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South Carolina has a lot to offer as a retirement relocation option. Northerners can be eager to thaw early in the year, while Deep Souths can look forward to four separate seasons. Almost everyone who moves to South Carolina appreciates the low cost of living and the high quality of life.
Many retirees have found another attraction in the South Carolinas, charming towns with colleges that provide an exciting retirement environment. The combination of youthful energy, academic achievement, and cultural stimulation of a college town is instantly appealing, and a host of older folks are discovering it – it’s not just for the young, but the young at heart as well.
From the cobblestone streets to the gas lights that glow in front of pre-war houses, it’s hard not to fall in love with Charleston. Charleston has a strong economy, with the fourth busiest port in the nation and an excellent health care system.
The more than 9,700 students at the College of Charleston make up the majority of the undergraduate pie, followed by Trident Technical College with more than 6,000 students. There are a few other schools with about 2,000 students each, including Citadel Military University, the Medical University of South Carolina, and the University of South Charleston.
The College of Charleston has two programs for seniors: a Center for Creative Retirement, similar to the program found in Asheville, NC, and the Elderhostel Program. The Center for Creative Retirement is a member-run organization with weekly readings, focus groups, educational tours, social activities, and other programs to stimulate interest, without participants having to worry about assignments and grades. The Center also helps newcomers understand more about Charleston by giving informative history lectures about the area and its people. The Elderhostel program is a fee-based non-profit organization that organizes experience-based learning and travel activities for seniors.
Coming up the coast, our next town is one you may not have heard of before, Conway. Located about 16 miles northwest of Myrtle Beach, Conway is a great city for retirees. The cost of living is remarkably cheap, due to its proximity to the beach. Conway residents may also be less concerned about seasonal hurricanes, as their inland location removes some of the force from the storms. Conway has its own hospital, located in the city, in addition to being 156 miles from the Myrtle Beach facility. The city of Conway, located along the Waccamaw River, with a population of around 13,500 people, is showing strong signs of growth. Coastal Carolina University is located in Conway, and with over 4,000 students it is an integral part of the community. Seniors can find courses in the Lifetime students catalog. Courses run from one session to multiple classes.
Columbia It may be known as the state capital, but it is also home to several universities. The largest, with an enrollment of approximately 20,000 students, is the University of South Carolina at Columbia. Other universities in Columbia include Midlands Technical College, with approximately 6,000 students, and Benedict College, with approximately 3,000 students. Now, due to the size of the city of Columbia, many people will not consider it their university city par excellence. But, with around 30,000 students at Columbia, you will certainly have plenty of opportunities to get into the classroom. USC Columbia is your best option to continue your education in retirement. There are non-credit certificate programs, online courses that you can take from the comfort of your home, and the traditional curriculum that is open to students of all ages. If you want to live in a college town for the events it offers, Columbia is a great place to choose. USC Columbia has competitive teams that play soccer, basketball, baseball, soccer, tennis, and more. USC’s football program is one of the best in the nation, consistently featuring great teams and sending players to the NFL. There are concerts ranging from a cappella groups to recitals by piano or guitar teachers. .
For its classic definition of a college town, head to the mountains and visit Clemson. Home to Clemson University and the orange-covered Clemson Tigers football team, with its rabid fans, when football season rolls around, you’ll be in the middle of the best college football the country has to offer. The town of Clemson is small and encompasses the school campus, a main street, and a few other small streets. The nightlife and restaurant offerings in the city are somewhat limited, but show a cosmopolitan flair suitable for a college town. For more options, you can drive to Seneca, which is a growing town near the shores of Lake Keowee. Greenville is only 45 minutes away, so you won’t be too far from the airport and more options for shopping, dining and entertainment. Clemson-area residents are lucky, as the university houses a branch of the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI). OLLI centers can be found throughout the country and focus on enhancing the social, recreational and educational development of senior citizens. It is a membership-based group, with nominal fees for a wide range of classes.
Greenville it has a total of around 13,000 students, distributed in three universities. They are Greenville Technical College, Bob Jones University, and Furman University. Downtown Greenville is a tree-lined pedestrian area perfect for both newcomers and longtime residents. There are many options for shopping, dining, and a night out. With the Greenville area experiencing rapid growth, now is a great time for retirees to investigate the area.
The largest university in Greenville, South Carolina is Greenville Technical College, with about 6,000 students, followed by Bob Jones University, which has about 3,500 students, and Furman University, which has about 3,000 students. Greenville Technical College has a continuing education department that has a number of vocational courses, such as computer science and business, or health courses. Bob Jones University is a great place for cultural events and happenings. There are art exhibits, Bible lectures (it is a Christian university), plays, and much more. Bob Jones also has a nice continuing education department with a variety of computer classes, digital photography courses, scripture study, and health and fitness classes to keep you fit between courses. Furman University steals the show when it comes to community involvement. There is the Furman Golf Club, a recruitment service that places college students with residents who need help with a job, and an excellent continuing education department coordinated by the Furman University Learning in Retirement (FULIR) division. FULIR is associated with the Elderhostel program mentioned above in our Charleston section and provides a safe and enjoyable learning environment for seniors.
Choose any of these South Carolina College Cities for Retirement it’s a great idea. Cities like Charleston and Columbia will give you access to universities, as well as a wide range of urban entertainment, while places like Clemson and Conway are a bit more relaxed. Greenville is a great combination of the two. Regardless of your size and pace preference, staying active is the key to a satisfying and enjoyable retirement. Good luck in your quest to find the best places to live in South Carolina!