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Guide to 55+ Communities in North Carolina
Best Places to Live & Retire in Beaufort
Beaufort … Sparkling Gem of the Low Country
Although the downtown shops and restaurants along Bay Street are part of the National Historic Landmark district, Beaufort serves as the center of a growing Low Country region that includes more than a dozen modern residential communities located along the area’s scenic rivers and tidal marshes.
FACTS AT A GLANCE
Average Temperatures
Winter: 62/41 Spring: 77/56
Summer: 91/74 Fall: 78/60
Population
12,967
Airport
Savannah/HH International
Average Property Tax
0.46%
Sales Tax
6%
Besides its natural beauty, warm climate and great retirement communities, South Carolina is one of the most tax friendly states for retirees and seniors. The tax benefits of living in South Carolina include:
No tax on social security benefits
Limited taxes on retirement income
Very low property taxes
Senior homeowners qualify for homestead tax exemption
Beaufort has become especially popular with military retirees, many of who were introduced to the area during basic training at the nearby Parris Island Depot or duty at the Beaufort Marine Corps Air Station. Veterans are also served by the U.S. Naval Hospital in Port Royal.
In addition to numerous art and entertainment venues, the local cultural scene is enhanced by the University of South Carolina Beaufort, which not only offers full four-year degree programs and adult-education classes, but is also home to The Center for the Arts with its 400-seat performance theater and art galleries.
Ideal-Living offers a free comprehensive service that begins with helping you find your ideal lifestyle. Until you know how you want to live, you can’t know where you want to live. We offer a wide array of tools to help you get answers to the questions that are keeping you from moving to your ideal destination.
Our free Digital Retirement Guide and Ideal-Living Magazine offer an abundance of information on which states, towns and cities are the best for retirees, vacationers and second-home buyers. Our Ideal-Living Magazine includes numerous articles such as the top travel destinations, tips on selling your home, and how to make the most of your retirement.
Homes Built for Comfort and Entertainment
Single-family, one-story homes are the norm in active adult communities. They can be customized to each household’s needs. Homes usually offer layouts and features that are standard in modern homes. Generally, master suites are complete with a spacious closet and an en-suite bathroom with a walk-in tub. Newer homes also include office spaces for working seniors.
Houses in these neighborhoods are made for entertaining. Open living spaces, large patios, and screened porches make for ideal social gatherings. Visiting friends and family can stay overnight in the guest bedrooms.
Landscaping maintenance is often provided for all residents.
Elevated Amenities for Residents
While many active adult communities operate independently, some are located within larger master-planned residential developments. Both types of communities offer exclusive amenities such as pools and clubhouses.
Workout facilities deliver classes and programs that cater to all fitness levels. Low-impact aerobics and yoga are some of the most popular programs offered.
Those who would rather be outdoors can take advantage of walking trails, parks, and picnic areas. Pickleball courts, tennis courts, and lawns for croquet and softball games are available for athletic residents to use.
Active adult communities may also include services that cannot be found in regular neighborhoods. Residents can walk to onsite restaurants, golf courses, and water features like lakes or ponds. For those who want services to come to them, hair stylists and physical therapists may be available on-call.
Hubs and Clubs for Various Interests
Activity directors help new residents connect with their neighbors. They organize clubs for community members of various interests such as gardening, cooking, and woodworking.
Residents can keep sharp by attending academic classes and visiting lectures in the community centers. Live concerts and film screenings will appeal to those who love performance arts.
Community service clubs are popular, too. Neighbors can organize charities, drives, and other public service events for the community at large.
Idyllic Communities in Ideal Locations
The best active adult communities are located near town or city landmarks. Hospitals and healthcare facilities, for example, are situated nearby. Residents have easy access to physicians and dentists that specialize in senior wellness.
Prospective residents should choose a community that best fits their lifestyle. Some neighborhoods are only a short walk or ride away from bustling city centers. Others are closer to quieter, small-town shops.
Sample Communities to Discover
Woodside
Enhanced by the region’s lucrative cost of living, mild climate, stunning natural beauty, and charming
Southern hospitality, Woodside’s 3,000-acre community is ideally located in one of the Southeast’s best-kept secrets, Aiken, SC.
Meticulously designed from concept to creation for discerning active-active adults, downsizing retirees, and anyone else with a taste for the finer things in life, Woodside’s location in one of Southern Living Magazine’s “South’s Best Small Towns” offers residents walkable access to the best of both worlds. On top of Woodside’s world-class amenities, including 4 championship golf courses, 2 clubhouses, more than 60 member-led social groups and clubs, 2 resort-style pools, a state-of-the-art fitness center, over 21 miles of hiking and nature trails, 7 landscaped parks and green spaces – including a Certified Butterfly Park – Woodside residents enjoy 10-minute access to downtown Aiken’s Gilded-Age avenues filled with exceptional local restaurants, designer boutiques, art galleries, and more.
Whether you envision yourself perfecting your swing on our Nicklaus Design course, dozing by the pool,
or creating new memories with friends you’ve yet to meet, life at Woodside is designed to deliver you a
home that extends far beyond your property line!
Horizons at Summers Corner
Located in Summerville, a quaint town tucked in the heart of the South Carolina Lowcountry between the Ashley and Edisto rivers, Horizons at Summers Corner is a 55+ community that offers an exciting new chapter for active adult homebuyers. Positioned on a picturesque wonderland complete with miles of walking trails, a 95-acre lake, and a state-of-the-art clubhouse, it places an abundance of activities and amenities at your fingertips. With a harmonious combination of well-appointed homes and an enviable location, our serene surroundings provide the ideal atmosphere for inspired living. Horizons at Summers Corner was awarded Best 55+ Community in the 2023 Charleston Home Builders Association’s Prism Awards.
Easy Access
Just 10 minutes from the charming town of Summerville, Horizons at Summers Corner offers convenient access to grocery stores, medical facilities, area attractions, and more. Plus, beautifully bustling Charleston—with its international airport, renowned beaches, and distinctive dining—is just a short drive away.
In Good Company
Experience an unparalleled environment that inspires comfort and connectivity through spirited social events, an exclusive swimming pool, a premium selection of sporting courts, and much more.
An Unrivaled Setting
Our peaceful setting and low-maintenance lifestyle invite you to make the most of every moment. Soak in the sweeping scenery and savor the true luxury of Lowcountry living: being a part of this unmistakable place.
Oldfield by Stanley Martin Homes
Incredible home designs and luxury amenities amongst a backdrop of natural Lowcountry beauty in Bluffton, SC. Play 18 holes of golf on the private Greg Norman golf course or challenge a friend to a tennis match, take a riding lesson at the equestrian center or a fitness class at the sports club, rent a kayak at the Outfitters Center to head out on the Okatie River, or make a reservation for dinner at one of the onsite restaurants. There is truly something for everyone at Oldfield.
Choose from five single-family home designs, starting from the upper $700s: The Seaside, The Seabury, The Moreland, Riverside, and The Tidalview. Front and rear porches for outdoor living, main level Owner’s Suites, gourmet kitchens, and so much more.
Get Started
Finding and choosing the right active adult community can be a daunting task. This is where ideal-LIVING can help. Sign up below to receive our complimentary relocation package, which offers tips on how to find a community that suits your needs. In this guide, you’ll discover the top active adult communities in South Carolina, as well as what you can do to get started. Sign up for this free package to take the first step in your exciting journey.
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