Charleston, South Carolina

With cobblestone streets, pastel-colored houses, and waterfront views, Charleston is the epitome of Southern charm. Its year-round weather is a nice reprieve for retirees coming from more northern states; the city enjoys mild winters and hot summers, which never become unbearable thanks to the breeze coming off the Atlantic Ocean. 

For those retirees who’d like to while away their days lounging at the beach, there are several to choose from: Folly Beach, Isle of Palms, and Sullivan’s Island are just a few. Those who want to be a little more active can go for a jog at Hampton Park, hit up one of the 20 golf courses in the area, or head to one of the city’s several tennis courts. Every year, the city hosts the Charleston Open, a professional tennis tournament for women. 

Charleston’s lively atmosphere is enticing for retirees who want a more social lifestyle. It arguably has one of the most vibrant food and culture scenes in the South, with bustling restaurants that serve up everything from homestyle cooking to fresh seafood fare. The city hosts major performing arts festival Spoleto Festival USA every spring, as well as the Charleston Wine + Food festival. There are also plenty of cultural venues to visit year-round, such as the Gibbes Museum of Art and the Charleston Gaillard Center.  

Since the city is such a draw for retirees, there are a number of senior living communities, from Seafields at Freshfields Village to the Peninsula of Charleston. There are also several hospitals nearby, including MUSC Health and Roper Hospital, ranked as the top two hospitals in the state.

Although Charleston’s cost of living is somewhat higher than that of other South Carolina cities, it’s still relatively low for both a metropolitan and coastal retirement area. South Carolina is also tax-friendly toward retirees. It doesn’t tax Social Security and offers a retirement income exclusion of up to $10,000.