Employees looking to retire in sunny South Carolina may want to consider this Travel + Leisure room.
In a roundup of the eight best places to retire in the state, two upstate cities made the top five, with one ranking No. 1. Another city in the region made the top 10.
Greenville tops the list of best places to retire, with Anderson not too far behind at No. 4. Spartanburg also makes the ranking, at No. 8.
“South Carolina is a great place to live, a great place to visit, and a great place to retire. From the sandy shores of the Atlantic Coast to the rolling foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, with plenty of charming small towns and scenic lakes in between, South Carolina has something for everyone,” Duane Parrish, director of the South Carolina Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism, told T+L.
Here's why you should retire in one of these three cities, according to local experts.
Why is South Carolina a good place to live for retirees?
South Carolina’s low cost of living is one of the main reasons why transplants choose to relocate to the state. For retirees, there are additional benefits. According to T+L, retirees are exempt from paying income tax on Social Security benefits. Residents 65 and older can deduct up to $10,000 of their retirement income from their state taxes. Residents under 65 can deduct up to $3,000. Residents 65 and older can also qualify for a $50,000 tax exemption on the value of their home after living in the state for a full calendar year, which is possible through the Homestead Exemption Benefit.
Greenville is South Carolina's #1 Retirement Destination
In T+L, Greenville received high praise for its walkable downtown, entertainment, and parks. While Greenville doesn't have any beaches, it is less than four hours from beautiful coastal destinations like Charleston and Myrtle Beach. Retirees eager to travel can do so at Greenville-Spartanburg Airport (GSP), which offers 100 daily nonstop flights to 23 U.S. destinations.
“Greenville offers retirees a vibrant mix of small-town charm and big-city amenities, with a rich cultural scene, farm-to-table dining and vibrant community events,” Sean Hartness, CEO of Hartness Development, told T+L.
Anderson near Lake Hartwell
In 2022, Anderson was listed among T+L's best places to retire in the United States It has also been dubbed “South Carolina’s Friendliest City.” Anderson’s historic downtown offers residents a community, restaurants, and shopping. Retirees who enjoy boating or fishing will make the most of nearby Lake Hartwell, where various fishing tournaments are held each year. The types of fish anglers can expect to catch in the lake include catfish, striped bass, and walleye, among others. Redfin data from May 2024 indicates that home prices in the area are down 3.3% from last year, with a median sale price of $250,000.
Spartanburg is home to the BMW Museum, Driving School and Factory
Like Anderson and Greenville, Spartanburg offers retirees a low cost of living, named by US News & World Report among best places to retire in 2024It was also named the state’s top bike-friendly city by the League of American Bicyclists. The only BMW Museum in North America is one of the attractions highlighted by T+L, as well as the BMW Performance Driving School and the BMW Manufacturing Plant (the only one in the United States). When it comes to outdoor recreation, Spartanburg has no shortage of things to do, from escaping into nature to its vibrant nightlife. However, what makes this place beneficial for retirees is the Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System, which offers free fitness classes every week for seniors 50 and older.
“Spartanburg offers a lower cost of living and many amenities that appeal to retirees. Our amenities include pleasant weather, world-class trail systems, abundant waterways, a thriving arts and culture scene, an emerging downtown with great shopping, restaurants and a minor league baseball stadium,” Billy Dunlap, director of tourism development for OneSpartanburg, Inc., told T+L.
Nina Tran covers breaking news for The Greenville News. You can contact her by email at ntran@gannett.com.
