Many South Carolina visitors return, some to experience the states beautiful beaches, vibrant waterways and verdant mountains for a second or third time and others to put down permanent roots.

Regardless of whether they stay for a day, a week or a lifetime, few are disappointed by what they find in a state known for its beautiful places, smiling faces and historical significance.

While South Carolinians have taken great pains to preserve the relics of their past, they also have taken great pride in looking to the future. Not far from Charleston, where the first shots of the Civil War were fired, the Boeing Corp. is getting ready to fire up an assembly line for its 787 Dreamliner jet, a $750-million facility in nearby North Charleston.

Boeing is not the only large corporation that has established a home in the Palmetto State. In the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, BMW is in Spartanburg and Michelin is in Greenville, and an array of other thriving companies have decided that South Carolina is the place to be.

In between the mountains and the Atlantic Ocean, in the center of South Carolina, Columbia, the state capital, offers a revitalized downtown and its own brand of Southern hospitality.

But South Carolina has much more to offer to refugees from the overcrowded metropolitan areas of the North and Northeast than the cities that straddle Interstate 26. Along the coast, theres the sun and sand of Hilton Head Island, historic Georgetown, booming Mount Pleasant and Myrtle Beach, the entertainment capital of the Carolina coast.

Moving inland, those who prefer the serenity of small-town living have a seemingly endless menu of choices, from Summerville to Walterboro to Orangeburg.

And for those who appreciate distinct seasons, the small towns that surround Spartanburg and Greenville in the Upstate beckon, among them Anderson, Easley, Lyman and Gaffney.

Everywhere you look in South Carolina, you will find unbeatable weather, magnificent scenery and friendly people.

Now you know why the Palmetto state is home to so many of those smiling faces.

Aiken, South Carolina Aiken, South Carolina has long been a magnet for people seeking the solace of a simpler, healthier lifestyle. Shortly after the railroad arrived in 1833, wealthy Charleston residents chose to spend months at a time in the small but vibrant town, escaping... Read More...

Fort Mill, South Carolina Today, in addition to Springs Industries, several large businesses have a presence in the Fort Mill area, including Continental Tire and URS Corporation, and the town also hosts the headquarters of the Carolina Crown Drum and Bugle Corps... Read More...

Santee, South Carolina With a population of fewer than 800 people, some might consider Santee a bit too sleepy, but that is not the case at all. The areas 15 golf courses draw visitors from around the country, many of whom decide to settle in the area. In addition... Read More...

Summerville, South Carolina Located amid thick pine forests 30 miles inland from the South Carolina coast, 18th century Summerville was a vacation spot for Charlestonians seeking relief from summer humidity and mosquitoes. In the 21st century, a combination of affordable housing... Read More...

Aiken, South Carolina Aiken, South Carolina has long been a magnet for people seeking the solace of a simpler, healthier lifestyle. Shortly after the railroad arrived in 1833, wealthy Charleston residents chose to spend months at a time in the small but vibrant town, escaping... Read More...

Beaufort, South Carolina Even 20 years later, the locale that served as the setting for the classic baby boomer film, The Big Chill,continues to attract people longing for a connection to the past and the peace of mind found only in a town like Beaufort, South Carolina... Read More...

Fort Mill, South Carolina Today, in addition to Springs Industries, several large businesses have a presence in the Fort Mill area, including Continental Tire and URS Corporation, and the town also hosts the headquarters of the Carolina Crown Drum and Bugle Corps... Read More...

Isle of Palms, South Carolina Located north of Charleston Harbor, the upscale barrier island exudes a feeling of community that most resort islands simply cannot offer. IOP is known for its cool breezes, mild winters and pleasant summers, the perfect setting for people in search of a year-round, warm... Read More...

Litchfield, South Carolina Located on the northern tip of Pawleys Island, Litchfield is rapidly becoming one of the areas top retirement destinations. The sleepy island lifestyle Pawleys Island is known for has carried over to Litchfield, though to a lesser degree, as Litchfield was designed... Read More...

Little River, South Carolina Heading north along well-traveled Highway 17, as the bright lights of South Carolina's Grand Strand begin to dim, you will find Little River, once an important port city but now a small town striving to maintain its well-earned reputation as a quaint fishing village... Read More...

Manning, South Carolina Centrally located in Clarendon County just off Interstate 95, Manning, South Carolina has a population slightly larger than 4,000 people. What began in 1855 as 'the Village of Manning' it is now a great place to live while enjoying many recreational activities. Lake Marion, nearby Manning, was created... Read More...

Summerville, South Carolina Located amid thick pine forests 30 miles inland from the South Carolina coast, 18th century Summerville was a vacation spot for Charlestonians seeking relief from summer humidity and mosquitoes. In the 21st century, a combination of affordable housing... Read More...

Walterboro, South Carolina In 1784, when rice plantation owners began looking for the ideal place for their summer homes in what is now Colleton County, they chose a pleasant, wooded area and named it Hickory Valley. Forty-two years later, bearing the name of two of its original... Read More...

FUN FACT: The walls of the American fort on Sullivan Island, in Charleston Harbor, were made of spongy Palmetto logs. This was helpful in protecting the fort because the British cannonballs bounced off the logs.

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South Carolina Retirement Towns | The Retirement Lifestyle in ...