Small town charm. It has a rich history involving the Revolutionary War, as well as the Civil War. List of the Pros of Living in South Carolina 1. City: Beaufort. A Beaufort resident would answer this question with an incredulous What are you waiting for? Practically speaking, however, moving to Beaufort is a personal decision. Contact us to plan your Discovery Visit. It takes time to get there, so you might find yourself missing the comfort and excitement of a major city. The city's population was 12,361 in the 2010 census. It was the site for parts of Forrest Gump, the Prince of Tides, and most of the Big Chill was filmed in Beaufort. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. Mosquitos, roaches, and palmetto bugs also enjoy the warm, humid weather, and theyre frequently spotted throughout several months of the year. Malls are basically empty. To be honest, I had been looking for a way to move out of Southern California for a while. Overall, the average housing prices, utilities, groceries, transportation, health care, and miscellaneous goods and services are less expensive in Beaufort. Lets look at some of the pros and cons of living here. You cant buy a musical instrument on a Sunday. Although you will face the risk of the occasional hurricane when you start living in South Carolina, the weather is typically advantageous throughout the year. Columbia is a little more dangerous in that regard, with a rate that is 2.5 times higher. This temperate climate invites outdoor recreation twelve months of the year. Although you will have an income tax to pay when living in South Carolina, your property taxes are typically lower because of its presence. It is a slow town, mostly fast food restaurants such as McDonalds, Zaxbys, Dominos etc. Equal Housing Lender. It can be challenging to find a fast way to work when commuting. I love the scenary. One of the reasons so many people are drawn to Beaufort is because of its idyllic setting. 8. You can take a kayak along Shem Creek, sail through the Charleston Harbor, or go deep-sea fishing in the Atlantic by hiring a charter operator. South Carolina also saw the first action during the Civil War when Confederate forces attacked Fort Sumter in Charleston Harbor. Beautiful military town. Most barbeque sauce is ketchup based and red or brown in color. If you were born and raised in Beaufort everyone seems to really know each other and be connected in some way or another. The Category 4 storm made landfall in 1989, causing over $7 billion in damages. I've traveled to Charleston and Savannah and they're somewhat great but its not even close. There are several lakes, creeks, and secret swimming holes that will help you to cool off during a warm day. Master-planned traditional neighborhood communities are another option. Roads are not even lit up. It was started in 1711 by wealthy planters. Beaufort is a small little town that is slowly growing. First of all, my top 10 living in South Carolina pros and cons include: Great history and culture Warm southern hospitality Outdoor activities in a beautiful setting Mild winters and nice weather Growing economy plus some tax breaks High income and sales taxes Expensive cost of living Too much heat Risk of severe weather The gasoline tax is very low in South Carolina, and the state usually has the lowest fuel costs in the nation as a result. There are centuries-old oak trees covered with moss that mark much of the South Carolina coast. Boils are a way of life here, and you should take advantage of every single one that you can discover. The city sits on Port Royal Island on the South Carolina coast and offers access to several beaches. One can participate in water activities all through the year, and one can go hunting, fishing, or even learn how to capture shrimp in the marshes. Property taxes in South Carolina are comparatively low. I feel like we should make a change in our police system as far as who we select as our school superintendent etc. Beautiful landscapes provide lovely views and make for many outdoor activity options. History comes alive for you when you live in Beaufort, the second oldest city in South Carolina. 1. Cost of Living: -7.5% lower. Roaches have a residence basically in every store. Having mustard in the sauce makes it yellow and even gives the meat a slightly yellow tinge. Niche requires Javascript to work correctly. The poverty rate of Beaufort is 18.9%, which is 26% higher than national average. 10. If you relocate to Beaufort, you will feel at home very quickly. There are ghost chilis in almost every recipe that calls for spice in the state, which means you need to be ready for the unexpected. When you start living in South Carolina, then you will discover that the long coastline is the perfect place to spend a lazy afternoon when the sun is out. You will find that southern hospitality is still alive and well in the state. Beaufort has a crime rate of 41 per 1,000 residents, making it one of the highest in the country compared to other cities of a similar size. Healthy food choices exist, but unhealthy delicious food choices also exist. Top 10 Pros and Cons of Living in Beaufort, SC. The weather is great. The sounds of lapping waves and the feeling of soft sand beneath your feet are enough to put even the busiest of minds at ease. No professional theater. Beaufort is a very pretty place with beautiful waterways, but that doesnt make up for all that it is lacking. State income taxes and property taxes are both low, and there is also a lower tax on gasoline, so filling up your car often costs much less than in other parts of the country. Former Resident July 8 2020 Overall Experience Great place for a beach vacay or shopping day. There's not really any traffic/gridlock that you have to worry about, so traffic's fairly smooth. As many as eight percent of the people in Beaufort are below the poverty level. If you like to fish, run and drive then this place is for you. Charleston is the oldest city in South Carolina, offering a history that predates the beginning of the American Civil War. Havelock is a town of 22,500 people in coastal North Carolina about 100 miles northeast of Wilmington. See All 9 Private Schools Near Port Royal, Selecting a category below will take you to another page. In terms of beauty, the city of Beaufort is unparalleled. For the most part, Beaufort is an okay place to live. The state is known as the birthplace of sweet tea, which contains about 23 grams of sugar for every 8-=ounce serving when you average what is available. Beginning in 2018, the state raised the gas tax to 20.75 cents per gallon, which is still one of the lowest in the entire country and this was the first increase in almost 30 years. You will find that everyone is sir or maam when you start living in South Carolina. I adore Port Royal because I am at peace and its such a beautiful town. It is a primary city within the Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Beaufort, SC Metropolitan Statistical Area. Grocery costs are somewhat similar when looking at the southeast as a region, but there are only a handful of places where you can save some money. Beaufort, South Carolina has good air quality 87.0% of the time or 317 days per year. The air quality is good too. As a result, there tend to be a lot of overweight people in the south and Beaufort is no exception. Families can enjoy a day at the beach or picnic in one of the citys parks. Most crimes committed in Beaufort are property crimes, such as theft, but the area also sees some violent crimes. Beaufort is located on Port Royal Island, in the heart of the Sea Islands and South Carolina Lowcountry. They are the fifth-lowest in the country, with the median rate at just 0.57%. Pro: Instant Stress Relief. 430 Luther Rd, Westminster, SC 29693. You may miss some of the conveniences of being in a larger city, and it takes time to get to any of them. The historic downtown, as well as marshy areas around the city, make it a natural site for movie making. County: Beaufort County. The highest income tax rate in SC is. Venture outside without protection, and you will come home with a series of itchy, red welts as a friendly reminder. Most people can get used to the fact that South Carolinians like to put mustard in their barbecue sauce. A truly sweet, southern town. South Carolina has some of the lowest tax rates in the country. Based on the housing stock, population density, and the proximity of amenities of the area. Beaufort is rich in history and cultural diversity. Locals put it on almost everything, and the heat is going to get you if youre unprepared for it. It exists even from the transplants from up North. If you are thinking about living here, then these are the pros and cons that you will want to consider. And that is pretty sweet, shugah! We have a rich cultural history, beautiful scenery, and great restaurants. What movies have been filmed in Beaufort? The only real downside is that it is a bit isolated. This means that there are plenty of historic sites and museums to explore. Gas taxes are low, which means transportation costs are the lowest in the US. 11. The first Friday of every month a local street is blocked off where all the downtown restaurants and shops are located. Stately, historic mansions and historical buildings give the downtown a feel that rivals Charleston. Beaufort is sometimes described as a smaller version of the historic big cities, Savannah and Charleston. Beaufort is one of the few coastal towns that hasnt lost its rustic appeal as it has gotten increasingly affluent. There is a technical college, and the state university has a branch in the city, but there are not a lot of educational opportunities for young people. There are some sticky days during the height of summer that can be challenging for some, but that is also when a trip to the beach becomes the perfect opportunity to find some relief. Since much of the area is made of up of rural communities and small towns, you will find that this state tends to be a pretty safe place to call home. It was the first southern city conquered by Union Forces near the beginning of the war in November of 1861. Even the food you purchase at a diner comes with a 10.5% tax. Gas taxes are low, which means the costs of transportation are also lower (the lowest in the US). However, everyone wants something different in the city or town they call home, so looking at the pros and cons of the place can help you decide if its right for you. Conde Nast magazine ranked Beaufort as one of the 26 most beautiful towns in America. The town is ideally located, close to both bases (MCAS and Parris Island. if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'howthingscompare_com-box-2','ezslot_3',126,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-howthingscompare_com-box-2-0');With beautiful weather and picturesque scenery, Beaufort, South Carolina, seems like a wonderful place to live.