Some of the best places to live in South Carolina include Greenville and Spartanburg for their thriving labor markets, Myrtle Beach and Tega Cay for coastal and lakeside living, Summerville and Fort Mill for family-friendly suburban communities, and Clemson and Charleston for their historic charm and college town energy. South Carolina's Hammock Coast is comprised of six cities between Myrtle Beach and Charleston. Georgetown, located right in the center of them, calls itself “the small town you've been looking for,” and it's hard to disagree. Stroll past beautiful old houses and centuries-old oak trees as you approach downtown's colorful shops and galleries, such as Indigo Mercantile and The Cottage. The third oldest city in South Carolina after Charleston and Beaufort, it has a lot of history to discover here.
If you associate South Carolina with the coast, you might want to go to the quiet coastal town of Folly Beach. There's nothing too valuable here, but you'll find plenty of lively local dive bars (like the Sand Dollar Social Club) and six miles of pristine coastline. You can even learn to surf with lessons at the McKevlin surf shop, or get up close and personal with the Morris Island lighthouse by taking a tour kayaking. Best known as the home of Clemson University, this town has much more to offer than just a healthy student population and a beloved soccer team.
Located in the foothills of Blue Ridge, Clemson offers plenty for visitors of all ages to explore. Nature lovers can hike to the precipice of Sassafras Mountain or stroll through the 295-acre South Carolina Botanical Garden. Afterwards, treat yourself to homemade ice cream at the university's legendary student-run ice cream shop, the '55 Exchange. Edisto Island, one of South Carolina's largest barrier islands, is intentionally underdeveloped. Since there aren't any hotels in sight (just perfect beach houses where you can set up your base of operations), you'll have all the peace and quiet you need to spot all kinds of wildlife, from dolphins to ospreys.
If you don't feel like cooking your own fresh catch, head to Whaley's for delicious seafood dishes, such as crab cakes and shrimp and crab soup. Charleston needs no introduction because it's always among the best places to visit and live in the country. With more than 4.8 million tourists visiting Charleston annually, there's always something to do. Numerous festivals and events take place each year, but the most popular are usually the Cooper River Bridge Run, the Spoleto performing arts festival, the Southeastern Wildlife Exposition (SEWE), the Wine + Food Festival and the Volvo Car Open (formerly called the Family Circle Cup, which is the oldest professional women's tennis tournament in the United States).
Charleston is also known as a gastronomic destination, and you'll find articles about its new and modern restaurants along with the best-known icons in the current edition of almost any travel magazine. Summerville is famous for its picturesque historic district and beautiful parks full of of azaleas. The city hosts the annual Flowertown Festival, which celebrates the flowering season. With a thriving local economy and a strong sense of community, Summerville offers a charming and affordable living option in South Carolina.
If you're wondering why so many people are moving, take a look at why South Carolina is becoming one of the top relocation destinations. Tega Cay, which means beautiful peninsula, is a stunning lakeside town on Lake Wylie that is consistently among the best places to live in South Carolina. The capital of South Carolina, Columbia, is also one of the largest in the state of Palmetto, with a metropolitan population of about 840,000. As the state's capital, Columbia offers a vibrant college town environment, as it is home to the University of South Carolina.
For example, Charleston has a thriving labor market in technology, healthcare, and tourism, while Greenville has a strong economy with a rapidly growing center. The University of South Carolina is the largest university in the state and offers medical and law schools. Some people choose to move upstate South Carolina, close to the mountains, and vacation on one of the many beaches that South Carolina has to offer. South Carolina has become one of the top destinations for individuals and families looking for a new place to call home.
You can eat and drink around the city with nearly a dozen food and beer tours, attend the Carolina Ballet, or see the masterpieces at the Artists' Guild Gallery, the city's oldest art cooperative. South Carolina offers a variety of cities to suit different lifestyles, whether you're looking for coastal beauty, a growing job market, or a quiet suburban retreat. When determining the best places to live in South Carolina, it's important to consider several factors and, perhaps, to make a quick trip to your best options. If there's one thing we've learned lately, it's that when it comes to small towns, the South is a treasure trove of charming places that ooze a contagious community spirit.
When deciding on the perfect place to live in South Carolina, there are several key factors that should guide your choice. There are so many people who want to live within driving distance of the city center and beaches that this high demand makes it one of the most expensive cities to live in in South Carolina. South Carolina sees more than 200,000 people move each year due to its relative affordability, mild climate, southern charm, serene Blue Ridge Mountains, and unrestricted coastline. When you're not busy fishing, boating or swimming on Lake Hartwell, explore the 16-block historic district that features boutiques, specialty stores, breweries, restaurants and Carolina Wren Park, where you might be lucky enough to attend an outdoor concert.
