Get to Know South Carolina’s Best Communities
Imagine yourself relaxing amongst palmettos on a sunny day with a light coastal breeze... you’re probably in South Carolina. Here the waterways and beaches are renowned, and the wildlife abounds. People move to South Carolina for all sorts of reasons, whether they’re retiring, relocating, getting an education, or looking for a slower pace—read on to learn if it’s the state for you.
Why live in South Carolina?
South Carolina is a lowcountry destination known for culture, art, and food. Many people love it for the weather, while others enjoy the coastal palms and scenery. Maybe it’s the food scene and history. It’s easy to see: South Carolina’s got a charm that’s hard to resist.
What are the benefits of living in South Carolina?
South Carolina’s got a lot to offer. Read on to learn the benefits that people find when they choose South Carolina as their ideal home. Then consider if it might suit you, too.
- Balmy weather: The palm trees say it all: you’ll find warm weather, mild winters, and an all-around sunny time in South Carolina. This makes it a prime place to relocate for those coming down from the chilly Northeast or Midwest.
- Low taxes: You’ll find reasonable taxes in South Carolina, which makes it an appealing option for many people looking to find a more affordable life. Real estate is lower cost, and living in general is reasonable for families and retirees alike.
- Rich history: Attention all history buffs! South Carolina is spotted with old forts, historic buildings, and rich history around every cobblestone corner. Take a tour through Charleston, see charming classic architecture, and visit Antebellum museums.
- Activities: Kayak off the coast near dolphins, experience fine dining and shopping in Charleston, and go fishing the next day. South Carolina’s filled with activities so you’ll never be bored.
Picture yourself in the Palmetto State?
There are so many communities to choose from in South Carolina, so take your time exploring the options below. You’ll find communities that give you a taste of city living or coastal hideaways with the privacy and peace you love.
See something you like? Use the request form to get more information on each community. You can ask questions, chat with a real human for advice, and get a feel for the amenities it provides. Don’t be afraid to dig in—get details like health care options, clubs and activities offered, favorite dining spots, and more.
If you’re seeking a certain town or area, try using the filtering options on the left to narrow down your options and find the senior living community that’s perfect for you.
Research and Explore the Best Communities in South Carolina
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Click to explore the following South Carolina communities. Request information from multiple communities by selecting the checkboxes to the right and completing the form below.
Callawassie Island
Callawassie Island, located in the heart of the Lowcountry, is a private, gated island community offering world-class Tom Fazio golf and a full complement of amenities including a tennis center, clubhouse, pools, fitness center, and River Club. Secluded from the noise and congestion of the highway, Callawassie lies miles from Hilton Head and is also convenient to Beaufort and Bluffton (15 minutes away); historic Savannah, GA (a 30-minute drive); and the Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport (40 minutes away). A half-mile causeway provides a relaxing, slow-paced approach to the island, where peace and quiet are as plentiful as vibrant activity.
The community hosts numerous social events, activities and clubs connecting members by their passions for nature, art and giving back locally. Members take full advantage of the island parks, historical sites and recreation areas for enjoying remarkable views of undisturbed nature. Island dwellers have access to four community docks providing leased slips, kayak launches and excellent opportunities for fishing, crabbing and shrimping. The River Club, overlooking the Colleton River, is a warm gathering center with a library and fireplace, family swimming pool, and offers seasonal dining.
For those seeking a golfing experience like no other, the 27-hole, Tom Fazio-designed championship golf course is truly spectacular. Voted one of South Carolina’s top 50 courses, Callawassie recently enhanced the design with a four-million-dollar renovation in 2014. This renovation resulted in a brand-new pro shop with three Class A PGA Golf Professionals. The courses meander intimately along the waterways and salt marshes in a way that environmental regulations have made difficult for newer courses; visual interest is natural not manmade.
Callawassie Island is the first South Carolina gated community to have been designated a “Community Wildlife Habitat” by the National Wildlife Federation. This coexistence brings a true community balance with nature. The island is covered with live oaks and palmettos, egrets and herons, and encompasses a thriving salt marsh ecosystem.
Today, Callawassie is one of only four South Carolina communities holding this distinguished designation. The homes and homesites, including waterfront property, are among the best values in the area.
Dataw Island
There is a place off the South Carolina coast, near the charming town of Beaufort, where nature and luxury share center stage. Shaped by the Intracoastal Waterway and a rich Southern history, the SC gated golf community of Dataw Island is a pristine parcel of 870 acres waiting to be discovered.
The Dataw Island Club is the perfect choice for you. Golf and Social memberships are available for island residents. If you live in the area and are interested in joining the club, call to find out about the special Country Club Membership incentives. For membership information call (843) 838-3838. Ask about their vacation memberships!
The Dataw Island Club has completed its two year renovation of their golf courses. The Cotton Dike course, designed by Tom Fazio, was completely renovated in 2011, and the Arthur Hills designed Morgan River course has also completed its renovation.
“Top 100 Amenity Communities” – ideal-LIVING Magazine
“Best in Value Golf Community” – Links Magazine
“Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary” – The Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program for Golf Courses
Dataw Island is a luxurious and private residential golf community nestled in an unrivaled South Carolina landscape. Within the gates, there is 24-hour security. There’s vibrancy there, a constant bustle of activity that reflects the area’s rich wildlife and Dataw’s collaborative culture. Residents can walk, bike or travel by golf cart to social gatherings, functions and meetings.
From deepwater slips that lead to blue waters to the manicured golf courses named for legends; from an indoor lap pool to a whirlpool spa; from tennis lessons to Spanish lessons, Dataw Island is humming with leisure. Start the day sunny side up in your Lowcountry residence. Uncover cozy, shaded nooks perfect for soaking in the coastal breeze. Join neighbors for a Yacht Club meeting or challenge friends to a game of croquet on the lawn. From a calendar of social events to thoughtful gathering spots woven throughout, Dataw Island’s connected community is inspired by you.
Woodside
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”, which was awarded to the Willcox.
Aiken’s natural beauty, mild climate that attracts people from across the nation, strong connections to the outdoors through attractions like the 2,100 acre urban forest, Hitchcock Woods, and the cultural hub of the city, downtown Aiken all contributed to these awards. Our area is also home to six major medical providers, a college town setting that earned it Ideal-Living Magazine’s “Best College Town” in 2017, and a surprisingly low cost of living!
Woodside is Aiken’s only master-planned community. Amenities include more than 15 miles of hiking and nature trails, 3 onsite medical providers, 2 clubhouses, 4 golf courses, more than 60 member-led social groups and clubs, an abundance of landscaped parks and green space, and much more. Our dedicated team of professionals is on standby to answer your Woodside questions, or help you plan your Woodside Dream Visit to experience Woodside and Aiken for yourself.
Coosaw Point
Enjoy the Lowcountry lifestyle in this 400 acre community along the Coosaw River on beautiful Lady’s Island in South Carolina. Fall in love! Settle into your very own home by the River. Feel the breeze, breathe in the ocean air, slow down time and know you’re home at Coosaw Point.
Beafort, SC was recently featured in The New York Times and named “Best Small Southern Town”, as well as “Top 25 Small City Arts Destination” and “Top 50 Adventure Town”. Beaufort has charm and intrigue all wrapped up in one package.
Home and homesties are available. The homes in Coosaw Point have been designed to reflect the historic architecture in cities such as Beaufort, SC, Charleston and Savannah. Distinctive details and open floor plans make these homes ideal for families.
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.
Clarendon County SC
Clarendon County is the hidden gem of the Palmetto State! Ripe with nature and full of possibilities, you’re sure to fall in love with our area. Home to Lake Marion, the largest lake in South Carolina, we are an outdoor enthusiast’s dream destination. Fishing, boating, hunting and golf are just a few favorite pastimes found in our county. We are centrally located, just a quick drive to Columbia, the state capital, historic Charleston and pristine beaches from the Lowcountry to the Grand Strand. Historic 301 makes its way through our county, and we are conveniently located on the I-95 corridor.
Our area is home to several active lifestyle communities that display the best parts of “Lake Life Living.” Examples include: Wyboo Plantation, a gated community home to the signature Player’s Course at Wyboo with your choice of houses along the course or on the shores of Lake Marion. Or, Hunter Quinn Homes’ Gregory Pointe, a new community with single-levels homes that bring a modern, Charleston design to the heart of South Carolina’s lowcountry. Please take time to explore our county and be prepared to be impressed with what you discover! Community Product and Pricing
Savannah Lakes Village
Savannah Lakes Village is on the 71,000-acre freshwater Lake Thurmond in McCormick, South Carolina with 1,200 miles of shoreline. The community boasts two championship lakefront golf courses with restaurants and pro shops, fiber-optic Internet to each homesite, a 23,000 square foot recreation center with 6 lighted tennis courts (4 HarTru and 2 hard surface), pickleball, bowling alley, indoor & outdoor pools, sauna, fitness room, private card rooms, library, 50+ social clubs, yoga studio, Rod & Gun Club, and so much more. This is active retirement in its truest form…
We are a short 45-minute drive to Augusta and a 2-hour drive from Atlanta. The community abuts three state parks and offers 100+ miles of hiking and biking trails. With no initiation fees or monthly minimums, low property taxes, and no special assessments, you can live an unexpectedly affordable luxury lifestyle.
Our preferred builders offer many custom home plans and lot-home packages to choose from at whatever price point and product type you may desire.
Come stay and play at Savannah Lakes Village. 2 nights for $199. Visit SavannahLakesVillage.com or call 864-391-5259 to book your tour.
Grande Dunes
This master-planned resort sits on the sandy beaches of Myrtle Beach, SC and stretches across 2,600 acres on the Atlantic Ocean and Intracoastal Waterway. With near perfect year round climate, members and guests enjoy a wide-variety of outdoor activities and social gatherings.
The exclusive par-71 course offers its guests a classical inland style and features wide, generous fairways. A 126-slip marina, marks the Intracoastal Waterway’s only marina in Myrtle Beach. Members stay active with additional amenities including a Tennis Club, Members Club and Ocean Club with beach access.
At Grande Dunes there are choices to fit a wide variety of lifestyles and budgets. Discover exciting new homes including Golf Village with Mediterranean-style custom homes and golf course homesites, Marina Village which includes Del Webb for active adults as well as waterway homesites and various villas and townhomes, and Ocean Village with Lowcountry-style homes closer to the ocean. Homebuyers have the option to buy an existing home or a custom homesite to build a custom home by AR Homes, Nations Homes II, CRG Companies, Carrell Group, Traditional Homebuilders, or a builder of their choice.
Nexton
Nexton is an award-winning community located in Summerville, SC, just 25 miles from Charleston and within easy access to the beach and airport. With new homes priced from the $200s to the $600s+, there’s something for everyone-including one-story plans, all-ages neighborhoods, and our very active Del Webb 55+ community. Speaking of active, when you live here, you also get miles of trails. 46 parks (with more on the way). And a location within walking distance of some of the best shopping and dining in the area. And the best part is, that’s all just the start of what you’ll find here. Sound good? It is. (Actually, it’s even better.)
Additional Amenities Include:
• Parks within walking/biking distance of every home
• A dedicated neighborhood for residents 55+, including an exclusive clubhouse, pool, social events and more
• World-class and casual dining right in the community (there are even hotels where your guests can stay, too)
• Located near historic Summerville, with great places to dine and shop
• Easy access to nearly 90 miles of South Carolina coastline and beaches
• Healthcare and wellness services conveniently located within the community
K. Hovnanian’s Four Seasons at Carolina Oaks
K. Hovnanian’s® Four Seasons at Carolina Oaks is a Bluffton, South Carolina 55+ community offering resort-style living in the scenic Lowcountry. This new active adult community features single-family homes in a picturesque wooded setting along with a variety of recreational amenities and a full calendar of activities.
The clubhouse is the activity hub of the community, where residents will enjoy yoga and Zumba at the fitness center, discover new talents in the arts & crafts room, play billiards with neighbors, lounge by the pool, and perfect dancing skills in the ballroom. K. Hovnanian has taken special care to ensure the ongoing safety of residents by offering socially distanced virtual activities that allow residents to stay healthy and connected. With these precautions, residents can enjoy online social hours, trivia night, pet shows, photo contests, book club, exercise classes, and live concerts from the comfort of home. Outdoor amenities include walking & biking trails, tennis & pickleball courts, bocce ball courts, a dog park, community gardens, fire pits, and screened verandas.
K. Hovnanian’s® Four Seasons at Carolina Oaks is within 20 miles of pristine Hilton Head Island beaches, championship golf courses, scenic nature preserves, marinas, and the historic sites of Bluffton and Savannah, Georgia.
Cresswind Charleston
Cresswind Charleston brings the award-winning Cresswind active adult lifestyle to the Charleston area. This gated community is integrated within the thriving community of The Ponds while maintaining its own privacy. Cresswind features a full list of resort-style amenities, all located within a natural, Lowcountry setting.
Residents can take a short walk to the 12,000-square-foot clubhouse, enjoy pickleball and tennis or participate in activities at the event lawn and amphitheater. Additionally, homeowners have the opportunity to enrich their lives with cooking and yoga classes or bocce ball. Residents also can nurture their talent in the art room, play pool, swim in the resort-style pool, fish or kayak – and stay fit and healthy at a well-equipped fitness center.
Cresswind Charleston offers spacious homes featuring a wide range of personalization opportunities, designer choices, uniquely designed with careful attention to details. Single-family, ranch-style homes will include designer features, energy efficiency and designs complementary to active living. Tour nine designed model homes. Move-In Ready homes available now.
Mount Vintage
Mount Vintage is a well-established 2,000 acre private community conveniently located just a few miles from Augusta, GA and Aiken, SC.
Carefully planned to enhance the natural beauty and tranquility of this setting…it is truly one of a kind.
The Town Center/Athletic Club complex includes a pool, Har-Tru tennis courts, Bocce Ball, fitness center, lending library and community garden, lots of planned activities.
Golf course architect Tom Jackson designed twenty-seven holes that fit perfectly into the diverse topography. The clubhouse is centered on a fully restored piedmont plantation house, circa 1840. The golf club is semi-private and also includes a state-of-the-art practice facility, professionally staffed Pro Shop, private lockers and The Grille.
Mount Vintage is convenient to shopping and entertainment. There are nine major hospitals in the area. 70,000 acre Lake Strom Thurmond is just 30 minutes away. The Blue Ridge Mountains, Atlantic Ocean beaches, and the cities of Atlanta and Charlotte are just a two and a half hours drive.
Mount Vintage is dedicated to excellence and has become home to people who appreciate a quiet, yet fun-filled lifestyle. Choice of spec homes priced from the $300’s or build your home to suit your lifestyle. Lots from $39,000.
Celadon
A Quintessential Beaufort, SC Community
Want to live in the “Best Small Town in the South”? Good choice! An even better choice? Buying at Celadon in Beaufort, SC just five minutes from downtown.
Southern Living voted Beaufort, South Carolina the “Best Small Town in the South”and U.S. News and World Reports named it the #1 place to visit. More big news? Ideal-LIVING Magazine voted Celadon one of the top ten Neo-traditional communities in the country!
So, if you’re searching for South Carolina communities with classic low country charm, century-old live oaks, and a lifestyle that celebrates wellness and values of a simpler time, you’ve found it. Watching sunsets from porches and visiting with neighbors is still “a thing” at Celadon. The community’s pristine water views are mesmerizing.
A Wellness-based Community – Mind, Body, and Spirit
At the heart of Celadon is the The Celadon Club. This state-of-the-art fitness and wellness center is designed to help residents achieve optimal health. Personal trainers, sport physiologists, and nutrition experts are available to guide them through customized wellness plans. Celadon also boasts the latest in equipment technology as well a a junior olympic-sized swimming pool.
At the end of the day, wind down at the Celadon Club Spa. Peruse a comprehensive menu of luxe services. Then, treat your mind and spirit to a little wellness too by choosing your favorites.
We invite you to visit Celadon in Beaufort, SC, one of South Carolina’s most enchanting communities in the heart of the low country. Join us in the best small town in the south. Discover Celadon!
*Single-family home prices start in the 300s, and condos start in the low 400s. Lots are available.
Hampton Hall Club
Imagine for a minute you’re visiting the private club community of Hampton Hall in Bluffton, SC. You’ve gotten over the awe of the dramatic and picturesque Lowcountry landscape, and you’re starting to take in your surroundings. The first thing you’re probably going to hear is laughter. Depending on where you’re standing, it could be coming from the lakeside resort pool, or the Pete Dye golf course, or maybe one of the various dining venues. For while everything here is beautiful to look at and expertly maintained and cared for, the key component is fun and enjoyment.
We thought you should be prepared for that because, sure enough, the tennis pro will coax you on to the courts, or the threesome about to tee off will enlist you into completing their group. You see, the minute you pass through the gates at Hampton Hall, something changes. You are at once connected with this club and community. A place you may have never known existed, right up until the moment you fall in love with it.
We invite you inside the gates to tour Hampton Hall. Come see if you feel a connection with this Lowcountry private club community. Come see if Hampton Hall feels like home.
K. Hovnanian’s Four Seasons at Lakes of Cane Bay
K. Hovnanian’s Four Seasons at Lakes of Cane Bay, a 55-plus active lifestyle community in Summerville, South Carolina, is centered on an expansive 300-acre lake system that is ideal for a variety of activities, such as fishing, boating, kayaking, walking and bird watching. The community’s spectacular clubhouse offers resort-style amenities that are second-to-none: two zero-entry outdoor saline pools, including a dedicated children’s pool; an indoor saline pool with lap lanes; a state-of-the-art fitness center and movement studio offering fitness classes, such as yoga and Pilates; a grand ballroom with a stage, seating for up to 300 and a demonstration/catering kitchen; a social lounge; a game room with billiards and card tables; bocce, pickleball and tennis courts; a lakeside amphitheater, and more. Homeowners in this inviting, parklike setting enjoy 24-hour gated security via a manned security gatehouse, as well as convenient access to area shopping, schools, recreation, dining, prestigious medical facilities, I-95, I-26 and Charleston International Airport. Live the Lake Life at Lakes of Cane Bay and experience the unsurpassed lifestyle you deserve.
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!
Encore Restore at Carolina Park
Along the banks of the Wando River in the Lowcountry of South Carolina is Carolina Park, a 1,700-acre master-planned community in the idyllic town of Mount Pleasant. Within, you’ll find Encore by David Weekley Homes selling single-family houses in the 55+ active adult community of Restore at Carolina Park.
These cottage-inspired homes are situated on 55-foot homesites, with some even boasting a water view. Inside, enjoy spacious open floor plans, ranging from 1,610 to 2,589 square feet, allowing for two to four bedrooms. Encore by David Weekley Homes incorporates spaces ideal for entertaining, along with current finishes and fixtures, striking the ideal balance of livability and design. Outdoor living areas are available, and with seven home designs to choose from, you can feel that your home is truly yours. Exclusively for the active adult community within Carolina Park, Encore by David Weekley Homes are thoughtfully developed to optimize a low-maintenance lifestyle.
Within greater Carolina Park, residents enjoy all the amenities expected of a large master-plan community. Staying active is easy with a fitness center with plenty of classes, fields and courts for a variety of sports, and a large pool and pavilion. Carolina Park also boasts 80 acres of passive parkland, in addition to over 200 acres of preserve woodlands. On the rare days you’d rather be indoors, catch a showing at the movie theater, enjoy a massage or take an art class.
Restore at Carolina Park has a true neighborhood feel, blessed with small town southern charm just minutes from Charleston. Request more information and you’ll be making the first move towards a beautiful life.
Keowee Key
Looking for the perfect lifestyle community for retirement or to raise your family? Keowee Key has more of what you love. Golf, tennis, fitness center, swimming, boating and pickleball are just a few of the amenities this active, gated, lakeside community offers.
Located at the base of the Blue Ridge Mountains in Salem, SC, and surrounded by the pristine waters of Lake Keowee, Keowee Key is a 1,600-acre community carved out of a forest of hardwood and pines. You’ll find a wide variety of home styles and price points available in a natural setting with mild seasons and an abundance of local adventure.
All homes in Keowee Key are custom-built, including lakefront, mountain or golf-course views. For a maintenance-free lifestyle, you’ll find ample condominiums, town homes and cottages. Choose a lakefront home with private dock or use one of 5 community docks with 324 boat slips, pontoon and kayak rentals, and a supply store.
The challenging 18-hole, par 72 George Cobb Golf Course, features four tee boxes to match all skill levels. A clubhouse with award-winning chef, lakeside leisure trail, three swimming pools, and a dog park, contribute to Keowee Key’s country club lifestyle.
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.
Seabrook Island
A private, welcoming oceanfront community just miles from historic Charleston, SC, Seabrook Island offers a vibrant lifestyle with endless amenities among the 2,200 acres of natural environment, including four miles of unspoiled beaches. Designated a Certified Sustainable Community by Audubon Intnl. 36 holes of championship golf on two Audubon-certified courses, ranked among “Best You Can Play” in SC, offer uncrowded playing conditions. Crooked Oaks (by Robert Trent Jones, Sr.) winds through marsh and century-old live oaks. Ocean Winds (by Willard Byrd, renovated by Rees Jones, Inc) takes you to the Atlantic Ocean.
The 2021 PGA Championship was held on nearby Kiawah Island. The renovated Beach Club boasts a cafe, beach store, pools, and oceanfront dining. A full-service, 22-acre Equestrian Center features trail and beach rides. The Racquet Club sports 15 Har-Tru tennis courts, 2 pickleball courts, and pro shop. The Lakehouse has indoor/outdoor pools, fitness and more. The Clubhouse with ocean/golf views has renovated dining spaces and new golf veranda with fire pits. Idyllic settings for special events and weddings. Nearby marina and shopping center.
Visit South Carolina
Is South Carolina calling? Explore the communities below to get a taste of the best options in the state. There are plenty to choose from—but don’t let that hold you back from finding what’s right for you. You’ll have to plan a visit to make the next step! Most communities offer a tour or stay option for potential residents, so inquire about the best time to visit. Then pack your bags for a trip to see it all!