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. The average home here costs just $124,700, not only this but there is great value for money in Irmo too. Average Annual Salary: $44,830. Columbia is home to The University of South Carolina and the GameCocks college football team. 5: York. Homes: $325K - $750K Lots: $40K - $100K. 2. The areas primary employment industries are healthcare, logistics and manufacturing. It has recently become the biggest city in South Carolina and is the crown jewel of the state. It is located right on the shores of the Atlantic Ocean, allowing residents to access the beach all year round and take advantage of South Carolinas great weather. Known For: Corbin Mountain is part of the Saluda Mountains, which are part of the greater Blue Ridge Mountains that traverse South Carolina. All Rights Reserved. Much like in Five Forks, this helps keep the area feeling fresh and vibrant. There are a few Lakes within driving distance from the Greenville area if you want to do some boating, inlcuding Lake Saluda, Lake Hartwell, Lake Keowee, and Lake Robinson. 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. Its proximity to Charlotte and relaxed living right on the water make Tega Cay one of the most desirable small towns to live in South Carolina. Founded 350 years ago, under the name Charles Towne, Charleston is the oldest city in the state and has a fascinating history. 10,834 14. The city is located on the inland May River and you can be to one of Hilton Head Islands beaches within 30 minutes. Fort Mill is another small suburb of Charlotte that sits right at the northern border with North Carolina. Meanwhile, the town itself offers many things to do. Greenville has been generating a lot of buzz recently, based on its revitalized downtown and continued economic growth. Much like with Forest Acres, this home of 19,447 people identifies as its own town rather than as a suburb of Columbia. Meanwhile, nature lovers will benefit from Greenvilles ideal location at the base of the Blue Ridge Mountains. A diverse and family-friendly community awaits you in Lexington. 5. There are also some cons of living here, including the heat and humidity during the Summer months, flooding, and more. to enjoy the benefits of living in the south. The public schools rank well in the state, and Greenville is one of South Carolina's most affordable cities to live. The city has several employment avenues ranging from advanced manufacturing, aviation, data centers, food processing and medical devices. 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. There are small towns, and then there's Ridgeway small. If this is what youre looking for, you will either need to move to the Pee Dee region, which includes the Grand Strand area and Myrtle Beach, or you will need to move to the Low country, which includes Charleston, where I live. There are also numerous opportunities to enjoy movies, music, and performance arts around York. The coastal suburb exudes a laid-back atmosphere, all without sacrificing easy access to amenities. Housing Market in Little Mountain. , which houses a 500+ seat theater and a historical center. It is home to Clemson University and is a family friendly community filled with students and professors. No matter where youre from in the Palmetto State youve probably found yourself hearing the mountains calling your name from time to time. Having said that, there is still plenty to do during the Summer; every where you go is going to have air coinditioning, and there is usually a cool breeze coming from the ocean and Charleston Harbor, so you can go to the beach or go boating, and many communities have a community pool, and summer is a great time to go swimming. Weekend home on Sullivans Island we hear you jest. Travelers Rest, SC, USA. It offers several amenities that typically belong in bigger cities thanks to being the home of Clemson University." 8 . Influential employers in the area include BMW, Lockheed, General Electric and IBM. Pros and Cons: + Relaxed atmosphere. One of the most beautiful places in North Carolina, Asheville is a great town for nature lovers. Woodside is a master planned, lifestyle community located in Aiken, South Carolina, which was recently named Southern Living Magazine's "2018 Best Small Town", and received three other awards including "The South's Friendliest Town", "Second Best Food Town" and "Second Best Hotel . Here are 11 perfect places to answer that call the next time you feel beckoned by those beautiful South Carolina mountains. It made US News & World Reports Cheapest Places to Live list, coming in at #25. 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. Here, you have your choice among numerous tree-lined residential neighborhoods that offer quiet, yet tight-knit communities. This is a fairly affordable area, for those with a humble double income. 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. None of the information on this website is guaranteed to be accurate, and any information that is important to you (Square footage, location, tax information, school district, bedrooms, bathrooms, anything else that is important to you, etc) should be verified by a professional. Additionally, there are many green areas around the city, including Myrtle Beach State Park and the Waccamaw National Wildlife Refuge, which is a 55,000 acre wetlands and forest. You wont find many other towns as friendly or welcoming as Moncks Corner. Bioscience, logistics and marine are thriving industries as well. Our team evaluated stats from many different databases to ensure that we covered all aspects of what makes a city great, including: We also cross-referenced our findings with the most recent ratings from large news sources such as US News & World Report, Wallethub, Niche.com, and Marketwatch. North Charleston. Columbia had the highest with 12,479, followed by Greenville, Myrtle Beach . This park has many festivals and gatherings thoughout the year, and You can take a walk across the 345 foot pedistrian bridge located here, known as Liberty Bridge. The city also has an affordable cost of living. If that is not enough, Myrtle Beach also has its own international airport, making it very convenient for frequent travelers. Its not only students who will be happy to hear about Clemsons low rent value, falling at an average of $785 a month. Your financial situation is unique and the products and services we review may not be right for your circumstances. Spartanburg is a pleasant place to live amidst the Blue Ridge Mountains. It is, of course, celebrated for the unusual rock formation that is the town's namesake- a huge stone thrust over the Johns River. However, there still are a lot of surviving historic structures in columbia. For example, the city has a rich history and is filled with museums and art centers. We compared the various South Carolina metropolitan areas using data from several platforms to measure variable criteria for home affordability, healthy employment and population growth. 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. 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. We do have alligators in South Carolina, and it is very common to see them in the little lakes and ponds here. 9. Lying just east of Tega Cay is the next suburb of Charlotte to feature on our list, Fort Mill. As you learned in the article above, theres just no shortage of unique destinations within the South Carolina mountains. 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. For those who can split rent two or even three ways, this area has near instant appeal. Height: 3,068. The university is a national leader in college athletics. The city itself is something special. Sparkle City is home to seven colleges and universities while being an opportune place to raise a family. 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. This refuge has miles of nature trails, rivers, and swamps. 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. Meanwhile, there are tons of parks and public plazas in and around Rock Hill that make it an outdoor lovers dream. If so, feel free to share your recommendations with us in the comments below. Home to popular vacation towns, South Carolina is known for beaches, warm weather and hundreds of golf courses. Brevard at No. There is also a vibrant nightlife for college students, young professionals and the like. Something went wrong. Lake Murray is a 50,000-acre manmade lake located in the Midlands of South Carolina. Both of these Lakes are on the South Carolina and Georgia Border. We analyze millions of real estate transactions to compare agents near you. The Upstate region of South Carolina does have a small section the Blue Ridge Mountains, which is part of the Appalachian Mountains. Greenville, South Carolina. Asheville. The Sullivans Island Lighthouse is, naturally, the neighbourhoods best-loved landmark but Fort Moultrie is a close contender too. 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 . Hilton Head Island is not just for tourists and vacationers. Lying on the banks of Lake Murray in Lexington County we find Irmo, a northwestern suburb of state capital Columbia. Fort Mill saw a low, low violent crime rate of 2.7 in 2019 and 1.7 in 2020. Charleston is indeed one of the best places to live and settle down in South Carolina with a population of around 135,257 people. From endless miles of hiking trails to local art shops to award-winning restaurants, these eight towns along the Blue Ridge Mountains make the perfect day-trip for anyone visiting the area. Fort Mill. There are also numerous opportunities to enjoy movies, music, and performance arts around York. Without a doubt. With Dollywood just next door, you'll never be at a loss for entertainment. In the end, it's one hike you'll never forget. Lake Hartwell. 10 Niche users give it an average review of 4.2 stars. Columbia, South Carolina, is a traditionally Southern town with a modern twist. 11. The best part about Spartanburg is its affordability. Related: How Much House Can I Afford? A small community developed alongside a railroad stop in the South Carolina mountains, less than 1,000 people currently live here full time. Certainly an island in terms of geography, Sullivans Island is hardly that far removed from South Carolina; so no real island vibes here! Sumter. Sip oodles of great wine from the veranda with amazing views of the Blue Ridge Mountains, or enjoy the same views from your room or from the restaurant at the hotel. Within easy reach of the Isle of Palms and the Sullivans Island, there are countless opportunities to get outdoors and explore South Carolinas versatile landscapes. Average prices here are about 7% lower than the rest of the US, while there are numerous new developments that are also being planned. Residents can also see many performance art productions on campus and explore the South Carolina Botanical Gardens. Spartanburg. If you combine that with the strong sense of community that has been cultivated here, it is easy to see why Rock Hill is one of the best places to live in South Carolina. It offers many large cities and charming small towns with fun things to do at an affordable price. For an investment of $134,900, you can move right into a 3-bedroom, 2-bathroom spacious family home on Windbreak Crescent. Lake Marion is the Largest Lake in South Carolina, and is surrounded by a lot of small towns. The charming city of Rock Hill is home to 70,000 residents and is the 5th largest city in South Carolina. Located on a peninsula at the convergence of the lake and the Little River, the 55+ retirement community is . You will not find any skyscrapers in Charleston; this is one of the most well preserved historic districts in the country. 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. I do love the winters in Charleston; you can even go golfing or go to the beach during the winter months; I just dont want to be here in July in August. 1. Mauldin is just 15 minutes from Greenville, yet this city of 25,000 residents has developed its own identity, offering a great blend of safe and affordable living along with great schools and easy access to nature. The Lowcountry and Upcountry areas provide many economic opportunities but offer different climates and outdoor activities. But, it offers a quieter and more relaxed lifestyle than the big city, yet still provides many things to do. Spartanburg is also a major education hub in South Carolina, featuring Wofford College, Spartanburg Methodist College, Converse College, USC Upstate, and Spartanburg Community College. When you ask is South Carolina a good place to retire, towns like Columbia are why the answer is yes. You can also find some live music during the towns summer concert series or in one of the local bars throughout the year. It features a huge workout area, indoor rock climbing wall, basketball courts, and even instructor-led classes. Tennessee. Meanwhile, there are several public parks across the city that offer some refreshing green space as well as playgrounds for kids to play. Located about 15 miles west of Blowing Rock and Boone, the town of Banner Elk is bordered by Beech Mountain to the north and Sugar Mountain and Grandfather Mountain to the south. It rarely snows in Charleston, and I have only seen the snow stick to the ground a couple of times since Ive lived here. Heres another perfect spot to get away in the mountains of South Carolina. This is an ideal place to take a farm tour and celebrate the seasons with family festivities. 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