South Carolina is a southern state that has great weather, and that is attracting a lot of newcomers.
There are also a good number of jobs available, and the tourism industry is very strong.
The downside can also be the weather, as well as the disparity of income among people.
Contents
Pros of Living in South Carolina
1. The scenery
South Carolina is a beautiful state, with miles of sandy beaches along the southeast coast, and mountains on the northwest.
If you live in the middle of the state, like Columbia, the capital, it is not all that far from the mountains or the ocean.
Springtime has flowers everywhere.
Winter is never harsh along the coast.
The fall foliage is spectacular in the mountainous areas.
It is a great place to enjoy the outdoors throughout the year.
2. History
South Carolina was one of the 13 colonies, and in the early 1700s, Charleston was one of the country’s main cities.
It was also where the Civil War began.
Charleston’s historic district still has cobblestones.
The second-oldest city, Beaufort, is a miniature version of Charleston.
The state played a big role in both the Revolutionary War and the Civil War.
There are many interesting historical sites from the 1700s and onward.
Be aware though, that the Confederacy is not a dirty word in South Carolina.
3. Southern Charm
One of the first things you notice when you come to South Carolina is the laid-back friendliness of the people.
There is a relaxed atmosphere, and strangers on the street say hello, and they will stop and talk awhile if you like.
The coastal areas are big tourist areas, and that vacation vibe seems to permeate the whole state year-round.
It may be here that the idea of slow southerners came about.
Life is slower in South Carolina, and it is more relaxed, and things still seem to get done.
4. The weather
Especially along the coast, winters are very mild, and summers are not all that hot.
In the upper state area it can get a little colder, but nothing like states that have a lot of snow.
It may get below freezing two or three days out of the year.
The ocean breeze keeps the coastal areas from getting too terribly hot in summer.
There are not four seasons though.
The joke is, that there are two seasons, January, and the rest of the year.
It is not too much of an exaggeration.
If you are coming from the north, you will love the weather.
5. Barbeque
Almost every state lays a claim to having the best barbeque, especially in the south.
South Carolina is no different and has a unique flavor all its own.
It takes some getting used to perhaps, but the barbeque is mustard-based as opposed to vinegar or molasses.
It is kind of strange seeing yellow-tinged meat for the first time, but once you taste it, you will probably decide the color is not all that bad.
6. Food in general
There is lots of food in South Carolina, and almost any event you go to will have food available.
Along the coast, fresh seafood is everywhere.
You can also buy fresh raw seafood on the docks when fishing boats come in, but most people get it at stores or restaurants.
One delicacy is shrimp and grits, which is a South Carolina invention.
Country fried steak is another one, and just about anything can and will be fried.
Great food will be available at every turn, so it will be hard to not add some weight.
7. Outdoor activities
With the nice weather and things like beaches or mountains within easy reach, it seems natural that there would be a lot of outdoor activities to enjoy.
Maybe people are working off all that food, but you will often see people outside having fun.
There is biking, running, hiking, in addition to boating, fishing, and camping.
In the mountains, there is white water rafting and kayaking.
There are several state parks and wildlife refuges to enjoy as well.
8. Tax structure
South Carolina has the sixth-best property tax rating in the nation.
Its effective property tax rate is .53 percent.
The median home value is $261,000, and the property tax on that would be $1,300.
Taxes on gasoline and other fuels are the lowest in the nation as well.
The state gets its money through income tax and sales tax.
Even so, food and used items are exempt from sales tax.
According to Wallet Hub, South Carolina has the 11th lowest overall tax burden in the nation.
Cons of Living in South Carolina
1. Weather
The nice winter is offset by a hot humid summer in most cases.
The coastal areas are kept from getting too hot with the ocean winds.
Inland it gets much hotter and there is not much relief other than going to the beach.
The summer lasts a long time too, which makes it more painful.
There is the occasional ice storm in winter.
Because it is rare local officials do not have the equipment to remove it, when there is an ice storm or a little snow, it is not going to go away fast.
2. Hurricanes
In early fall there can be hurricanes.
They are tracked but can take a turn at the last minute and cause tremendous damage.
Hurricanes have hit Charleston and destroyed a lot of the city.
They hit other coastal areas as well.
If a hurricane gets within 100 miles of the coast, there will be tremendous rain for a few days.
Another drawback of hurricanes is that no one listens to the warnings until it is almost too late.
The day before a storm does arrive, Interstates and highways from the coast will be jam-packed with cars.
3. Coastal living is expensive
The cost of housing in coastal resorts is just as expensive as it is in northern cities.
Inland houses are more in line with the national average, and even less in small towns far from the coast.
On the coast, however, even a small house could set you back $1 million.
That skews the state average for housing costs.
Apartments on the beach are also very expensive, but not so much the further you go inland.
Coastal living is more expensive in almost every way than it is further inland.
4. Bugs and more bugs
They are called Palmetto bugs, but they look like big roaches and they can fly.
The hot muggy temperatures, and wet ground, are good conditions for bugs and they thrive.
Mosquitos are also a major issue throughout the state.
It is hard to keep insects out of your home, and you will have a battle on your hands year-round.
Alligators can also be an issue in coastal areas.
Bugs are not a sign of a dirty house, they are probably in every house in the state to some degree.
5. Sweetness can be deceiving
Sweet tea is very sweet, too sweet for a lot of people.
That can translate to general life in South Carolina as well.
People are friendly and polite, but there is a passive-aggressiveness, or subtly in getting a negative point across.
If someone says “bless your heart,” or, “you’re so special,” it is not nice, they are insulting you.
Or people will say things like, “you are so stupid, bless your heart,” and that makes it ok to say whatever you want as a joke.
They may not be joking.
6. Sneaky taxes
While property taxes and gas taxes are low, and the overall tax burden is below average, the state still gets its money and you will end up forking it over.
There is an income tax that is about average for most people, and it hits lower-income people to some degree.
Sales taxes are above average on most things, like clothing or eating out.
There are also extra taxes on alcohol and tobacco.
If you sell a house and move into the state, bringing your money, you could lose some of it due to real estate taxes if you do not buy a house.
7. Congestion and construction
A lot of people are moving to South Carolina.
This means there is a lot of construction going on, as well as road building and repair.
It is not likely to stop anytime soon.
It can be hard to get to work, or your usual route might get interrupted.
Some roads are overcrowded just because of all the additional people.
This is worse in the summertime when there are more people in the state.
Residents appreciate winter when the tourists go home and they can relax.
8. Income disparity
Some very wealthy people have retired along the coast, and that has driven up prices there considerably.
There are also a lot of poor people.
Hilton Head Island, for example, buses people onto the island to work and takes them home at night.
There is a lot of wealth, and some good jobs to be had.
There is also a lot of poverty, particularly in the black community throughout the state.
Pros and Cons of Living in South Carolina – Summary Table
| Pros of Living in South Carolina | Cons of Living in South Carolina |
|---|---|
| 1. The scenery | 1. Weather |
| 2. History | 2. Hurricanes |
| 3. Southern Charm | 3. Coastal living is expensive |
| 4. The weather | 4. Bugs and more bugs |
| 5. Barbeque | 5. Sweetness can be deceiving |
| 6. Food in general | 6. Sneaky taxes |
| 7. Outdoor activities | 7. Congestion and construction |
| 8. Tax structure | 8. Income disparity |
South Carolina Safety Overview
READ THE FULL REPORT: South Carolina Safety Review
Safety Index:
- OVERALL RISK: MEDIUM
- TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW
- PICKPOCKETS RISK: LOW
- NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: HIGH
- MUGGING RISK: MEDIUM
- TERRORISM RISK: MEDIUM
- SCAMS RISK: MEDIUM
- WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is South Carolina called the Palmetto State?
There are a lot of palmetto trees in the state, and it got that name as a result.
The Sabal Palmetto tree is most common, however, the tree on the state flag is the Cabbage Palmetto tree.
How old is Charleston?
Charleston was started in 1670 and was one of the leading port cities in America until the Civil War.
It is one of the five or six oldest cities in the United States.
St. Augustine is the oldest, founded in 1561.
Charleston was the fourth-largest city among the 13 colonies in 1776.
When is the best time to visit South Carolina?
In the spring you can enjoy a couple of months of lush gardens and flowers.
The best time to visit the beaches is in September after the crowds have left and it is still very warm.
What is the Gullah Culture?
The Gullahs live in what is called the Lowcountry, the area around the beaches of South Carolina.
They are a distinct group of African Americans who were somewhat isolated in that area from the Civil War era well into the 1900s.
Their language is a combination of British and American English, with an African dialect thrown in.
They have a distinct culture, and there is a cuisine named after them.
What are barrier islands?
South Carolina has 16 islands that are just off the mainland.
They have pristine beaches but many are getting developed.
They provide some protection against storms and hurricanes.
Last year we went to Cheraw to visit I had been many times in my life.
This last time in 2021 was very disturbing to me there was absolutely nothing to do with deserted streets on Saturday and Sunday morning it was almost like a ghost town.
We spoke to one of the people that ran the motel we stayed in and they said Cheraw is a suffering town. Being that I’ve been there many times it’s a beautiful place absolutely.
There’s really nothing to do, here’s how you fix it I think getting rid of the mayor I think he’s stopping growth to this small town it’s time to put Young new faces and vibrant men and women in office so they can make the place a joy for all.
I didn’t see anything for children to do unless you like cemeteries this is not a fun place to go and my heart is broken because I had visited there many times in the past and had a wonderful time.
It was a bustling town at the time.
I heard a couple of men talking about how they were breeding dogs Etc. When you give people nothing to do crime settles in.
Please somebody help this suffering town of Cheraw. Thanks for your time.
I think the mayor is great!
South Carolina offers a great combination of beautiful scenery, southern charm and mild weather with the downside being hurricanes, bugs and sneaky taxes.
If you hate yourself and want to commit a very slow, painful boring suicide, then SC is the place for you!!