Georgetown, South Carolina

What It Is Like to Retire in Georgetown

Located on the Winyah Bay in the low country of South Carolina, Georgetown is the second largest seaport in the state, and the county seat of Georgetown County. The historic town was once an important center of rice production during the 1800's, which was cultivated along the rivers, and gave rise to stately plantation homes and estates, with many of them still standing today. Georgetown has a diverse population of about 9,000, and is popular with retirees due to its coastal charm and interesting history, fishing and boating, and it offers a very walkable downtown and vibrant waterfront Harborwalk. Photo of an older neighborhood that has Southern live oaks overarching the streets, such as these on East Bay Street, courtesy of Wikipedia and Pollinator, and photo of The Harborwalk in Georgetown, courtesy of Wikipedia and Billy Harthorn, both photos Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0/, photo of Georgetown harbor courtesy of Wikipedia and Thomson200 (public domain)

Watch this short Youtube video on the history of Georgetown prepared by ETVRoadshow:

Where to Retire in Georgetown and Home Prices

There are several neighborhoods and types of housing which include condos, apartments, and new developments on former plantations, along with a golf course community in Georgetown. Zillow reports the median home value to be $168,152 in early 2021, with homes on the water priced much higher.

What Is Special about Georgetown

Georgetown is a small town that boasts a marina and waterfront shopping and dining, along with historic sites, fishing, boating, biking and parks.

What Is Not Special about Georgetown

There is a high crime rate here, and hurricanes and storm surges have struck the area.

Who Will Like Retirement in Georgetown

Retirees are attracted to Georgetown for the small town charm, climate and low cost of living. The town also offers a hospital, library, festivals and events and parks.

Local Economy Is Driven by

The economy is diversified and is driven by commercial fishing, service providers, sales and tourism.

Climate and Physical Environment

The average January temperature is 47 degrees, with July's average at 81 degrees. Georgetown is in a hurricane zone, and has had flooding from storm surges, with Hurricane Hugo causing damage in 1989.

Restaurants & Cultural Scene

There are several restaurants here including seafood of course. Culturally, Georgetown offers a few museums, and hosts several festivals throughout the year. Myrtle Beach is close by for beaches and nightlife, and Charleston for historical sites and cultural events.

Crime

The crime rate here is considered to be higher than the national average.

Medical facilities

Tidelands Georgetown Memorial Hospital is located here.

Transportation

There is a small airport in Georgetown for private and private planes; the nearest large airport is in Myrtle Beach, about 35 miles away.

Valuable Links

Historic Georgetown City of Georgetown