Any thoughts would be great. Beauforts close-knit community, small-town charm, and deep-rooted history have earned it the nickname Queen of the Sea Islands. Beaufort is the setting for a number of famous movies, including Forrest Gump, The Great Santini, and the breakout success on Netflix, Outer Banks. Ever. Living in Alabama The Pros and Cons of Retiring to Alabama. Cost of Living: -12.6% lower. Still, these are the only two higher education options for city youth. Other than all this it is a great place. Beaufort is located on Port Royal Island, in the heart of the Sea Islands and South Carolina Lowcountry. In terms of beauty, the city of Beaufort is unparalleled. Mixed-age residents include young families and retirees. Avoid the main roads from 3:30th to 5:30, traffic is horrible. Most crimes committed in Beaufort are property crimes, such as theft, but the area also sees some violent crimes. There is something locally sourced and inviting to eat in every season. The historic downtown, as well as marshy areas around the city, make it a natural site for movie making. 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. Be ready to step back into the 50s because thats what race relations overall are like there. You can ignore the intensity of the college football rivalries, even when Tennessee is in the picture. Wherever you go in Beaufort, the atmosphere is warm and relaxed. What Retirement in South Carolina Actually Looks Like You may have to quit work and retire. You will want to carefully consider your budget before moving to the state to ensure that your employment opportunities, retirement benefits, or other sources of income can cover what you require. It has a unique flavor that originated in the South Carolina lowlands. The scenery There are nearby beaches that are beautiful. You just never really know what the average day might bring. Beaufort was founded in 1711, the second oldest city in the state. You may miss some of the conveniences of being in a larger city, and it takes time to get to any of them. Everything is a lot cheaper here, especially when it comes to housing. Charleston is the oldest city in South Carolina, offering a history that predates the beginning of the American Civil War. I would never move here thinking I would want my children educated in the local public schools. There are about 14.5 students per teacher in Beaufort. The highest income tax rate in SC is. Also, in 2021, USA Today ranked Beaufort as one of the top 10 coastal towns in the United States. Most of the South Carolina coast is characterized by moss-covered oak trees that are centuries old and have grown moss on their branches for decades. This means for retirees still earning significant income, income taxes can feel high. I love the scenary. Beaufort has been featured in the New York Times and named BestSmall Southern Town by Southern Living, a Top 25 Small City Arts Destination by American Style, and a Top 50 Adventure Town by National Geographic Adventure. 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. 4. Theres also the problem of roaches and palmetto bugs, so youll have to get used to fighting them off. Although the fuel tax in South Carolina is exceptionally low compared to the national standard, the other taxes that you will pay for the items you want are relatively high. Port Royal is in Beaufort County. I like the friendliness of the people. 16 Pros and Cons of Living in Beaufort, SC (2023 Updated) However, the Downtown area is relatively safe. You will find that the state average for crime in South Carolina is about what it is in most other states across the country. Most of the crimes are property crimes such as theft. There are several lakes, creeks, and secret swimming holes that will help you to cool off during a warm day. In the southeast and along the shore, temperatures are higher, but sea breezes keep things comfortable. Temperatures often reach into the low 90s, and rain is most frequent during July and August. The median income in Beaufort, SC is $48,474 and the median home value is $266,782. The sales tax rate in Beaufort, South Carolina is 6.0%. overall Beaufort is a nice quiet place to live it just is missing some excitement for the younger generations. List of the Pros of Living in South Carolina 1. Expect to be eating a lot of hot sauce with your food. hodgson academy term dates One of the quirks of the area is mustard-based barbeque sauce. 7. When it comes to living near the sea, there are immediate benefits for your mental health. 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 gently rolling hills that begin as you move away from the coast are ideal to explore, especially with the occasional historic town sprinkled in here and there. All Rights Reserved. Beaufort is in Carteret County. The cost of living has just gotten out of hand. Port Royal, SC - Niche Coastal living continues to be a favorite choice, with new residents being drawn to charming seaside towns like Beaufort. The natural beauty of Beaufort is breathtaking. South Carolina Is tax-friendlier to Retirees Than North Carolina. There are lots of water sports opportunities to pursue when living here. Living at Celadon places you in one of the Southeast's most desirable cities Beaufort, South Carolina which Coastal Living labeled "America's Happiest Seaside Town.". You will find that southern hospitality is still alive and well in the state. I enjoy the outlets Beaufort has. Beaufort County is home to some of the spookiest, most haunted places. The weather in South Carolina is generally better than most places in the United States. As a result, there tend to be a lot of overweight people in the south and Beaufort is no exception. The victory in Port Royal Sound closed off a major river from the Confederacy. They are beautiful, inviting, and offer enough variety that boredom is seldom an issue. It has maintained its Antebellum architecture as well as its small-town atmosphere over the years. Healthy food choices exist, but unhealthy delicious food choices also exist. Sponsored Mortgage Options for Port Royal. Most people can get used to the fact that South Carolinians like to put mustard in their barbecue sauce. Is it expensive to live in Beaufort, South Carolina? Niche requires Javascript to work correctly. Beaufort SC is a horrible place to live. Even the food you purchase at a diner comes with a 10.5% tax. When making a big move. 2. Lets look at some of the pros and cons of living here. Springtime has beautiful flowers that make it even more appealing. Products not available in all states. . You will like the southern hospitality. The only real downside is that it is a bit isolated. Stately, historic mansions and historical buildings give the downtown a feel that rivals Charleston. It can make your outdoor fun a little less fun. It is a place where almost every day feels like a vacation if that is a priority, making it an ideal place to find a home and raise a family. Top 10 Pros and Cons of Living in Beaufort, SC - Updated 2023 If you like to fish, run and drive then this place is for you. You will have bugs, both indoors and outdoors, and that is something you have to get used to. Also read: Pros and cons of living in Lancaster, PA. if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'howthingscompare_com-leader-2','ezslot_13',139,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-howthingscompare_com-leader-2-0');Although tax rates are lower in South Carolina, the cost of living can be a bit higher in Beaufort than in other parts of the country. The cost of living in Beaufort is lower than the national average. Many of these bugs are annoying, and some can even make their way inside your home, so if you plan to live in the city, you may need to invest in exterminating services. 9. Outdoor activities are restricted to a few parks, the beaches close by and the river. pros and cons of living on daufuskie island If you're looking for small town living in the south, Beaufort is the place to be. The population is diverse, and Beaufort public schools are above average. How is Beaufort ranked against other cities its size? Here they can enjoy fishing, boating, artisan markets, and soft ocean breezes every day. There are also roaches and palmetto bugs, which are very similar. Enjoy bright pink sunrises over the Atlantic Ocean and wander beneath the moss-covered oak trees at . Beaufort and the surrounding area are rich in history. There is the threat of hurricanes in the fall, and if one is within 300 miles there will be days of torrential rainfall. 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. The water quality index calculated by Dwellics team in Beaufort is 100 out of 100 (100 being the best) based on the number of acute health-based violations for every water utility in the last 5 years. What are the pros and cons of living there? The Pros and Cons of Living In South Carolina - Celadon Living Beaufort residents think Beaufort is a nice town and apparently, so does the rest of the country. It was the first southern city conquered by Union Forces near the beginning of the war in November of 1861. Even so, it is a bit isolated from larger metropolitan areas. Showing 80 homes around 20 miles. Besides its excellent museums, the city could be considered a historical time capsule of the United States. Shoppers can then walk up and down trying any sales and specials they have going on. A truly sweet, southern town. Demands for a living wage that is fair to workers have resulted in numerous location-based changes to minimum wage levels. The rainy season likes to bring flooding to South Carolina. Beaufort County also has the highest cost of living in all of South Carolina. 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. Exploration of the area began around 1540 when Hernando de Soto fulfilled the obligation of his expedition here. There are several barrier islands along the shore that help to temper the waters of the Atlantic Ocean in many areas as well. After the Civil War, freed slaves took up residence in the coastal barrier islands and created the Gullah culture, and that is just one cultural aspect you will discover in this area. $345,000 $10k. Active retirement communities in Beaufort, SC, focus on the needs and interests of adults age 55 and up. Beaufort can feel isolating, as its far from other major cities. Many outdoor activities include cycling, hiking, enjoying the beach, boating, and fishing. Best Places to Live in Bluffton, South Carolina The very hot part of summer is usually not more than a week or so. Downtown has a similar air to Charleston because of the stately historic residences and historical buildings. Cons- Found lots of racism. Property taxes in South Carolina are comparatively low. Beaufort has consistently ranked among the best small towns for livability, and potential retirement sites, both at the state and national levels. Beautiful military town. The pros and cons of living in South Carolina work to balance the cost of the experience with the opportunities that are available. You will feel right at home almost immediately if you move to Beaufort. The Category 4 storm made landfall in 1989, causing over $7 billion in damages. Pros and cons - 7/30/2011 Pros- The weather is beautiful except the summers. Coastal South Carolina; Beaufort; Bluffton; Charleston; Folly Beach; Hilton Head Island; Isle of Palms; Kiawah Island; There is also a gas tax credit for which you might qualify that is based on the information supplied from your income tax return. You might come up close and personal with an alligator. NMLS #2366520. The weather is horrid June 1 thru Nov 1. Finding a job is not usually difficult in the state, but it can be challenging to live in certain areas if you do not have a significant household income. Beaufort (pronounced BOW-furt) is planted on the outermost reach of North Carolina's southern coast. Pros And Cons Of Living In Beaufort, South Carolina, Moving to Beaufort Beaufort, NC - Niche The locals here are warm and friendly, both to newcomers and long-time residents. The public schools in Beaufort are highly rated. Temperatures rarely fall below 40 degrees in the winter, and many days even reach the 50s. Port Royal has expanded since I have grown up and I cant be more proud. Hilton Head Island, SC - Niche The poverty rate of Beaufort is 18.9%, which is 26% higher than national average. The climate in Beaufort is generally better than most places in the United States. You will have access to a professional ballet group, several different orchestras to enjoy, and there are 30+ different galleries to explore in the French Quarter of Charleston by itself. Best Places to Live in Port Royal, South Carolina Beaufort is a small little town that is slowly growing. The Habersham Marketplace is the heart and soul of the award-winning town of Habersham located just minutes from downtown Beaufort. This hot period is brief each year, but it is hard to contend with if you dont have air conditioning. Significant hurricanes in the state have taken a significant toll on South Carolinas communities over the year, with Hugo being the standard that responses are measured against. Designed with Love by n28. Summer weather also brings annoying bugs. Coastal resort area - On a barrier island on the Atlantic Coast, 20 miles northeast of Savannah GA. State: South Carolina. The cultural scene is remarkable in South Carolina. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. Many families and young professionals live in Port Royal and residents tend to have moderate political views. 13. Compare today's top mortgage and refinancing providers. It isnt a title that is reflective of age. Fees that Niche receives for ads do not affect the terms you may be offered by the lender you choose. The average cost of a single-family home in Beaufort, South Carolina in 2022 is $ 340,171 which is high in the United States and the highest in South Carolina. Beaufort has a better average annual temperature than the vast majority of the United States. You will discover that the many parks that are sprinkled throughout South Carolina all offer a charm that is distinctly original. The city is home to the Technical College of the Lowcountry and a satellite campus of the University of South Carolina. There are Native American cultures as well that have an influence. The city employs around 5.43K people; however, this is a decrease of 6.06% from the previous year's 5.78K employees. 2023 Copyright by Travel Safe - Abroad. If you enjoy concerts or prefer more options for nightlife entertainment, you may not find them in Beaufort. People are friendly and welcoming. It outweighs any allure that CA has. Is Beaufort, SC a Good Place to Live? - Celadon Living Moving to Bluffton? - Bluffton Forum - Tripadvisor Cost of living in Beaufort, South Carolina (Taxes and Housing costs) Great small town along the East coast with access to wonderful beaches, great restaurants, numerous farmers markets, historical sites, affordable housing, great fishing, close to larger cities and airports like Savannah/ Hilton Head and Charleston, very good medical facilities, lots of shopping venues and churches, and always a nice relaxing atmosphere. It has a beautiful waterfront district in the downtown area featuring mansions overlooking the bay. The area has become more popular with retirees, and more people want to move to the area, and that has driven the cost of housing up significantly. The average school expenditure in the US is $12,383. There are plenty of public school access no matter where you choose to live in town. The cost of living in Beaufort is lower than the national average. The Gullah people, who had been emancipated from slavery after the Civil War, settled on the barrier islands off the coast and gave rise to the citys unique culture. Beaufort is a military town pinned between MCRD Parris Island and MCAS Beaufort. It exists even from the transplants from up North. It has a wide-open suburban feel with many parks, hiking and cycling trails, marshlands to explore, and fascinating wildlife. Read more from, South Carolina is ranked number 41 out of all states in overall healthcare access and affordability. Living in Port Royal offers residents a dense suburban feel and most residents rent their homes. It has a rich history involving the Revolutionary War, as well as the Civil War. This open attitude can make it much easier to get to know your neighbors, make friends, and integrate into the city, and many people feel at home in Beaufort right away.