I have lived in the North all my life. My few visits to the South as a young adult did not impress me. I had no desire ever to move to the South. However, as we age we see things differently. Things that seemed out of line with our lifestyle become what we now require to make our lives easier.
I visited Myrtle Beach and the various cities and small towns in the South and loved it. South Carolina is a great place to visit with its mild winters and outdoor activities. The good news is that the pros and cons of living in South Carolina far outweighed my desire to stay in the North with its harsh winters and snow.
New York City is magical during the Christmas season. I miss that about it. However, there is magic to be seen in the South as well. Besides, the financial benefits far outweighed any opposition I originally had. Let’s explore why I found South Carolina a good place to relocate.
The Beautiful State of South Carolina
The Palmetto State boasts a national average cost of living significantly lower than the other states in the United States. The cost of living is currently around 5-6% below the US average. Coming from New York with one of the highest national average costs of living was a huge financial advantage for us. Also, with the unemployment rate at 4.3%, South Carolina’s unemployment rate is lower than the national average of some other states.
Our financial advisor said it would be difficult for us to retire in New York. Therefore, we knew we would eventually have to head south toward a more affordable state in the United States. These stats gave South Carolina a big advantage. However, there were other more personal reasons for moving to South Carolina.
Personal Reasons
My father was ill for a long time and eventually passed away. I wanted to be near my one remaining parent. My Mom and my brothers were living in South Carolina and North Carolina. Hence, we had to choose between these two states when deciding it was time to move. So we began to prepare to sell our home and travel to the south to find our new home.
My mother lived near Fort Sumter but we knew we did not want to move that far south. The two major cities to consider were Columbia in South Carolina and Charlotte in North Carolina to be close to a thriving job market. However, we found the job market in Charlotte was a big draw for my husband and I. We had planned to keep our jobs and telecommute but one never knows so we wanted to keep our options open. Let’s discuss more pros and cons of living in South Carolina.
The Pros And Cons Of Living In South Carolina
For various reasons, we love our location in South Carolina from the Blue Ridge Mountains to the beautiful streets of Charlestons (the oldest city) to the beaches of Barrier Islands. South Carolina is a natural beauty with a wide range of beautiful landscapes. In the Lake Wyle area where we settled, there is the lake, the Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden, various parks, recreational centers, and the people are awesome. However, we are close enough to Charlotte to visit museums and the theater for concerts and plays. However, let’s dig in a bit deeper.
The Financials Of Moving To The South
As I have said, we had financial reasons for moving to the south. New York was too expensive for us to live there in our retirement per our financial advisors. Therefore, we knew we would have to downsize our home to a more affordable home. We wanted a house that would carry us into our older years so that we could age in place.
In 2015, the housing market in South Carolina was great. There were new and older homes to explore. The interest rate was affordable at 4% and the price for the type of home we were interested in fell within our $300,000+ budget. Not to mention the taxes were $1,200 compared to the higher taxes of $16,000 we were paying in New York. The low property taxes were almost unbelievable. It was a win-win for us.
With the milder winters, heating our home would drop from $800.00 to $80.00 per month. Things were certainly looking up as other costs also dropped. Our home and car insurance dropped significantly as well. The cost of living in the South was the most important thing to us. These lower costs would make retiring on our social security benefits go further than if we stayed in New York. However, the other southern state we were considering was North Carolina. With all that North Carolina had to offer it too seemed like the perfect place.
Unfortunately, after reviewing the median home value, the size of the homes offered at the time, and the property taxes, South Carolina proved to be a better deal for us. These are all pros and there are no cons in terms of affordability.
Other Costs
Finally, the cost of food is also down. However, with the cost of utilities, insurance, and taxes being significantly lower I am not sure if the cost to purchase food would make a difference. The cost of gas and gas taxes were also lower than in the North. Overall, the savings have been so substantial that when I lost my job due to COVID-19 we could live comfortably on one salary in our new place. Hence, our retirement income will go very far here in South Carolina. This was turning out to be a great idea. One more pro for South Carolina.
Home Prices
Purchasing a home in South Carolina is very affordable. When we sold our house in New York, we were able to put in a substantial down payment for our retirement home. In 2016, the housing market was very affordable and it still is today. Per Zillow, the average South Carolina home value is $296,987, up 2.7% over the past year, and goes to pending in around 26 days.
Per Bankrate, the median home sales price in August 2024 has decreased in the past 3 months to $381,300. As you can see there are still deals to be had. Per Ascent, the median home sales price in the United States is $412,300 as of the second quarter of 2024, down 3.4% from last quarter. This is a pro.
State Income and SalesTaxes
South Carolina state income tax for the higher incomes is at 7% but the bottom incomes are the lowest in the country. This is a tough one for me to gauge because we purchase solar panels. Therefore, during the first three years of living in South Carolina, we received a huge income tax refund to cover the cost. After that when the state had a surplus every household received $800.00. Finally, when I lost my job we continued to receive refunds from South Carolina. In New York, based on income you could be taxed from 4% to 10.9%
Finally, a statewide Sales and Use Tax rate of six percent (6%) on the sale of goods and certain services in South Carolina. Most non-prepared food items, prescription drugs, and medical supplies are excluded from taxation. Overall, the great state of South Carolina has been good to us in terms of taxes, another good reason for moving to South Carolina. Again more pros and no cons to relay.
Weather
The warm weather was a huge consideration. We lived in Washingtonville, in the Bear Mountain area of New York. It is very cold during the wintertime. However, the year before we decided to move there were seventeen snowstorms. I kid you not. I was so done with snow. Hence, I could go the next ten years without seeing one flake. So far I almost have, there has only been one ice storm and a small dusting of snow that was gone by noon the same day.
In South Carolina, there are about two weeks of winter. Last year we had four weeks. I love it. There are so many sunny days and most of the winter is like an Indian summer or early spring due to the subtropical climate. However, the summer months are super hot with most days in the 90s or higher.
Then there is the hurricane season which runs from June 1st to November 30th. It has not been bad for us but there have been moments where it has been a disaster for folks in neighboring counties. We have been fortunate to lose power for an extended period only once.
We have recently experienced some high winds damage to our roof but that is the extent of damage so far. However, we have come to accept that there will be a rainy season because in the summer there is sometimes a tropical storm in the forecast. The pros are spring and/or summer-like weather for most of the year. The cons are living in what I was told recently was Hurricane Alley.
Sightseeing And Entertainment
The first few years after we relocated to South Carolina, we did a lot of sightseeing and explored all the different types of entertainment available in our local area. We then began to branch out to other areas of South Carolina and North Carolina. Since Lake Wylie is only about 10 minutes outside North Carolina, we also have the advantage of exploring that state. All pros here.
Best Places To See
The City of Charleston is one of my favorite places to visit because there are beautiful historic homes. You can take a leisurely walk soaking in the rich history. We visited the Water Front Park and its lovely view of the Atlantic Ocean, the South Carolina Aquarium, Rainbow Row with all its historical significance, the Charleston City Market, and the International African American Museum.
However, there is so much more southern charm to soak up that we will try to visit at least once or twice a year. We also enjoy visiting Greenville, Columbia, and other cities in South Carolina. In North Carolina, we have visited Charlotte and Greensboro. I am happy to report there is so much more to explore well into our golden years.
Sandy Beaches
The Atlantic coast of South Carolina has the following beaches: Myrtle Beach, Hilton Head Island, Kiawah Island, Folly Beach, and Huntington Beach State Park. For a full listing check out this article from Travel + Leisure. Someone who has lived in South Carolina for over twenty years made up this listing of the fifteen best beaches. I plan to use this listing for my next adventure to the beach. I have only visited Myrtle Beach but we plan to see a few on this list. The humid summers require some water activities such as using a pool, and the beaches or visiting the waves and tube rides at Carawinds.
World-Class Golf Courses
South Carolina has over 450 golf courses, including ones designed by Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, and Davis Love III. The second oldest golf course in the United States is Palmetto Golf Club in Aiken. Per Golf Digest the top five golf courses in South Carolina are the Kiawah Island Golf Resort, Congaree Golf Club, Yeamans Hall Club, Sage Valley Golf Club, and Secession Golf Club. There are 45 Golf and Country Clubs on the Golf Digest list. Click the link to read about all of them, see bonus images with drone views, and reviews from course panelists, and leave your ratings on courses you have played on.
Hiking
We visited various parks with walking and biking trails in South Carolina and North Carolina. Landsford Canal State Park in South Carolina is home to the world’s largest Rocky Shoals Spider Lilies population. It was worth the 1.5-mile hike to see them in all their glory. You can get a better view of them via boat but we preferred to hike. In Rock Hill, we had a lovely hike at the Riverwalk. We visited Greenville, SC, and explored the River Walk and a few of the shops.
In North Carolina, we visited the Cove and Creekside Trail Loop at McDowell Nature Preserve. This was an easy hike. However, we could not complete the Seven Oaks Preserve Trail in Belmont which was for intermediate hikers. We are not much of a hiker, so we only visited these various sites once or twice.
Entertainment
I loved seeing live shows when I lived in New York City. I would take my sons to Radio City Music Hall to see the Christmas Show or a rendition of Scrooge each year. They loved it. Over the years I attended some Broadway shows, but they were expensive or difficult to obtain. However, in North Carolina and South Carolina the same Broadway shows were not only available they were affordable. For the price of one ticket in New York, I could purchase 2 or 3 tickets depending on the show.
Between the Charlotte Theatre and Greenville Theatre I could buy tickets for Hamilton, The Lion King, The Dance Theater of Harlem, and Nutcracker Hip Hop, to name a few. It was like living a dream.
Charlotte also has the Discovery Place where children and adults can learn about the five branches of science: physical, Earth, life, chemistry, and physics. There are science projects for everyone. It is so much fun to explore and learn. You will be a science geek before you leave. There are so many things to explore. It is a fantastic, fun, and educational place to spend with your kids. They will not be bored. As adults, my husband and I had a blast.
Pickleball And Field Day Park
I cannot end the benefits of living in South Carolina without talking about Pickleball. Here is where I was introduced to the game. I have met so many nice people. I feel I will be friends with them for a very long time. Bonding over sport builds a connection that I could never imagine. I have never played organized sports. I feel like I missed out on something special. However, my next-door neighbor fixed this for me. She came to my house and said I should play Pickleball because they had an introductory class to learn the game. So she handed me a paddle and told me to head to Field Day Park.
I went the next night and met the most wonderful people and learned to play. We have been meeting to play almost daily for about a year and a half. I have had the time of my life and can’t stop sharing how much fun Pickleball is with everyone I meet. This includes family, friends, and even strangers. The Field Day Park opened in October 2020 with three synthetic multipurpose fields for soccer, Lacrosse, Rugby, and flag football. There are six Pickleball courts, a playground, two picnic shelters, and walking trails. A community building was built for concessions, restrooms, and a kitchen. This building can be rented for community events or to view games.
Crime Rates
I have not experienced much crime in my development except for some items stolen from cars left open giving easy access to the local criminals. The area where I live has a low crime rate. However, South Carolina’s overall crime rate is higher than the national average. The violent crime rate in the United States in 2022 was 380.7 incidents per 100,000 people. Per Search Labs | AI Overview:
Violent crime: South Carolina’s violent crime rate is 29% higher than the national average, with 491 violent crimes per 100,000 people annually.
Property crime: South Carolina’s property crime rate is higher than the national average.
Overall crime rate: South Carolina has the ninth-highest crime rate in the nation, with 2,920 crimes per 100,000 citizens.
Per Safehome.org, Orangeburg, Clinton, Hartsville, Myrtle Beach, Camden, and Union are some of the state’s most dangerous cities in terms of violent crime. However, Chester, South Carolina, a city of just over 5,000 residents, is the most violent city in the state; it has a violent crime rate of 2,566 per 100,000. Safer cities in South Carolina include Travelers Rest, Central, Tega Cay, Bluffton, and Due West.
It makes sense to have some home security system. Also, make a habit of locking the doors of your car and home to avoid property crimes. If possible store your locked vehicle in your garage. Neighborhood Scout will allow you to check out real estate to determine the crime rate in rural areas, larger cities, smaller towns, or a coastal town. Click here to gauge if the areas you want to move to have a high crime rate and additional information about the neighborhood.
Finally, understand that even if South Carolina’s crime statistics may seem frightening, many areas in this state are very safe to live in. This is a con.
Poverty
South Carolina ranks 37th for per capita income among the 50 states and has a poverty rate of 14 percent, making it the 10th poorest state in the U.S. per SC.gov. I am not happy about sharing this information but what has encouraged me is the generosity of this state. There are many opportunities to donate to shelters, food pantries, local churches, and businesses. Even the news stations sponsored various food, clothing, and school supplies drives.
During hurricanes, the communities have pool resources to help those in need. I have never seen this done consistently in New York. It makes you feel like you are truly part of the community. South Carolina is a community that cares about its neighbors and wants the best for them. This is a pro and a con.
Healthcare
In the Lake Wyle area which is currently being developed heavily, there are multiple healthcare facilities to choose from. Whether you choose Novant, CaroMont, or any others you will find brand-new facilities with state-of-the-art equipment and technology. I was even impressed with my dental office which took 3-D pictures of the teeth and gums. I was not very happy with my results but that is a tale for another day. This is a pro.
Higher Education
South Carolina is home to Clemson University in Clemson, the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston, and many other colleges, universities, regional educational coalitions, two-year regional campuses, and technical colleges. There are eight historically black Colleges (HBCs) in South Carolina. South Carolina has a higher percentage of African American college students attending an HBCU than nationwide.
South Carolina also has a senior citizen tuition waiver program for its legal residents. You can enroll in this program if you are at least 60 years old and do not work full-time. You will still have to meet the enrollment standards outlined by each university or college. I hope to take advantage of this program one day. This is another pro.
Military Base
South Carolina has several military bases. Both of my brothers were stationed in South Carolina. Hence, this is where they decided to live once they retired from service in the Carolinas. I am glad they did because my Mom and Dad moved here for a better life and I eventually followed. This was an excellent choice for me. This is a pro.
Recap of The Pros and Cons of Living In South Carolina
Overall, my experience moving to South Carolina has been filled with great things. it has a temperate climate. It is fiscally sound with the lowest property taxes, State income taxes, and State sales tax. There is a lot for retired people and young families to do. There are so many parks, entertainment, and cultural opportunities.
Many parts of the state have the most beautiful scenery I have ever seen. For seniors, it has the advantage of a slower pace of life, especially if you come from a big city like New York, Chicago, or Los Angeles but with many amenities of a large city. The lower cost of housing, food, utilities, and insurance makes South Carolina a great choice for us. There are more pros than cons.
Pros for South Carolina
A beautiful place to live
Mild Winters
Low cost of living
State Parks
Culture and entertainment
Great Outdoors activities
Golf Courses
Availability of state-of-the-art healthcare facilities
Housing prices
Low taxes
Low Unemployment
Cons for Carolina
Hurricanes
Hot Summers
Heavy rain
Crime
Poverty
Things To Consider Before Relocating
If you plan to relocate for retirement for a more affordable lifestyle. There are other factors you must consider. Can you afford to move away from your family or your support system? Do you still need to work and can you find work to support your current expenses? Will your job support telecommuting? Do you have the time to look for and visit various new locations to consider?
Do you have or can you develop a support system at your new locations? Can you financially afford to move to your new location? Are you outgoing or adventurous enough to consider moving to a new place where you know no one? Are you capable of building a new life from nothing or almost nothing? If this new location does not work out can you move on?
This content is for information purposes only. It does not constitute financial advice. If you need personal advice, please consult a financial advisor. I do not endorse any of the companies mentioned. Please research and do your due diligence. I do not get paid if you click any of the links.
For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord , plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Jeremiah 29:11 ESV
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