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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!
Latitude Margaritaville Hilton Head
Your Latitude! You’ve earned a life where every day feels like an escape. Find your paradise at Latitude Margaritaville, the 55-and-better lifestyle where fun and relaxation meet.
Inspired by the legendary music and lifestyle of singer, songwriter and best-selling author Jimmy Buffett, this is where life rolls easy, neighbors are friends and the party never ends. Awesome recreation, FINtastic dining and entertainment will make the town center the place to be and just a golf cart ride away. Masterfully crafted new Latitude homes let you hang your hat where your heart is.
Latitude Margaritaville Hilton Head is located on Highway 278, 2.5 miles east of I-95 in the city of Hardeeville, South Carolina – the scenic gateway to world-famous Hilton Head Island. The area is steeped in natural beauty, with an abundance of golf courses, pristine beaches and waterways for boating, kayaking, and fishing. Nearby are the historic cities of Savannah, GA and Charleston, SC filled with museums, cultural arts, shopping and dining.
Sun City Hilton Head
Welcome to Sun City Hilton Head, one of the top rated 55+ active adult communities in the US! Sun City has so much to offer and a perfect location in beautiful Bluffton, SC with its historic Old Town and pristine May River. It is a short 30 minute drive to the famous Hilton Head beaches and Savannah, GA’s bustling river street. Within the gated community is 3 golf courses and several restaurants. Use your golf cart or bicycle to make your way to the numerous amenities including multiple resort-style pools, 3 fitness centers, performing arts theater, community center, sports complex, pickleball courts, tennis courts, bocce, woodshop, leisure trails, dog park, and much more. Sun City has over 100 chartered clubs and special interest groups to help everyone connect with others. This spectacular community offers a variety of home plans from 1,223 square feet to 3,728 square feet. Come see all the possibilities waiting here for you today at Sun City Hilton Head!
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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