of the state. Should you have under $100k to play with, perhaps looking elsewhere should be advised, for although the average house price is under $200k the properties that come on the market are often upwards of $450K. Sullivan's Island. The coastal suburb exudes a laid-back atmosphere, all without sacrificing easy access to amenities. There are Old Deep South plantations, former getaways for the well-to-do of yesteryear. An established lakefront sporting community in western South Carolina, buffered by 63,368 acres of national forest land and state parks and the 70,000 acre Lake Thurmond (Clarks Hill Lake). to enjoy the benefits of living in the south. In addition to Forbes, his bylines have also been featured on Credible, Fox Business, Wallet Hacks, and Well Kept Wallet. From the Oscar Wigginton Overlook you'll have breathtaking views of Lake Jocassee. Please see our disclaimers to learn more about our site. Living in Charleston SC- 10 Pros and Cons, 17 Best Cities to Live near Charleston, SC, Homes for Sale in Downtown Charleston, SC, 55+ Active Adult Communities in Charleston, SC. Best Places to Live in South Carolina Near the Beach. This makes Lexington one of the best places to live in South Carolina if you love exploring nature! Lake Murray, the Jewel of South Carolina, offers boating, world-class fishing, golf packages, and many more fun and free things to do for anyone of any age. Forty Acre Rock Preserve actually spans 2, 267 acres, however, the rock itself is really only 14 acres. The metro areas we chose are spread across the Palmetto State and can be excellent places to call home for couples or families. Metro Area: Greenville-Anderson-Mauldin Metro Area. Much like with Forest Acres, this home of 19,447 people identifies as its own town rather than as a suburb of Columbia. Hartsville. Being a city you have access to all the social opportunities you could wish for, youre never too far from a hipster bar, trendy workout class or art exhibition to keep your mind ticking over. First on the list is Asheville, North Carolina. I am originally from Montana, and I definitely miss the Mountains, but there are also a lot of pros of living in the Low Country as well, that I will get to shortly. In fact, the tallest mountain in South Carolina is Sassafras Mountain, residing approximately 3,500 feet above sea level. - High cost of living. The State is separated into four regions, and there are pros and cons of living in each of these locations. Last but certainly not least on our list of beautiful destinations in the South Carolina mountains, Jones Gap State Park, 303 Jones Gap Rd, Marietta, SC 29661, USA. It's no wonder Asheville is consistently voted as one of the best places to live in the Blue Ridge Mountains. If you live in Columbia, you will be within about 2 hours from the Mountains, the Beaches, Augusta Georgia, Greenville, SC, Charlotte North Carolina, and Lake Murray is also very close to Columbia, a 50,000 acre lake with about 650 miles of shoreline. The 11 Best Beach Towns in South Carolina- near Charleston, SC, Homes for Sale Under $200,000 near Charleston- South Carolina, Buying a Home, Moving to Charleston, Selling a Home, Things to Do, Charleston Real Estate Guide- South Carolina, Buying a Home, Community, Moving to Charleston, Selling a Home, Things to Do, Cheap Homes for Sale near Charleston- South Carolina Property, Buying a Home, Moving to Charleston, Selling a Home, Living on James Island, SC- Pros and Cons, Buying a Home, Community, Moving to Charleston, Things to Do, Living in Charleston, SC- 10 Pros and Cons- 2022, 17 Best Places to Live near Charleston, SC- 2022 South Carolina. Fort Mill also features a cute downtown area with many locally-owned shops, bars, and restaurants lining its historic Main Street. Homes here are lavish and elegant, every property can boast its mansion status proudly. OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. Bioscience, logistics and marine are thriving industries as well. Plan your travels with our list of the best small towns in South Carolina. Lexington residents are also just 2 hours from the coast, making it easy to enjoy a day trip to the beach. During his march, Shermans army followed a scorched earth policy. The home value here is $179,000 on average and looking at whats available on the market right now youd surely get change from that investment. Its a planned city that was built on a peninsula along Lake Wylie, allowing it to be surrounded by the water. Back to South Carolinas picture perfect coast, we go. He uses his professional and personal experience to help families save money and pay off debt faster. Home Affordability Calculator. Talking about jobs, what other factors do we need to take into consideration when seeking a new home? According to Trico Long Distance Movers, the best place to live in the mountains in the United States is Telluride in Colorado. 4 Cause & Effect Reasons (Explained). If you are in the Charlotte or Rock Hill area during the Holliday Season, make sure to check out a town nearby in North Carolina, called McAdenville, also known as Christmas Town USA. the 3rd best city to retire in South Carolina. This community of 12,000 residents sits right in the heart of South Carolinas Lowcountry. The best part about Spartanburg is its affordability. Homes: $325K - $750K Lots: $40K - $100K. Greenville, South Carolina. Pickens County. 15. The university provides a strong lift to the local economy and offers tons of things to do, including a great nightlife scene and excellent amenities for a town this size. Mauldin is, much like Five Forks, a township all of its own, living in the shadow of Greenville. Meanwhile, nature lovers will benefit from Greenvilles ideal location at the base of the Blue Ridge Mountains. This would suggest that although at first glance Mount Pleasant seems a little exclusive, should you play your cards right and be sensible with your investments this really could be your next home. Blythewood can be found due north of Columbia and Forest Acres. It boasts a strong job market, affordable housing options, and a vibrant arts and culture scene. Paris Mountain State Park is right near Greenville, and Table Rock State Park is only about a 40 minute drive. Roxboro at No. At face value, house prices here are highly desirable, on average a home will call for an investment of $192,500. The Forbes Advisor editorial team is independent and objective. Get more stories delivered right to your email. High Hampton Resort in Cashiers has recently celebrated its 100th anniversary, and it continues to be one of the best luxury resorts in North Carolina. Charleston County has some of the most expensive real estate for sale in South Carolina, but you will be able to find more affordable options in Dorchester County and in Berkeley County, in cities like Summerville, Hanahan, and Goose Creek. Some people did stay in town during these evacuations. Lexington, South Carolina is a small, tight-knit community of 20,000 residents and is a suburb of Columbia that is only 20 minutes away from the state capital. There is also the renowned Cypress Gardens swamp that offers scenic paths and boating adventures that the whole family can enjoy. Another pricey option, Greenwood is one of the best towns to retire in South Carolina due to its scenic lake views. There is so much stuff to do in Myrtle Beach, but this city also gets a lot tourists every year. General questions and FAM tours: rjarvis@onlyinyourstate.com. This thriving suburb could very well be classed as a small town in its own right for 16,185 people call this neighbourhood home. What is the tallest mountain in South Carolina? Greenville was also named the 2nd best place to live in South Carolina by US News and World Report. Clemson: "One of South Carolina's best small towns is likely Clemson. Height: 3,068. Average Annual Rainfall. 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. Columbia is home to The University of South Carolina and the GameCocks college football team. Without a doubt. The towns in South Carolina truly defy the idea that the United States of America is a 'new country' - some of the settlements here date back well into the 18th century. Average Rent. Sumter. 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. The Low Country near Charleston gets its name because its very low-lying land, a large part of it sitting right near sea level. Your financial situation is unique and the products and services we review may not be right for your circumstances. Retirees (and everyone for that matter) can also enjoy the easy access to many different beaches and parks in the area, too. Situated in the middle of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Asheville is also famous for its awesome breweries and draft beers. Amenities include swimming, fitness, beaches, a spa, dining, community parks, trails, boardwalks and nature preserves. Criminal offenses reported. This quiet community of 7,600 sits right at the border of South Carolina and North Carolina and is only 20 miles from downtown Charlotte. That has catapulted Moncks Corner towards becoming South Carolinas 4th fastest growing town over the last five years. There is also a vibrant nightlife for college students, young professionals and the like. Fort Mill. State: South Carolina. And it also has some of the lowest property taxes in the nation. Influential employers in the area include BMW, Lockheed, General Electric and IBM. It offers many large cities and charming small towns with fun things to do at an affordable price. the 2nd best place to live in South Carolina by US News and World Report. Sparkle City is home to seven colleges and universities while being an opportune place to raise a family. Love South Carolina? This is, compared with the rest of the country, quite an affluent area. County: Greenville County. Columbia. 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. Prospective tenants will be delighted to hear that monthly rent in the Seven Oaks area is $814 a month, bingo! Although some properties on the market come in at a cheap as chips $745,000, you really need seven figures to play with should Sullivans Island be your choice! South Carolina has been gaining popularity recently. According to BestPlaces , North Carolina's overall cost of living is below the national average but slightly above South Carolina's cost of living. Read: The Best Places to Retire in North Carolina. ] Median Monthly Rent. According to December 2021 data, homes in Anderson were selling for a median price of $225,000, up 6.8 percent compared to the previous year. 10 Niche users give it an average review of 4.2 stars. Bordering Lake Murray is the suburb of state capital Columbia, Seven Oaks. Columbia is the the capital of South Carolina, and is centrally located in the State. 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. There seems to be a Mount Pleasant wherever you go in the world, South Carolinas Mount Pleasant is arguably the most pleasant though. Editorial Note: We earn a commission from partner links on Forbes Advisor. The town also offers a mild climate as its in the Upcountry. Here are 11 perfect places to answer that call the next time you feel beckoned by those beautiful South Carolina mountains. The trail to the top of South Carolina's Table Rock is 3.5 miles each way and totally worth every step. South Carolinas landscape is so diverse that in a matter of just over three hours you can go from ocean views at sea level to heavenly views while towering over the mountainous terrain to the northwest. CITY POPULATION: 131,674. You can watch my video about the pros and cons of living in Charleston for more information, and Ill put a link in the description below. Some of the most influential industries here include aerospace, healthcare and technology. For an investment of $134,900, you can move right into a 3-bedroom, 2-bathroom spacious family home on Windbreak Crescent. Living here lets you enjoy modern amenities like easy access to an international airport or the beach. 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. Asheville, North Carolina. It's also where you'll find the historic residence of poet and writer Carl Sandburg. It is surrounded by nature and offers tons of hiking and biking trails nearby. The area includes Northwoods Mall, which includes more than 120 stores, and Tanger Outlets, where shoppers can find designer items at discounted prices. Charleston has a unique combination of History, culture, great food, beaches, and has mild weather for most of the year. If youre looking to enjoy the outdoors, a bike trail covers the entire town which passes through the iconic Falls Park on the Reedy in the downtown area. This is an ideal place to take a farm tour and celebrate the seasons with family festivities. Fort Mill is another small suburb of Charlotte that sits right at the northern border with North Carolina. Shaw Air Force Base is also an anchor of the community. The median home price in Little Mountain is $244,600. Most noteworthy, people are flocking to these 5 best southern states to live in. Our ratings take into consideration the city size, crime rate, unemployment rate and cost of living. Creekside cabins, glamping tents, resort hotels you can find them all in the best Smoky Mountain towns. In reality, it is all these factors, and a few more, that we think about when searching for a new abode. Clemson spans from Pickens County over into Anderson County and is home to the prestigious Clemson University. Whether you prefer an exclusive lakefront golf resort near the Blue Ridge Mountains, love the historic charm of Charleston, or dream of lazing in Lowcountry style on Pawleys Island, the state's diverse cities and regions cater to a variety of lifestyles and interests. Myrtle Beach is one of the most affordable South Carolina coastal towns and it also has an encouraging job sector for year-round residents. Have you ever been to the, The Red Horse Inn, 45 Winstons Chase Ct, Landrum, SC 29356, USA, What better way is there to feel more connected to our beloved mountains than by climbing one? With thanks to the small and vigilant community, there is next to no crime in Tega Cay which offers residents new and old sufficient peace of mind. Cameron Creek (Home Value Range: $150,000 to $450,000+) Offering a mixture of ranch-style and two-story homes and townhouses, Cameron Creek has options available for every size family and budget. You wont find many other towns as friendly or welcoming as Moncks Corner. With that in mind, the median home value of $264,200 is no real issue, the community here is doing very well for themselves. + Low crime. Although the median household income is a punchy six-figures there remains a diversity within the residence, both in terms of ethnicity and economic background. Bluffton, South Carolina. But, it offers a quieter and more relaxed lifestyle than the big city, yet still provides many things to do. This area is known as the Tri-County area, and includes Charleston County, Berkeley County, and Dorchester County. Nicknamed the Holy City for its many church steeples dating back to the 1700s, this coastal city offers numerous walking tours and museums. These small mountain towns in NC obviously have lots to offer, and in my opinion Blowing Rock (population 1300, altitude 3500+ feet) is truly amongst the finest. best place for a secluded beach front romantic getaway for 2 4 replies; Which Beach on Outer Banks 4 replies; Virginia Beach vs. North Carolina coast 3 replies; Swimming over Memorial Day - Wilmington beach area 2 replies; Least crowded, best deal 2 replies; Best NC Beach for family w/ little kids? Location: Mountain Bridge Wilderness. Although renting is an option in Tega Cay were inclined to back the masses here and say that buying is best; only 7% live in rented accommodation and rent averages upwards of $1,300 a month. To help support our reporting work, and to continue our ability to provide this content for free to our readers, we receive compensation from the companies that advertise on the Forbes Advisor site. Columbia had the highest with 12,479, followed by Greenville, Myrtle Beach . Clark Hills lake is not far from Augusta Georgia and Aiken South Carolina. 9. The city itself is something special. Meanwhile, crime rates are very low, coming in at 46% lower than the national average. Arkansas. Admittedly, this is a tourist town with approximately 12 to 20 million visitors per year seeking to enjoy the various restaurants, boardwalk attractions and 60 miles of beachfront access. Columbia is a very historic city in South Carolina, but a lot of the antebellum buildings are no longer there. Lying just east of Tega Cay is the next suburb of Charlotte to feature on our list, Fort Mill. 2. Dont forget about the mountain region, too, giving you wonderful options for hiking and biking. However, this high standard of living does come at a price. So it's no wonder so many nature lovers, outdoors enthusiasts and history buffs come to spend their golden years here. 11. There are many locally-owned stores and a small town feel, but also with enough big city amenities, with large chains like Walmart, The Home Depot, Starbucks, and Chick-fil-A all present within the city limits. A recent upturn in interest from millennials has, in turn, created a real family oriented feel to the neighbourhood and sees Seven Oaks being regarded as one of the best suburbs to raise a family in South Carolina. Depending on which part of these two lakes you are located, you will be about a 50-90 minute drive to downtown Charleston, SC, but there are a lot of closer cities n. If you want to live on a lake in South Carolina, but be much closer to a larger city, Lake Murray is right next to Columbia, and Lake Wylie is near Rock Hill South Carolina, which is close to Charlotte. A small community developed alongside a railroad stop in the South Carolina mountains, less than 1,000 people currently live here full time. And, if you're in the mood for camping, you'll discover that Devil's Fork State Park has one of the, Devils Fork State Park, 161 Holcombe Cir, Salem, SC 29676, USA, The Red Horse Inn, located in Landrum, offers rooms in their main house or, you can stay in one of the charming six cottages on the property. Locals enjoy exploring Falls . Community amenities such as outdoor activities, public transit and healthcare access also play a factor. May, October and September are the most pleasant months in Mauldin, while July and January are the least comfortable months. A yearly influx of new students keeps Clemson on its toes and in turn, creates a friendly, open and welcoming atmosphere about the town. We recommend you get out that backpack and lace up those boots because we have the 14 best hiking trails in South Carolina that are sure to please! South Carolinas most significant economic hub and tourism area is Charleston. Here is our terms & conditions that stipulates how you can use this site. It is easy to understand why South Carolina has been attracting so many new residents. Columbia, the state capital, is one of the top cities for liveability in South Carolina. Meanwhile, its crime is also low 52% below the national average. So, read about the 15 best places to live in South Carolina and start planning your move to the Palmetto State today. With a mid-sized population of 24,300, youll be unsurprised to hear that there are 90 schools in this district. The cost of living in Clemson is 1% below the national average, Myrtle Beach is well-known as a hotspot for roughly 14 million vacationers, the city continues to attract new businesses. Thank you! It offers small town charm with easy access to the big city, as Charleston is just a 45 minute drive south, while Columbia is about 1 and a half hours northwest. If youre looking for a beach town with less tourists, you may want to consider a different location outside of Myrtle Beach. It has been growing in popularity recently, especially among young professionals and families. Featured Review: Current Resident says Forest Acres is a great neighborhood to live in especially with kids from elementary to high school ages.You are close to the best schools in Columbia, plenty of parks are nearby, and there is an..