Handsmill on Lake Wylie
Rock Hill, South Carolina
Hilton Head, South Carolina
What It Is Like to Retire in Hilton head
Hilton Head is a retirement community located on an island of the same name at the extreme southern edge of South Carolina. This area of just under 35,000 is known for its beautiful beaches and fabulous golf courses. Of its population of 37,661 (2020 census), the majority are active adults 55+ who choose this island and the surrounding area as their ideal retirement community. The Island swells to almost 300,000 people during the busy summer tourist season. The area tends to be quite exclusive and most of it comprised of planned developments, usually referred to as “plantations”. The Heritage Classic Tournament is an important yearly event that takes place at one of these, Sea Pines Plantation. The Harbour Town Lighthouse from that area is pictured above. Hilton Head is located in Beaufort County. Photo of Harbour Town Marina and photo of Baynard Mausoleum, the oldest intact structure on the island (1846), courtesy of Wikipedia and MoodyGroove, photo of Coligny Circle Plaza courtesy of Wikipedia and Thierry Caro, Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0/
Where to Retire in Hilton head and Home Prices
The area is developing rapidly with many upscale communities aimed at retiring baby boomers and people looking for vacation homes. Most of these new planned communities are heavily oriented towards golf. There are many surrounding towns that compete with Hilton Head for the active adult lifestyle which are also worth checking out - some of those include Bluffton, Savannah, and Beaufort. Active adults can either live in in apartments, condos, or single family homes. The median home value was $702,632 in mid-2023, according to Zillow.com. The area just off the island (toward Bluffton) is also growing rapidly and sometimes offers better deals for less money.
What Is Special about Hilton head
• Known for its "eco-friendly" development plans • Heritage Classic Golf Tournament • It’s an island – water everywhere • Exclusive gated retirement and active adult communities • Great beaches • Milder winters
What Is Not Special about Hilton head
It is a resort area to many especially from June thru September where island swells to 300K vacationers, and has hot, humid summers with intense development everywhere off the island towards Bluffton.
Who Will Like Retirement in Hilton head
Hilton Head attracts a community of people who are looking to live in an exclusive community, usually oriented towards golf or living near the ocean, or people who want a slower pace of life.
Local Economy Is Driven by
The economy is very strong due to tourism, hospitality, retail, and services.
Climate and Physical Environment
Hilton Head is located at the bottom of South Carolina's coastline. The area has many harbors, wetlands and rivers. Winters are temperate and summers hot and humid, although more bearable than inland.
Restaurants & Cultural Scene
Hilton Head Island offers many cultural opportunities for a community its size, including plays at the Arts Center of Coastal Carolina, the 120 member full chorus of the Hilton Head Choral Society, and the highly-rated Hilton Head Symphony Orchestra, among others. The Beaufort County Arts Council is very active. The island has many art galleries. Shopping is very good. Savannah is 26 miles away and tends to be the cultural center.
Crime
The crime rate tends to be higher towards the summer months due to vacationers on the island, and the crimes are mainly theft out of cars, etc.
Medical facilities
Hilton Head Hospital is top rated and there are other hospital in the area.
Transportation
Hilton Head Airport is on the island. Savannah-Hilton Head Airport is 30 miles away.
Valuable Links
Hilton Head Tourist GuideWikipedia page for Hilton Head Island
Comments on "Hilton Head"
Yolande says:
Well, I checked to see if this is a conservative area, it's moderately so. Also checked to see what I would need to make salary wise to live here. I would have to increase my salary by $10K annually just to survive there, not buy a house but survive. Wow, I can't do that in this economy. It's very difficult to find a job paying $1.00 more let a lone $10K. That's insane.