Retire Here, Not There: South Carolina - MarketWatch

By Catey Hill

Spend a day or two in the Palmetto State, and you may quickly understand the state slogan??smiling faces and beautiful places.? The state?s Lowcountry region, which extends 150 miles along the state?s coast, is renowned for its miles of sugary white-sand beaches, historic architecture and abundant golf courses.

And as for those smiles, if the retired folks in South Carolina seem relaxed, it may be because they?re enjoying a more low-key lifestyle, and less congestion, than they would a little further south among their brethren in Florida. While a growing number of people have been flocking to the state for its mild winters and slower pace, the state remains a bit of an ?undiscovered gem,? says Laura Scharr-Bykowsky, a principal at Ascend Financial Planning in Columbia, S.C. What?s more, the state boasts low property taxes and no state estate tax.

Of course, the state has its drawbacks, too. Summers are often hot and humid, and Palmetto State summers can be dominated by the palmetto bug?the state?s version of an extra-large cockroach. While many of the state?s smaller cities and towns offer a good mix of cultural offerings, residents say much of the area offers relatively little in the way of shopping or night life.

There are exceptions to the ?undiscovered? rule, too, and some of the state?s more popular destinations have gotten pricey. Take Hilton Head Island, a Lowcountry resort about a 45-minute drive from Savannah, Ga., famously frequented by former President Bill Clinton and his family for vacations. All the extra attention has helped to lift prices: The cost of living is 33% higher than the national average and the median home price is $305,700, according to Sperling?s Best Places.

Still, for those looking for a warm and friendly retirement retreat, there are plenty of cheaper alternatives. Here are four.

Source: http://www.marketwatch.com/story/retire-here-not-there-south-carolina-2012-12-27

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